S.B. 235

             1     

TRANSPORTATION REVISIONS

             2     
2014 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Chief Sponsor: Wayne A. Harper

             5     
House Sponsor: ____________

             6     
             7      LONG TITLE
             8      General Description:
             9          This bill modifies provisions relating to transportation issues.
             10      Highlighted Provisions:
             11          This bill:
             12          .    provides that an impound yard may not charge a fee for the storage of an impounded
             13      vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor if:
             14              .    the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor is being held as evidence; and
             15              .    the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor is not being released to the registered
             16      owner, lien holder, or the owner's agent even if the registered owner, lien holder,
             17      or the owner's agent satisfies the requirements to release the vehicle, vessel, or
             18      outboard motor;
             19          .    provides that certain administrative rules made by the Department of Transportation
             20      shall prohibit an impound yard from charging a fee for the storage of an impounded
             21      vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor if:
             22              .    the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor is being held as evidence; and
             23              .    the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor is not being released to the registered
             24      owner, lien holder, or the owner's agent even if the registered owner, lien holder,
             25      or the owner's agent satisfies the requirements to release the vehicle, vessel, or
             26      outboard motor;
             27          .    provides that a county or municipal legislative governing body may not charge a fee


             28      for the storage of an impounded vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor if the county or
             29      municipality:
             30              .    is holding the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor as evidence; and
             31              .    will not release the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor to the registered owner,
             32      lien holder, or the owner's agent even if the registered owner, lien holder, or the
             33      owner's agent satisfies the requirements to release the vehicle, vessel, or
             34      outboard motor;
             35          .    provides that a division, municipality, county, or airport authority operating an
             36      international airport in a county of the first class may not exercise the authority
             37      conferred to an airport to regulate transportation outside the geographical limits of
             38      the airport;
             39          .    provides that a municipality, county, or airport authority operating an airport in a
             40      county of the first class as an international airport shall have a minimum number of
             41      vendors that provide short-term leases and rentals of motor vehicles and are
             42      operating at a location on the airport premises; and
             43          .    makes technical corrections.
             44      Money Appropriated in this Bill:
             45          None
             46      Other Special Clauses:
             47          This bill provides revisor instructions.
             48      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             49      AMENDS:
             50           41-6a-1406 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2013, Chapter 328
             51           72-9-603 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2013, Chapter 328
             52           72-9-604 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2013, Chapter 328
             53           72-10-203 , as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 1998, Chapter 270
             54      ENACTS:
             55           72-10-216 , Utah Code Annotated 1953
             56      Utah Code Sections Affected by Revisor Instructions:
             57           72-10-203 , as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 1998, Chapter 270
             58     


             59      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             60          Section 1. Section 41-6a-1406 is amended to read:
             61           41-6a-1406. Removal and impoundment of vehicles -- Reporting and notification
             62      requirements -- Administrative impound fee -- Refunds -- Possessory lien -- Rulemaking.
             63          (1) If a vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor is removed or impounded as provided under
             64      Section 41-1a-1101 , 41-6a-527 , 41-6a-1405 , 41-6a-1408 , or 73-18-20.1 by an order of a peace
             65      officer or by an order of a person acting on behalf of a law enforcement agency or highway
             66      authority, the removal or impoundment of the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor shall be at the
             67      expense of the owner.
             68          (2) The vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor under Subsection (1) shall be removed or
             69      impounded to:
             70          (a) a state impound yard; or
             71          (b) if none, a garage, docking area, or other place of safety.
             72          (3) The peace officer may move a vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor or cause it to be
             73      removed by a tow truck motor carrier that meets standards established:
             74          (a) under Title 72, Chapter 9, Motor Carrier Safety Act; and
             75          (b) by the department under Subsection (10).
             76          (4) (a) Immediately after the removal of the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor, a report
             77      of the removal shall be sent to the Motor Vehicle Division by:
             78          (i) the peace officer or agency by whom the peace officer is employed; and
             79          (ii) the tow truck operator or the tow truck motor carrier by whom the tow truck
             80      operator is employed.
             81          (b) The report shall be in a form specified by the Motor Vehicle Division and shall
             82      include:
             83          (i) the operator's name, if known;
             84          (ii) a description of the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor;
             85          (iii) the vehicle identification number or vessel or outboard motor identification
             86      number;
             87          (iv) the license number or other identification number issued by a state agency;
             88          (v) the date, time, and place of impoundment;
             89          (vi) the reason for removal or impoundment;


