Legislation aimed at reducing predatory billing against truckers who need towing services in Florida is expected to be signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis, according to a source familiar with the reforms.
“We haven’t heard anything to the contrary, so we’re pretty confident the towing bill will be signed into law,” a Florida Senate staff member familiar with the legislation told FreightWaves. If approved by DeSantis, the law will go into effect July 1.
House Bill 179, sponsored by Republicans in the Florida House and Senate, was approved unanimously by the two chambers last week. The reforms have been a multiyear effort and a priority for the Florida Trucking Association, the group stated in a press release.
“This is a huge victory for trucking in Florida, the trucking industry nationally, who have seen invoices as high as $200,000, and the motoring public, who fall victim to predatory towing companies,” commented FTA President and CEO Alix Miller.
The new law, if signed, will revise provisions relating to:
- Towing and storing of trucks, including requiring counties to establish maximum rates for certain cleanup and disposal.
- Excluding or failing to designate certain wrecker operators.
- Authorizing fees.
- Requirements regarding removal of vehicles.
- Requirements for liens, notices of lien, sale, notices of sale and types of payment.
- Requiring towing operators to accept and maintain certain documents, rate sheets and invoices.
- Criminal penalties for noncompliance.
According to FTA, towing and storage operators would be required to maintain and publicize a rate sheet listing all fees related to vehicle recovery, and provide it upon request to vehicle owners, lienholders and insurance companies.
The wrecker operator would have to furnish the rate sheet to the owner or operator, if present, before attaching a vehicle to a wrecker. Fees charged that are higher than those listed on the rate sheet would be considered unreasonable. The bill also requires operators to provide detailed, itemized invoices.
“The towing and recovery industry is vital to the Florida trucking industry, and we’re grateful to have many as members of FTA and for their input in the legislation,” Miller said. “HB 179 will weed out the predatory towing tactics of bad actors and make the entire industry better and safer.”
Data compiled by the American Transportation Research Institute in a report released in November underscored the severity of predatory towing fees charged in the aftermath of large truck crashes and offered recommendations to address the problem.
The study found that excessive rates and unwarranted additional service charges were the two most common forms of predatory towing, experienced by 82.7% and 81.8% of surveyed motor carriers, respectively.
Related articles:
Supply Chain AI Symposium
Past the hype. Join operators, founders, and enterprise leaders figuring out how to deploy AI in supply chain.
Future of Rail Symposium
Reshoring is rewriting freight demand. Join shippers, rail executives, and government officials to shape the next decade.
F3: Future of Freight Festival
Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.
Past the hype. Join operators, founders, and enterprise leaders figuring out how to deploy AI in supply chain.
The Old Post • Chicago, IL Register NowReshoring is rewriting freight demand. Join shippers, rail executives, and government officials to shape the next decade.
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga TN Register NowIndustry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now
David A Tromp
I have been towed a few times and I am glad to hear something is being done. As a small operator to get forced into ridiculous rates seems like normal in the trucking industry.
R
Although I think highly of Mr DeSantis and support his honesty in helping keep the industry honest , would he be willing to work for a dollar a day when he has millions invested in co employees and equipment? He needs to enforce the laws on the books already . More laws won’t solve the problem . It takes a industry – government partnership – stewardship .
Freddie
why are u using pictures of trucks from new mexico when this article pertains to Florida
Freddie
why are using pictures of trucks from new mexico when this article pertains to Florida
Karen
Never been towed. Used my personal conveyance over an hour in FL to find legal parking instead. By legal I mean tucked away behind others at a weigh station. Would like to see more parking. That benefits me more. More parking and TOW the trucks that block the toll road parking lots. Super annoying. TOW those. Geez.
Mac
Look at these free market Republitards, diluting capitalism… communist!
Donald Smith
I owned a towing company in Alabama and always treated customers fairly, but he we had competitors who were trying to retire early I guess and charging outrageous prices. In certain instances politicians were getting involved and caused problems also.
Freight Zippy
Good I have seen $26,000 towing bills
Also have hired former tow truck drivers who were paid $18.00 per hour??