66-1,129a. Motor carriers, suspension, revocation or amendment of certificate; notice; hearing; impoundment of motor carrier's vehicles; sale of such vehicles; proceeds; requirements. (a) The commission, at any time for good cause shown, may suspend the operation of any motor carrier subject to economic or safety rules and regulations adopted by the commission. Upon notice and an opportunity to be heard in accordance with the provisions of the Kansas administrative procedure act, the commission may revoke, amend, initiate sanctions or fine any motor carrier who has a certificate, license or permit issued by the commission or is subject to the safety rules and regulations adopted by the commission. Any motor carrier suspended prior to a hearing must be afforded the opportunity of a hearing on the matter. If such a hearing is requested, the hearing shall be held within 10 days of the request.

(b) The director of the commission's transportation division, at any time for good cause shown, may request the Kansas highway patrol to impound a motor carrier's vehicle or vehicles when that motor carrier has:

(1) Failed to comply with an out-of-service order;

(2) failed to comply with a cease or desist order;

(3) failed to obtain commission authority to operate;

(4) failed to pay a commission-assessed civil penalty; or

(5) has otherwise failed to comply with a commission order. Any motor carrier whose vehicle is impounded prior to a hearing must be afforded the opportunity of a hearing on the matter. If such a hearing is requested, the hearing shall be held within 10 days of the request.

(c) The commission is authorized to enter into any contracts or agreements necessary with the superintendent of the Kansas highway patrol, in order to provide facilities and personnel to accomplish the impounding of vehicles.

(d) If the owner of a motor vehicle which has been impounded pursuant to this section refuses to pay any towing, impoundment, storage or other fees relating to the impoundment of such vehicle or fails to take possession of such vehicle within 30 days following the date of the expiration of the impoundment period, such vehicle shall be deemed abandoned and the vehicle may be disposed of by the person having possession of such vehicle.

(1) If the person having possession of such vehicle is a public agency, disposition of such vehicle shall be in compliance with the procedures for notice and public auction provided by paragraph (2) of subsection (a) of K.S.A. 8-1102, and amendments thereto.

(2) If the person having possession of such vehicle is not a public agency, disposition of such vehicle shall be in compliance with K.S.A. 8-1103 through 8-1108, and amendments thereto.

(3) For the purposes of disposing of a vehicle that has been impounded by the state corporation commission under the authority granted by section (b), if the state corporation commission is in possession of the vehicle, the state corporation commission shall be considered a public agency for the purpose of disposing of an abandoned vehicle under the provisions of K.S.A. 8-1102, and amendments thereto.

(e) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (c)(3) of K.S.A. 8-1102, and amendments thereto, the proceeds from the sale of any vehicle impounded at the direction of the director of the division of transportation of the state corporation commission, received pursuant to subsection (b), except for reimbursement of expenses of the impoundment and sale, by any public agency, including the state corporation commission, shall be deposited in the state treasury in accordance with K.S.A. 75-4215, and amendments thereto, and shall be credited to the state general fund.

History: L. 1990, ch. 241, § 1; L. 1993, ch. 263, § 7; L. 2003, ch. 124, § 28; L. 2008, ch. 42, § 1; July 1.