             90          (vii) the name of the tow truck motor carrier who removed the vehicle, vessel, or
             91      outboard motor; and
             92          (viii) the place where the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor is stored.
             93          (c) Until the tow truck operator or tow truck motor carrier reports the removal as
             94      required under this Subsection (4), a tow truck motor carrier or impound yard may not:
             95          (i) collect any fee associated with the removal; and
             96          (ii) begin charging storage fees.
             97          (5) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (5)(e) and upon receipt of the report, the
             98      Motor Vehicle Division shall give notice to the registered owner of the vehicle, vessel, or
             99      outboard motor and any lien holder in the manner prescribed by Section 41-1a-114 .
             100          (b) The notice shall:
             101          (i) state the date, time, and place of removal, the name, if applicable, of the person
             102      operating the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor at the time of removal, the reason for removal,
             103      and the place where the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor is stored;
             104          (ii) state that the registered owner is responsible for payment of towing, impound, and
             105      storage fees charged against the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor;
             106          (iii) inform the registered owner of the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor of the
             107      conditions that must be satisfied before the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor is released; and
             108          (iv) inform the registered owner and lienholder of the division's intent to sell the
             109      vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor, if within 30 days from the date of the removal or
             110      impoundment under this section, the owner, lien holder, or the owner's agent fails to make a
             111      claim for release of the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor.
             112          (c) Except as provided in Subsection (5)(e) and if the vehicle, vessel, or outboard
             113      motor is not registered in this state, the Motor Vehicle Division shall make a reasonable effort
             114      to notify the registered owner and any lien holder of the removal and the place where the
             115      vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor is stored.
             116          (d) The Motor Vehicle Division shall forward a copy of the notice to the place where
             117      the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor is stored.
             118          (e) The Motor Vehicle Division is not required to give notice under this Subsection (5)
             119      if a report was received by a tow truck operator or tow truck motor carrier reporting a tow truck
             120      service in accordance with Subsection 72-9-603 (1)(a)(i).


             121          (6) (a) The vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor shall be released after the registered
             122      owner, lien holder, or the owner's agent:
             123          (i) makes a claim for release of the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor at any office of
             124      the State Tax Commission;
             125          (ii) presents identification sufficient to prove ownership of the impounded vehicle,
             126      vessel, or outboard motor;
             127          (iii) completes the registration, if needed, and pays the appropriate fees;
             128          (iv) if the impoundment was made under Section 41-6a-527 , pays an administrative
             129      impound fee of $350; and
             130          (v) pays all towing and storage fees to the place where the vehicle, vessel, or outboard
             131      motor is stored.
             132          (b) (i) Twenty-nine dollars of the administrative impound fee assessed under
             133      Subsection (6)(a)(iv) shall be dedicated credits to the Motor Vehicle Division;
             134          (ii) $97 of the administrative impound fee assessed under Subsection (6)(a)(iv) shall be
             135      deposited in the Department of Public Safety Restricted Account created in Section 53-3-106 ;
             136          (iii) $20 of the administrative impound fee assessed under Subsection (6)(a)(iv) shall
             137      be deposited in the Traumatic Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Rehabilitation Fund; and
             138          (iv) the remainder of the administrative impound fee assessed under Subsection
             139      (6)(a)(iv) shall be deposited in the General Fund.
             140          (c) The administrative impound fee assessed under Subsection (6)(a)(iv) shall be
             141      waived or refunded by the State Tax Commission if the registered owner, lien holder, or
             142      owner's agent presents written evidence to the State Tax Commission that:
             143          (i) the Driver License Division determined that the arrested person's driver license
             144      should not be suspended or revoked under Section 53-3-223 or 41-6a-521 as shown by a letter
             145      or other report from the Driver License Division presented within 30 days of the final
             146      notification from the Driver License Division; or
             147          (ii) the vehicle was stolen at the time of the impoundment as shown by a copy of the
             148      stolen vehicle report presented within 30 days of the impoundment.
             149          (d) A tow truck operator, a tow truck motor carrier, and an impound yard shall accept
             150      payment by cash and debit or credit card for a removal or impoundment under Subsection (1)
             151      or any service rendered, performed, or supplied in connection with a removal or impoundment


