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Senate rejects proposed increase to boot fees, recalls bill for further work
Summary
Senators debated amendments to allow $75 per day for immobilizer (boot) removal for up to three days (a $225 maximum); opponents warned it could exceed tow-and-storage costs. The measure failed on initial vote but was later recalled and placed back on the second‑reading calendar for further negotiation.
Senate debate over Senate Bill 102 focused on how property managers and apartment complexes may use vehicle immobilizers (boots) and whether fee structure encourages timely removal or creates perverse incentives.
Senator Goodfellow, sponsor, said a recurring problem in college towns is that drivers leave boots on for days because the maximum fee is $75 regardless of duration. He proposed an amendment to allow $75 for each of the first three days so the maximum would be $225, saying it would "encourage" timely removal and help property managers control illegal parking.
Senator Greiner disputed that approach, warning it could make booting more expensive than towing and storage in some markets. "It's going to make law enforcement issues a lot worse," Greiner said, calculating that the boot-plus‑daily fee could exceed typical tow-and-storage costs and provoke more confrontations.
After floor debate the bill failed on the initial vote (the clerk recorded 10 yea, 16 nay, 3 absent) and was filed. Members later moved to reconsider action; the Senate granted a motion to recall/reconsider and placed SB102 back on the second‑reading calendar and then circled it to allow further work with stakeholders.
Next steps: Senators signaled intent to negotiate a revised amendment (possible $25 daily increments was discussed on the floor) and return SB102 to the calendar for additional consideration.
