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HOUSE BILL 577
57
TH LEGISLATURE
-
STATE
OF
NEW
MEXICO
-
FIRST SESSION
,
2025
INTRODUCED BY
Jenifer Jones
AN ACT
RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION; CREATING THE TOWING SERVICES
OVERSIGHT AND ADVISORY BOARD; PROVIDING DUTIES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:
SECTION 1. [NEW MATERIAL] TOWING SERVICES OVERSIGHT AND
ADVISORY BOARD--CREATED--MEMBERSHIP--DUTIES.--
A. The "towing services oversight and advisory
board" is created in the department of transportation to
provide recommendations, oversight and regulatory guidance to
the department regarding the operations of licensed towing
services. The towing services oversight and advisory board
consists of twelve members, including six primary members and
six alternate members. One primary member and one alternate
member shall be from each of the six state transportation
commission districts.
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B. The towing services oversight and advisory board
shall:
(1) review and provide recommendations on
department of transportation policies, regulations and
procedures related to towing services;
(2) propose improvements to service standards
and compliance requirements;
(3) evaluate citizen complaints regarding
towing services and ensure that complaints are properly
investigated and resolved;
(4) facilitate mediation for towing-related
disputes arising between citizens and towing services;
(5) assess whether licensed towing services
are complying with state regulations and contractual
obligations;
(6) conduct audits and inspections as
necessary to verify compliance with industry standards;
(7) submit quarterly reports to the department
of transportation summarizing activities, findings, complaints,
resolutions, licensed towing services that are out of
compliance and recommendations;
(8) engage with state agencies, industry
associations and community representatives to promote
regulatory transparency and public awareness; and
(9) provide education to towing service
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providers and the public on towing regulations, consumer rights
and responsibilities.
C. The department of transportation shall seek,
interview, evaluate and select members of the towing services
oversight and advisory board. The department shall seek
candidates from stakeholders within the towing and
transportation industry, including towing service owners and
operators, industry associations and department of
transportation representatives. Members shall have
professional experience in towing operations, transportation
regulations, customer service, legal matters or community
advocacy.
D. Selections to the towing services oversight and
advisory board shall be made by January 1, 2026. The terms of
service of appointed members shall start on January 1, 2026.
The terms shall be three years, and the initial terms shall be
staggered so that the terms of three primary members and three
alternate members expire at the end of the initial two years
and the terms of the remaining members expire at the end of the
initial three years. The initial terms shall be selected by
random drawing.
E. The towing services oversight and advisory board
shall meet not less than quarterly at the call of the chair or
the secretary of transportation. A majority of the members
constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business, and the
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support of a majority of the quorum is required for adoption of
any action. Members of the advisory board shall select a chair
and vice chair from among its members.
F. Public members of the towing services oversight
and advisory board are entitled to receive per diem and mileage
as provided in the Per Diem and Mileage Act and shall receive
no other compensation, perquisite or allowance.
G. The department of transportation shall provide
staffing, resources, funding and administrative support
necessary for the operation of the towing services oversight
and advisory board.
SECTION 2. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the
provisions of this act is July 1, 2025.
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