Committee approves changes to parking-boot rules and fees, advances House Bill 972

The Finance, Ways and Means Committee voted 27-0 to advance House Bill 972 after adopting three amendments that clarified fiscal impacts, corrected parking-garage language and added state minimum standards for vehicle booting.

Representative McAlpin, the bill sponsor, acknowledged the amendments before the vote. The first amendment clarified local costs to align fiscal notes with local impacts. The second amendment (drafting code 006813) fixed an oversight related to parking garages, aligning language with earlier legislation. A third amendment, filed by Chairman Williams (drafting code 08016), established a minimum state standard for booting: it requires a bond for licensure, a maximum fee of $75 to remove a boot, and that boots be removable by electronic means. "It also sets a maximum fee of $75 for, booting a vehicle... The premise behind this amendment is not in every instance should a car be towed 12 miles out of town... This would just protect that consumer and allow for booting at the local level," Chairman Williams said.

Chairman Vaughn asked whether the $75 cap should include an escalator tied to CPI; Chairman Williams said he was amenable to discussing CPI adjustment on the floor but the amendment as filed set the $75 cap. Committee members adopted the amendments and then voted 27-0 to move the bill to calendar and rules.

The bill will next be considered by the calendar and rules committee.