2
3
4
5
6
7 LONG TITLE
8 General Description:
9 This bill amends provisions related to tow truck operations.
10 Highlighted Provisions:
11 This bill:
12 ▸ requires tow truck operators to have a criminal background check and valid medical
13 examiner's certificate before performing tow truck operations;
14 ▸ requires the Department of Transportation to make certain consumer protection
15 information electronically available to the public;
16 ▸ provides for circumstances where the Department of Transportation may suspend a
17 tow truck motor carrier's and tow truck operator's authorized towing certificate;
18 ▸ amends provisions related to certification of tow truck operators and tow truck
19 motor carriers;
20 ▸ creates the Towing Advisory Board to make recommendations regarding
21 towing-related rules to:
22 • the Department of Transportation;
23 • the Department of Public Safety; and
24 • the State Tax Commission;
25 ▸ requires the Towing Advisory Board to report to the Transportation Interim
26 Committee;
27 ▸ prohibits a member of the Towing Advisory Board from receiving compensation or
28 reimbursement for expenses related to the member's service on the board; and
29 ▸ makes technical changes.
30 Money Appropriated in this Bill:
31 None
32 Other Special Clauses:
33 This bill provides a special effective date.
34 Utah Code Sections Affected:
35 AMENDS:
36 41-6a-1407, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2015, Chapter 412
37 72-9-601, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2005, Chapter 2
38 72-9-602, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2009, Chapter 183
39 72-9-603, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2016, Chapters 103 and 148
40 72-9-604, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2014, Chapter 249
41 ENACTS:
42 72-9-606, Utah Code Annotated 1953
43
44 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
45 Section 1. Section 41-6a-1407 is amended to read:
46 41-6a-1407. Removal of unattended vehicles prohibited without authorization --
47 Penalties.
48 (1) In cases not amounting to burglary or theft of a vehicle, a person may not remove
49 an unattended vehicle without prior authorization of:
50 (a) a peace officer;
51 (b) a law enforcement agency;
52 (c) a highway authority having jurisdiction over the highway on which there is an
53 unattended vehicle; or
54 (d) the owner or person in lawful possession or control of the real property.
55 (2) (a) An authorization from a person specified under Subsection (1)(a), (b), or (c)
56 shall be in a form specified by the Motor Vehicle Division.
57 (b) The removal of the unattended vehicle shall comply with requirements of Section
58 41-6a-1406.
59 (3) The removal of the unattended vehicle authorized under Subsection (1)(d) shall
60 comply with the requirements of Section 72-9-603.
61 (4) A person who violates Subsection (1) or (3) is guilty of an infraction.
62 Section 2. Section 72-9-601 is amended to read:
63 72-9-601. Tow truck motor carrier requirements -- Authorized towing
64 certificates.
65 (1) In addition to the requirements of this chapter, a tow truck motor carrier shall:
66 (a) ensure that all the tow truck motor carrier's tow truck [
67 properly:
68 (i) trained to operate tow truck equipment;
69 (ii) licensed, as required under Title 53, Chapter 3, Uniform Driver License Act; and
70 (iii) complying with the requirements under Sections 41-6a-1406 and 72-9-603; [
71 (b) ensure that all the tow truck motor carrier's tow truck operators:
72 (i) have cleared the criminal background check required in Subsections 72-9-602(2)
73 and (3); and
74 (ii) obtain and maintain a valid medical examiner's certificate under 49 C.F.R. Sec.
75 391.45; and
76 [
77 motor carrier, and each tow truck and [
78 72-9-602.
79 (2) A tow truck motor carrier may only perform a towing service described in Section
80 41-6a-1406, 41-6a-1407, or 72-9-603, with a tow truck and [
81 a current authorized towing certificate under this part.
82 Section 3. Section 72-9-602 is amended to read:
83 72-9-602. Towing inspections, investigations, and certification -- Equipment
84 requirements -- Consumer information.
