SB-1188 Summary

• Authorizes police agencies to immediately remove vehicles from public or private property in specified circumstances including hazardous conditions, obstruction of traffic, posted tow-away zones, suspected stolen vehicles, crime-related seizure, emergencies, private property interference, and unauthorized disabled parking space usage.

• Requires police agencies to check if vehicles are stolen before authorizing removal and to enter non-stolen vehicles into law enforcement information network as abandoned at least 7 days after removal (except for stolen, crime-related, or crash vehicles).

• Establishes that vehicles impounded for theft, crime, or crashes must be released by the police agency before the towing agency can release to the vehicle owner, with towing agency notifying police within 20-30 days if vehicle remains unredeemed.

• Requires public sale proceeds to be applied in priority order: accrued towing and storage charges, police agency expenses, $40 abandoned vehicle fee, and remaining funds to secured parties and vehicle owner through unclaimed property division.

• Requires private property owners to post conspicuous notices (letters at least 2 inches high) at all vehicular entry points stating unauthorized vehicles will be towed at owner's expense, with towing service contact information, maintained for at least 24 hours before towing.