AN ACT CONCERNING THE TOWING AND STORAGE OF MOTOR VEHICLES.

House of Representatives
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General Assembly File No. 419
February Session, 2026 Substitute House Bill No. 5465

House of Representatives, April 7, 2026

The Committee on Transportation reported through REP.
BERGER-GIRVALO of the 111th Dist., Chairperson of the
Committee on the part of the House, that the substitute bill
ought to pass.

AN ACT CONCERNING THE TOWING AND STORAGE OF MOTOR
VEHICLES.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
Assembly convened:

Section 1. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2026 ) (a) On and after October 1
1, 2027, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall establish and 2
maintain a publicly accessible and searchable electronic portal on the 3
Internet web site of the Department of Motor Vehicles for the purpose 4
of providing information concerning (1) motor vehicles subjected to 5
nonconsensual towing or transporting, as defined in section 14-66 of the 6
general statutes, as amended by this act, and (2) motor vehicles taken 7
into custody and stored pursuant to subsection (b) or (c) of section 14 -8
150 of the general statutes. The goal of the portal shall be to enable the 9
members of the public to determine whether a motor vehicle has been 10
towed or taken into custody and the location where such motor vehicle 11
is stored. The portal shall be available twenty -four hours per day and 12
shall not require the creation of a personal account for access to search 13
such information. 14
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(b) When designing such portal, the commissioner shall consult with 15
the Towing Advisory Council, established under section 11 of this act, 16
to ensure the portal is easily operated and accessible when submitting, 17
and searching for, information on towed and stored motor vehicles. The 18
commissioner shall consider whether the portal may be used to permit 19
a wrecker service to electronically file forms prescribed by the 20
commissioner, including a notice of tow, and whether such electronic 21
filing may be used in lieu of mailing such forms. 22
(c) Each wrecker service or the owner or keeper of any garage, storage 23
facility or other place where a towed or transported motor vehicle is 24
stored shall, not later than forty -eight hours after such motor vehicle 25
arrives at the wrecker service's or owner's or keeper's business in a 26
secured lot, submit electronically to the portal information sufficient to 27
identify such motor vehicle, the identity and contact information for 28
such wrecker service or owner or keeper and any other information as 29
the commissioner may prescribe. If such motor vehicle was towed or 30
transported without the motor vehicle operator present, such wrecker 31
service or owner or keeper shall not charge storage fees for such motor 32
vehicle until the information regarding such tow is electronically 33
submitted to the portal in accordance with the provisions of this 34
subsection. Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (A) of 35
subdivision (1) of subsection (f) of section 14-145 of the general statutes, 36
as amended by this act, a wrecker service who performs a private -37
property trespass tow, as defined in section 14 -66d of the general 38
statutes, as amended by this act, and electronically submits the 39
information regarding such tow to the portal in accordance with the 40
provisions of this section need not notify the local police department or 41
resident state trooper serving the municipality where the tow was 42
conducted of such tow. 43
(d) Each such wrecker service or owner or keeper shall update the 44
portal with information as prescribed by the commissioner to reflect 45
changes in the status of any such stored motor vehicle. 46
(e) Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 14-51a and 14-64 of the 47
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general statutes, the commissioner may not impose a civil penalty for a 48
wrecker service or owner or keeper who is unable to electronically 49
submit information to the portal in accordance with the provisions of 50
this section due to a technological issue or an electrical outage, provided 51
such wrecker service or owner or keeper documents such issue or 52
outage and electronically submits information to the portal as soon as 53
possible after such issue is resolved or electrical service is restored. 54
(f) The provisions of this section shall not apply to a wrecker service 55
or owner or keeper who stores a motor vehicle (1) that was towed with 56
the consent of the owner or operator, or (2) subject to repossession. 57
Sec. 2. Section 14 -66e of the 2026 supplement to the general statutes 58
is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective 59
October 1, 2026): 60
(a) For the purposes of this section: 61
(1) "Police-ordered towing" means towing or transporting and 62
recovery of a motor vehicle without the prior consent of authorization 63
of the owner or operator of the motor vehicle performed pursuant to the 64
provisions of section 14 -150, as amended by this act , section 14 -307 or 65
any other order of a police officer or traffic authority; 66
(2) "Oversize or overweight motor vehicle" means a motor vehicle, 67
combination of motor vehicle and trailer or commercial vehicle 68
combination, including each such motor vehicle's load, whose 69
dimensions or weight does not conform to the provisions of sections 14-70
262, 14 -262a, 14 -264, 14 -267a and 14 -269 or any other requirement 71
specified in the general statutes; 72
(3) "Winching" means the process of moving a motor vehicle by the 73
use of chains, nylon slings or additional lengths of winch cable from a 74
position that is not accessible for direct hookup for towing a motor 75
vehicle; 76
(4) "Nonconsensual towing or transporting" and "recovery" have the 77
same meanings as provided in section 14 -66, as amended by this act ; 78
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[and] 79
(5) "Light-duty motor vehicle", "medium -duty motor vehicle" and 80
"heavy-duty motor vehicle" have the same meanings as provided in 81
section 14-66d, as amended by this act; and 82
(6) "Electric vehicle" has the same meaning as provided in section 16-83
19eee. 84
(b) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall establish and publish 85
a schedule of rates and charges for the provision of police -ordered 86
towing that includes: 87
(1) A base hourly rate that may be charged for towing or transporting 88
services provided to (A) a light-duty motor vehicle, (B) a medium-duty 89
motor vehicle, (C) a heavy -duty motor vehicle, and (D) an oversize or 90
overweight motor vehicle. The commissioner shall identify the services 91
and equipment involved in the provision of such towing or transporting 92
services that are included in such base hourly rate; 93
(2) An hourly rate for winching services, provided such winching 94
service is performed on a vehicle that is located off a paved portion of a 95
highway; 96
(3) Hourly rates or charges for each type of specialized equipment 97
used in connection with the provision of police-ordered towing that are 98
not included in the base hourly rate established pursuant to subdivision 99
(1) of this subsection. Such rates or charges shall account for the cost of 100
each such type of specialized equipment and a reasonable profit margin; 101
(4) Hourly rates for labor that is not included in such base hourly rate; 102
[and] 103
(5) A charge for necessary administrative services; and 104
(6) On and after January 1, 2029, (A) a flat surcharge for towing and 105
transporting services provided to an electric vehicle, and (B) a flat rate 106
for towing or transporting a light -duty motor vehicle as a result of a 107
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parking violation or due to other circumstances, provided the inclusion 108
of such rate was recommended by the Police -Ordered Towing Council 109
pursuant to subsection (e) of section 14-66f, as amended by this act. 110
(c) The schedule of rates and charges established pursuant to the 111
provisions of subsection (b) of this section shall be just and reasonable 112
and reflect the reasonable operating costs of wrecker services that 113
perform police-ordered towing. In establishing such rates and charges, 114
the commissioner shall consider factors, including, but not limited to, 115
the most recent transportation producer price index published by the 116
United States Department of Transportation, rates set by other 117
jurisdictions, rates for consensual towing of motor vehicles, the cost of 118
equipment required by regulations adopted pursuant to section 29-23a, 119
as amended by this act , and the cost of workers' compensation 120
insurance, unemployment compensation and insurance premiums. 121
(d) Not later than ninety days after receipt of a proposed schedule of 122
rates and charges and any supporting documentation from the Police -123
Ordered Towing Council pursuant to section 14-66f, as amended by this 124
act, the commissioner shall (1) hold a public hearing for the purpose of 125
obtaining additional information concerning such proposed schedule, 126
and (2) establish and publish a schedule of rates and charges for the 127
provision of police -ordered towing. If the commissioner amends the 128
proposed schedule, the commissioner shall provide a written 129
explanation to the council of the reason for such amendment. 130
(e) (1) The commissioner shall adopt an addendum to the initial 131
schedule of rates and charges established pursuant to subsection (b) of 132
this section. Such addendum shall establish a flat surcharge for the 133
provision of police-ordered towing of an electric vehicle. In establishing 134
such surcharge, the commissioner shall consider the additional 135
operational risks and protocols associated with towing or transporting 136
an electric vehicle. Additionally, as part of such addendum, the 137
commissioner may consider establishing a flat rate for towing or 138
transporting a light-duty motor vehicle as a result of a parking violation 139
or due to other circumstances as may be recommended by the Police -140
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Ordered Towing Council pursuant to subdivision (2) of subsection (e) 141
of section 14-66f, as amended by this act. 142
(2) Not later than ninety days after receipt of a proposed addendum 143
to such schedule of rates and charges and any supporting 144
documentation from the Police -Ordered Towing Council pursuant to 145
subdivision (2) of subsection (e) of section 14 -66f, as amended by this 146
act, the commissioner shall (A) hold a public hearing for the purpose of 147
obtaining additional information concerning such proposed addendum, 148
and (B) establish and publish an addendum to the schedule of rates and 149
charges. Such addendum shall be effective from the date of publication 150
by the commissioner until December 31, 2028. If the commissioner 151
amends the proposed addendum from the council, the commissioner 152
shall provide a written explanation to the council of the reason for such 153
amendment. 154
[(e)] (f) Upon the publication of a schedule or an addendum pursuant 155
to the provisions of this section, no wrecker service shall (1) charge more 156
than the rates and charges contained in such schedule or an addendum, 157
or (2) charge for services that are not included in such schedule or 158
addendum. 159
Sec. 3. Section 14-66f of the 2026 supplement to the general statutes is 160
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 161
1, 2026): 162
(a) For the purposes of this section: 163
(1) "Police-ordered towing" and "oversize or overweight motor 164
vehicle" have the same meanings as provided in section 14 -66e, as 165
amended by this act; [and] 166
(2) "Light-duty motor vehicle", "medium -duty motor vehicle" and 167
"heavy-duty motor vehicle" have the same meanings as provided in 168
section 14-66d, as amended by this act; and 169
(3) "Electric vehicle" has the same meaning as provided in section 16-170
19eee. 171
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(b) There is established a Police-Ordered Towing Council within the 172
Department of Motor Vehicles for administrative purposes only. Such 173
council shall (1) advise the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles concerning 174
policies affecting police -ordered towing, and (2) develop a proposed 175
schedule of rates and charges for the provision of police-ordered towing 176
of light -duty, medium -duty, heavy -duty and oversize or overweight 177
motor vehicles. 178
(c) [The] On and after October 1, 2026, the council shall consist of the 179
following members: (1) Three representatives of an organization in the 180
state that represents towing and recovery professionals, appointed by 181
the Governor; (2) two representatives of an organization in the state that 182
represents the commercial trucking industry, appointed by the 183
Governor; (3) one representative of an association of police chiefs in the 184
state, appointed by the Governor; (4) one representative of an 185
association of fire chiefs in the state, appointed by the Governor; (5) one 186
representative of the insurance industry, appointed by the Governor; 187
[and] (6) one consumer advocate, appointed by the Governor; and (7) 188
the Commissioners of Transportation, Emergency Services and Public 189
Protection and Energy and Environmental Protection and the Insurance 190
Commissioner, or their designees. 191
(d) [Appointments] All initial appointments to the council shall be 192
made not later than August 1, 2025 , and the initial appointment made 193
pursuant to subdivision (6) of subsection (c) of this section shall be made 194
not later than October 15, 2026. Each member appointed shall serve for 195
a term of three years and may serve until such member's successor is 196
appointed. Any vacancy shall be filled by the Governor not later than 197
thirty days after the date of such vacancy. The chairperson of the council 198
shall be appointed by the Governor and shall convene the first meeting 199
of the council not later than September 15, 2025. 200
(e) The council shall (1) on or before January 1, 2026, consider the 201
factors set forth in subsection (c) of section 14 -66e, as amended by this 202
act, and submit to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles a proposed 203
schedule of rates and charges for the provision of police-ordered towing 204
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of light -duty, medium -duty, heavy -duty and oversize or overweight 205
motor vehicles; (2) on or before January 1, 2027, consider the additional 206
operational risks and protocols associated with towing or transporting 207
an electric vehicle and submit to the commissioner a proposed 208
addendum to the schedule of rates and charges adopted pursuant to 209
section 14 -66e, as amended by this act, for a flat surcharge for the 210
provision of police-ordered towing of electric vehicles. As part of such 211
addendum, the council shall consider establishing a flat rate for towing 212
or transporting a light -duty motor vehicle as a result of a parking 213
violation or due to any other circumstance as deemed reasonable by the 214
council and submit such recommended flat rate, if any, to the 215
commissioner; (3) in the period of time between June 1, 2028, and 216
September 1, 2028, inclusive, and every three years thereafter, review 217
and consider adjustments to the rates and charges published in 218
accordance with section 14-66e, as amended by this act, and submit such 219
recommended adjustments, if any, to the commissioner; [(3)] (4) 220
recommend specific procedures for determining whether a service 221
performed by a wrecker service in the provision of police -ordered 222
towing was required; [(4)] (5) request information from other parties to 223
assist with the work of the council and, in the discretion of the council, 224
hold public hearings for the purpose of obtaining information; and [(5)] 225
(6) make any additional recommendations to the Department of Motor 226
Vehicles that the council deems appropriate. 227
Sec. 4. Section 14 -66d of the 2026 supplement to the general statutes 228
is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective 229
October 1, 2026): 230
(a) For the purposes of this section: 231
(1) "Private-property trespass towing" means the towing or 232
transporting of a motor vehicle without the prior consent or 233
authorization of the owner or operator of the motor vehicle performed 234
in accordance with the provisions of section 14-145, as amended by this 235
act; 236
(2) "Light-duty motor vehicle" means a motor vehicle with a gross 237
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vehicle weight rating of less than ten thousand pounds; 238
(3) "Medium-duty motor vehicle" means a motor vehicle, including 239
any cargo, with a gross vehicle weight rating of ten thousand pounds or 240
more but not more than twenty-six thousand pounds; 241
(4) "Heavy-duty motor vehicle" means a motor vehicle, including any 242
cargo, with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than twenty -six 243
thousand pounds; 244
(5) "Drop fee" means the fee payable for the release of a motor vehicle 245
that has been connected to a wrecker but not yet removed from private 246
property from which such motor vehicle is to be towed; 247
(6) "After-hours redemption fee" means the fee payable for 248
redeeming a motor vehicle from a motor vehicle storage facility outside 249
the wrecker service's hours of operation; [and] 250
(7) "Nonconsensual towing or transporting" has the same meaning as 251
provided in section 14-66, as amended by this act; and 252
(8) "Electric vehicle" has the same meaning as provided in section 16-253
19eee. 254
(b) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall establish and publish 255
a schedule of rates and charges for the provision of private -property 256
trespass towing and the storage of motor vehicles. Such schedule shall 257
be effective on January 1, 2026, and shall include (1) flat rates for towing 258
services provided to light -duty, medium-duty and heavy -duty motor 259
vehicles, (2) a fee for additional labor, (3) a drop fee, (4) a mileage fee, 260
(5) storage rates, and (6) an after -hours redemption fee. Not later than 261
November 1, 2025, the commissioner shall hold one public hearing for 262
the purpose of obtaining information to establish the schedule. 263
(c) Such flat rates shall include the first two miles of transportation 264
performed by such wrecker service. No wrecker service may charge a 265
mileage fee for more than thirteen additional miles of transportation 266
provided to a motor vehicle subject to private-property trespass towing. 267
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(d) Such storage rates and the after-hours redemption fee shall apply 268
to the storage of light -duty, medium -duty and heavy -duty motor 269
vehicles subject to nonconsensual towing or transporting. 270
(e) The schedule of rates and charges established pursuant to the 271
provisions of this section shall be just and reasonable and reflect the 272
reasonable operating costs of wrecker services that perform private -273
property trespass towing and store motor vehicles. In establishing such 274
rates and charges, the commissioner shall consider factors, including, 275
but not limited to, the most recent transportation producer price index 276
published by the United States Department of Transportation, rates set 277
by other jurisdictions and the cost of fuel, wreckers, motor vehicle parts, 278
equipment, personnel, workers' compensation insurance, 279
unemployment compensation and insurance premiums. 280
(f) In the period of time between July 1, 2028, and October 1, 2028, 281
inclusive, and every three years thereafter, the commissioner shall hold 282
one public hearing for the purpose of reconsidering the schedule of rates 283
and charges established pursuant to the provisions of subsection (b) of 284