85 (1) (a) The department shall inspect, investigate, and certify tow truck motor carriers,
86 tow trucks, and tow truck [
87 compliance with Sections 41-6a-1406 and 41-6a-1407.
88 (b) The inspection, investigation, and certification shall be conducted prior to any tow
89 truck operation and at least every two years thereafter.
90 (c) (i) The department shall issue an authorized towing certificate for each tow truck
91 motor carrier, tow truck, and [
92 made by the department in accordance with Subsection (6).
93 (ii) The authorized towing certificate described in this section shall expire two years
94 from the month of issuance.
95 (d) The department may charge a biennial fee established under Section 63J-1-504 to
96 cover the cost of the inspection, investigation, and certification required under this part.
97 (2) (a) To qualify for an authorized towing certificate described in Subsection (1), a
98 tow truck operator shall:
99 (i) submit to a fingerprint-based criminal background check, as described in Subsection
100 (3); and
101 (ii) obtain and maintain a valid medical examiner's certificate under 49 C.F.R. Sec.
102 391.45.
103 (b) For each tow truck operator employed, a tow truck motor carrier shall:
104 (i) maintain records of the updated background checks and a valid medical examiner's
105 certificate, as required under this section; and
106 (ii) biennially, make the records described in Subsection (2)(b)(i) available to the
107 department.
108 (3) (a) Before a tow truck motor carrier may hire an individual as a tow truck operator
109 and receive an authorized towing certificate from the department as required in Subsection (2),
110 the tow truck motor carrier shall require the individual to submit to the Department of Public
111 Safety:
112 (i) a fingerprint card in a form acceptable to the Department of Public Safety; and
113 (ii) consent to a state and regional fingerprint background check by the Bureau of
114 Criminal Identification.
115 (b) The Bureau of Criminal Identification shall:
116 (i) check the fingerprints submitted under this section against the applicable state and
117 regional criminal records databases;
118 (ii) report the results of the background check to the requesting tow truck motor carrier;
119 (iii) maintain a separate file of fingerprints submitted under this part for search by
120 future submissions to the local and regional criminal records databases, including latent prints;
121 and
122 (iv) establish a privacy risk mitigation strategy to ensure that the entity only receives
123 notifications for the individuals with whom the entity maintains an authorizing relationship.
124 (c) (i) Except for an individual hired as a tow truck operator before July 1, 2017, the
125 department shall deny an individual's authorized towing certification, and the individual may
126 not operate a tow truck in this state, if the individual has been convicted of any felony offense
127 within the previous two years.
128 (ii) The department may deny or revoke the authorized towing certification of a tow
129 truck motor carrier that employs an individual who fails to comply with the background check
130 required in this section.
131 [
132 public [
133 information, including a list of all tow truck motor carriers that are currently certified by the
134 department.
135 (5) The department may deny a tow truck motor carrier's certification if the department
136 has evidence that a tow truck motor carrier's tow truck operator fails to provide copies of the
137 Utah Consumer Bill of Rights Regarding Towing to vehicle owners, as required under Section
138 72-9-603.
139 (6) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the
140 department shall make rules governing the inspection, investigation, and certification
141 procedures described in this section.
142 Section 4. Section 72-9-603 is amended to read:
143 72-9-603. Towing notice requirements -- Cost responsibilities -- Abandoned
144 vehicle title restrictions -- Rules for maximum rates and certification.
