Texas House Bill HB250

Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

• Filed: 11/14/16

Caption

Relating to the regulation of the booting of vehicles.

Impact

Should the bill pass, it will bring significant changes to state laws governing vehicle booting within Texas. The amendment allowing municipalities to regulate the fees means that local governments can tailor fees to reflect local economic conditions and community standards. Furthermore, limiting the number of boots that can be applied to a vehicle at one time is a consumer-friendly measure aimed at preventing overreach by booting services, which may otherwise charge multiple fees for a singular offense.

Summary

House Bill 250 seeks to regulate the practice of booting vehicles, aiming to establish clearer guidelines over the fees associated with the booting process. The bill modifies existing provisions within the Occupations Code specifically related to vehicle booting. It permits municipalities to impose regulations on the fees that may be charged for the booting of vehicles but stipulates that these fees cannot exceed a ceiling determined by commission rule. This framework is intended to protect consumers from excessive charges and improve transparency in the booting services provided by private companies.

Contention

While the bill appears beneficial by establishing consumer protections, it may face opposition from companies that engage in booting and towing, as the regulation of fees could limit their revenue. Additionally, discussions surrounding local versus state regulation could arise, especially among jurisdictions that have established their own rules for vehicle booting. The potential for varied fee structures across municipalities might also lead to concerns about fairness and consistency for both service providers and vehicle owners throughout the state.