HOUSE BILL REPORT
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. |
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: Representatives Rodne, Clibborn, Buys and Pollet.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Labor: 1/27/15, 2/9/15, 2/10/15 [DP].
Brief Summary of Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LABOR |
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 7 members: Representatives Sells, Chair; Gregerson, Vice Chair; Manweller, Ranking Minority Member; G. Hunt, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; McCabe, Moeller and Ormsby.
Staff: Daniel Rusk (786-7290) and 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 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 a.m. to 5 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.
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Summary of Bill:
A registered tow truck operator may close the business office for no more than one hour between the hours of 11 a.m. and 1 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.
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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) Because of current regulation, many tow truck operators cannot close for lunch, even if there are no vehicles in the impound lot. The bill would enable the operators to close for no more than one hour for a lunch break.
(Other) This bill would not inhibit the Washington State Patrol's rulemaking requirements.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: (In support) Representative Rodne, prime sponsor; and Stu Holson and Paul Bressi, Towing and Recovery Association.
(Other) Rob Huss, Washington State Patrol.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.