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House approves towing‑reform bill requiring a 'bill of rights,' fee posting and credit‑card acceptance
Summary
The House passed the second substitute to HB 115 to regulate private‑property towing: it requires a written bill of rights for people whose vehicles are towed, mandates posting of fees and acceptance of credit cards, and sends fee structure and penalties to interim study. Passage: 66‑4.
Representative Stratton introduced the second substitute to HB 115, addressing private‑property (non‑consent) towing practices. The floor summary said the bill aims to balance property‑owner rights and consumer protections and was developed with stakeholder input.
Key provisions include a required 'bill of rights' for people whose vehicles are towed, posting of towing and storage fees at the place of payment and on the bill of rights, a requirement that towing companies accepting towed vehicles accept credit‑card payments, and referral of complex questions (fee structures and penalties) to an interim study for further work.
Several representatives described predatory behavior by some private towing companies. Representative Pitcher recounted incidents in Weber County with tow operators who "would actually wait outside, ... with binoculars" and tow vehicles quickly, creating a harsh financial strain on victims. Representative Cox framed the issue as loss of market choice once a vehicle is towed and called credit‑card acceptance an important protection for consumers who do not carry cash.
Sponsor Stratton said the bill reflects hours of stakeholder discussions and that the changes were intended to be palatable to the towing industry while addressing consumer harms. The House passed the bill 66‑4. The bill will be transmitted to the Senate for further consideration.
