FL S1044

Requires the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to withhold vehicle registration renewal or replacement (changed from discretionary "may" to mandatory "shall") for owners whose names appear on a lienor's notice-to-surrender list.

Mandates that notices to surrender vehicles be signed under oath by the lienor and submitted on department forms with specific vehicle and owner information.

Allows registered owners to dispute a surrender notice by filing a civil action in their county of residence, with courts applying summary procedures and advancing cases on the calendar upon request.

Defines "good cause" for failure to surrender a vehicle as limited to six specific circumstances, including trading the vehicle to a licensed dealer, paying off the lien, or the vehicle being reported stolen.

Requires courts to award attorney fees and costs to the prevailing party: to the vehicle owner if good cause is established, or to the lienor if the surrender demand was proper and no good cause is found.