Brief Description: Prohibiting vehicle immobilization.

Sponsors: Senators McCaslin, Haugen and Honeyford.

Hearing Date: 3/30/05

Staff: David Munnecke (786-7315).

Background:

Under current law, tow truck operators are required to be registered and licensed by the Department of Licensing (DOL). Under the tow truck operator statutes, "registered tow truck operator" means any person who engages in the impounding, transporting, or storage of unauthorized vehicles or the disposal of abandoned vehicles; "impound" means to take and hold a vehicle in legal custody. Unlicensed persons may not impound unauthorized vehicles.

Summary of Bill:

Property owners are prohibited from immobilizing any vehicle that is not owned by them. "Immobilize" is defined as the use of a locking wheel boot that, when attached to the wheel of a vehicle, prevents the vehicle from moving without damage to the tire to which the locking wheel boot is attached.

Property owned by the state or any unit of local government is exempt from this prohibition.

A violation of this act is a gross misdemeanor.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.