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Tow operators tell Senate Transportation $125 fee is insufficient as DMV cites $50,000 program budget
Summary
Tow companies told the Senate Transportation committee that the $125 cap for abandoned-vehicle reimbursement often falls short, especially for RVs and hazmat cleanups; DMV said it budgets $50,000 and estimates about 400 abandoned vehicles yearly and will consult industry partners.
Tow operators and recovery professionals urged the Senate Transportation committee to raise or tier the $125 abandoned-vehicle reimbursement and to clarify procedures after testifying about frequent unrecovered costs and operational burdens.
Bob Maloney and Herb Bartemy, who identified themselves as leaders in the towing and recovery industry, told the committee the current abandoned-vehicle process (VIN verification, mailed notices and a 30-day owner-response window) often leaves towers waiting for titles or payments while shouldering tow, storage and cleanup costs. "We're called at all hours, and we're the only ones going out to get these vehicles," a tow representative said, arguing the $125 payment frequently does not cover labor, towing and landfill or hazmat disposal fees.
Industry witnesses described complications with recreational vehicles and large motor homes, which can contain septic systems, propane and other hazardous materials. They said many salvage yards refuse heavily damaged RVs and that private contractors like Casella will accept trailers only if emptied; Casella's municipal rate was cited in testimony as about $201 per ton. One operator recounted an incident involving a $250,000 load of chocolate that required hazmat response and a specialized recovery operation that cost roughly $53,000.
DMV Commissioner Amy Collier responded that the agency currently budgets roughly $50,000 to handle abandoned-vehicle work and estimated about 400 vehicles a year. She acknowledged a prior single-point-of-failure when one employee handled the process, said additional staff have been trained, and said the agency is open to discussing tiered fees or a separate approach for large campers and RVs with the Agency of Transportation and industry partners.
Committee members asked that DMV meet with tow operators, AOT and law enforcement, bring agency staff (Chris Herrick was requested) to explain large-vehicle handling and return to the committee with an update. No formal change to the $125 cap was made at the hearing.
Next steps: DMV will meet with towing industry representatives and agency partners and report back to Senate Transportation with options and revised language.
