Senate approves towing‑regulation bill after adding owner‑notification and rate limits

The Utah Senate approved House Bill 5, a measure to regulate towing performed at the direction of peace officers, after adopting an amendment that requires timely notification to registered owners and assigns the Public Service Commission authority to set maximum towing and storage rates for peace‑officer dispatches.

Senator Black, who introduced the amendment, said complaints had shown some vehicles were held for extended periods and owners were not notified promptly; the amendment requires reasonable attempts at notification by registered mail before storage fees can be collected. He told the Senate that in one case a vehicle owner was not contacted for 25 days and then faced mounting storage charges.

Floor discussion addressed edge cases (stolen vehicles or vehicles with altered VINs) and how the bill treats unidentifiable or abandoned automobiles; the bill contains provisions allowing release or disposal only after identification or administrative steps. Senators also raised concerns about possible other code sections governing storage; sponsors said legal services had not identified other conflicting statutes and that the Public Service Commission regulation would create uniform maximum fees.

Under suspension of the rules the Senate read the bill for second and third readings and called the final roll; House Bill 5 passed by roll call, 23 ayes and 1 nay, and was sent to the House for further action/enrollment.