HB 1218 Summary

• Creates new chapter 39-35 establishing comprehensive consumer protections for towing services, including regulations on emergency towing, private property towing, fees, estimates, invoices, and notice requirements.

• Amends abandoned vehicle custody and notice provisions in chapters 23.1-15 and 39-26 to make them subject to the new consumer towing protections in chapter 39-35.

• Requires towing companies to provide written itemized estimates before towing (when owner is present), maintain records for three years, accept multiple payment methods, and provide 24-hour phone access to customers.

• Prohibits towing companies from charging excess fees without consent, misrepresenting affiliations, requiring pre-authorization of more than 24 hours storage, charging multiple towing fees, or towing to repair facilities without prior owner consent.

• Establishes department of transportation regulatory authority over towing services, requires towing company certification, and makes violations a class B misdemeanor; becomes effective August 1, 2019 (or upon certain health department certification).