this section. The commissioner may amend such established schedule if, 285
after consideration of the factors set forth in subsection (e) of this section 286
and the testimony received at the public hearing, the commissioner 287
determines that such established schedule is no longer just and 288
reasonable and does not reflect the reasonable operating costs of 289
wrecker services that perform private -property trespass towing. If the 290
commissioner amends such schedule, such amended schedule shall be 291
effective the January first following each public hearing held pursuant 292
to the provisions of this subsection. On and after January 1, 2029, any 293
amendment to such established schedule shall include a separate 294
storage rate for electric vehicles. 295
(g) The commissioner shall adopt an addendum to the initial 296
schedule of rates and charges established pursuant to subsection (b) of 297
this section and effective from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2028, 298
inclusive. Such addendum shall establish a separate storage rate for 299
electric vehicles. In establishing such storage rate, the commissioner 300
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shall consider the additional operational risks and protocols associated 301
with storing an electric vehicle and hold a public hearing for the purpose 302
of obtaining additional information concerning such storage rate. Such 303
addendum shall be effective from the date of publication by the 304
commissioner until December 31, 2028. 305
[(g)] (h) Upon the publication of a schedule or an addendum 306
pursuant to the provisions of this section, no wrecker service shall (1) 307
charge more than the rates and charges contained in such schedule or 308
addendum, or (2) charge for services that are not included in such 309
schedule or addendum. 310
[(h) The uniform rates and charges for the nonconsensual towing or 311
transporting and storage of motor vehicles with a gross vehicle weight 312
rating of less than ten thousand pounds established and published by 313
the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles pursuant to section 14 -66 of the 314
general statutes, revision of 1958, revised to January 1, 2025, shall 315
continue to be effective on and after October 1, 2025, until December 31, 316
2025, inclusive, and no wrecker service shall charge more than such 317
published rates and charges during such period.] 318
Sec. 5. Subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of section 14 -63 of the 2026 319
supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is 320
substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026): 321
(2) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall receive, process and 322
investigate complaints from customers of dealers and repairers 323
concerning the operations of and services provided by any such dealer 324
or repairer, including the provision of nonconsensual towing or 325
transporting, recovery or storage of motor vehicles. The commissioner 326
may permit a dealer or repairer to stipulate to a complaint and waive 327
such dealer or repairer's right to an administrative hearing under the 328
provisions of chapter 54. No complaint regarding the provision of 329
police-ordered towing shall be brought but within one year from the 330
date of such police-ordered tow. 331
Sec. 6. Subsection (c) of section 14 -66 of the 2026 supplement to the 332
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general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu 333
thereof (Effective October 1, 2026): 334
(c) (1) Each wrecker used for towing or transporting motor vehicles 335
shall be registered as a wrecker by the commissioner for a fee of one 336
hundred twenty -five dollars. Each such registration shall be renewed 337
biennially according to renewal schedules established by the 338
commissioner so as to effect staggered renewal of all such registrations. 339
If the adoption of a staggered system results in the expiration of any 340
registration more or less than two years from its issuance, the 341
commissioner may charge a prorated amount for such registration fee. 342
(2) The commissioner shall provide not less than sixty days of written 343
or electronic notice to each wrecker service who registered a wrecker 344
pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection prior to the 345
implementation of any (A) new internal policies or procedures or 346
modifications to existing internal policies or procedures concerning or 347
affecting wrecker services, or (B) new forms or modifications to existing 348
forms that are prescribed by the commissioner for use in the business of 349
operating a wrecker. 350
Sec. 7. Subsection (a) of section 29 -23a of the 2026 supplement to the 351
general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu 352
thereof (Effective October 1, 2026): 353
(a) The Division of State Police within the Department of Emergency 354
Services and Public Protection shall establish, within its patrol 355
jurisdiction, a rotational system for summoning wrecker services, as 356
defined in section 14-1, for the purpose of towing or transporting motor 357
vehicles which are disabled, inoperative or wrecked in the event the 358
owners or operators of such vehicles are incapacitated, unavailable or 359
leave the procurement of wrecker service to the officer at the scene of an 360
accident or the location of a disabled vehicle. Any such wrecker service 361
may participate in such system, provided (1) such wrecker service 362
fulfills certain qualifications, including certification by the Towing and 363
Recovery Association of America or a certification program approved 364
by the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection, and 365
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the wrecker service's equipment meets safety and mechanical standards 366
established by the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public 367
Protection and the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, [and] (2) such 368
wrecker service and any employee of such wrecker service, not later 369
than one year from the date of hire, completes training provided by the 370
Department of Transportation concerning traffic incident management, 371
and (3) the wrecker service's business is located so as to provide prompt 372
and efficient service. 373
Sec. 8. Section 7 -282g of the 2026 supplement to the general statutes 374
is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective 375
October 1, 2026): 376
(a) If the owner or operator of a disabled vehicle is present at the 377
scene of an accident or at the location of the disabled vehicle and is able 378
to respond, the municipal police officer shall inquire whether such 379
owner or operator wishes to choose a wrecker service, as defined in 380
section 14 -1, for the purposes of towing or transporting the disabled 381
vehicle. If such owner or operator wishes to do so and such chosen 382
wrecker service is on a rotational system maintained by the 383
municipality, if any, the police officer shall notify the chosen wrecker 384
service. If such chosen wrecker service cannot be contacted or is unable 385
or unwilling to respond in a timely manner as determined by the 386
municipal police officer, the municipal police officer shall (1) summon 387
the next available wrecker service on the rotational system if maintained 388
by the municipality, or (2) summon a wrecker service as chosen by such 389
municipal police officer. 390
(b) Any wrecker service that participates in a rotational system 391
maintained by a municipality and any employee of such wrecker 392
service, not later than one year from the date of hire, shall complete 393
training provided by the Department of Transportation concerning 394
traffic incident management. 395
Sec. 9. Section 14-150c of the 2026 supplement to the general statutes 396
is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective 397
October 1, 2026): 398
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(a) Whenever a motor vehicle is taken into custody and stored 399
pursuant to subsection (b) or (c) of section 14 -150, or is subject to 400
nonconsensual towing or transporting, as defined in section 14 -66, as 401
amended by this act , the wrecker service or owner or keeper of any 402
garage, storage facility or other place where such motor vehicle is stored 403
shall have a lien upon such motor vehicle for towing or storage charges, 404
or both, imposed by such wrecker service or owner or keeper that result 405
from towing or storing a motor vehicle. 406
(b) [(1)] Except as provided in subsection (d) of section 14-150, if such 407
wrecker service or owner or keeper [makes a determination in good 408
faith that the current market value of the stored motor vehicle does not 409
exceed one thousand five hundred dollars and] determines such stored 410
motor vehicle has been stored for a period of not less than [fifteen] thirty 411
days, such wrecker service or owner or keeper shall, unless an 412
application filed by the owner of such motor vehicle pursuant to 413
subsection (e) of section 14-150, as amended by this act, is pending and 414
the owner of such motor vehicle has notified such wrecker service or 415
owner or keeper that such application for hearing has been filed or 416
unless the owner of such motor vehicle opted out of receiving 417
subsequent notifications regarding the sale and disposition of such 418
motor vehicle in such form and manner as prescribed by the 419
Commissioner of Motor Vehicles , send a notice of intent to sell that 420
complies with subsection (c) of this section to the [Commissioner of 421
Motor Vehicles] commissioner, the owner of such motor vehicle and any 422
known lienholder of record of such motor vehicle at the end of such 423
[fifteen-day] thirty-day period. Upon approval by the commissioner of 424
the notice of intent to sell, the commissioner shall issue such wrecker 425
service or owner or keeper an affidavit of compliance. [Such wrecker 426
service or owner or keeper shall sell such motor vehicle not less than 427
five business days after the mailing date of the notice of intent and apply 428
the proceeds of the sale toward the towing and storage charges imposed 429
by such wrecker service or owner or keeper. 430
(2) If such wrecker service or owner or keeper makes a determination 431
in good faith that the current market value of the stored motor vehicle 432
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exceeds one thousand five hundred dollars and if such motor vehicle 433
has been stored for a period of not less than forty -five days, such 434
wrecker service or owner or keeper shall, unless an application filed by 435
the owner pursuant to subsection (e) of section 14 -150, is pending and 436
the owner of such motor vehicle has notified such wrecker service or 437
owner or keeper that such application for a hearing has been filed, send 438
a notice of intent to sell that complies with subsection (c) of this section 439
to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, the owner of such motor vehicle 440
and any known lienholder of record of such motor vehicle at the end of 441
such forty-five-day period. Upon approval by the commissioner of the 442
notice of intent to sell, the commissioner shall issue such wrecker service 443
or owner or keeper an affidavit of compliance.] Such wrecker service or 444
owner or keeper shall sell such motor vehicle at public auction for cash, 445
at the place of business of such wrecker service or owner or keeper. [not 446
less than five business days after the mailing date of the notice of intent 447
to sell. ] Such owner or keeper shall apply the proceeds of such sale 448
toward the towing and storage charges imposed by such wrecker 449
service or owner or keeper, the expenses related to such sale and any 450
debt or obligation incurred by the officer who placed such motor vehicle 451
in storage in accordance with section 14-150, as amended by this act. At 452
any public auction held pursuant to this section, such wrecker service 453
or owner or keeper may set a minimum bid equal to the amount of such 454
wrecker service's or owner's or keeper's charges with respect to the tow 455
and storage of the motor vehicle. If no such bid is made, such wrecker 456
service or owner or keeper may sell or dispose of such vehicle. 457
[(3) In determining the current market value of the stored motor 458
vehicle pursuant to the provisions of subdivision (1) or (2) of this 459
subsection, the wrecker service may deduct for an observed defect or 460
missing major component part, as defined in section 14-149a.] 461
(c) (1) The notice of intent to sell described in subsection (b) of this 462
section shall include, but need not be limited to, (A) the make, model 463
and vehicle identification number of the stored motor vehicle, (B) the 464
date such motor vehicle was left with such wrecker service or owner or 465
keeper and by whom, (C) the registration number if any number plates 466
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are on such motor vehicle, [(D) the retail market value of such motor 467
vehicle as determined by the wrecker service or owner or keeper, and 468
(E)] and (D) a statement to the owner and known lienholder that (i) the 469
stored motor vehicle will be sold at public auction for cash at the place 470
of business of such wrecker service or owner or keeper if not redeemed 471
in a timely manner, (ii) such motor vehicle may be redeemed until the 472
point-of-sale, (iii) any proceeds of such sale, after deducting the amount 473
due to such wrecker service or owner or keeper and any expenses of the 474
officer who placed such motor vehicle in storage, if applicable, will be 475
held in an escrow account and paid to the owner of such motor vehicle 476
or such owner's legal representatives, if claimed by such owner or legal 477
representatives not later than one year from the date of such sale, and 478
(iv) if such proceeds are not claimed within said period of time, such 479
proceeds will escheat to the state. Such wrecker service or owner or 480
keeper shall provide such notice and a copy of the consumer bill of 481
rights regarding towing, developed pursuant to section 14 -66g, as 482
amended by this act, to the motor vehicle owner and lienholder both by 483
regular mail, postage prepaid, and by certified mail, return receipt 484
requested. 485
(2) Such wrecker service or owner or keeper shall also provide a copy 486
of the notice of intent to sell to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, in 487
a form and manner determined by the commissioner. Such notice of 488
intent to sell shall be accompanied by a filing fee of ten dollars and any 489
other information, such as photographs of the stored motor vehicle, that 490
the commissioner may prescribe. Such notice of intent to sell shall be 491
subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act, as defined 492
in section 1 -200. The commissioner may send a copy of such notice of 493
intent to sell electronically to the owner or lienholder of such motor 494
vehicle. 495
(3) Any sale of a stored motor vehicle under the provisions of this 496
section shall be void, unless such wrecker service or owner or keeper 497
provides the notices required by this subsection. 498
(d) Upon receipt of a notice of intent to sell, the commissioner shall 499
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review such notice and determine if the owner of the motor vehicle has 500
filed a customer complaint concerning such wrecker service or owner or 501
keeper pursuant to section 14 -63, as amended by this act . The 502
commissioner shall not approve such proposed sale until any such 503
customer complaint is resolved. If the commissioner approves such 504
proposed sale, the commissioner shall issue such wrecker service or 505
owner or keeper an affidavit of compliance. 506
(e) (1) Upon receipt of an affidavit of compliance by the 507
commissioner, such wrecker service or owner or keeper shall mail a 508
notice of proposed sale to the motor vehicle owner and known 509
lienholder both by regular mail, postage prepaid, and by certified mail, 510
return receipt requested, that indicates the date, time and place of the 511
proposed sale of such motor vehicle. Not less than five business days 512
after the mailing date of the notice of proposed sale, such wrecker 513
service or owner or keeper may proceed to sell such motor vehicle 514
pursuant to the provisions of [subdivision (1) or (2) of] subsection (b) of 515
this section. 516
(2) In addition to the thirty -day period immediately following the 517
date such motor vehicle was placed in storage under [subdivision (1) of] 518
subsection (b) of this section, [or a sixty -day period immediately 519
following the date such motor vehicle was placed in storage under 520
subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of this section,] the wrecker service may 521
only charge up to ten additional days of storage for such motor vehicle 522
after receipt of the affidavit of compliance issued by the commissioner. 523
(f) At the time of a sale conducted in accordance with the provisions 524
of this section, such wrecker service or owner or keeper shall provide 525
the purchaser of such motor vehicle with the affidavit of compliance 526
issued by the commissioner. 527
(g) Not later than fifteen days after the sale of a motor vehicle in 528
accordance with the provisions of this section, such wrecker service or 529
owner or keeper of such garage shall (1) report the sale price, towing 530
and storage charges, repair charges, if any, expenses related to the sale, 531
any proceeds, the buyer's name and address, identification of the vehicle 532
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and such other information as may be required in regulations adopted 533
pursuant to section 14 -150d, to the commissioner, (2) deposit the 534
proceeds of such sale, after deducting the amount due to such wrecker 535
service or owner or keeper and any expenses of the officer who placed 536
such motor vehicle in storage, if applicable, into an escrow account, and 537
(3) upon receipt of a claim by the prior owner of such motor vehicle or 538
such owner's legal representatives not later than one year from the date 539
of such sale, pay such sale proceeds to the prior owner or such owner's 540
legal representatives. If such sale proceeds are not claimed within said 541
period of time, such sale proceeds shall escheat to the state as unclaimed 542
property and the wrecker service or owner or keeper shall be subject to 543
the requirements of part III of chapter 32, including all obligations of a 544
holder of unclaimed property. Not later than ten days after filing any 545
report and paying any funds to the Treasurer as required by part III of 546
chapter 32, such wrecker service or owner or keeper shall provide 547
evidence to the commissioner, in a form and manner determined by the 548
commissioner, that such report was submitted and funds have 549
escheated. 550
[(h) In no event shall such wrecker service or owner or keeper sell a 551
motor vehicle that has not been (1) stored for at least thirty days if the 552
current market value of such motor vehicle does not exceed one 553
thousand five hundred dollars, or (2) stored for at least sixty days if the 554
current market value of such motor vehicle exceeds one thousand five 555
hundred dollars.] 556
Sec. 10. Subsection (f) of section 14-145 of the 2026 supplement to the 557
general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu 558
thereof (Effective October 1, 2026): 559
(f) (1) (A) Not later than two hours after an unauthorized motor 560
vehicle is towed or otherwise removed by a wrecker service, or a 561
repossessed motor vehicle is towed or otherwise removed by a wrecker 562
service or an exempt entity, as described in subsection (g) of section 14-563
66, the wrecker service or the exempt entity shall notify the local police 564
department or resident state trooper serving the municipality where the 565
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sHB5465 / File No. 419 19

