Relating to the civil liability of towing companies, booting companies, and parking facility owners for certain violations.
Summary
HB 2906 would increase the civil penalties available against towing companies, booting companies, and parking facility owners that intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly violate Chapter 2308 of the Occupations Code. Under the bill, an affected vehicle owner or operator could recover $1,000 plus three times the amount of fees charged for removal, towing, storage, or booting, along with $500 for each day the vehicle could not be used because of the violation and reasonable incidental costs caused by the loss of use of the vehicle.
The bill is aimed at strengthening remedies for improper towing and booting practices and giving vehicle owners a more substantial private right of recovery when those businesses or property owners violate the law. It applies only to violations occurring on or after September 1, 2025, and would not affect claims based on earlier conduct.
Impact
HB 2906 would amend Section 2308.404(c) of the Occupations Code, expanding the civil liability exposure of towing companies, booting companies, and parking facility owners for intentional, knowing, or reckless violations of the state’s towing and booting regulations. It would increase statutory damages and add a daily loss-of-use recovery, which could raise litigation risk and compliance costs for regulated businesses while improving compensation available to vehicle owners and operators harmed by unlawful towing or booting.
Sentiment
The available legislative record shows the bill was referred to the House Licensing & Administrative Procedures Committee and there are no recorded votes or committee transcript excerpts in the provided materials. Based on the bill text, the measure appears consumer-protective and designed to deter abusive towing and booting practices, but the absence of discussion or vote history means there is no documented public sentiment in the supplied record beyond the bill’s apparent remedial purpose.
Contention
The main point of contention likely concerns the size of the penalties and whether the bill goes too far in increasing liability for towing companies, booting companies, and parking facility owners. Supporters would likely view the bill as a needed enforcement tool for vehicle owners, while affected businesses and property owners may argue that the enhanced damages are excessive, could encourage lawsuits, and may penalize conduct that is already regulated under existing law. No specific objections or amendments are reflected in the provided committee materials.
Prohibits towing companies from requiring owners of stolen motor vehicles to pay fee to release vehicles from storage facilities under certain circumstances.