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HD 1838

An Act relative to the maximum storage charges on motor vehicles involuntarily towed

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Dan Donahue and 1 co-sponsor

Massachusetts bill caps maximum storage fees charged by tow yards for involuntarily towed vehicles to protect consumers from escalating costs.

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Bill Summary · HD 1838

Legislative bill overview

HD 1838 establishes a cap on the maximum storage charges that towing companies can impose on motor vehicles that have been involuntarily towed (such as vehicles towed for parking violations, abandoned vehicles, or accident recovery). The bill sets predetermined fee limits to prevent excessive storage costs from accumulating while vehicles remain in tow yards.

Why is this important

Vehicle owners facing involuntary tows often have limited leverage to negotiate storage fees, which can quickly escalate beyond the original towing cost and create financial hardship. Unregulated storage charges can effectively penalize people for circumstances beyond their control (parking violations, accidents) by making vehicle recovery prohibitively expensive. This bill addresses a consumer protection issue where towing operators have significant economic power over vulnerable vehicle owners.

Potential points of contention

  • Economic impact on towing businesses: Capped storage fees may reduce profit margins for smaller towing companies, potentially affecting service availability in less profitable areas
  • Cost recovery concerns: Towing operators argue that storage facility costs (lot maintenance, security, insurance) are legitimate expenses that fees should reflect, and caps may not cover actual operational costs
  • Incentive structures: Low storage fees might inadvertently discourage vehicle owners from retrieving towed vehicles promptly, leaving lots overcrowded or creating liability issues for storage facilities

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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