tow or removal was conducted and specify the time the motor vehicle 566
was towed or removed, the location from which the vehicle was 567
removed and the location at which the vehicle is stored. Such 568
notification shall be submitted, in writing, or transmitted by facsimile or 569
electronic mail and the record of such notification shall be retained by 570
such wrecker service or exempt entity in accordance with the provisions 571
of section 14-66b. No such wrecker service or exempt entity may charge 572
a storage fee for an unauthorized or repossessed motor vehicle for the 573
time it is stored prior to notification of the local police department or 574
resident state trooper by the wrecker service or exempt entity. 575
(B) If such motor vehicle remains unclaimed forty -eight hours after 576
the notification pursuant to subparagraph (A) of this subdivision, the 577
wrecker service or owner of the garage where such motor vehicle is 578
stored or the exempt entity shall immediately complete a notice of 579
[such] tow, on a form prescribed by the Commissioner of Motor 580
Vehicles, and mail a copy of such form by regular mail, postage prepaid, 581
and by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the owner and all 582
lienholders of record. If the motor vehicle is not claimed by its owner 583
within [the time periods specified in subsection (b) of section 14 -150c] 584
thirty days , the wrecker service or owner of the garage where such 585
motor vehicle is stored or the exempt entity may dispose of such motor 586
vehicle in accordance with the provisions of section 14-150c, as amended 587
by this act. 588
(2) The local police department or resident state trooper, not later 589
than forty-eight hours after receiving notification of a tow or removal of 590
an unauthorized motor vehicle pursuant to subdivision (1) of this 591
subsection, shall enter the vehicle identification number into the 592
National Crime Information Center database and the Connecticut On -593
Line Law Enforcement Communications Teleprocessing System to 594
determine whether such motor vehicle has been reported as stolen. If 595
such motor vehicle has been reported as stolen, the local police 596
department or resident state trooper shall immediately notify the 597
department that reported the vehicle as stolen. 598
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Sec. 11. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2026) (a) There is established a Towing 599
Advisory Council to advise the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles 600
concerning laws, regulations and best practices relating to the 601
provisions of nonconsensual towing or transporting and the storage, 602
redemption and sale of towed motor vehicles. The council shall evaluate 603
ways to (1) ensure motor vehicle owners receive notices when their 604
motor vehicles are subjected to nonconsensual tow, (2) enhance the 605
ability of such owners to redeem their towed motor vehicles, and (3) 606
modernize and improve the process of selling motor vehicles at public 607
auction, including the feasibility of conducting such auctions online or 608
by third parties, and recommend amendments to the general statutes or 609
the regulations adopted pursuant to section 14-65 of the general statutes 610
to effectuate such modernization and improvements. 611
(b) The council shall consist of the following members, appointed by 612
the commissioner : (1) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, or the 613
commissioner's designee; (2) two employees of the Department of 614
Motor Vehicles; (3) three representatives of an organization in the state 615
that represents towing and recovery professionals; and (4) two 616
consumer advocates. The commissioner, or the commissioner's 617
designee, shall serve as chairperson of the council and shall schedule the 618
first meeting of the council not later than September 1, 2026. The council 619
may consult with any other agencies, officials or interested parties that 620
the council deems appropriate to complete the work of the council. 621
(c) Appointments to the council shall be made not later than August 622
1, 2026. Each member appointed shall serve for a term of three years and 623
may serve until such member's successor is appointed. Any vacancy 624
shall be filled by the commissioner not later than thirty days after the 625
date of such vacancy. 626
Sec. 12. Subsection (c) of section 14-66g of the 2026 supplement to the 627
general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu 628
thereof (Effective October 1, 2026): 629
(c) On and after October 1, [2025] 2026, a wrecker service shall (1) post 630
the consumer bill of rights at the wrecker service's place of business , 631
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sHB5465 / File No. 419 21

