Indiana Towing Association Slams Reform Bill

Indiana senators revived controversial language Tuesday targeting “predatory” towing, despite pushback from the Indiana Towing and Wrecker Association. The amended House Bill 1390, which passed the Senate transportation committee 6-1, introduces towing fee regulations, a required rotation policy for law enforcement towing, and a proposed Towing Complaint Advisory Board.

Rep. Jim Pressel, R-Rolling Prairie, said the bill aims to curb excessive and hidden towing charges, especially for commercial trucks. Trucking leaders testified about steep fees — often over $15,000 — for short-distance tows.

But Karrie Driscol, president of the Indiana Towing Association, argued the problem is overstated. “We’re seeing 33,000 tows a year and just 200 complaints since 2019,” Driscol said. “This bill is not the way to solve this problem.”

Driscol warned that tying up 30% of towing fees during the complaint process could cripple small operators. She urged lawmakers to instead collaborate with law enforcement to set fairer rates. “If we’re going to create a board, we need to take the time and do it right. Don’t make a sloppy mistake — that’s what this board is going to do,” she said.

The bill now moves to the Senate Appropriations Committee, with debate over the board’s role far from over. Source: https://indianacapitalchronicle.com/