Assemblymember Heather Goulding and Assemblymember Max Carter presented Assembly Bill 415 at the March committee hearing, proposing changes intended to speed the removal of abandoned, inoperable vehicles and to prevent unfair towing dispatch practices.

The bill would allow law enforcement to mark an abandoned vehicle and, after a five‑day notice period, authorize tow operators to dispose of vehicles that meet four criteria: the vehicle is abandoned, not registered, not roadworthy, and has an appraised scrap value under $500 (raising the current $200 threshold). The proposal also adds a prohibition on knowingly reporting an inaccurate vehicle location to obtain dispatches; a first remedy for violators would be removal from the dispatch rotation list.

The change to the dollar threshold was repeatedly highlighted during testimony as intended to align Nevada with neighboring states and to make the junk classification practical for tow yard operators. Assemblymember Goulding said, “If we all agree that it's junk, then let's treat it like junk.” She and Carter described the bill as a process change to reduce the economic burden on tow operators who currently must tow, store and hold such vehicles for lengthy periods before scrapping or lien sale.

Stakeholders and municipal officials told the committee the problem is statewide, affecting urban and rural areas. Paul Enos, CEO of the Nevada Trucking Association, said tow operators absorb most of the current costs: “An average boat trailer, small trailer, $88 in scrap. Scrap for a motor home, and this is the chassis, is $158… On average, about $800 for… some of these big motor homes is the cost of the tow. And then they have to store it.” Danny Thompson, co‑owner of Snap Tow in Henderson, said environmental cleanup and processing further increase costs; he estimated the total cost to his operation at roughly $1,000 for some vehicles.

Supporters described three components of a broader solution: the process change in AB415, local incentives or funding (a “carrot”), and enforcement/contract changes (a “stick”). Clark County’s Joanna Jacob said the bill would help counties and cities respond to resident complaints and address blight that also poses public‑safety and access concerns for emergency responders.

Several witnesses and sponsors noted implementation questions that remain. Committee members and counsel raised due‑process concerns: original drafts had a 48‑hour hold requirement, and legal counsel indicated constitutional due‑process protections must be respected before final disposition of a vehicle. Sponsors said they are exploring options for satisfying due process when an owner cannot be identified. The bill would require coordination with the Department of Motor Vehicles to issue junk certificates under the four criteria so tow operators can legally dispose of scrap without lengthy storage.

The bill also addresses “rendering” for large vehicles such as RVs and motor homes that may contain hazardous materials (propane, human waste) and cannot be crushed at a scrap yard without preparation. Sponsors said they are working with stakeholders to define handling standards and whether some rendering work can be done curbside prior to scrapping.

On dispatch practices, witnesses described a shift from simple rotation lists to third‑party vendors that dispatch the “closest” tow truck. Several witnesses said some operators use software to misreport their location to appear closer to a scene and receive the dispatch; Paul Enos and Lucas Valena (Nevada State Tow Association) urged a statutory prohibition and a contract enforcement approach so vendors and law enforcement can remove bad actors from vendor rotation lists. Enos said data reported to the Nevada Highway Patrol shows a previously even distribution of calls has become lopsided, suggesting misuse of location reporting.

Representatives of law enforcement and county governments, including Las Vegas Metropolitan Police and the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, voiced support for the measure as a tool to clear tow yards, remove public hazards, and curb blight. Nonprofit groups that remove trash from public lands, including Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful and Desert Pigs, described environmental and public‑health impacts when vehicles sit for long periods; these groups supported faster removal.

Sean Sevehr of the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles testified in neutral, saying the DMV submitted a “0 impact; cannot be determined” fiscal note and that the DMV does not receive fees tied to junk‑vehicle evaluations. Sevehr explained existing DMV options to check registration status online or request the last registered owner or lienholder for $5 through a DMV form and said the DMV already issues junk certificates under current practice.

No formal committee vote occurred on AB415 during the hearing. Sponsors and stakeholders agreed to continue technical work on due process, rendering procedures for large vehicles, and the administration of junk certificates through the DMV before further action in committee.

Assemblymember Goulding closed by thanking stakeholders for months of work; sponsors asked the committee for continued engagement as the parties refine the statutory language and implementation steps.