Texas Senate Bill SB1713

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to the towing and booting of unauthorized vehicles on a parking facility during certain hours.

Impact

By enforcing written requests for towing and booting, SB1713 seeks to provide greater protections for vehicle owners against potential abuses associated with towing practices. The requirement for documentation is intended to ensure that the vehicle removal is justified and that evidence is maintained for a minimum of 90 days. This legislative change is anticipated to alter how towing companies operate, requiring them to adhere to more stringent standards, thereby reducing the number of potentially unjustified tows.

Summary

SB1713 focuses on the towing and booting of unauthorized vehicles within parking facilities, specifically imposing new requirements on towing companies and boot operators. The bill mandates that towing companies may tow vehicles only upon receiving a written request from the parking facility owner. This request must include the owner's justification for the towing, making the process more transparent and accountable. Moreover, towing requests within defined weekday hours (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) are subject to stricter compliance measures to curb unauthorized removals.

Contention

Although proponents argue that SB1713 enhances consumer protection and increases accountability in the towing industry, there may be concerns regarding the practical implementation of these regulations. Critics could argue that such measures might complicate the process for facility owners who need to manage unauthorized parking effectively. The key point of contention revolves around balancing the interests of parking facility owners and vehicle owners — ensuring that appropriate enforcement actions can still be taken while protecting individual rights against unjust towing practices.