The towing of vehicles from private property and repealing administrative rules promulgated by the Department of Transportation

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administrative code are incorporated into law by the bill, and the relevant provisions of the administrative code are repealed.