HB 1363 creates a new section of the Florida Statutes governing the towing of motor vehicles that are disabled in a crash. When a vehicle must be towed, the bill requires law enforcement to either provide the driver with a list of available wrecker operators if the vehicle is being impounded, or allow the driver to choose a wrecker operator of their own. It also requires the officer and the wrecker operator to tell the driver the daily storage charge, the contact information for the storage facility, and the process for retrieving the vehicle.
The bill further imposes new notice duties on the wrecker operator’s storage facility. The facility must notify the vehicle owner in writing by certified mail, telephone, and text message at 14 business days, 30 business days, and 45 business days after the vehicle arrives, each time stating that the vehicle is in storage and accruing daily charges. The act takes effect July 1, 2026.
Impact
The bill would add a new statutory framework for post-crash towing and storage notifications, affecting law enforcement officers, wrecker operators, storage facilities, vehicle owners, and drivers whose vehicles are disabled in crashes. It would require more disclosure at the scene and repeated owner notifications after storage begins, likely increasing administrative obligations for towing companies and law enforcement while giving owners more information about costs and retrieval procedures. The bill appears to create a new section in chapter 323, although the text references section 322.003 in the heading, which may be a drafting inconsistency.
Sentiment
No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no direct evidence of legislative debate or formal support/opposition in the available materials. Based on the bill text alone, the measure appears consumer-protective and aimed at improving transparency and notice for vehicle owners, which suggests a generally favorable policy posture toward reducing surprise towing and storage charges.
Contention
The main likely point of contention is the added compliance burden on wrecker operators and storage facilities, which must provide multiple forms of notice at several intervals and maintain accurate contact information. Another possible issue is the bill’s effect on law enforcement procedures at crash scenes, especially where impoundment decisions and driver choice of tow operator may be operationally sensitive. The drafting inconsistency in the statutory citation could also draw technical concern during review.