AB 1187

This bill authorizes municipalities to, by ordinance, provide for various options

relating to the towing of motor vehicles from private property.

Under current law, a vehicle may be removed from private property only by a

towing service. The towing service may charge reasonable charges for removal and

storage of the vehicle.

The bill provides that the governing body of a municipality may, by ordinance,

allow 1) the owner or authorized operator of any motor vehicle to be towed to remove

the vehicle or correct the violation before the vehicle is attached to a tow truck at no

charge and 2) the owner or authorized operator of a vehicle already attached to a tow

truck to prevent the towing of the vehicle by payment of a drop fee not to exceed $50.

The bill also provides that an ordinance may include provisions relating to 1)

advising vehicle owners or operators of the option of paying a drop fee; 2) the signing

of a waiver if a vehicle owner or operator declines to pay a drop fee; and 3) acceptable

forms of payment of a drop fee.

The bill eliminates the Department of Transportation's authority to

promulgate rules establishing reasonable charges for removal and storage of

vehicles. The charges currently provided for in the administrative code are

incorporated into law by the bill, and the relevant provisions of the administrative

code are repealed.