New MS law puts brakes on predatory towing

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A new law in Mississippi will protect truck drivers from predatory towing companies.

Senate Bill 2635, signed into law by Governor Tate Reeves last week, will create a Commercial Vehicle Advisory Committee that would set statewide maximum towing and storage fees for nonconsensual tows, establish a process to investigate complaints against towing and recovery services, and take disciplinary action against towers that violate the law.

It also prohibits towing companies from towing commercial vehicles like heavy-duty trucks from private property without written permission from the property owner and prevents towers from using boots, except when directed by law enforcement.

The American Trucking Association is applauding the Mississippi reforms.

On its website, the group defines predatory towing as any incident in which a towing operator severely overcharges, illegally seizes assets, damages assets by using improper equipment, or illegitimately withholds the release of a truck, trailer, and/or cargo.

“Predatory towing is an egregious practice that not only disrupts our state’s supply chain but also costs Mississippi truck owners thousands of dollars for each unwanted tow,” said Mississippi Trucking Association President Hal Miller. “We are grateful to Mississippi legislators for listening to our concerns about this unfair tactic, and we thank Governor Reeves for swiftly signing this bill into law. We look forward to our continued partnership with our state’s leaders on commonsense reforms that promote justice, fairness, and safety.”

The new law also requires that all illegally parked commercial vehicles be towed by Mississippi-based tow companies and stored within the state.

Towers would also be required to document the condition of any vehicle they tow and give drivers access to their vehicles after they are towed.

The new law takes effect on July 1, 2024. The Commercial Vehicle Towing Advisory Committee will hold its first meeting no later than September 1.

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