             152      under Subsection (1).
             153          (e) The owner of an impounded vehicle may not be charged a fee for the storage of the
             154      impounded vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor if:
             155          (i) the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor is being held as evidence; and
             156          (ii) the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor is not being released to the registered owner,
             157      lien holder, or the owner's agent even if the registered owner, lien holder, or the owner's agent
             158      satisfies the requirements to release the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor under Subsection
             159      (6).
             160          (7) (a) An impounded vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor not claimed by the registered
             161      owner or the owner's agent within the time prescribed by Section 41-1a-1103 shall be sold in
             162      accordance with that section and the proceeds, if any, shall be disposed of as provided under
             163      Section 41-1a-1104 .
             164          (b) The date of impoundment is considered the date of seizure for computing the time
             165      period provided under Section 41-1a-1103 .
             166          (8) The registered owner who pays all fees and charges incurred in the impoundment of
             167      the owner's vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor, has a cause of action for all the fees and
             168      charges, together with damages, court costs, and attorney fees, against the operator of the
             169      vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor whose actions caused the removal or impoundment.
             170          (9) Towing, impound fees, and storage fees are a possessory lien on the vehicle, vessel,
             171      or outboard motor.
             172          (10) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act,
             173      the department shall make rules setting the performance standards for towing companies to be
             174      used by the department.
             175          (11) (a) The Motor Vehicle Division may specify that a report required under
             176      Subsection (4) be submitted in electronic form utilizing a database for submission, storage, and
             177      retrieval of the information.
             178          (b) (i) Unless otherwise provided by statute, the Motor Vehicle Division or the
             179      administrator of the database may adopt a schedule of fees assessed for utilizing the database.
             180          (ii) The fees under this Subsection (11)(b) shall:
             181          (A) be reasonable and fair; and
             182          (B) reflect the cost of administering the database.


             183          Section 2. Section 72-9-603 is amended to read:
             184           72-9-603. Towing notice requirements -- Cost responsibilities -- Abandoned
             185      vehicle title restrictions -- Rules for maximum rates and certification.
             186          (1) Except for a tow truck service that was ordered by a peace officer, or a person
             187      acting on behalf of a law enforcement agency, or a highway authority, after performing a tow
             188      truck service that is being done without the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor owner's
             189      knowledge, the tow truck operator or the tow truck motor carrier shall:
             190          (a) immediately upon arriving at the place of storage or impound of the vehicle, vessel,
             191      or outboard motor:
             192          (i) send a report of the removal to the Motor Vehicle Division that complies with the
             193      requirements of Subsection 41-6a-1406 (4)(b); and
             194          (ii) contact the law enforcement agency having jurisdiction over the area where the
             195      vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor was picked up and notify the agency of the:
             196          (A) location of the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor;
             197          (B) date, time, and location from which the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor was
             198      removed;
             199          (C) reasons for the removal of the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor;
             200          (D) person who requested the removal of the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor; and
             201          (E) vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor's description, including its identification number
             202      and license number or other identification number issued by a state agency;
             203          (b) within two business days of performing the tow truck service under Subsection
             204      (1)(a), send a certified letter to the last-known address of the registered owner and lien holder
             205      of the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor obtained from the Motor Vehicle Division or if the
             206      person has actual knowledge of the owner's address to the current address, notifying the owner
             207      of the:
             208          (i) location of the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor;
             209          (ii) date, time, location from which the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor was
             210      removed;
             211          (iii) reasons for the removal of the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor;
             212          (iv) person who requested the removal of the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor;
             213          (v) a description, including its identification number and license number or other


