Senate bill comes down hard on Predatory Towing Practices
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Senate bill comes down hard on Predatory Towing Practices

Date: March 16, 2016
By: Allison Pecorin
State Capitol Bureau

Intro: 
A bill heard by the Senate Transportation Committee on March 6 would put the responsibility of calling a tow truck into your hands.
RunTime: 0:42
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: The bill, heard by Senate Transportation on March 6, would make it a crime for tow trucks to tow a car without being summoned by police, an auto club, or the vehicle's owner.

Jefferson County Republican Senator Paul Weiland said the bill would help protect driver's from tow companies trying to turn a quick profit.

Actuality:  TOW1.WAV
Run Time: 00:09
Description: What we're trying to prevent, Senator, is people that see you on the side of the road and say, 'Hey, here's prey, let me jump on this person.' You know so that's what we're trying to prevent.
But Poplar Bluff Republican Senator Doug Libla said he was concerned the bill would establish too strict of guidelines for operating hours for towing companies. No immediate action was taken on the bill.

Reporting from the Capitol, I'm Allison Pecorin

Intro: 
One Senator raised concerns that a bill presented to restrict predatory towing practices might put too many restrictions on businessess.
RunTime: 0:46
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Poplar bluff Republican Senator Doug Libla said he was unsure of language in the bill that would require towing companies to be open or accessible for at least 8 hours a day during the business week.

Actuality:  TOW2.WAV
Run Time: 00:13
Description: "I like the fact that people should know they have a window, a little bit larger window maybe, to be able to retrieve their vehicle. But I don't think we ought to be requiring businesses to be open a certain amount of time."
The bill sponsor, Jefferson County Republican Paul Weiland, said the bill requires towing companies to be accessible but not necessarily open.

Weiland said the hour requirement will help prevent patrons from being unable to access their vehicle or from being overcharged. No immediate action was taken on the bill.

Reporting from the Capitol, I'm Allison Pecorin.

Intro: 
Drivers would have faster access to their vehicles under a bill heard by the Senate Transportation Committee on March 6, making for faster insurance claims.
RunTime: 0:45
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Brent Butler, a lobbyist for The Missouri Insurance Coalition, said the bill would allow insurance companies to view damages to towed vehicles more quickly.

Actuality:  TOW3.WAV
Run Time: 00:14
Description: We need to have access to look at those cars because our auto insurance companies pride themselves on the ability to settle claims quick and efficently and if you put road blocks up to view the cars it takes time and customers want their claims settled quick.
The provision allowing individuals and insurance agencies faster access to cars is just one in a bill that would creater stricter restrictions for towing companies.

Poplar Bluff Republican Senator Doug Libla said he was concerned that the bill would put too many restrictions on businesses. No immediate action was taken on the bill.

Reporting from the Capitol, I'm Allison Pecorin.