HB285 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Donnie ChesteenSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

Motor vehicles, towing, ALEA authorized to regulate, fee dispute resolution process, civil penalties

Summary

HB285 would require ALEA to regulate nonconsensual towing, set up a fee dispute process for vehicle owners, and authorize civil penalties against violators.

What This Bill Does

It requires the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency to adopt rules for nonconsensual towing and towing of commercial vehicles. It creates a formal process for vehicle owners to dispute towing fees, with storage charges paused during the review. It authorizes civil penalties of $500 per violation for rule-breaking tow companies and allows removal from the state wrecker rotation. It also defines key terms and outlines how freight and contents must be handled and accessed.

Who It Affects

• Towing and recovery service providers: must follow ALEA rules, may face civil penalties, and can be removed from the state's wrecker rotation for violations.
• Motor vehicle owners and their designees: gain a formal dispute process for fees, and protection to access freight and contents; storage charges may be paused during disputes.

Key Provisions

• ALEA must adopt rules governing nonconsensual towing and prohibit compensation to towing services by the agency, and officers cannot accept compensation, hold financial interests, or recommend services.
• Towing assignments must be made by the commander of the trooper post with jurisdiction over the vehicle's location.
• After nonconsensual towing, owners or designees must be allowed to access freight or contents; freight cannot be held to secure charges.
• Dispute process: owner must file a written complaint within three business days; storage charges stop during review; if no agreement within seven days, the complaint goes to the trooper post commander for a decision within three business days, with potential fee adjustments.
• Civil penalties: $500 per violation; the agency may remove the towing service from the wrecker rotation; penalties go to the State Treasury for ALEA; appeals allowed under the Administrative Procedure Act.
• Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Motor Vehicles