             214      identification number issued by a state agency; and
             215          (vi) costs and procedures to retrieve the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor; and
             216          (c) upon initial contact with the owner whose vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor was
             217      removed, provide the owner with a copy of the Utah Consumer Bill of Rights Regarding
             218      Towing established by the department in Subsection (7)(e).
             219          (2) (a) Until the tow truck operator or tow truck motor carrier reports the removal as
             220      required under Subsection (1)(a), a tow truck operator, tow truck motor carrier, or impound
             221      yard may not:
             222          (i) collect any fee associated with the removal; or
             223          (ii) begin charging storage fees.
             224          (b) (i) Except as provided in Subsection (2)(c), a tow truck operator or tow truck motor
             225      carrier may not perform a tow truck service without the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor
             226      owner's or a lien holder's knowledge at either of the following locations without signage that
             227      meets the requirements of Subsection (2)(b)(ii):
             228          (A) a mobile home park as defined in Section 57-16-3 ; or
             229          (B) a multifamily dwelling of more than eight units.
             230          (ii) Signage under Subsection (2)(b)(i) shall display:
             231          (A) where parking is subject to towing; and
             232          (B) (I) the Internet website address that provides access to towing database information
             233      in accordance with Section 41-6a-1406 ; or
             234          (II) one of the following:
             235          (Aa) the name and phone number of the tow truck operator or tow truck motor carrier
             236      that performs a tow truck service for the locations listed under Subsection (2)(b)(i); or
             237          (Bb) the name of the mobile home park or multifamily dwelling and the phone number
             238      of the mobile home park or multifamily dwelling manager or management office that
             239      authorized the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor to be towed.
             240          (c) Signage is not required under Subsection (2)(b) for parking in a location:
             241          (i) that is prohibited by law; or
             242          (ii) if it is reasonably apparent that the location is not open to parking.
             243          (d) Nothing in Subsection (2)(b) restricts the ability of a mobile home park as defined
             244      in Section 57-16-3 or a multifamily dwelling from instituting and enforcing regulations on


             245      parking.
             246          (3) The owner of a vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor lawfully removed is only
             247      responsible for paying:
             248          (a) the tow truck service and storage fees set in accordance with Subsection (7); and
             249          (b) the administrative impound fee set in Section 41-6a-1406 , if applicable.
             250          (4) The fees under Subsection (3) are a possessory lien on the vehicle, non-life
             251      essential items that are owned by the owner of the vehicle and securely stored by the tow truck
             252      operator, vessel, or outboard motor until paid.
             253          (5) A person may not request a transfer of title to an abandoned vehicle until at least 30
             254      days after notice has been sent under Subsection (1)(b).
             255          (6) (a) A tow truck motor carrier or impound yard shall clearly and conspicuously post
             256      and disclose all its current fees, rates, and acceptable forms of payment for tow truck service
             257      and storage of a vehicle in accordance with rules established under Subsection (7).
             258          (b) A tow truck operator, a tow truck motor carrier, and an impound yard shall accept
             259      payment by cash and debit or credit card for a tow truck service under Subsection (1) or any
             260      service rendered, performed, or supplied in connection with a tow truck service under
             261      Subsection (1).
             262          (7) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the
             263      Department of Transportation shall:
             264          (a) subject to Subsection (8), set maximum rates that:
             265          (i) a tow truck motor carrier may charge for the tow truck service of a vehicle, vessel,
             266      or outboard motor that are transported in response to:
             267          (A) a peace officer dispatch call;
             268          (B) a motor vehicle division call; and
             269          (C) any other call or request where the owner of the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor
             270      has not consented to the removal; and
             271          (ii) an impound yard may charge for the storage of a vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor
             272      stored as a result of one of the conditions listed under Subsection (7)(a)(i);
             273          (b) establish authorized towing certification requirements, not in conflict with federal
             274      law, related to incident safety, clean-up, and hazardous material handling;
             275          (c) specify the form and content of the posting and disclosure of fees and rates charged


             276      and acceptable forms of payment by a tow truck motor carrier or impound yard;
             277          (d) set a maximum rate for an administrative fee that a tow truck motor carrier may
             278      charge for reporting the removal as required under Subsection (1)(a)(i) and providing notice of
             279      the removal to the registered owner and lienholder of the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor as
             280      required in Subsection (1)(b); and
             281          (e) establish a Utah Consumer Bill of Rights Regarding Towing form that contains
             282      specific information regarding:
             283          (i) a vehicle owner's rights and responsibilities if the owner's vehicle is towed;
             284          (ii) identifies the maximum rates that a tow truck motor carrier may charge for the tow
             285      truck service of a vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor that is transported in response to a call or
             286      request where the owner of the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor has not consented to the
             287      removal; and
             288          (iii) identifies the maximum rates that an impound yard may charge for the storage of
             289      vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor that is transported in response to a call or request where the
             290      owner of the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor has not consented to the removal.
             291          [(8) By August 31, 2013, the department shall report and make recommendations to the
             292      Transportation Interim Committee regarding:]
             293          [(a) the methods the department uses to set maximum rates of fees established by the
             294      department under Subsection (7);]
             295          [(b) the methods used by other entities to set maximum rates of fees equivalent to the
             296      fees established by the department under Subsection (7); and]
             297          [(c) administering state laws and rules pertaining to towing including the procedures
             298      for tow truck motor carrier violations.]
             299          (8) The rules made by the department under Subsection (8) shall prohibit an impound
             300      yard from charging a fee for the storage of an impounded vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor if:
             301          (a) the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor is being held as evidence; and
             302          (b) the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor is not being released to the registered owner,
             303      lien holder, or the owner's agent even if the registered owner, lien holder, or the owner's agent
             304      satisfies the requirements to release the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor under Section
             305      41-6a-1406 .
             306          Section 3. Section 72-9-604 is amended to read:


