Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Labor Committee

HB 1195

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.

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 operator may impound a vehicle.

Certain requirements apply regarding an operator's business location and hours. At each location where vehicles may be redeemed, an operator must post a sign that includes business hours, towing and storage charges, and the vehicle redemption procedures.

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 towing service must be from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekdays, excluding weekends and holidays. When an operator is not open for business and does not have personnel present at the location, the operator must post a telephone number the public may contact for the release of vehicles. An operator must maintain personnel who can be contacted 24 hours a day to release impounded vehicles within a reasonable time.

Summary of Bill:

A registered tow truck operator may close the business office for no more than one hour between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. A notice must be visibly posted with a telephone number at which personnel can be reached to return to the business office within no more than one-half hour. The time of storage ends at the time the call is made if the person redeems the vehicle when the personnel returns.