[and] (2) make copies of such bill of rights available for distribution to 632
customers who visit such place of business , and (3) include with each 633
notice of tow mailed to the motor vehicle owner and lienholders of 634
record (A) such bill of rights, and (B) an itemized towing bill that states 635
the charges owed for towing and transporting and the daily storage rate 636
and includes a statement that charges for storage will accumulate at 637
such daily storage rate until the motor vehicle is redeemed. If a wrecker 638
service maintains an Internet web site for its business, the wrecker 639
service shall prominently post such bill of rights on such Internet web 640
site. 641
Sec. 13. Subsection (e) of section 14-150 of the 2026 supplement to the 642
general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu 643
thereof (Effective October 1, 2026): 644
(e) Within forty-eight hours of the time that a motor vehicle is taken 645
into custody and stored pursuant to subsection (b) or (c) of this section, 646
the affixing department or parking authority shall give written notice 647
both by regular mail, postage prepaid, and by certified mail, return 648
receipt requested, to the owner and any lienholders of such motor 649
vehicle, if such motor vehicle appears on the records of the Department 650
of Motor Vehicles. The wrecker service that took such motor vehicle into 651
custody shall make a reasonable effort to identify the owner or 652
lienholders of such motor vehicle and send written notice both by 653
regular mail, postage prepaid, and by certified mail, return receipt 654
requested, to the owner and any lienholders of such motor vehicle. The 655
notice of tow provided by the affixing department, parking authority 656
and wrecker service shall state: (1) That the motor vehicle has been taken 657
into custody and stored, (2) the location of storage of the motor vehicle, 658
(3) that, unless title has already vested in the municipality pursuant to 659
subsection (d) of this section, such motor vehicle may be sold in 660
accordance with section 14 -150c, as amended by this act , [and] (4) that 661
the owner has a right to contest the validity of such taking by submitting 662
an application, on a form prescribed by the Commissioner of Motor 663
Vehicles, to the hearing officer named in such notice within ten days 664
from the date of such notice , and (5) that the owner may submit a 665
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sHB5465 / File No. 419 22

