Governor Signs Stolen Vehicle Bill
Senate Bill (SB2654) requires that we amend the way we charge for stolen vehicles. This will be detrimental to towers in many aspects. Originally, we were not going to be paid a dime for ANY operation dealing with a stolen vehicle. If you have doubts about this look up SB2654 on ilga.gov under bills and legislation. Then go to Senate Bill 2654. Then click on full text and then “as introduced” and it will show the bill as it was introduced. We would not get paid for towing, storage, administrative, or other charges. Due to the efforts of the PTROI we were able to get some relief, although it is definitely not what we wanted.
In the end, we will get paid for towing, recovery, and storage beginning seven days after the owner notification letter is sent. Notification must be sent via certified mail with a return receipt. Included in this law is a statement that the police must provide you with owner information within a reasonable period. There can be no admin fees, or anything else charged for this tow. Remember, this applies to stolen vehicles only!! This bill goes into effect January 1, 2025.
In addition to the items we currently have to release, we now must release all and any medical items, including hearing aids. We also must now release school textbooks and workbooks.
Also causing major concern is House Bill 1634(HB1634). This bill will outlaw any diesel engine built before 2010 if it is in a truck weighing more than 14,000 pounds. Moreover, whenever California amends or modifies its’ law, within six months we would have to comply with a law that we had no chance to object to. At this point there is no phase-in period, the engines would be unlawful when the governor signs the bill.
This bill has passed, You should use this information when you buy or sell equipment in the future. We will continue to work on this bill to try to make it more palatable for the towing industry, but this is what we currently must comply with. Along with this there has been a change to the contents law, saying that we must return any medical items, schoolbooks and workbooks to the vehicle owner, in addition to the items that were already required to be released.