Brief Description: Prohibiting vehicle immobilization.

Sponsors: Senators McCaslin, Haugen and Honeyford.

Senate Committee on Transportation
House Committee on Transportation

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: "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 owners are prohibited from immobilizing any vehicle not owned by them; however, the state or any unit of local government is exempt from this prohibition. A violation of this act is a gross misdemeanor.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate      46   0
House      94   0

Effective: July 24, 2005