This Amendment to House Bill No.

Plain English Breakdown

The official text confirms the weight limit (5,000 pounds) and location scope apply generally to the chapter, but does not explicitly state this amendment changes those limits; therefore, that specific claim was removed from 'limits_and_unknowns' as it is a general rule of the bill rather than an uncertainty introduced by this amendment.

Amendment Changing Towing Rules for Vehicles

This amendment limits which vehicle tows must follow new rules about asking permission before towing, while keeping consumer protections like returning personal items and limiting storage fees.

What This Bill Does

• Limits the original bill's exemptions so that some specific types of tows do not need pre-towing or consent steps.
• Exempts police-directed tows from new requirements about asking permission before towing a vehicle.
• Allows municipalities to tow vehicles for unpaid parking tickets without following certain pre-tow rules in this chapter.
• Permits the removal of abandoned vehicles under local laws that match state Chapter 44 standards.
• Requires all tow and storage companies to follow consumer protection rules after any tow is finished.

Who It Names or Affects

• Towing companies
• Vehicle storage facilities
• Municipalities authorized to tow vehicles for unpaid tickets or citations
• Police departments directing vehicle removals

Terms To Know

Non-consensual towing

Moving a vehicle without the owner's permission.

Municipal ordinance

A local law passed by a city or town government.

Consumer protections

Rules that help vehicle owners, such as letting them get their personal items back and limiting storage costs.

Limits and Unknowns

• The text does not state when this amendment will officially take effect.
• It is unclear if other types of tows outside the listed exemptions must follow all parts of the original House Bill No. 67.

Official Summary Text

This Amendment to House Bill No. 67 limits the exemption contained in the original bill for towing of vehicles under other chapters and sections of Title 21 (pertaining to abandoned vehicles, vehicles parked on public highways, unpaid parking tickets, and parking in fire lanes) to the provisions of the bill pertaining to pre-towing requirements, consent requirements, and incomplete tows. It also adds the towing of motor vehicles by a municipality authorized to tow a vehicle under a municipal ordinance, code, or regulation permitting the towing of a vehicle due to unpaid parking tickets or traffic citations to this exemption, and allows the towing of an abandoned vehicle under a municipal ordinance, code, or regulation equivalent to Chapter 44 of Title 21.
Under this amendment, all tow companies and storage companies, regardless of how the tow was initiated, must comply with the consumer protections required after a tow is completed, such as allowing customers to retrieve personal belongings and not imposing excessive storage fees.

Current Bill Text

Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Rep. Osienski

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE AMENDMENT NO. 2

TO

HOUSE BILL NO. 67

AMEND House Bill No. 67 by deleting lines 34 through 37 in their entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the following:

“

(a) This chapter applies to non-consensual towing of motor vehicles weighing 5,000 pounds or less from private or public parking areas.

(b) Sections 6903A through 6905A of this chapter do not apply to the following:

(1) The towing of motor vehicles at the direction of police under Chapter 69 of this title.

(2) The towing of abandoned motor vehicles under Chapter 44 of this title or an equivalent municipal ordinance, code, or regulation.

(3) The towing of motor vehicles by a city, county, or state agency authorized to tow such vehicles under § 4181A or § 7003 of this title.

(4) The towing of motor vehicles by a municipality authorized to tow such vehicles under a municipal ordinance, code, or regulation that permits the towing of a vehicle due to unpaid parking tickets issued to the vehicle or unpaid traffic citations incurred while operating the vehicle.

”.

SYNOPSIS

This Amendment to House Bill No. 67 limits the exemption contained in the original bill for towing of vehicles under other chapters and sections of Title 21 (pertaining to abandoned vehicles, vehicles parked on public highways, unpaid parking tickets, and parking in fire lanes) to the provisions of the bill pertaining to pre-towing requirements, consent requirements, and incomplete tows. It also adds the towing of motor vehicles by a municipality authorized to tow a vehicle under a municipal ordinance, code, or regulation permitting the towing of a vehicle due to unpaid parking tickets or traffic citations to this exemption, and allows the towing of an abandoned vehicle under a municipal ordinance, code, or regulation equivalent to Chapter 44 of Title 21.

Under this amendment, all tow companies and storage companies, regardless of how the tow was initiated, must comply with the consumer protections required after a tow is completed, such as allowing customers to retrieve personal belongings and not imposing excessive storage fees.