request to opt out of receiving subsequent notifications regarding the 666
sale and disposition of such motor vehicle in such form and manner as 667
prescribed by the commissioner. Such application forms shall be made 668
readily available to the public at all offices and on the Internet web site 669
of the Department of Motor Vehicles, parking authorities authorized 670
under an ordinance adopted pursuant to section 7 -204a to enforce 671
parking regulations and state and local police departments. 672
Sec. 14. Subparagraph (A) of subdivision (1) of subsection (f) of 673
section 14-145 of the 2026 supplement to the general statutes is repealed 674
and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026): 675
(f) (1) (A) Not later than two hours after an unauthorized motor 676
vehicle is towed or otherwise removed by a wrecker service, or a 677
repossessed motor vehicle is towed or otherwise removed by a wrecker 678
service or an exempt entity, as described in subsection (g) of section 14-679
66, the wrecker service or the exempt entity shall notify the local police 680
department or resident state trooper serving the municipality where the 681
tow or removal was conducted and specify the time the motor vehicle 682
was towed or removed, the location from which the vehicle was 683
removed and the location at which the vehicle is stored , unless such 684
wrecker service electronically submits information regarding such tow 685
or removal to the portal in accordance with section 1 of this act . Such 686
notification shall be submitted, in writing, or transmitted by facsimile or 687
electronic mail and the record of such notification shall be retained by 688
such wrecker service or exempt entity in accordance with the provisions 689
of section 14-66b. No such wrecker service or exempt entity may charge 690
a storage fee for an unauthorized or repossessed motor vehicle for the 691
time it is stored prior to notification of the local police department or 692
resident state trooper by the wrecker service or exempt entity. 693
This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following
sections:

