Printed on recycled paper
132nd MAINE LEGISLATURE
FIRST SPECIAL SESSION-2025
Legislative Document No. 1377S.P. 572 In Senate, April 1, 2025
Resolve, to Convene a Working Group to Evaluate Potential
Regulation of the Vehicle Towing Industry and the Impact on State
Agencies and Industries
Received by the Secretary of the Senate on March 28, 2025. Referred to the Committee on
Transportation pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed.
DAREK M. GRANT
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator NANGLE of Cumberland. Page 1 - 132LR1197(01)1
2 people residing in Maine; and
3 deceptive, irresponsible and predatory towing practices impose financial
4 burdens and logistical hardships on those who rely on their vehicles for everyday use; and
5 the towing industry affects many different industries and state agencies
6 because of the differing ways the industry conducts its business; now, therefore, be it
7
8 shall convene a working group, referred to in this resolve as "the working group," to
9 evaluate potential solutions regarding regulation and enforcement of regulation of the
10 towing industry.
11 That, notwithstanding Joint
12 Rule 353, the working group membership is as follows:
13 1. One member of the Senate who serves on the Joint Standing Committee on
14 Transportation, appointed by the President of the Senate;
15 2. One member of the House of Representatives who serves on the Joint Standing
16 Committee on Transportation, appointed by the Speaker of the House;
17 3. One member representing the towing industry, appointed by the Secretary of State;
18 4. One member representing credit unions, appointed by the Secretary of State;
19 5. One member representing large financial institutions, appointed by the Secretary of
20 State;
21 6. One member representing the insurance industry, appointed by the Secretary of
22 State;
23 7. One member representing the legal interests of people earning low income in the
24 State, appointed by the Secretary of State;
25 8. One member representing a State Police traffic division, appointed by the Chief of
26 the State Police;
27 9. One member representing the consumer protection division of the Office of the
28 Attorney General, appointed by the Attorney General;
29 10. The deputy secretary of state having oversight over the Department of the Secretary
30 of State, Bureau of Motor Vehicles or the deputy secretary's designee; and
31 11. The Secretary of State or the secretary's designee.
32 That the Legislators appointed by the President of the
33 Senate and the Speaker of the House serve as cochairs of the working group.
34 That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, members
35 of the working group may not be compensated for their work on the working group, but
36 legislative members may receive the legislative per diem.
37 That the working group shall:
38 1. Identify and examine potential methods for regulating the towing industry to protect
39 drivers from deceptive, predatory or irresponsible practices; Page 2 - 132LR1197(01)
1 2. Identify and examine how identified regulations under subsection 1 could be most
2 efficiently and comprehensively enforced;
3 3. Consider how any identified regulations under subsection 1 would impact the
4 agencies, industries and citizen groups represented on the working group and any
5 potential further impacts to agencies, industries and citizen groups not represented; and
6 4. Make recommendations based on the findings of the working group.
7 That the Department of the Secretary of State
8 shall provide necessary staffing services to the working group; Legislative Council staff
9 support is not authorized.
10 That, no later than December 3, 2025, the working group
11 shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, including any
12 necessary implementing legislation, to the Joint Standing Committee on Transportation.
13 The joint standing committee may submit legislation related to the report to the Second
14 Regular Session of the 132nd Legislature.
15
16 This resolve creates a working group to identify and examine potential methods for
17 regulating the vehicle towing industry.
16
17