Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Sb120 Towing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee unanimously backs bill to clarify police‑generated tows and impound yard rules
Summary
Senate sponsor Senator Winterton told the Transportation Committee SB 120 (substitute 2) clarifies definitions for non‑consent police‑generated tows, highway classifications, and impound yard proximity/rotation; the committee passed the substitute unanimously.
Senator Winterton presented SB 120 (substitute 2), which clarifies statutory definitions used when law enforcement requests a tow, specifies highway‑type classifications (A/B/C pavement definitions), and addresses impound yard rotation and proximity so that vehicles are not taken unreasonably far from their point of tow.
Winterton said the bill started as a short clarification to align code with existing practice and that stakeholders — the towing association and county sheriffs — asked for changes that now appear in the substitute. He explained the bill distinguishes tows requested by a peace officer (a non‑consent, police‑generated tow) from tows the owner requested where an officer assisted.
The sponsor and committee members discussed county ordinances and the hardship created when a vehicle is towed dozens of miles from its original location; Winterton said exceptions remain for law‑enforcement holds and evidentiary tows as part of investigations.
After closing public comment, the committee voted unanimously to favorably recommend SB 120 (substitute 2) to the floor.