145 (1) Except for a tow truck service that was ordered by a peace officer, or a person
146 acting on behalf of a law enforcement agency, or a highway authority, after performing a tow
147 truck service that is being done without the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor owner's
148 knowledge, the tow truck operator or the tow truck motor carrier shall:
149 (a) immediately upon arriving at the place of storage or impound of the vehicle, vessel,
150 or outboard motor:
151 (i) send a report of the removal to the Motor Vehicle Division that complies with the
152 requirements of Subsection 41-6a-1406(4)(b); and
153 (ii) contact the law enforcement agency having jurisdiction over the area where the
154 vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor was picked up and notify the agency of the:
155 (A) location of the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor;
156 (B) date, time, and location from which the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor was
157 removed;
158 (C) reasons for the removal of the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor;
159 (D) person who requested the removal of the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor; and
160 (E) vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor's description, including its identification number
161 and license number or other identification number issued by a state agency;
162 (b) within two business days of performing the tow truck service under Subsection
163 (1)(a), send a certified letter to the last-known address of each party described in Subsection
164 41-6a-1406(5)(a) with an interest in the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor obtained from the
165 Motor Vehicle Division or, if the person has actual knowledge of the party's address, to the
166 current address, notifying the party of the:
167 (i) location of the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor;
168 (ii) date, time, and location from which the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor was
169 removed;
170 (iii) reasons for the removal of the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor;
171 (iv) person who requested the removal of the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor;
172 (v) a description, including its identification number and license number or other
173 identification number issued by a state agency; and
174 (vi) costs and procedures to retrieve the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor; and
175 (c) upon initial contact with the owner whose vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor was
176 removed, provide the owner with a copy of the Utah Consumer Bill of Rights Regarding
177 Towing established by the department in Subsection (7)(e).
178 (2) (a) Until the tow truck operator or tow truck motor carrier reports the removal as
179 required under Subsection (1)(a), a tow truck operator, tow truck motor carrier, or impound
180 yard may not:
181 (i) collect any fee associated with the removal; or
182 (ii) begin charging storage fees.
183 (b) (i) Except as provided in Subsection (2)(c), a tow truck operator or tow truck motor
184 carrier may not perform a tow truck service without the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor
185 owner's or a lien holder's knowledge at either of the following locations without signage that
186 meets the requirements of Subsection (2)(b)(ii):
187 (A) a mobile home park as defined in Section 57-16-3; or
188 (B) a multifamily dwelling of more than eight units.
189 (ii) Signage under Subsection (2)(b)(i) shall display:
190 (A) where parking is subject to towing; and
191 (B) (I) the Internet website address that provides access to towing database information
192 in accordance with Section 41-6a-1406; or
193 (II) one of the following:
194 (Aa) the name and phone number of the tow truck operator or tow truck motor carrier
195 that performs a tow truck service for the locations listed under Subsection (2)(b)(i); or
196 (Bb) the name of the mobile home park or multifamily dwelling and the phone number
197 of the mobile home park or multifamily dwelling manager or management office that
198 authorized the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor to be towed.
199 (c) Signage is not required under Subsection (2)(b) for parking in a location:
200 (i) that is prohibited by law; or
201 (ii) if it is reasonably apparent that the location is not open to parking.
202 (d) Nothing in Subsection (2)(b) restricts the ability of a mobile home park as defined
203 in Section 57-16-3 or a multifamily dwelling from instituting and enforcing regulations on
204 parking.
205 (3) The party described in Subsection 41-6a-1406(5)(a) with an interest in a vehicle,
206 vessel, or outboard motor lawfully removed is only responsible for paying:
207 (a) the tow truck service and storage fees set in accordance with Subsection (7); and
208 (b) the administrative impound fee set in Section 41-6a-1406, if applicable.
209 (4) (a) The fees under Subsection (3) are a possessory lien on the vehicle, vessel, or
210 outboard motor and any nonlife essential items contained in the vehicle, vessel, or outboard
211 motor that are owned by the owner of the vehicle [
212
213 (b) The tow truck operator or tow truck motor carrier shall securely store the vehicle,
214 vessel, or outboard motor and items described in Subsection (4)(a) until a party described in
215 Subsection 41-6a-1406(5)(a) with an interest in the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor:
216 (i) pays the fees described in Subsection (3); and
217 (ii) removes the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor from the secure storage facility.
