Subcommittee advances towing bill that clarifies signage, private-property towing and keeps state ban on booting

The Business & Utilities Subcommittee approved House Bill 972 by Representative McCallman with two amendments (3869 and 4157) and sent the bill to the full Commerce Committee.

Representative McCallman described the measure as a cleanup bill requested by the Towing Association. As amended, the bill revises signage requirements for properties that enforce immediate towing: signs must display the name and telephone number of the garage keeper authorized to tow vehicles from the premises. The amendment also clarifies when private-property owners may immediately tow a vehicle — including if the vehicle has been unattended more than 12 hours, is creating a hazard, is blocking access to public or private property, or is parked illegally.

During discussion, members raised concerns about booting. The sponsor said the measure does not reintroduce booting: "Last year, we effectively banned booting in the state of Tennessee... We're just wiping that out altogether and just leaving it banned as a state." Several members described situations where booting had been used locally to control parking and said restrictions could have practical effects for private developments; the sponsor cited past reports of predatory booting and towing used to charge excessive fees.

The committee adopted the amendments and voted to send House Bill 972 to full Commerce; the chair announced the bill passed. The transcript does not record a numerical roll-call tally for this item.