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House passes bill to require access to vehicles in private impound yards
Summary
House Bill 320, aimed at ensuring vehicle owners can access cars held at unmanned towing lots, passed the Utah House unanimously 73–0. Sponsor said the measure addresses repeated access denials and duplicate towing charges.
The Utah House unanimously approved House Bill 320, Vehicle Impound Yard Requirements, 73–0, sending the measure to the Senate.
Representative Oda, the bill sponsor, said HB320 responds to complaints from body shops and vehicle owners whose cars were taken to unmanned impound lots that failed to provide promised access. Under the bill as described on the floor, private impound-lot owners must permit vehicle owners to access their vehicles during regular business hours and provide reasonable evidence of prior contact if access is denied; UDOT would set rules and a penalty is established (loss of that day’s impound fee plus a $50 fine). "We need to allow people to access their vehicles," Oda said, summarizing constituent complaints about repeated fees and missed appointments at tow yards.
Representative Art Greenwood voiced support, citing constituent experiences where the lot owner failed to show as promised and owners had to return repeatedly while charges accrued. After sponsor summation, the House opened voting; HB320 passed with 73 yes votes and 0 no votes and will be referred to the Senate for further consideration.