Section 1 October 1, 2026 New section
Sec. 2 October 1, 2026 14-66e
Sec. 3 October 1, 2026 14-66f
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sHB5465 / File No. 419 23

Sec. 4 October 1, 2026 14-66d
Sec. 5 October 1, 2026 14-63(b)(2)
Sec. 6 October 1, 2026 14-66(c)
Sec. 7 October 1, 2026 29-23a(a)
Sec. 8 October 1, 2026 7-282g
Sec. 9 October 1, 2026 14-150c
Sec. 10 October 1, 2026 14-145(f)
Sec. 11 July 1, 2026 New section
Sec. 12 October 1, 2026 14-66g(c)
Sec. 13 October 1, 2026 14-150(e)
Sec. 14 October 1, 2026 14-145(f)(1)(A)

Statement of Legislative Commissioners:
Section 6 was redrafted to amend section 14-66(c) of the general statutes
instead of section 14-63 of the general statutes for statutory consistency,
and in Section 11(b), "such study" was changed to "the work of the
council" for consistency with other provisions of the section.

TRA Joint Favorable Subst.

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sHB5465 / File No. 419 24

The following Fiscal Impact Statement and Bill Analysis are prepared for the benefit of the members of
the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and explanation and do not
represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber thereof for any purpose. In general,
fiscal impacts are based upon a variety of informational sources, including the analyst’s professional
knowledge. Whenever applicable, agency data is consulted as part of the analysis, however final
products do not necessarily reflect an assessment from any specific department.

OFA Fiscal Note

State Impact:
Agency Affected Fund-Effect FY 27 $ FY 28 $
Department of Motor Vehicles TF - Potential
Cost
None At least
50,000
Department of Revenue Services Various -
Revenue Gain
Minimal Minimal
Note: TF=Transportation Fund; Various=Various

Municipal Impact: None
Explanation
The bill results in the following fiscal impacts noted below.
Section 1 results in a potential cost to the Department of Motor
Vehicles (DMV) of at least $50,000 in FY 28 to create an electronic towed
vehicle portal. It is expected that a portal as described in the bill would
cost at least $50,000 to develop; however, a ccording to DMV,
development of this portal is expected to be completed as part of its
ongoing modernization efforts and therefore may be completed within
available resources.
Sections 2 – 4 result in a minimal sales tax revenue gain to the state
by requiring DMV to establish a surcharge for police-ordered towing of
electric vehicles (EVs) and a separate EV storage rate. The actual
revenue gain will depend upon the rates adopted by DMV which, under
the bill, must take into consideration the operational risks associated
with towing and storing EVs. Towing services are subject to the state's
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sHB5465 / File No. 419 25

sales tax.1
The remaining sections of the bill are technical, conforming, within
agency expertise, or other not expected to have a fiscal impact.
The Out Years
The annualized ongoing fiscal impact identified above would
continue into the future subject to any maintenance costs associated
with the towing portal and any rate adjustments.

1 By statute, 0.5 percentage points of the 6.35 percent rate (or 7.87% of collections) is
deposited into the Special Transportation Fund and Municipal Revenue Sharing Fund
(0.5 percentage points each). The remaining 5.35 percentage points (or 84.25%) is
deposited into the General Fund.
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sHB5465 / File No. 419 26

OLR Bill Analysis
sHB 5465

AN ACT CONCERNING THE TOWING AND STORAGE OF MOTOR
VEHICLES.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Requires DMV to create and maintain an electronic portal on its
website, available 24 hours a day, to provide information on vehicles
subject to nonconsensual towing; sets design requirements; and
generally requires towing companies to upload information on towed
vehicles within 48 hours after the tow
Modifies towing rates by (1) requiring DMV to establish a surcharge
for police-ordered towing of EVs and a separate EV storage rate and
(2) authorizing a flat rate for certain categories of light -duty police-
ordered towing
§ 3 — POLICE ORDERED TOWING COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP
Adds a consumer advocate to the POTC
§ 5 — LIMITATION ON CONSUMER TOWING COMPLAINTS
Limits the timeframe for filing customer complaints about police -
ordered towing to one year after the date the vehicle was towed
§ 6 — NOTICE OF DMV CHANGES
Requires DMV to give 60 days’ written or electronic notice to towers
before implementing new internal policies, policy modifications, or
form changes
§§ 7 & 8 — TRAFFIC INCIDENT MANAGEMENT (TIM) TRAINING
Requires towing companies on the state or municipal rotation lists to
have their employees take DOT traffic incident management training
within one year after hire
Modifies procedures for disposing of unclaimed vehicles, including
(1) allowing garage owners to start the process 30 days after towing a
vehicle, rather than after 15 or 45 days (depending on value); (2)
requiring all vehicles to be initially offered at p ublic auction; and (3)
allowing vehicle owners to opt-out of future notices on a vehicle’s sale
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Requires notices of tow to (1) include the towing bill of rights and a
towing bill and (2) be sent by regular mail, in addition to certified mail
as existing law requires
Creates a Towing Advisory Council to advise the commissioner on
laws and best practices for motor vehicle towing and storage and the
redemption and sale of unclaimed vehicles

