Senate advances towing-notice reforms requiring third‑party notification and searchable vehicle database

Senate members heard a detailed presentation of a conference report aimed at reducing consumer harm from inadequate notice after a vehicle is towed.

Senator Harkins, sponsor of the conference report, said the bill shortens time frames for notification, requires an independent third-party vendor to send certified-mail notices, and directs that vendor to maintain a publicly searchable website linked from the Department of Revenue so owners can find towed vehicles. "It requires the independent third party vendor that sends out the notification on behalf of the lienholder to utilize the format and transmit the data required by the Department of Revenue," Harkins said, and he estimated DOR implementation costs at about $500,000 to merge backend databases.

Opponents pressed on potential unfunded mandates. Senator Whaley asked about the feasibility for law-enforcement-ordered tows and rotation systems; Senator Whaley warned the measure could be "anti-business" for small towing firms that would face a vendor fee and the cost of certified mail. "We're going after everybody here," he said, arguing the bill could disproportionately burden small rural operators.

Sponsor Harkins said the bill intends to protect consumers and create an accessible way to locate a towed vehicle quickly: "You will receive notice promptly, and they can't charge storage fees until that third party vendor sends out that notice." He noted the vendor website posting must preserve privacy by excluding personally identifying information and that vendors must be bonded and meet data-security policy and audit standards.

Senators asked for cost estimates and whether the new requirements constituted an unfunded mandate; sponsor and supporters said lienholder groups and many industry stakeholders participated and signaled conditional approval during committee work. The conference report was moved for passage by morning roll call.