D.C. Law 25-181. Self Storage Lien Enforcement Modernization Amendment Act of 2024.

AN ACT

To amend the Self Storage Act of 2003 to allow the operator of a self-service storage facility to enforce a lien on a vehicle, watercraft, or trailer stored by having it towed from the self-service storage facility by a licensed tow truck business, to allow the operator of a self-service storage facility to send a second notice of default to the occupant at the occupant's last known address by U.S. mail with a certificate of mailing, to allow the operator of a self-service storage facility to advertise the time, place, and terms of a lien sale on a publicly accessible website that regularly advertises or conducts property sales, and to allow a lien sale to be conducted online.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this act may be cited as the "Self Storage Lien Enforcement Modernization Amendment Act of 2024".

Sec. 2. Section 5 of the Self Storage Act of 2003, effective February 6, 2004 (D.C. Law 15-64; D.C. Official Code § 40-404), is amended as follows:

(a) Subsection (a)(1) is amended by striking the period at the end and inserting the phrase "; or, if the personal property subject to the operator's lien is a vehicle, watercraft, or trailer, the operator may have the vehicle, watercraft, or trailer towed from the self-service storage facility by a licensed tow truck business. The operator shall not be liable for any damages to the vehicle, watercraft, or trailer once a licensed tow truck business takes possession of the personal property." In its place.

(b) Subsection (b) is amended as follows:

(1) Paragraph (2) is amended as follows:

(A) The lead-in language is amended by striking the phrase "return receipt requested" and inserting the phrase "return receipt requested, or by U.S. mail with a certificate of mailing" in its place.

(B) Subparagraph (D) is amended by striking the phrase "; and" and inserting the phrase ", or, if the personal property is a vehicle, watercraft, or trailer, that the operator may have the vehicle, watercraft, or trailer, towed from the self-service storage facility; and" in its place.

(2) Paragraph (3) is amended by striking the period at the end and inserting the phrase "or on a publicly accessible website that regularly advertises or conducts property sales." In its place.

(b) Subsection (d) is amended by striking the period at the end and inserting the phrase ", or on a publicly accessible website that conducts property sales." in its place.

(c) Subsection (i)(1) is amended by striking the period at the end and inserting the phrase ", or by U.S. mail with a certificate of mailing." in its place.

(d) Subsection (i)(2)(B) is amended by striking the period at the end and inserting the phrase ", or another address specified in the rental agreement, if provided." in its place.

(e) Subsection (j) is amended by striking the phrase "return receipt as provided in subsection (b)(2) of this section" and inserting the phrase "return receipt, as provided in subsection (b)(2), or certificate of mailing" in its place.

Sec. 3. Fiscal impact statement.

The Council adopts the fiscal impact statement as the fiscal impact statement in the committee report as required by section 4a of the General Legislative Procedures Act of 1975, approved October 16, 2006 (120 Stat. 2038; D.C. Official Code § 1-301.47a).

Sec. 4. Effective date.

This act shall take effect upon its approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by the Mayor, action by the Council to override the veto) and a 30-day period of congressional review as provided in section 602(c)(1) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Official Code § 1-206.02(c)(1)).