Vehicles: storage and towing.

Assembly Member Sharp-Collins' vehicle towing and storage legislation expands California's definition of unreasonable fees, adding new protections for vehicle owners facing storage charges during state holidays or emergency-related tows.

The bill modifies existing fee regulations by establishing that storage facilities cannot charge premium rates on state holidays beyond their standard daily rate. It also prohibits towing charges when law enforcement directs vehicle owners to move their vehicles during state or local emergencies to facilitate emergency vehicle access. Tow operators who assist in these emergency situations receive liability protection for any resulting property damage.

Additional consumer safeguards include limiting storage fees to 50% of the daily rate for vehicles recovered within 12 hours and preventing facilities from charging storage fees on days they fail to release vehicles after owner requests. The amendments maintain current provisions requiring written notification to legal owners before extending storage charges beyond the initial 15-day period. Legal owners who prevail in disputes over excessive fees may recover attorney fees up to $1,750.

The legislation preserves existing agreements between law enforcement agencies and towing companies while standardizing the definition of normal business hours as Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., including state holidays. These changes apply to both private vehicle owners and insurance companies responsible for towing and storage costs under automobile policies.