This bill establishes new regulations regarding the towing and impounding of motor vehicles in Iowa, particularly focusing on the towing of vehicles without the owner's consent. It mandates that individuals towing vehicles must post clear signage on private property, document the towing process with photographs, and maintain detailed records of the vehicle towed. If the vehicle owner arrives before the tow is completed, the towing must cease, and the owner can reclaim their vehicle by paying a fee that cannot exceed half of the consensual tow rate. Additionally, the bill requires that the towing entity notify the vehicle owner and local law enforcement within 24 hours, display towing rates, provide an itemized account of fees, and allow access to personal property within the vehicle without requiring the owner to reclaim the vehicle.

The bill also amends existing laws regarding abandoned vehicles, changing the notification timeline for when a vehicle is taken into custody from 20 days to 5 days, while extending the reclaiming period from 10 days to 20 days. It emphasizes the need for proper notice and the opportunity for inspection of the vehicle, stating that failure to provide such notice will prevent forfeiture of rights to the vehicle or personal property. Furthermore, it stipulates that all charges related to towing and storage must be reasonable, and allows individuals to reclaim personal property from a vehicle without incurring additional costs. If an abandoned vehicle is sold without proper notice being given, the entity responsible for the sale must pay any remaining loan balance to the lienholder.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 321.89, 321.90