Bill Text: HI HB65 | 2019 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Relating To Unattended Vehicles.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2019-03-20 - The committee on CPH deferred the measure. [HB65 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2019-HB65-Amended.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
65 |
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THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO UNATTENDED VEHICLES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. Section 290-11, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:
"(b) Towing companies engaged by the owner, occupant, or person in charge of the property shall:
(1) Charge not more than [$65] $
for a tow, or [$75] $
for a tow using a dolly, plus a mileage charge of [$7.50] $
per mile towed and [$25] $
per day or fraction thereof for storage for the first seven days and [$20]
$ per day
thereafter. When the tow occurs between the hours of six o'clock p.m. and
six o'clock a.m., from Monday through Thursday [and], or from six
o'clock p.m. Friday to six o'clock a.m. Monday, the towing company shall be
entitled to an overtime charge of [$15.] $ . If the vehicle is
in the process of being hooked up or is hooked up to the tow truck and the
owner appears on the scene, the towing company shall unhook the vehicle and shall not charge any fee to the
owner of the vehicle. In the case
of a difficult hookup, meaning an above or below ground hookup in a multilevel
facility, a towing surcharge of [$30] $
shall be applicable;
(2) Determine the name of the legal owner and the registered owner of the vehicle from the department of transportation or the county department of finance. The legal owner and the registered owner shall be notified in writing at the address on record with the department of transportation or with the county department of finance by registered or certified mail of the location of the vehicle, together with a description of the vehicle, within a reasonable period not to exceed fifteen days following the tow. The notice shall state:
(A) The maximum towing charges and fees allowed by law;
(B) The telephone number of the consumer information service of the department of commerce and consumer affairs; and
(C) That if the vehicle is not recovered within thirty days after the mailing of the notice, the vehicle shall be deemed abandoned and will be sold or disposed of as junk.
Where the owners have not been so notified, then the owner
may recover the owner's car from the towing company without paying tow or
storage fees; provided that the notice need not be sent to a legal or
registered owner or any person with an unrecorded interest in the vehicle whose
name or address cannot be determined.
Absent evidence to the contrary, a notice shall be deemed received by
the legal or registered owner five days after the mailing. A person, including but not limited to the owner's
or driver's insurer, who has been charged in excess of the charges permitted
under this section may sue for damages sustained and, if the judgment is for
the plaintiff, the court shall award the plaintiff a sum not to exceed the
amount of the damages and reasonable attorney's fees together with the cost of
suit;
(3) Provide, when a vehicle is recovered by the owner before written notice is sent by registered or certified mail, the owner with a receipt stating:
(A) The maximum towing charges and fees allowed by law; and
(B) The telephone number of the consumer information service of the department of commerce and consumer affairs; and
(4) Accommodate payment by the owner for charges under paragraph (1) by cash and by either credit card or automated teller machine located on the premises."
SECTION 2. This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.
SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.
Report Title:
Transportation; Tow Trucks; Fees
Description:
Amends the maximum charges imposed for tow truck services. (HB65 HD1)
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
