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Committee approves Department of Safety rules implementing 'Motion Act' to standardize towing, notices and appeals
Summary
The Department of Safety proposed rules under the Modernization of Towing, Immobilization and Oversight Normalization Act to standardize notice, appeals and fee caps for abandoned or immobile vehicles; lawmakers asked for the department's fee schedule and probed accountability for excessive charges. Committee recommended the rule positively.
The Department of Safety briefed the committee on rules implementing the 2025 'Motion Act' to provide uniform procedures for abandoned and immobile‑vehicle towing by the Tennessee Highway Patrol. Graham Tudor and Major Travis Plotz said the rules require owner notification, set appeal steps for owners and lienholders, and specify conduct for appeal hearings.
Lawmakers raised concerns about potentially excessive tow or storage charges imposed by private towing companies that operate on the THP rotation list. Elizabeth Stroker, department counsel, said the department enforces requirements for companies on the rotation list, can audit or remove companies for egregious charges and will provide lawmakers a link to the official fee schedule. The committee recorded a positive recommendation for the rule.
