Text to be removed highlighted in red.
1 New Subdivision; Towing and Wrecker Service Fees on State Highways. Amend RSA 262 by inserting after section 40-c the following new subdivision:
Towing and Wrecker Service Fees on State Highways
262:40-d Purpose. The purpose of this subdivision is to establish departmental oversight of fees charged for the towing or removal of vehicles from state highways, to require such fees to be reasonable, and to ensure the public has access to a fair process for appealing disputed towing fees.
262:40-e Oversight of Towing and Wrecker Charges.
I. The department of safety shall oversee fees charged for the towing or removal of vehicles from state highways.
II. The department of safety shall establish schedules of maximum allowable fees for towing and wrecker services on state highways, ensuring fees are fair and reasonable considering costs and regional standards.
262:40-f Rulemaking Authority.
I. The commissioner of safety shall adopt rules, pursuant to RSA 541-A, to implement and enforce this subdivision, including but not limited to:
(a) Procedures for the approval or modification of towing or wrecker service fee schedules;
(b) Requirements for notice to vehicle owners regarding fees; and
(c) Standards for recordkeeping and reporting by towing and wrecker services.
262:40-g Appeals Process for Towing Fees.
I. Any owner or operator of a vehicle towed from a state highway may appeal a towing or wrecker fee deemed unreasonable or excessive to the department of safety.
II. The department of safety shall establish by rule an administrative process for review and determination of such appeals. The department's decision shall be final for purposes of administrative review.
262:40-h Severability. If any provision of this subdivision or the application thereof to any person or circumstances is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of the subdivision that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end, the provisions of this subdivision are declared to be severable.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
Text to be added highlighted in green.
1 New Subdivision; Towing and Wrecker Service Fees on State Highways. Amend RSA 262 by inserting after section 40-c the following new subdivision:
Towing and Wrecker Service Fees on State Highways
262:40-d Purpose. The purpose of this subdivision is to establish departmental oversight of fees charged for the towing or removal of vehicles from state highways, to require such fees to be reasonable, and to ensure the public has access to a fair process for appealing disputed towing fees.
262:40-e Oversight of Towing and Wrecker Charges.
I. The department of safety shall oversee fees charged for the towing or removal of vehicles from state highways.
II. The department of safety shall establish schedules of maximum allowable fees for towing and wrecker services on state highways, ensuring fees are fair and reasonable considering costs and regional standards.
262:40-f Rulemaking Authority.
I. The commissioner of safety shall adopt rules, pursuant to RSA 541-A, to implement and enforce this subdivision, including but not limited to:
(a) Procedures for the approval or modification of towing or wrecker service fee schedules;
(b) Requirements for notice to vehicle owners regarding fees; and
(c) Standards for recordkeeping and reporting by towing and wrecker services.
262:40-g Appeals Process for Towing Fees.
I. Any owner or operator of a vehicle towed from a state highway may appeal a towing or wrecker fee deemed unreasonable or excessive to the department of safety.
II. The department of safety shall establish by rule an administrative process for review and determination of such appeals. The department's decision shall be final for purposes of administrative review.
262:40-h Severability. If any provision of this subdivision or the application thereof to any person or circumstances is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of the subdivision that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end, the provisions of this subdivision are declared to be severable.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.