SUMMARY
This bill requires the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to create
an electronic towed vehicle portal and modifies laws related to wrecker
services (towing companies), including those on towing rates, consumer
complaints, notice requirements, and the unclaimed vehicle disposal
process. It also creates a Towing Advisory Council to advise DMV on
matters related to nonconsensual towing and the sale of unclaimed
vehicles, among other things.
A section-by-section analysis follows.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2026 , except the Towing Advisory
Council provision is effective July 1, 2026.
§§ 1 & 14 — ELECTRONIC TOWED VEHICLE PORTAL
Requires DMV to create and maintain an electronic portal on its website, available 24
hours a day, to provide information on vehicles subject to nonconsensual towing ; sets
design requirements; and generally requires towing companies to upload information on
towed vehicles within 48 hours after the tow
Starting October 1, 2027, the bill requires DMV to create and maintain
an electronic portal on its website, available 24 hours a day, to provide
information on vehicles subject to nonconsensual towing. The portal’s
goal is to help the public figure out if their vehicle was towed, and if so,
where it is stored. The bill specifies the portal provisions do not apply
to consensual towing or to repossession.
Portal Design and Features
The bill requires the portal to be publicly accessible and searchable
and prohibits it from requiring people to create an account to access the
information. It must be easily operated and accessible , both when
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sHB5465 / File No. 419 28

submitting and searching for information on towed and stored vehicles.
When designing the portal, DMV must consult with the Towing
Advisory Council the bill establishes (see below) to ensure the portal
meets these goals. DMV must also consider whether the portal may be
used to allow towing companies to electronical ly file DMV forms and
whether doing so may substitute for mailing them.
Uploading to the Portal
The bill requires towing companies and garage owners to upload
information to the portal within 48 hours after the vehicle arrives on the
lot. The portal must require submission of enough information to
identify the vehicle, the towing company’s or garage’ s identity and
contact information, and any other information DMV requires. Towing
companies and garage owners must also update the portal with changes
in the vehicle’s status, as DMV requires.
In the case of a vehicle towed without the driver present, the bill
prohibits towing companies or garage owners from charging storage
fees until information on the towed vehicle is uploaded to the portal. If
a towing company uploads information on a vehicle subject to a private
property trespass tow, the bill waives the requirement in existing law to
notify the local police department about the tow within two hours.
(Presumably, towing companies must upload information within this
two hour timeframe for this waiver to apply.)
The bill prohibits DMV from imposing a civil penalty for violating
the uploading requirements if the towing company or garage owner (1)
failed to upload information due to a documented technological issue
or a power outage and (2) uploads the information a s soon as possible
after the issue is resolved or power is restored.
§§ 2-4 — TOWING RATES
Modifies towing rates by (1) requiring DMV to establish a surcharge for police-ordered
towing of EVs and a separate EV storage rate and (2) authorizing a flat rate for certain
categories of light-duty police-ordered towing
By law, nonconsensual towing and storage rates are set by the DMV
commissioner, with different processes for (1) vehicle storage rates and
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sHB5465 / File No. 419 29

private property trespass towing rates and (2) police -ordered towing
rates. In the latter case, the commissioner’s rates are based on
recommendations from the Police-Ordered Towing Council (POTC).
The bill modifies these rate setting processes by (1) requiring DMV to
establish a surcharge for police -ordered towing of EVs and a separate
EV storage rate and (2) authorizing a flat rate for certain categories of
light-duty police -ordered towing, under certain conditions. It also
requires DMV to adopt addendums to the rate schedules currently in
effect to reflect these changes.
Police-Ordered Towing Rates
EV Towing Surcharge. For the EV surcharge for police -ordered
towing, the bill requires the POTC to submit a proposed addendum
with a recommended flat surcharge for police-ordered towing of EVs by
January 1, 2027. When recommending the surcharge, the POTC must
consider the additional operational risks and protocols associated with
towing and storing EVs.
For future rate schedules, the bill requires the POTC to include a flat
surcharge for towing light-duty motor vehicles.
Flat Rate for Light -Duty Police -Ordered Towing. Under current
law, police -ordered towing rates are hourly (as opposed to private
property trespass tow rates, which are flat rates). The bill allows the
POTC to recommend establishing a flat rate for light-duty motor vehicle
towing that occurs because of a parking violation or any other reason
the POTC deems reasonable.
When developing the proposed addendum for the EV surcharge, the
bill requires the POTC to consider whether to recommend establishing
this flat rate. If the council decides to recommend the flat rate, it must
submit it to the commissioner with the proposed addendum by January
1, 2027. The POTC may also recommend this flat rate for future rate
schedules, and, if it does so, DMV must include it in the future.
Adoption of Addendum. Under the bill, the DMV commissioner
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sHB5465 / File No. 419 30

must adopt an addendum to the current police-ordered towing rate
schedule. The addendum must establish a flat surcharge for police -
ordered towing of EVs and may include, if recommended by the POTC,
a flat rate for certain categories of light-duty police ordered towing.
The process for adopting the addendum largely mirrors that for
adopting the full rate schedule. Within 90 days after receiving the
proposed addendum from the POTC, the commissioner must (1) hold a
public hearing to get additional information and (2) adopt the
addendum. When adopting the EV towing surcharge, he must consider
the additional operational risks and protocols associated with towing
EVs. If the commissioner modifies the POTC’s proposal, he must give a
written explanation as to why he did so.
Under the bill, the addendum is effective from the date DMV
publishes it until December 31, 2028 (when the current rate schedule
expires).
EV Storage Rate
By law, DMV sets storage rates for towed vehicles that apply to all
vehicles subject to nonconsensual towing (both private property
trespass towing and police -ordered towing). The bill requires DMV to
establish a separate rate for storing EVs, both in future rate schedules
and in an addendum to the current rate schedule.
The commissioner must adopt an addendum with a separate storage
rate for EVs, taking into account the extra operational risks and
protocols associated with their storage. As he must do with full rate
schedules, the commissioner must hold a public hearing on the
proposed rate to get more information. The addendum takes effect
when it is published and stays in effect until December 31, 2028 (when
the current rate schedule expires).
§ 3 — POLICE ORDERED TOWING COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP
Adds a consumer advocate to the POTC
By law, the POTC is charged with advising DMV on policies affecting
police-ordered towing and develop ing proposed rate schedules for
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sHB5465 / File No. 419 31

