Van Hollen Introduces Legislation to Crack Down on Predatory Towing

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Maryland Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D-8th District) and Virginia Congressman Don Beyer on Thursday introduced the State and Local Predatory Towing Enforcement Act to crack down on predatory towing practices that leave consumers with costly bills and no recourse for overcharges and unfair treatment.

Beyer represents Arlington County, where there have been high-profile incidents involving a local towing company including one involving an ESPN sports reporter (7 Foul Statements by ESPN’s Britt McHenry That Put Her In Penalty Box).

“Victims of predatory towing face real economic hardship that has a negative impact on their families and communities. For too long, victims have not had a mechanism to stand up for their rights as consumers,” said Congressman Van Hollen. “This legislation will protect consumers by closing the loophole that allows predatory towing practices to go unpunished.”

Towing companies are unpopular with residents, officials said.

“Predatory towing is generally the largest single category of complaints we receive every month,” said Eric Friedman, director of the Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection. “We applaud Congressman Van Hollen and Congressman Beyer for introducing legislation to remedy any federal pre-emption loophole and to ensure that states and localities have the ability to limit overly aggressive towing practices.”

Federal law currently prohibits state and local regulation of the towing industry, and the federal regulatory body that oversaw the industry was eliminated in 1995. With confusing restrictions and conflicting court rulings, no level of government has been able to adequately regulate the towing industry, leading to major consumer abuses by some unscrupulous towing companies. The State and Local Predatory Towing Enforcement Act would restore state and local governments’ ability to end predatory practices in the tow truck industry.