HB643 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jack Williams

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

Towing companies, fees charged for towing and storage limited under certain circumstances, approval of towing fees by Department of Public Safety required, civil and criminal penalties

Description

Under existing law, there is no limit on the rates charged by towing companies to tow vehicles or to store vehicles that have been towed.

This bill would limit the rates charged by towing companies to tow and store vehicles under certain circumstances.

This bill would require a towing company operator to obtain approval of its towing and storage rates from the Department of Public Safety.

This bill would provide civil and criminal penalties for towing companies who charge excessive rates in violation of the act and who fail to obtain approval of towing and storage rates.

Amendment 621 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, now appearing as Section 111.05 of the Official Recompilation of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended, prohibits a general law whose purpose or effect would be to require a new or increased expenditure of local funds from becoming effective with regard to a local governmental entity without enactment by a 2/3 vote unless: it comes within one of a number of specified exceptions; it is approved by the affected entity; or the Legislature appropriates funds, or provides a local source of revenue, to the entity for the purpose.

The purpose or effect of this bill would be to require a new or increased expenditure of local funds within the meaning of the amendment. However, the bill does not require approval of a local governmental entity or enactment by a 2/3 vote to become effective because it comes within one of the specified exceptions contained in the amendment.

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Subjects

Motor Vehicles