Under the bill as it was introduced, if a towing bill is not paid in 30 days, the tow company can send notice by certified mail to the owner and any lien holders. "Why couldn't Johnny keep seven of his eight guns and they sell one to pay the fee?" Watson said.īrowning noted that Johnny's valuable guns "would be great leverage" for him to pay his towing bill in a timely manner. Watson gave the committee a scenario of "Johnny" having numerous hunting guns in his truck when it is towed, guns valued at far more than the towing bill. Michael Watson, R-Pascagoula, successfully offered an amendment to cap what amount of property can be sold to only cover reasonable costs of towing. More: Should it be this easy for Mississippi police to take property?īut some Finance Committee members questioned the proposed changes, and the bill will likely be subject to more debate or potential changes. These towing company owners are Mississippi citizens, doing their work and not getting paid for it." "The guy got stiffed for a couple thousands dollars," Fillingane said. He said the mangled truck's value wouldn't cover the bill, and the owner was prevented from holding or selling radios and other equipment in the truck. He said the owner of a towing company in his district came to him after he was stuck with a $2,000 bill for towing a wrecked 18-wheeler at the behest of law enforcement. Senate Finance Chairman Joey Fillingane, R-Sumrall, authored the bill. Under current law, towing companies cannot hold or sell any personal property inside a towed vehicle. But auctioning a vehicle is time consuming and often doesn't cover the costs, particularly if the auto has been in a severe wreck. Tow truck owners, after a waiting period, proper notification and advertising, can auction or salvage vehicles over unpaid towing bills.
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