SB617 — (Second New Title) relative to the regulation and appeal of motor vehicle towing from public highways and relative to the removal of abandoned vehicles by law enforcement.

CHAPTER 274 SB 617 - VERSIONFINAL ADOPTEDVERSION BY BOTH BODIES 03/26/2026 1218s 23Apr2026...

CHAPTER 274 SB 617 - VERSIONFINAL ADOPTEDVERSION BY BOTH BODIES 03/26/2026 1218s 23Apr2026...

1274:1 Fees for Removal and Impoundment of Motor Vehicles.

The person may hold any such items, other than wallets, purses, life essential clothing, mail, legal documents, car seats, eyeglasses, medicine, medical equipment, or house keys pending SB 617 - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES - Page 2 - payment of any fees due under this subdivision.

CHAPTER 274 SB 617 - FINAL VERSION - Page 2 - 274:2 Abandoned Vehicles;

3274:3 Requirements for Placement on the Tow List.

[Price lists shall remain confidential except when determining the reasonable fee in a requested hearing conducted by the department of safety.] 4274:4 New Section;

SB 617 - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES - Page 3 - III.

5274:5 State Police;

The director of state police with the approval of the commissioner of safety may adopt rules pursuant to RSA 541-A consistent with relevant provisions of this subdivision setting forth minimum qualifications of tow companies and their employees to participate in the state police tow list, including CHAPTER 274 SB 617 - FINAL VERSION - Page 3 - qualifications, training, and minimum standards for equipment, response times, storage and release of towed vehicles and their contents, and criminal history and motor vehicle record checks of[of tow[tow truck drivers] employees.

6274:6 Definitions;

"Light/Medium duty wrecker" means a wrecker intended and suitably equipped for safely towing vehicles weighing 26,000 pounds or less gross weight, including passenger cars, pickup trucks, motorcycles, small trailers, and similar vehicles, that meets the following requirements, SB 617 - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES - Page 4 - provided that come-a-longs, chains, or other similar devices shall not serve as substitutes for a winch and cable:

CHAPTER 274 SB 617 - FINAL VERSION - Page 4 - (f) Two chock blocks that will prevent rolling or slippage of the wrecker;

SB 617 - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES - Page 5 - [VI.] VII.

7274:7 Use of Tow List.

CHAPTER 274 SB 617 - FINAL VERSION - Page 5 - X.

8274:8 Use of Tow List.

9274:9 Requirements for Placement on the Tow List.

The application shall include an individual form approved by the director of state police for each [tow truck operator] employee and for the owner and manager of the business and any supervisors, listing under penalty of unsworn falsification their full name, date and place of birth, SB 617 - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES - Page 6 - driver license number and type and any restrictions or limitations, and a listing of all motor vehicle offense convictions in this or any other state or Canadian province including type, court, and year in the preceding 5 years, and a list of any criminal convictions in this or any other state or Canadian province within the past 10 years, including type of offense, year of conviction, court, and sentence imposed, and whether the person is currently on probation or parole or has ever been a registered sex offender or subject to a domestic violence protective order.

10274:10 Requirements for Placement on the Tow List.

11274:11 Requirements for Placement on the Tow List.

CHAPTER 274 SB 617 - FINAL VERSION - Page 6 - VIII.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, for imminent concerns related to public health, safety, or welfare, the director may order the immediate suspension of the tow business at their discretion, and without a hearing.hearAny such suspension shall be subject to the hearing requirements and timelines set forth in RSA 541-A:30, III.

Any274:12 suchRequirements suspensionto shallRemain beon subject to the hearingTow requirementsList. and timelines set forth in RSA 541-A:30, III.

12 Requirements to Remain on the Tow List.

Tow businesses participating in the tow list shall make, during normal business hours, their records, vehicles, facility, and equipment available for SB 617 - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES - Page 7 - examination for such reviews by troopers or other department of safety employees.

In cases of non-non-compliance, compliance, the state police [communications commander] shall recommend appropriate action to the director, which may include a verbal or written reprimand, suspension, or revocation from continued participation in the rotating list.

13274:13 Compliance Action;

CHAPTER 274 SB 617 - FINAL VERSION - Page 7 - (b) Suspension of a tow business, a tow business employee, or both, from participation in the state police tow list for a period not to exceed 2 years;

14274:14 New Section;

SB 617 - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES - Page 8 - II.

15274:15 Effective Date.

Approved:

July 02, 2026 Effective Date:

I.

Sections 1-4 effective January 1, 2027 II.

Remainder effective August 31, 2026