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HB1184 • 2026

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning trade regulation.

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning trade regulation.

Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
Representative Craig Haggard
Last action
2026-03-04
Official status
Enrolled House Bill (H)
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not provide details on enforcement and monitoring by local authorities.

Indiana Towing Regulations

This law changes how towing companies and storage facilities handle abandoned vehicles, emergency tows, payment methods, and signs for tow-away zones.

What This Bill Does

  • It says that money from selling abandoned cars or parts must first pay for the costs of removing, storing, and getting rid of those cars by the towing company or storage facility.
  • It lets towing companies use the shoulder of roads when they need to reach a broken-down car quickly.
  • It requires commercial property owners who have tow-away zones to put up signs at least five feet but no more than seven feet high.
  • It stops towing companies from taking cars out of tow-away zones if the sign is not at the right height.
  • It says that towing companies and storage places must accept credit cards or debit cards for payment, but they cannot charge a fee higher than three percent.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Towing companies
  • Storage facilities
  • Commercial property owners

Terms To Know

tow-away zone
An area where cars can be towed away if they are parked there without permission.
collateral recovery agency
A company that stores items as security for unpaid debts, often related to towing services.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The law does not specify what happens if a towing company or storage facility charges more than the allowed credit card fee.
  • It is unclear how this law will be enforced and monitored by local authorities.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

HB1184.02.COMH.AMS04

Committee House Bill (S) • Senator Michael Crider

Filed

Plain English: The amendment adds a new section to the Indiana Code that requires tow truck drivers to provide written notice of towing fees before moving a vehicle.

  • Adds a requirement for tow truck operators to give written notice about towing costs before they move a car or other vehicle.
  • The amendment does not specify the exact content or format of the required written notice, which may leave some details unclear.
  • It is unclear how this new rule will be enforced or what penalties might apply for non-compliance.
HB1184.01.INTR.AMH01

Committee Introduced House Bill (H) • Representative Craig Haggard

Filed

Plain English: This amendment aims to change the Indiana Code regarding towing regulations.

  • The amendment modifies existing laws related to towing vehicles in Indiana.
  • The specific details of how towing regulations will be changed are not provided in the given text.
HB1184.01.INTR.AMH02

Committee Introduced House Bill (H) • Representative Jim Pressel

Filed

Plain English: The amendment adds new rules for collateral recovery agencies in Indiana.

  • Adds a definition for 'collateral recovery agency' which is an entity that collects collateral on behalf of creditors.
  • Establishes requirements and restrictions for these agencies, including prohibiting certain unfair practices.
  • The exact details of the new rules and restrictions are not provided in the amendment text.
HB1184.03.COMS.AMS001

Filed House Bill (S) • Senator Liz Brown

Passed

Plain English: This amendment changes the Indiana Code to add new requirements for businesses related to trade regulation.

  • Adds new rules for businesses about how they can advertise and sell products.
  • The official text does not provide specific details on what these new rules are, so it's unclear exactly which aspects of advertising and sales will be affected.
HB1184.03.COMS.AMS002

Filed House Bill (S) • Senator Michael Crider

Passed

Plain English: This amendment changes the Indiana Code to add new rules about trade regulation.

  • Adds new sections to the Indiana Code that regulate certain aspects of trade.
  • The official text does not provide specific details on what exactly is being regulated or how it will change current regulations.
HB1184.03.COMS.AMS003

Filed House Bill (S) • Senator Liz Brown

Failed

Plain English: This amendment would add a new section to the Indiana Code that requires certain businesses to provide notice and obtain consent from consumers before using their personal information for targeted advertising.

  • Adds a requirement for businesses to notify consumers about how their personal data will be used for targeted advertising.
  • Requires businesses to get explicit permission (consent) from consumers before using their personal information for targeted ads.
  • The amendment text does not specify which types of businesses are covered by this requirement, making it unclear how broadly the rule would apply.
HB1184.03.COMS.AMS004

Filed House Bill (S) • Senator James Tomes

Failed

Plain English: This amendment would add a new section to the Indiana Code that requires certain businesses to provide notice and obtain consent from consumers before using their personal information for targeted advertising.

