Am. H.B. No. 403 Summary

• Motor vehicle owners may sue towing services or storage facilities to recover vehicles, cargo, or personal property removed after an accident, or to object to the amount billed for removal, towing, or storage services.

• Motor vehicle owners may file suit on behalf of themselves or third parties whose cargo they commercially transport; actions are filed in municipal or county court with jurisdiction over the removal location.

• Vehicle owners objecting to bills must identify the undisputed amount owed, file the original bill and supporting evidence, pay the undisputed amount, and post a bond equal to the disputed amount before the towing service must release the vehicle within two business days.

• Towing services may sue owners for payment 45 days after billing if the owner has not paid or filed suit, but cannot seek vehicle title until judgment is entered.

• Courts determining bills are disputed must evaluate reasonableness and order payment of a reasonable amount minus any undisputed amount already paid; courts may impose monetary penalties and require either party to pay or refund additional amounts.