             307           72-9-604. Regulatory powers of local authorities -- Tow trucks.
             308          (1) [A] (a) Except as provided in Subsection (1)(b), a county or municipal legislative
             309      or governing body may enact or enforce any ordinance, regulation, or rule pertaining to a tow
             310      truck or tow truck motor carrier that does not conflict with this part.
             311          (b) A county or municipal legislative governing body may not charge a fee for the
             312      storage of an impounded vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor if the county or municipality:
             313          (i) is holding the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor as evidence; and
             314          (ii) will not release the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor to the registered owner, lien
             315      holder, or the owner's agent even if the registered owner, lien holder, or the owner's agent
             316      satisfies the requirements to release the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor under Section
             317      41-6a-1406 .
             318          (2) A tow truck motor carrier that has a county or municipal business license for a
             319      place of business located within that county or municipality may not be required to obtain
             320      another business license in order to perform a tow truck service in another county or
             321      municipality if there is not a business location in the other county or municipality.
             322          (3) A county or municipal legislative body may require an annual tow truck safety
             323      inspection in addition to the inspections required under Sections 53-8-205 and 72-9-602 if:
             324          (a) no fee is charged for the inspection; and
             325          (b) the inspection complies with federal motor carrier safety regulations.
             326          (4) A tow truck shall be subject to only one annual safety inspection under Subsection
             327      (3). A county or municipality that requires the additional annual safety inspection shall accept
             328      the same inspection performed by another county or municipality.
             329          Section 4. Section 72-10-203 is amended to read:
             330           72-10-203. Division, municipality, counties, and airport authorities authorized to
             331      acquire and regulate airports.
             332          (1) The division [and municipalities, counties, and airport authorities may], a
             333      municipality, a county, or an airport authority may:
             334          (a) acquire, establish, construct, expand, own, lease, control, equip, improve, maintain,
             335      operate, regulate, and police airports for the use of aircraft; and [may]
             336          (b) use for [these] the purposes described in Subsection (1)(a) any available property
             337      that is owned or controlled by the division [or by], a municipality, a county, or an airport


             338      authority.
             339          (2) (a) The division, a municipality, a county, or an airport authority operating an
             340      international airport in a county of the first class may not exercise the authority conferred in
             341      Subsection (1), Subsection 72-10-207 (1), or Section 10-8-8 to regulate transportation by a
             342      ground transportation vehicle or service, common carrier, or motor carrier outside of the
             343      geographical limits of the airport.
             344          (b) The restriction under Subsection (2)(a) applies to:
             345          (i) an ordinance;
             346          (ii) a regulation, including a regulation established by a request for proposal; or
             347          (iii) an establishment of a charge, whether the charge is established through a fee, toll,
             348      minimum annual guarantee, or other requirement.
             349          (c) The provisions of this Subsection (2) do not affect any contract entered into by the
             350      division, a municipality, a county, or an airport authority before the effective date of this bill.
             351          [(2)] (3) A county may not exercise the authority conferred in this section outside of its
             352      geographical limits except jointly with an adjoining county.
             353          Section 5. Section 72-10-216 is enacted to read:
             354          72-10-216. Requirements for operations of international airport in a county of the
             355      first class.
             356          A municipality, county, or airport authority operating an airport in a county of the first
             357      class as an international airport shall have at least nine vendors that:
             358          (1) provide short-term leases and rentals of motor vehicles not exceeding 30 days; and
             359          (2) are operating at a location on the airport premises.
             360          Section 6. Revisor instructions.
             361          The Legislature intends that the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel, in
             362      preparing the Utah Code database for publication, replace the language in Subsection
             363      72-10-203 (2)(c) from "the effective date of this bill" with the bill's actual effective date.




Legislative Review Note
    as of 2-21-14 11:58 AM


Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


[Bill Documents][Bills Directory]