218 (5) (a) A vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor shall be considered abandoned if a party
219 described in Subsection 41-6a-1406(5)(a) with an interest in the vehicle, vessel, or outboard
220 motor does not, within 30 days after notice has been sent under Subsection (1)(b):
221 (i) pay the fees described in Subsection (3); and
222 (ii) remove the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor from the secure storage facility.
223 [
224 outboard motor until at least 30 days after notice has been sent under Subsection (1)(b).
225 (6) (a) A tow truck motor carrier or impound yard shall clearly and conspicuously post
226 and disclose all its current fees, rates, and acceptable forms of payment for tow truck service
227 and storage of a vehicle in accordance with rules established under Subsection (7).
228 (b) A tow truck operator, a tow truck motor carrier, and an impound yard shall accept
229 payment by cash and debit or credit card for a tow truck service under Subsection (1) or any
230 service rendered, performed, or supplied in connection with a tow truck service under
231 Subsection (1).
232 (7) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the
233 Department of Transportation shall:
234 (a) subject to the restriction in Subsection (8), set maximum rates that:
235 (i) a tow truck motor carrier may charge for the tow truck service of a vehicle, vessel,
236 or outboard motor that are transported in response to:
237 (A) a peace officer dispatch call;
238 (B) a motor vehicle division call; and
239 (C) any other call or request where the owner of the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor
240 has not consented to the removal; and
241 (ii) an impound yard may charge for the storage of a vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor
242 stored as a result of one of the conditions listed under Subsection (7)(a)(i);
243 (b) establish authorized towing certification requirements, not in conflict with federal
244 law, related to incident safety, clean-up, and hazardous material handling;
245 (c) specify the form and content of the posting and disclosure of fees and rates charged
246 and acceptable forms of payment by a tow truck motor carrier or impound yard;
247 (d) set a maximum rate for an administrative fee that a tow truck motor carrier may
248 charge for reporting the removal as required under Subsection (1)(a)(i) and providing notice of
249 the removal to each party described in Subsection 41-6a-1406(5)(a) with an interest in the
250 vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor as required in Subsection (1)(b); and
251 (e) establish a Utah Consumer Bill of Rights Regarding Towing form that contains
252 specific information regarding:
253 (i) a vehicle owner's rights and responsibilities if the owner's vehicle is towed;
254 (ii) identifies the maximum rates that a tow truck motor carrier may charge for the tow
255 truck service of a vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor that is transported in response to a call or
256 request where the owner of the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor has not consented to the
257 removal; and
258 (iii) identifies the maximum rates that an impound yard may charge for the storage of
259 vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor that is transported in response to a call or request where the
260 owner of the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor has not consented to the removal.
261 (8) An impound yard may not charge a fee for the storage of an impounded vehicle,
262 vessel, or outboard motor if:
263 (a) the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor is being held as evidence; and
264 (b) the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor is not being released to a party described in
265 Subsection 41-6a-1406(5)(a), even if the party satisfies the requirements to release the vehicle,
266 vessel, or outboard motor under Section 41-6a-1406.
267 (9) In addition to the maximum rates established under Subsection (7) and when
268 receiving payment by credit card, a tow truck operator, a tow truck motor carrier, or an
269 impound yard may charge a credit card processing fee [
270
271 (10) When a tow truck motor carrier or impound lot is in possession of a vehicle,
272 vessel, or outboard motor as a result of a tow service that was performed without the consent of
273 the owner, and that was not ordered by a peace officer or a person acting on behalf of a law
274 enforcement agency, the tow truck motor carrier or impound yard shall make personnel
275 available:
276 (a) by phone 24 hours a day, seven days a week; and
277 (b) to release the impounded vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor to the owner within
278 one hour of when the owner calls the tow truck motor carrier or impound yard.
279 Section 5. Section 72-9-604 is amended to read:
280 72-9-604. Regulatory powers of local authorities -- Tow trucks.
