SB 215 Hawaii Senate · 2025 Regular Session

RELATING TO TOWING COMPANIES.

Summary

Changes the fees that a towing company may charge to tow vehicles left unattended on private and public property. Prohibits a towing company or parking management company from installing immobilization devices on motor vehicles. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 13, 2025 Last action Feb 11, 2025

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What changed between versions

SB215 → SB215_SD1 · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates Hawaii's towing company regulations by establishing specific maximum fees for towing and storage services, prohibiting the installation of vehicle immobilization devices, and clarifying procedures for vehicle recovery and sale. The changes aim to protect consumers from excessive towing charges and provide clearer guidelines on how towing companies must operate and communicate with vehicle owners.

Scope change

The bill applies to all towing companies in Hawaii but includes an exemption for counties that have adopted their own ordinances regulating towing operations. Additionally, it specifically requires towing companies in counties with populations over 500,000 to offer 24/7 services.

REQUIREMENT

Establishes specific maximum fees for towing services during different times of day and days of the week, including daytime ($75), nighttime ($85), and dolly towing ($75 plus mileage and storage fees).

Prohibits towing companies from installing any devices designed to immobilize vehicles.

Requires towing companies in counties with over 500,000 population to provide 24-hour towing and storage release services.

Mandates that towing companies provide detailed receipts to vehicle owners and notify owners within 15 days of towing with information about maximum fees and consumer resources.

DEFINITION

Adds clear definitions for key terms including 'hooked up,' 'scene,' and 'vehicle owner' to reduce ambiguity in enforcement.

TIMELINE

Sets the effective date of the new regulations to July 1, 2050.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 11, 2025

Committee

Reported from TCA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 244) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to CPN.

upper

Feb 6, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on TCA recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in TCA were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Lee, C., Elefante, Kanuha, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Inouye.

upper

Jan 27, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on TCA has scheduled a public hearing on 01-30-25 3:00PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 17, 2025

Committee

Referred to TCA, CPN.

upper

Jan 15, 2025

Introduced

Introduced and passed First Reading.

upper

Jan 13, 2025

Introduced

Pending Introduction.

upper

2 primary · 2 co-sponsors