  • Adds a requirement for businesses to notify consumers about how their personal data will be used for targeted advertising.
  • Requires businesses to get explicit permission (consent) from consumers before using their personal information for targeted ads.
  • The amendment text does not specify which types of businesses are covered by this requirement, making it unclear how broadly the rule would apply.
HB1184.03.COMS.AMS005

Filed House Bill (S) • Senator Blake Doriot

Passed

Plain English: This amendment changes the Indiana Code to add new requirements for businesses related to trade regulation.

  • Adds new rules for businesses about how they can advertise and sell products.
  • The official text does not provide specific details on what exactly these new rules entail, so more information is needed to fully explain the changes.
HB1184.03.COMS.AMS006

Filed House Bill (S) • Senator J.D. Ford

X

Plain English: This amendment changes the Indiana Code to add new rules about trade regulation.

  • Adds new sections to the Indiana Code that regulate certain aspects of trade.
  • The specific details and impacts of these new regulations are not provided in the given text.

Bill History

  1. 2026-03-04 House

    Signed by the Governor

  2. 2026-03-04 House

    Public Law 81

  3. 2026-02-27 Senate

    Signed by the President Pro Tempore

  4. 2026-02-27 Senate

    Signed by the President of the Senate

  5. 2026-02-26 House

    House concurred with Senate amendments; Roll Call 387: yeas 87, nays 0

  6. 2026-02-26 House

    Signed by the Speaker

  7. 2026-02-25 House

    Motion to concur filed

  8. 2026-02-24 Senate

    Third reading: passed; Roll Call 238: yeas 48, nays 0

  9. 2026-02-24 Senate

    Returned to the House with amendments

  10. 2026-02-23 Senate

    Second reading: amended, ordered engrossed

  11. 2026-02-23 Senate

    Amendment #1 (Brown L) prevailed; voice vote

  12. 2026-02-23 Senate

    Amendment #2 (Crider) prevailed; voice vote

  13. 2026-02-23 Senate

    Amendment #5 (Doriot) prevailed; voice vote

  14. 2026-02-23 Senate

    Amendment #6 (Ford J.D.) failed; voice vote

  15. 2026-02-17 Senate

    Committee report: amend do pass, adopted

  16. 2026-02-05 Senate

    First reading: referred to Committee on Homeland Security and Transportation

  17. 2026-02-03 House

    Referred to the Senate

  18. 2026-02-02 House

    Third reading: passed; Roll Call 173: yeas 80, nays 0

  19. 2026-02-02 House

    Senate sponsor: Senator Tomes

  20. 2026-01-29 House

    Second reading: ordered engrossed

  21. 2026-01-27 House

    Committee report: amend do pass, adopted

  22. 2026-01-27 House

    Representative Shonkwiler added as coauthor

  23. 2026-01-08 House

    Representative Pressel added as coauthor

  24. 2026-01-05 House

    Authored by Representative Haggard

  25. 2026-01-05 House

    Coauthored by Representative Morris

  26. 2026-01-05 House

    First reading: referred to Committee on Roads and Transportation

Official Summary Text

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning trade regulation.
Towing matters.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning trade regulation.

Towing matters.

Provides that the proceeds from the sale of abandoned vehicles or parts by a city, county, or town shall first be credited against the costs of removal, storage, and disposal of the vehicle incurred by the towing company or storage facility. Allows a towing company responding to a summons for an emergency towing to utilize the shoulder of the roadway as necessary to reach the scene of a disabled motor vehicle. Provides that a commercial private property owner that establishes a tow-away zone must post a tow-away zone sign at the location of the tow-away zone that is at a height of more than five feet and less than seven feet from the ground. Prohibits a towing company from towing a motor vehicle from a tow-away zone if the tow-away zone sign is not at the required height. Provides that a towing company or storage facility shall accept a credit card or debit card as a form of payment. Prohibits a towing company or storage facility from charging a credit card service fee of more than three percent (3%). Establishes requirements for the storage of collateral by collateral recovery agencies. Specifies the time within which a self-service storage facility owner may tow or remove a motor vehicle, trailer, or watercraft.