(a) An operator of a vehicle storage facility who receives a motor vehicle as defined by Section 501.002(17)(A), Transportation Code, and does not know the state in which the vehicle is registered may give notice by publication under Section 2303.152 only if the operator:
(1) obtains, using the motor vehicle's vehicle identification number, by mail or electronically, a report from the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System operated by the United States Department of Justice, or a successor system, showing the state in which the motor vehicle is titled; and
(2) either:
(A) is unable to determine from the report the governmental entity that is responsible for maintaining the registration information for the motor vehicle; or
(B) attempts to and is unable to obtain, from the governmental entity indicated in the report, the identity and address of any registered owner and any lienholder.
(b) An operator who attempts to obtain owner and lienholder information under Subsection (a)(2) must attempt to obtain the information, by mail or electronically, either:
(1) directly from the governmental entity; or
(2) from a private entity authorized by the governmental entity to obtain title, registration, and lienholder information using a single vehicle identification number inquiry submitted through a secure access portal to the governmental entity's motor vehicle records.
(c) An address obtained electronically from a governmental entity under Subsection (b)(1) must be obtained through the governmental entity's secure access portal.