NY S04793

Increases fines for towing violations in New York City, raising the penalty for third violations within 24 months from $1,000 to $2,000, and adds criminal misdemeanor penalties including fines up to $10,000 and imprisonment up to 6 months for repeat offenders

Raises the required surety bond for towing license applicants from $5,000 to $25,000, with the commissioner able to increase it up to $250,000 (previously capped at $25,000)

Prohibits tow truck operators from using "spotters" or "spotting techniques" such as waiting and targeting drivers at parking lots, requiring written consent from property owners or managers before towing vehicles from private or commercial property

Expands grounds for mandatory license suspension or revocation to include two or more violations of predatory towing laws within one year, and allows license action when operators receive five or more complaints within one year

Bans soliciting or making representations near the scene of a vehicle removal under the towing statute, expanding existing prohibitions that applied only to accident scenes