281 [
282
283
284 (1) (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a political subdivision of this state
285 may neither enact nor enforce any ordinance, regulation, or rule pertaining to a tow truck motor
286 carrier, tow truck operator, or tow truck that conflicts with:
287 (i) any provision of this part;
288 (ii) Section 41-6a-1401;
289 (iii) Section 41-6a-1407; or
290 (iv) rules made by the department under this part.
291 (b) A county or municipal legislative governing body may not charge a fee for the
292 storage of an impounded vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor if the county or municipality:
293 (i) is holding the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor as evidence; and
294 (ii) will not release the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor to the registered owner, lien
295 holder, or the owner's agent even if the registered owner, lien holder, or the owner's agent
296 satisfies the requirements to release the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor under Section
297 41-6a-1406.
298 (2) A tow truck motor carrier that has a county or municipal business license for a
299 place of business located within that county or municipality may not be required to obtain
300 another business license in order to perform a tow truck service in another county or
301 municipality if there is not a business location in the other county or municipality.
302 (3) A county or municipal legislative or governing body may not require a tow truck
303 motor carrier, tow truck, or tow truck operator that has been issued a current, authorized towing
304 certificate by the department, as described in Section 72-9-602, to obtain an additional towing
305 certificate.
306 [
307 inspection in addition to the inspections required under Sections 53-8-205 and 72-9-602 if:
308 (a) no fee is charged for the inspection; and
309 (b) the inspection complies with federal motor carrier safety regulations.
310 [
311 Subsection [
312 inspection shall accept the same inspection performed by another county or municipality.
313 Section 6. Section 72-9-606 is enacted to read:
314 72-9-606. Towing Advisory Board created -- Appointment -- Terms -- Meetings --
315 Per diem and expenses -- Duties.
316 (1) There is created within the department the Towing Advisory Board consisting of
317 the following 13 members:
318 (a) one member of the Senate appointed by the president of the Senate;
319 (b) one member of the House of Representatives appointed by the speaker of the House
320 of Representatives;
321 (c) the executive director of the department, or the executive director's designee;
322 (d) the chair of the State Tax Commission, or the chair's designee;
323 (e) the commissioner of the Department of Public Safety, or the commissioner's
324 designee;
325 (f) two individuals appointed by the Utah Association of Counties;
326 (g) two individuals appointed by the Utah League of Cities and Towns;
327 (h) two individuals from the state's towing industry, appointed by the governor; and
328 (i) two individuals representing private property owners in the state, appointed by the
329 governor.
330 (2) (a) A person appointed to the board as described in Subsections (1)(a), (b), and (f)
331 through (i) shall:
332 (i) except as provided in Subsection (2)(b), be appointed to a four-year term; and
333 (ii) serve from the date of appointment until a replacement is appointed.
334 (b) Each person or organization appointing members as described in Subsections (1)(f)
335 through (i) shall designate one of those members to serve an initial term of two years.
336 (3) When a vacancy occurs in the appointed membership for any reason, the
337 replacement shall be appointed for the unexpired term beginning the day following the
338 expiration of the preceding term.
339 (4) The board shall elect a chair and vice chair at the first regular meeting of each
340 calendar year.
341 (5) The board shall meet at least twice each year and at the discretion of the chair.
342 (6) Any seven voting members constitute a quorum for the transaction of business that
343 comes before the board.
344 (7) A member of the board may not receive compensation, benefits, per diem, or travel
345 expenses for the member's service.
346 (8) The board shall advise the department, the Department of Public Safety, and the
347 State Tax Commission on interpretation and adoption of rules, and implementation of this
348 chapter and other issues related to tow truck motor carriers, tow trucks, tow truck operators,
349 and impound yards, including advice on developing standards for:
350 (a) private property towing notice and signage requirements; and
351 (b) due process procedures for contested towing matters.
352 (9) The department, the Department of Public Safety, and the State Tax Commission
353 shall provide staff support to the board.
354 (10) The board shall annually report the board's actions and recommendations to the
355 Transportation Interim Committee before November 30.
356 Section 7. Effective date.
357 This bill takes effect on July 1, 2017.