Opinion ID: 656121
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Lien for Storage Charges

Text: 27 Bomar argues that the evidence is insufficient to prove that he foreclosed or attempted to enforce a lien for storage; he claims first that the lien was not for storage, and second, that he took no steps to enforce the lien. 28 In his original brief on appeal, Bomar contends that, to fall within the meaning of the Act, a lien must be limited to storage charges: 29 [t]he plain terms of section 535 of [the Act] indicate the legislative intent to protect a servicemen's [sic] household goods, furniture, or personal effects when the servicemen [sic] left the items with the defendant for the purpose of storing those items while the serviceman is on active duty. (Emphasis added.) 30 Bomar argues that the lien in question here was for mechanics fees, not for storage, and thus he cannot be guilty of violating the Act. 9 We disagree. The wording of the Act does not include an express requirement that a lien be solely for storage; rather it speaks of any lien for storage. 50 U.S.C. app. § 535(2) (emphasis added). Nor may we read into the statute a requirement that the lien be restricted to (as opposed to include) storage fees. The Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act is always to be liberally construed to protect those who have been obliged to drop their own affairs to take up the burdens of the nation. Boone v. Lightner, 319 U.S. 561, 574, 63 S.Ct. 1223, 1231, 87 L.Ed. 1587 (1943). Certainly, in order to fall within the Act, a lien must include charges for storage, but the lien need not be limited to such fees. 31 Bomar's position that he did not have a lien for storage is not supported by Texas law. The Texas Property Code provides that a garageman with whom a vehicle is left for care has a lien on that vehicle for the amount of the charges for the care. TEX.PROP.CODE ANN. § 70.003(c) (Vernon 1993 Supp.). In addition, the Code authorized him to retain possession of the vehicle until the amount due under the repair contract, or reasonable and usual compensation in the event there is no contract amount, is paid. Id., § 70.001(a) (Vernon 1984). The statute provides for the possessory lienholder, such as Bomar, to give notice of his interest in the car to the last known registered owner and each lienholder of record. Id., § 70.004(a) (Vernon 1993 Supp.). Most importantly, the statute entitles the possessory lienholder to reasonable storage fees for up to 5 days before the day the notice is mailed and after the notice is mailed to reasonable storage and preservation fees until the motor vehicle ... is removed and accrued charges are paid. Id., § 70.004(c) (Vernon 1993 Supp.). 32 Thus, under Texas law, Bomar had valid grounds for asserting a lien for the storage of the Camaro. 33 Bomar next contends that he did not ultimately enforce the lien because he did not complete the steps necessary to foreclose the storage part of the lien. He argues that U.S. Data Link was unable to obtain a lien for storage on the Camaro because of the existence of a first lienholder. However, although the title search revealed a GMAC lien on the car, the lien had been paid off before these events occurred. 34 Bomar's argument ignores the fact that he can be liable under the or attempts so to do language of section 535(3) (see note 8, supra ) for attempting to foreclose or enforce the lien. The evidence of such an attempt is overwhelming. On several occasions, McNeely's mother and sister, as well as the representatives of Operation Defendant Shield, approached Bomar with offers to pay the repair charges due on the Camaro, as well as part of the accrued storage fees. Each time, Bomar refused to negotiate and demanded payment in full of amounts as high as $1,800 or $2,000. 10 These amounts far exceed the repair charges of $194.50, which were excessive to begin with and based, at least originally, on work which McNeely never authorized. Finally, when Bomar sold the car to Taylor for $1,800, he pocketed the entire amount. 11 He gave Taylor the notice of possessory lien, the form necessary to begin foreclosure proceedings on the car. 35 This evidence is clearly sufficient for a reasonable jury to determine that Bomar attempted to enforce a lien for storage of McNeely's Camaro.