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Committee backs SB1333 to raise maximum towing hookup fee to $210 and repeal fuel-surcharge sunset
Summary
The House Committee on Transportation advanced Senate Bill 1333, which raises the maximum hookup and initial towing fee from $150 to $210 and repeals a sunset that had authorized a $20 fuel surcharge; members discussed regional disparities and the role of local ordinances in limiting fees.
The House Committee on Transportation advanced Senate Bill 1333, which would raise the maximum hookup and initial towing fee for a passenger car from $150 to $210 and repeal a July 1, 2025, sunset provision that authorized a $20 fuel surcharge for the removal of certain vehicles.
The bill, presented as part of the innovation subcommittee report, also prohibits a towing recovery operator from charging the $20 fuel charge in any locality whose governing body has adopted an ordinance setting reasonable limits on towing and removal fees and that has conducted a review considering an adjustment of those limits by Dec. 31, 2025. The subcommittee recommended reporting the bill 6–2; the full committee recorded a reported tally of 18–2.
Why it matters: The change increases the statewide maximum a towing company may charge for hookup and initial towing of a passenger car, and the repeal of the sunset would remove the temporary authorization for a $20 fuel surcharge except where local ordinances allow it. Committee members said the bill aims to reduce disparities between public-safety tows and private-property tows across different localities.
Members' comments and clarifications
Delegate Delia Wyatt said, "More of a comment than a question. And, and I appreciate the patron for carrying this bill. I know there is some disparity between the public safety tow and the private property, a trespass tow in numerous locations, around the Commonwealth compared to what a public safety tow might charge in Henrico County versus a private property tow. It's probably more exaggerated the further north you go towards Northern Virginia...so it's it's good that we'll hopefully create some uniformity amongst the fees across the state and, and just average folks to see what they charge in Montgomery County, Maryland for a public safety tow versus a, trespass or private property tow."
Delegate Reid asked whether increasing the maximum remains subject to local approval. The committee recognized Senator Marsden at the podium for a response. Senator Marsden replied, "That is correct." The exchange clarifies that raising the statewide maximum does not remove local governments' responsibility to set or approve actual local fee limits.
Formal action
Chair Glass moved to report the bill; the motion was seconded (second not specified in the transcript). After the roll was closed, the committee recorded the bill as reported by a vote of 18–2.
Ending
The subcommittee chair closed the report and the committee proceeded to other business. The bill will continue through the legislative process following the committee report.
