HOUSE BILL REPORT
SB 5207
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
As Reported by House Committee On:
Labor
Title: An act relating to office hours for registered tow truck operators.
Brief Description: Concerning office hours for registered tow truck operators.
Sponsors: Senators Liias and King.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Labor: 3/12/15, 3/17/15 [DP].
Brief Summary of Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LABOR |
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 5 members: Representatives Sells, Chair; Gregerson, Vice Chair; Manweller, Ranking Minority Member; McCabe and Ormsby.
Staff: Trudes Tango (786-7384).
Background:
Tow truck operators who impound vehicles from private or public property, or who contract with law enforcement to provide towing, must be registered with the Department of Licensing. Only a registered tow truck operator may impound a vehicle.
On a day the operator is open for business, the business office must remain open with personnel present who are able to release impounded vehicles. The normal business hours of a registered tow truck operator must be 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekdays, excluding weekends and holidays.
On days when a tow truck operator is not open for business, a telephone number must be posted for the public to contact for release of impounded vehicles. The tow truck operator must have personnel who can be contacted 24 hours a day to release vehicles within a reasonable time.
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Summary of Bill:
The tow truck operator may close his or her business office for up to one hour between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., if a notice is clearly visible at the door with a telephone number of someone who can return within 30 minutes to release an impounded vehicle. If the caller redeems the vehicle when the personnel returns to release the vehicle, then the accrual of storage charges stops at the time the call was made.
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Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) Under the labor laws, employers are required to give their employees lunch breaks, but "mom and pop" tow truck operators cannot close their business because the rules governing tow truck operators require them to remain open during certain hours. This bill helps the smallest tow truck operators who don't have any other employee to cover for them during breaks.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Senator Liias, prime sponsor; and Stu Holson and Paul Bressi, Towing and Recovery Association.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.