Pricing Regulations Proposed in Wyoming

In Wyoming, a bill is being proposed requiring a fee schedule for tow companies that are on the call lists of police rotations. The legislation is coming as a result of complaints from drivers of cars and trucks about unfair pricing, such as a $70,000 invoice for a semi recovery job. 

House Bill 119 would give government entities recourse to take legal action against companies charging unreasonable rates and would require carriers to provide Wyoming Department of Transportation with an outline of their average rates for various aspects of towing and recovery jobs, including winch, labor, storage and mileage costs, as well as daytime and nighttime call rates. 

According to the bill, if carriers charge a fee higher than the rates outlined in the fee schedule or rate summary documents, they could be suspended from the rotation list for up to a year. The same penalty would apply if a carrier were to violate any other criteria required to get on the list in the first place. If the bill passes, the pricing regulations could vary depending on region and jurisdiction. 

Some towing and recovery workers are not in accord with pricing regulations, saying it would hurt their business due to the uncertain nature of the job, price increases for fuel and insurance, and the overhead in running trucks. Others say better enforcement of rules governing the call rotation list are necessary.   Source