LAW WITHOUT
GOVERNOR'S CHAPTER
SIGNATURE
77
JUNE 15, 2025 RESOLVES
STATE OF MAINE
_____
IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD
TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-FIVE
_____
S.P. 572 - L.D. 1377
Resolve, to Convene a Working Group to Evaluate Potential Regulation of
the Vehicle Towing Industry and the Impact on State Agencies and
Industries
Preamble. Whereas, motor vehicles are an essential part of everyday life for many
people residing in Maine; and
Whereas, deceptive, irresponsible and predatory towing practices impose financial
burdens and logistical hardships on those who rely on their vehicles for everyday use; and
Whereas, the towing industry affects many different industries and state agencies
because of the differing ways the industry conducts its business; now, therefore, be it
Sec. 1. Working group. Resolved: That the Department of the Secretary of State
shall convene a working group, referred to in this resolve as "the working group," to
evaluate potential solutions regarding regulation and enforcement of regulation of the
towing industry.
Sec. 2. Working group membership. Resolved: That the working group
membership is as follows:
1. One member representing the light vehicle towing industry, appointed by the
Secretary of State;
2. One member representing the heavy vehicle towing and recovery industry, appointed
by the Secretary of State;
3. One member representing the trucking industry, appointed by the Secretary of State;
4. One member representing credit unions, appointed by the Secretary of State;
5. One member representing large financial institutions, appointed by the Secretary of
State;
6. One member representing the insurance industry, appointed by the Secretary of
State;
7. One member representing the legal interests of people earning low income in the
State, appointed by the Secretary of State;
Page 1 - 132LR1197(03)
 8. One member representing a State Police traffic division, appointed by the Chief of
the State Police;
9. One member representing the consumer protection division of the Office of the
Attorney General, appointed by the Attorney General;
10. The deputy secretary of state having oversight over the Department of the Secretary
of State, Bureau of Motor Vehicles or the deputy secretary's designee; and
11. The Secretary of State or the secretary's designee.
Sec. 3. Duties. Resolved: That the working group shall:
1. Identify and examine potential methods for regulating the towing industry to protect
drivers from deceptive, predatory or irresponsible practices;
2. Identify and examine how identified regulations under subsection 1 could be most
efficiently and comprehensively enforced;
3. Consider how any identified regulations under subsection 1 would impact the
agencies, industries and citizen groups represented on the working group and any
potential further impacts to agencies, industries and citizen groups not represented;
4. Examine the issue regarding disposition of the vehicle when the owner is
involuntarily hospitalized, paying particular attention to the length of holding before a
vehicle is considered "abandoned" as defined under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title
29-A, section 1852 and the total storage charges;
5. Examine the laws governing notification to vehicle owners and lienholders, if any,
when a vehicle is towed or left without permission on a residential or business property,
including, but not limited to, the time required for notification and storage fees; and
6. Make recommendations based on the findings of the working group.
Sec. 4. Staff assistance. Resolved: That the Department of the Secretary of State
shall provide necessary staffing services to the working group.
Sec. 5. Report. Resolved: That, no later than February 3, 2026, the working group
shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, including any
necessary implementing legislation, to the Joint Standing Committee on Transportation.
The joint standing committee may submit legislation related to the report to the Second
Regular Session of the 132nd Legislature.
Page 2 - 132LR1197(03)