police-ordered towing.
The bill adds a consumer advocate to the POTC, increasing council
membership from 12 to 13. As with other POTC appointees, the
consumer advocate is appointed by the governor, who must make his
initial appointment by October 15, 2026.
Under existing law, unchanged by the bill, the other members of the
POTC are:
1. three representatives from towing and recovery organizations;
2. two representatives from commercial trucking organizations;
3. one representative from a police chiefs’ association and one from
a fire chiefs’ association;
4. one representative of the insurance industry; and
5. the commissioners of insurance, transportation, energy and
environmental protection, and emergency services and public
protection (or their designees).
§ 5 — LIMITATION ON CONSUMER TOWING COMPLAINTS
Limits the timeframe for filing customer complaints about police-ordered towing to one
year after the date the vehicle was towed
Under existing law, DMV receives, processes, and investigates
customer complaints about licensed dealers and repairers. (By law,
towing companies must be licensed as a dealer or repairer.) The bill
limits the timeframe for filing this kind of complaint to one year after
the date the vehicle was towed.
By law, these complaints are generally handled by DMV through
proceedings governed by the Uniform Administrative Procedure Act.
§ 6 — NOTICE OF DMV CHANGES
Requires DMV to give 60 days’ written or electronic notice to towers before implementing
new internal policies, policy modifications, or form changes
The bill requires DMV to give towing companies who have a
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sHB5465 / File No. 419 32

registered tow truck 60 days’ written or electronic notice before
implementing new or modified (1) internal policies or procedures
affecting towing companies or (2) forms that DMV requires towing
companies to use while operating their business.
§§ 7 & 8 — TRAFFIC INCIDENT MANAGEMENT (TIM) TRAINING
Requires towing companies on the state or municipal rotation lists to have their employees
take DOT traffic incident management training within one year after hire
The bill requires owners of towing companies that are included in the
State Police’s rotational system for summoning wreckers (tow rotation
list) or a municipal tow rotation list to take TIM training provided by
DOT. And they must require their employees to take it within one year
of hire.
In practice, DOT provides this training, for free, on a regular basis. It
is targeted to emergency management professionals, law enforcement,
fire and emergency medical services, towing and recovery
professionals, and transportation and public works employees. It covers
(1) responder safety, (2) safe, quick clearance practices, and (3)
communication and coordination between all those responding to
traffic incidents.
§§ 9, 10, 12 & 13 — UNCLAIMED VEHICLE DISPOSAL PROCESS
Modifies procedures for disposing of unclaimed vehicles, including (1) allowing garage
owners to start the process 30 days after towing a vehicle, rather than after 15 or 45 days
(depending on value); (2) requiring all vehicles to be initially offered at public auction;
and (3) allowing vehicle owners to opt-out of future notices on a vehicle’s sale
Timeframe for Disposal
Under current law, garage owners may start the process of selling an
unclaimed vehicle (such as submitting required forms) after they have
had it for (1) 15 days, if the vehicle’s market value is $1,500 or less, or (2)
45 days, if the vehicle’s market value is more than $1,500. But they must
hold it for at least 30 days or 60 days, respectively, before they can
complete the sale.
The bill instead allows garage owners to start the process of selling
unclaimed vehicles after 30 days, regardless of value. It correspondingly
eliminates requirements related to valuing unclaimed vehicles and the
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specific amount of time a garage owner must hold a vehicle before
completing the sale. However, as under existing law, garage owners
must still wait until they receive required documentation from DMV
(like the affidavit of compliance) and complete all noti ce requirements
and waiting periods (like the minimum five day waiting period after
notifying the owner of the proposed sale) before selling the vehicle.
The bill also makes several technical and conforming changes.
Method of Sale
The bill requires all unclaimed vehicles, rather than just those valued
at more than $1,500, to initially be offered for sale at a public auction at
the garage owner’s place of business.
The bill also restores a provision eliminated in PA 25 -55 allowing a
garage owner to (1) set a minimum bid equal to the accumulated charges
and obligations with respect to the tow and (2) sell or dispose of the
vehicle if he or she does not receive this.
Notice of Intent to Sell and Notice of Proposed Sale
By law, garage owners must send to vehicle owners, lienholders, and
DMV a (1) notice of intent to sell and (2) notice of proposed sale. The
notice of intent to sell starts the disposal process, providing information
on the process to owners and lienholders and acting as an application to
get the DMV documentation (affidavit of compliance) needed to sell the
vehicle. The notice of proposed sale informs owners and lienholders that
the vehicle will be sold.
Owner Opt-Out. The bill (1) requires the notice of tow to state that
the owner may opt-out of future notices about vehicle sale and disposal
in th e way DMV prescribes and (2) relieves garage owners of the
responsibility to send the notices if the vehicle owner opts out.
Method of Mailing. Under current law, garage owners must send
these notices by certified mail, return receipt requested. The bill
additionally requires sending them through regular mail, postage
prepaid.
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§§ 10, 12 & 13 — NOTICE OF TOW REQUIREMENTS
Requires notices of tow to (1) include the towing bill of rights and a towing bill and (2) be
sent by regular mail, in addition to certified mail as existing law requires
Under the bill, towing companies must include a copy of the towing
bill of rights and an itemized towing bill in each notice of tow it mails to
vehicle owners and lien holders. The towing bill must include (1) the
towing charges for towing the vehicle and (2) the daily storage rate, with
an explanation that storage charges will accumulate at that rate until the
vehicle is redeemed.
The bill generally requires that these notices be mailed by regular
mail, postage prepaid, in addition to certified mail as existing law
requires. This applies to notices of tow sent by wreckers, as well as those
police departments and parking authorities must send. Generally, for
vehicles with known owners, these notices must be sent within 48 hours
after the vehicle is towed or taken into custody.
Background — Towing Bill of Rights
By law, DMV and the attorney general must create and update a
towing bill of rights with at least the following information:
1. a summary of a vehicle owner’s or operator’s rights and
responsibilities if their vehicle is towed,
2. when a towing company must be available to redeem vehicles
or personal property,
3. the towing and storage rates and other fees that towing
companies may charge,
4. a description of the records and photos a vehicle owner or
operator may request from the towing company,
5. a warning that towing companies may sell unclaimed towed
vehicles under the law’s vehicle disposal process, and
6. information on filing a consumer complaint with DMV.
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§ 11 — TOWING ADVISORY COUNCIL
Creates a Towing Advisory Council to advise the commissioner on laws and best practices
for motor vehicle towing and storage and the redemption and sale of unclaimed vehicles
The bill creates a Towing Advisory Council to advi se DMV on laws,
regulations, and best practices related to nonconsensual towing and
towed vehicle storage, redemption, and sale. The council must evaluate
ways to:
1. make sure vehicle owners get notified when their vehicles are
towed,
2. improve owners’ ability to redeem their towed vehicles, and
3. modernize and improve the process of selling vehicles at public
auction, including (a) evaluating the feasibility of online auctions
and third-party auctions and (b) recommending changes to the
law.
The DMV commissioner (or his designee) serves as the council’s
chairperson, and he must appoint to the council (1) two DMV
employees, (2) three representatives of the towing and recovery
industry, and (3) two consumer advocates. Appointments must be made
by August 1, 2026, and members serve for three year terms and until a
successor is appointed. The commissioner must fill any vacancy within
30 days.
The chairperson must schedule the first meeting by September 1,
2026. The council may consult with any other agencies, officials, or
interested parties the council deems appropriate to complete its work.
COMMITTEE ACTION
Transportation Committee
Joint Favorable Substitute
Yea 31 Nay 4 (03/16/2026)