HB 360 -- Towing Abandoned Vehicles from Public Property

Sponsor:  Ervin

This bill establishes the procedures for a towing company to
recover reasonable towing and storage fees after towing abandoned
property from public property when directed by law enforcement.
The towing company can file within 30 days, but not more than 45
days after removal, an affidavit along with an application
including certain information regarding the personal property
towed as well as a copy of the crime inquiry and inspection
report to the Department of Revenue.

Within five days of receipt of the application, the department
director must send notice to the registered owner of the
abandoned property that a claim for reasonable towing and storage
charges has been filed.  If the owner does not provide
satisfactory proof of payment of the charges within 30 days of
receiving the notice, the owner's driver's license or driving
privileges and any motor vehicle registrations registered in the
owner's name will be suspended.  A notice of suspension must be
mailed to the registered owner at the last known address
specifying the reasons for and the effective date of the
suspension and include information regarding the right and
procedures for requesting a hearing.

The suspension becomes effective 30 days after it is deemed the
notice has been received and will continue until the owner
submits proof that he or she has satisfied all reasonable towing
and storage charges associated with the abandoned property.
Reasonable storage charges cannot exceed 90 days.

The State Highway Patrol may use a rotation list when requesting
wrecker or towing services.

The bill also allows any vehicle responding to an emergency or
critical situation on a state highway to use amber lights instead
of red or blue lights when there is a threat of serious physical
injury or death.

Missouri House of Representatives
95th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated November 17, 2009 at 9:24 am