Senate committee advances bill to modernize vehicle-tow notifications; testimony raises predatory-towing and signage concerns

House Bill 174, sponsored in the Senate by Senator Keiser, would repeal chapter 18, title 49 of Idaho law and create a new statutory framework to update and "modernize the towing and storage of vehicles," including an electronic notification system and a state-maintained tow list.

Senator Keiser told the Senate Transportation Committee the measure is intended to reduce confusion over responsibility when vehicles are abandoned, stolen or involved in accidents. "It'll create transparency by providing notification electronically to all those parties involved," Keiser said, and the bill would place information in an Idaho Transportation Department portal (ILETS) so vehicle owners and lienholders can find where a vehicle is stored and view rate sheets.

CJ Kendrick, deputy administrator for ITD's Division of Motor Vehicles, said the department would "use our system of record for the address" to send an initial notification and a secondary notification, providing an extra opportunity to reach owners. Kendrick told senators the rewrite would remove the current practice of law enforcement sending a separate notification; under the proposal, the department would be the source of notifications.

Supporters at the hearing included the Idaho Sheriffs Association, represented by Sheriff Andy Creech, who said the bill would reduce staff time on mail-based notifications and let law enforcement focus on other duties. Creech said the portal would "automatically notify lienholders and it'll, transfer some of that notification over to them into more modern methods so that people are able to find that" their vehicles had been towed.

The bill drew testimony both for and against from towing industry members and commercial-property interests. The Idaho Towing Association and some tow operators said the current statutory framework causes vehicle backlogs and that a statewide portal would speed notification. Mark Boivare of the Idaho Towing Association said, "we need something right now cars are piling up all over the state" and that the bill is a starting point that can be fixed as implementation proceeds.

Opponents and cautious supporters raised several concerns during testimony:

- Posting and predatory towing: Multiple witnesses asked the committee to require clear posted signage on commercial property before towing or booting is permitted. Alan Hodges of the Idaho Trucking Association said the bill lacks a required posting rule and warned it "creates an unfair and predatory environment," advocating for in-person verification by a property representative before authorizing tows or boots.

- Law enforcement involvement: Several witnesses noted the draft removes a requirement that law enforcement make the initial tow request in some circumstances. Opponents said that change removes a prior safety check; sponsor Keiser and Sheriff Creech said the intent is to allow property owners to remove abandoned or illegally parked vehicles from their property when law enforcement will not respond and that local jurisdictions may adopt more restrictive rules.

- Fee standards and market determination: Committee members asked who determines a "customary reasonable charge." CJ Kendrick said reasonable charges "would be based upon what the market rate would be" as set by towing companies; Keiser said maximum allowable fees remain in statute and local governments could set lower rates.

- Portal limitations and titles: Tow operators expressed concern about title issuance and handling vehicles not covered by the portal (for example, out-of-state vehicles, farm tractors, boats, trailers or vehicles lacking VINs). TJ Biggers of Crossroads Towing said the bill's earlier draft had a timeline for ITD to issue titles and that timeline was removed; he said the removal could leave tow companies waiting months for titles, increasing storage burdens.

After roughly an hour of testimony and discussion, Senator Adams moved, and Senator Cole seconded, to send House Bill 174 to the fourteenth order for possible amendment. The committee approved the motion by voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript. Committee members said the 14th-order review would allow work on amendments addressing signage, local control and notification details.

The bill's next steps are committee work in the fourteenth order and potential floor consideration following any amendments.