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Bill would let vehicle storage facilities post towing notices on an approved website instead of newspaper publication
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Summary
House Bill 3928 would allow vehicle storage facilities to post required notice on a third-party website approved by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) as an alternative to newspaper publication when the owner's address is unknown; towing industry representatives told the committee they support the option.
Chairman Nichols told the Senate Transportation Committee that House Bill 3928 would amend notice requirements for vehicle storage facilities when vehicle owners cannot be reached by certified mail or registration has no address. Under the proposed change, a facility could publish required notices on a third-party website approved by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) as an alternative to newspaper publication.
Megan Farrell of the Texas Towing and Storage Association testified in support, representing her family business T Miller Inc. and the association. "This does not change the requirement. We still have to post those notices. It just gives us an alternative way to do so," Farrell said.
Chairman Nichols emphasized the option would not eliminate newspaper publication altogether, but provide an additional avenue as the number of newspapers declines. The committee opened public testimony, heard from industry witnesses and a DMV resource witness, then closed testimony and voted to report the bill favorably.
Why it matters: proponents said the change reflects declines in local newspaper availability and offers an administrable alternative for notifying owners and lienholders; the bill was reported out of committee and will proceed toward the Senate calendar.
