House Transportation reviews S326 to raise tow reimbursement, clarify abandoned-vehicle process

The House Transportation Committee on April 2 reviewed sections of S326, a miscellaneous motor vehicle bill that would raise a state reimbursement to tow companies to $250 for removing vehicles the Agency of Transportation (AOT) deems abandoned and would clarify salvage-title procedures.

Christopher Herrick, AOT director of emergency management, safety, facilities and hazmat, told the committee the change aims to streamline removals and improve coordination with DMV and law enforcement. "For the record, my name is Christopher Herrick," he said before describing how AOT distinguishes between homeless encampments—where staff involve mental-health partners and may serve trespass notices—and true abandoned vehicles that can be towed. "I support the language as as presented," Herrick said.

Why it matters: witnesses said the provision would help speed removal of unsafe vehicles from park-and-rides and rights-of-way while retaining procedures to protect people who are living in vehicles. Herrick described a process in which AOT employees or the public report a vehicle,…