Texas House Bill HB3320

Texas 2011 - 82nd Regular

• Out of House Committee: 5/2/11
• Introduced: 3/11/11
• Voted on by House: 5/15/11
• Refer: 3/18/11
• Report Pass: 4/27/11
• Engrossed: 5/15/11
• Refer: 5/16/11

Caption

Relating to costs related to the towing and storage of a motor vehicle for certain law enforcement purposes.

Impact

The implications of HB3320 could have significant effects on how towing and storage fees are assessed and collected in Texas. By delineating responsibility for costs associated with towing and storing vehicles after incidents involving law enforcement, the bill seeks to reduce ambiguity around financial liability for vehicle owners. Notably, the bill specifies that the changes in fees will only apply to incidents occurring post-effective date, preserving prior legal frameworks for incidents before the law takes effect. This transitional measure will help manage the expectations of citizens in regard to what they might owe for towing and storage services.

Summary

House Bill 3320 aims to revise the costs associated with the towing and storage of motor vehicles specifically in certain law enforcement contexts. The bill repeals Article 18.23 of the Code of Criminal Procedure and amends various sections of the Transportation Code and Occupations Code. It specifically stipulates that vehicle owners will be liable for removal and storage fees incurred once their vehicle is towed due to being involved in an offense that results in an accident. This change is intended to clarify the liability of vehicle owners when the towing and storage are necessitated by law enforcement actions.

Contention

While the bill primarily appears to streamline processes regarding towing and storage fees, there may be potential areas of contention regarding the balance of law enforcement authority and the rights of vehicle owners. Critics might argue that such financial liabilities could disproportionately impact lower-income citizens who may struggle to pay these fees, resulting in difficulty recovering their vehicles. Furthermore, there could be discussions around the appropriateness of law enforcement's role in these financial matters—balancing vehicle safety and crime scene preservation against monetary burdens placed on citizens.