Beyer, Van Hollen Amendment to Stop Predatory Towing Passes House

Will Arlington and it’s dysfunctional relationship with towing soon become a thing of the past?

Congressman Don Beyer (D-8th) and fellow Democrat, Congressman Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, are trying to hand Arlington and other localities the clout they need to regulate towing. They have secured passage of their amendment to the House Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act to give states and localities full authority to regulate towing, the two say in a news release Wednesday.

A previous stand-alone bill stalled without a Surface Transportation bill to attach it to in successive Congresses, a Beyer spokesman said.

“State and local governments provide the best authority to regulate the towing industry and protect Virginians from unfair, predatory practices,” said Beyer. “We need more common-sense, consumer friendly solutions like this amendment to protect our constituents’ wallets.”

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“Predatory towing practices harm consumers and can lead to real financial pain,” Van Hollen said. “Local communities should be able to address consumer complaints and crack down on companies that engage in abusive towing practices, and this amendment will give them back that authority.”

In 1994, Congress inadvertently created a loophole that limited state and local regulation of the towing industry. Since then, confusing restrictions and conflicting court rulings have left state and local governments unable to fully protect consumers from predatory towing practices.

Beyer and Van Hollen introduced the State and Local Predatory Towing Enforcement Act to restore full authority for regulating unscrupulous towing to state and local governments, who are better-equipped to find the right balance for their communities, they said. This amendment would add that legislation to the House transportation bill, which is expected to pass this week.