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Committee attaches invoice/appeals language and advances towing and abandoned‑vehicle changes
Summary
The committee adopted an amendment that attaches House Bill 1492 language to Senate Bill 617 to standardize towing‑invoice notices and appeals and recommended the bill 'ought to pass as amended' 15–0; testimony addressed the state police 'tow list' (RSA 106‑B) and gaps between state and municipal practices.
The House Transportation Committee voted unanimously to pass Senate Bill 617 as amended, attaching language from House Bill 1492 that addresses towing-invoice notice and consumer appeal rights. The changes will affect the state police 'tow list' process (RSA 106‑B:26–34) and clarify definitions, criminal‑history checks for responding employees, and reinstatement or reapplication procedures for companies removed from the list.
Captain Matt Ematuchi of the New Hampshire State Police described the evolution of the tow-list process, which began as a memorandum of understanding and became statutory in 2023 (RSA 106‑B:26–34). He said the bill clarifies who should be screened, replaces the narrower term 'tow truck operator' with 'employee' to capture any person who might respond to roadside calls, and modernizes compliance and disciplinary language. Ematuchi said the intent is to ensure consistent standards for equipment, business practices and personnel while preserving appropriate vetting.
Committee members asked whether the statute governs municipal police; Ematuchi said RSA 106‑B currently governs state police towing selection and does not automatically bind local agencies, though many local agencies use the same companies. Jay Olri of the New Hampshire Auto Dealers Association warned that the statutory interplay matters: RSA 262 (authorizing removal of vehicles by an 'authorized official') and its definition of 'peace officer' could bring local towing into similar review, and HB1492 language was attached to create more consistent coverage across the codes of law.
The committee also discussed invoice appeals and how the administrative hearing process fits with criminal or civil penalties under other statutes; officials said appeals processes exist but that fee disputes are relatively rare (a few hearings annually) and are adjudicated case by case. The committee adopted amendment 2026-150H (which incorporates HB1492 language) and then recommended SB617 'ought to pass as amended' by unanimous consent (15–0).
