Laura Budd

North Carolina lawmakers proposed the Predatory Towing Act to address complaints about towing companies charging excessive fees and lacking oversight. The act would require state permits, clear signage, and a database to track towing activities and costs, as highlighted by a case where a driver was threatened with higher charges after questioning a tow.

North Carolina lawmakers and Charlotte business owners are advocating for stricter regulations on towing practices, citing incidents of predatory behavior and lack of oversight. They reference past investigations revealing unlicensed tow truck drivers and problematic business relationships, with plans to refile a bill that includes state permits for tow operators and mandatory signage for property owners.

A North Carolina bill aimed at reforming the tow truck industry was effectively killed after being replaced with a different bill during a finance committee hearing. The original proposal, sponsored by Laura Budd and others, sought to establish a Towing and Recovery Commission to regulate the industry, but it was removed from House Bill 199, which now addresses de-annexation rules. The bill's failure follows years of investigations into unregulated towing practices and a 2014 court ruling limiting local governments' authority to set towing fees.