Nevada State Tow Association

THE VOICE OF NEVADA’S PROFESSIONAL TOWING INDUSTRY

Legislature

The Nevada State Tow Association actively works with governmental bodies to:
  • Promote legislation, rules, and regulations that positively impact the general public and towing industry
  • Develop and maintain relationships with the legislature, governmental agencies and association members
  • Develop solutions to industry programs
  • Work with the state TIM team to improve public safety of all responders
  • Create a better understanding of problems incurred and of contributions made by the towing industry
  • Promote the economic stability, and profitability of members
Legislative Summary

The following is a brief summary of the bills that were passed or failed to pass in the Nevada State Legislature during the most recent legislative sessions.  All bills that passed were majorly changed by the Tow Operators of Northern Nevada (TONN), and any negative impact was immensely reduced – in some instances, it was impossible to remove all negative impacts.  Some bills that failed may be contributed to the actions and opinions placed on the record by TONN.

2021 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

PASSED

AB 32 – This bill establishes time limits for people who think they were towed unlawfully to file any action in a justice court.  TONN amendment accepted that removed the requirement that would have required tow operators to send out a notice to every non-consent towed vehicle (to include law enforcement tows) owner and lienholder within 24 hours of the impound, informing the recipients of this NRS and their ability to contest the impound.

AB 284 – This bill allows any person to contest a lien on a motor vehicle, and while the lien is contested, NV DMV is not allowed to process any changes or updates to the title until the process is completed and the lien is no longer contested.  No process was delineated for this in the  bill.  TONN amendment accepted that carved tow operators out of this bill so their lien sale auctions would not be effected.

AB 301 – This bill was very complicated and the legislative process extremely convoluted.  Portions of this bill were created and passed without the public being able to comment due to COVID.  The passed version of this bill removed the ability for anyone to tow a vehicle solely for expired registration, and this bill established a hardship tariff whose use is not well defined.  The impound fee was adjusted to cover the first 48 hours of storage instead of the first 24 hours.  TONN amendment accepted and was able to remove the reporting requirement that would have made all tow companies report non-consent tows by zip code to a legislative body or the NTA.

SB 259 – Requires Annual Training from Nevada Transportation Authority to Tow Operators for new laws.  TONN supported this bill.

FAILED

AB 379 – This bill attempted to remove the statewide requirement to have a registration expiration sticker on a Nevada license plate.  The motive for removal was being pinned on random traffic stops for minorities.  This bill failed and did not pass.  TONN did not support this bill and voiced its reasons for opposition.

2019 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

PASSED

SB 212 – Allows tow operators to tag vehicles at residential complexes.  Added additional language for immediate towing of a vehicle on a residential complex to include (1) for the same or similar reason within the same residential complex, (2) three or more times for any reason during the immediately preceding six months, regardless if the vehicle was towed, and (3) a vehicle may be towed immediately if it is parked in a space that is clearly marked for a specific resident or the use of a specific unit in the residential complex.  TONN amendment accepted.

SB 395 – Through TONN lobbying, Blue Lights were allowed on Tow Trucks, AND through TONN amendment, Tow Operators may charge Disposal Fees

SB 491 – Original language would have allowed Copart to tow vehicles classified as abandoned.  All language granting salvage pools the ability to tow for this reason was removed.

AB 288 – Original language would have forced tow operators to independently verify vehicle registration status before towing a vehicle for expired registration.  All sections requiring tow operators to perform these verifications were removed.

FAILED

Any bill that was going to negatively effect tow operators were corrected and did not require TONN to vote against the bill.

2017 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

New regulation was created that stopped tow operators from tagging vehicles, and established tagging requirements for residential complexes.

Past Legislative Accomplishments

The following is a brief summary of bills that the Association was actively involved with during past legislative sessions.  Through the hard work of our board and our lobbyist we were able to successfully propose or revise bills, or defeat negative legislation, for the benefit of the Nevada towing industry.
2021 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

PASSED

AB 32 – This bill establishes time limits for people who think they were towed unlawfully to file any action in a justice court.  Our amendment removed the requirement that would have required tow operators to send out a notice to every non-consent towed vehicle owner and lienholder within 24 hours of the impound, informing the recipients of this NRS and their ability to contest the impound.  This legislation would have also included all law enforcement tows.

AB 284 – This bill allows any person to contest a lien on a motor vehicle.  While a lien is being contested, DMV is not allowed to process any changes or updates to the title until the lien is no longer contested.  Our amendment carved out an exemption for tow operators so that our lien sale auctions would not be affected by this legislation.

AB 301 – This bill removed the ability for anyone to tow a vehicle solely for expired registration, and it also established an ill-defined hardship tariff.  While we were unable to defeat this bill, we were able to include an amendment to remove the reporting requirement that would have required all tow companies to report all non-consent tows by zip code, and we were also able to improve the bills language regarding storage restrictions.

SB 259 – Requires Annual Training from Nevada Transportation Authority to Tow Operators for new laws.  We supported this bill.

Bills That Were Defeated

AB 379 – This bill attempted to remove the statewide requirement to have a registration expiration sticker on a Nevada license plate.

2019 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

PASSED

SB 212 – Our amendment once again permitted tow operators to tag vehicles at residential complexes.  It also added additional language for immediate towing of a vehicle at a residential complex to include: (1) for the reoccurrence of same or similar violation within the same residential complex, (2) three or more violations of any type during the immediately preceding six months, regardless if the vehicle was towed, and (3) a vehicle may be towed immediately if it is parked in a space that is clearly marked for a specific resident or the use of a specific unit in the residential complex. 

SB 395 – Through our lobbying efforts, and with the support of NDOT and NHP, Blue Lights were allowed on Tow Trucks.  Additionally, the legislation provided a provision permitting Tow Operators to charge Disposal Fees for abandon vehicles on private property.

SB 491 – The Bills original language would have allowed Copart to tow vehicles classified as abandoned.  Through our efforts, all language granting salvage pools the ability to tow abandon vehicles was removed.

AB 288 – The original language would have forced tow operators to independently verify vehicle registration status before towing a vehicle for expired registration.  All sections requiring tow operators to perform these verifications were removed.

2017 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

Because we were not actively involved in the 2017 legislative session legislation was passed that stopped tow operators from tagging vehicles, and established tagging requirements for residential complexes.  We corrected this in the 2019 legislature.
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The Department of Public Safety Developed the Tow Program to Ensure:
  • Safe, efficient and rapid removal of disabled vehicles or vehicles involved in collisions on Nevada state highways.
  • Fairness in rates charged to the motoring public.
  • Fair profit margin for contracted tow companies utilized by DPS.
  • Safety of the motoring public, DPS troopers and Tow Truck Operators.
  • Reductions in secondary accidents.
The Automobile Wrecker and Tow Car Operator Guide is available at this link
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Regulation and Licensing of Motor Carriers
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Nevada State Tow Association
1285 Baring Blvd #243
Sparks, NV 89434
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