The Modernization of Towing, Immobilization, and Oversight Normalization Act, also known as the Motion Act, is a proposed legislation aimed at curbing the activities of predatory towing companies. House Bill 1731, which seeks to introduce necessary reforms to the towing industry, is currently being deliberated upon in Memphis, Tennessee.
Starting from July 1, the bill will come into effect. The main reason behind its introduction is the targeting of out-of-state 18-wheelers for illegal parking by gas stations and towing companies in Memphis.
According to Quincy Farris, a Memphis local with 17 years of experience in truck driving, companies are constantly on the lookout for out-of-state license plates.
Farris stated that in his experience, it is usually people from out of town who are unfamiliar with the city that get booted. He also mentioned that this practice is not limited to regular parking lots, as it also happens in truck stops. “They just put the boot on,” he added.
Under the new bill, unlicensed individuals are no longer authorized to boot vehicles across the state. Booting is now limited only to commercial lots, and licensed parking attendants must remove the boot within 30 minutes of the driver’s call. Furthermore, the bill sets a cap on the boot removal fee at $75.
The American Trucking Association has reported that Memphis has become a notorious area for unlawful towing. In fact, just recently, a truck driver was unable to pay a $275 booting fee, resulting in her company having to shell out thousands of dollars to retrieve the impounded vehicle.
Chris Spear, the President and CEO of ATA, issued a statement which reads:
Predatory towing companies have taken advantage of the trucking industry for far too long, and we refuse to continue making these ransom payments any longer.
According to Farris, people have lost their jobs in the past due to similar actions.
According to Farris, the driver could potentially be responsible for paying a significant amount out of their own pocket, ranging from three to four hundred dollars. Regrettably, the company they work for may not even provide reimbursement for these expenses, which ultimately puts the driver at a disadvantage. In some cases, the driver may even end up losing their job due to these financial burdens.
Trucking is a crucial industry for Tennessee’s economy, providing essential middle-class jobs to almost 250,000 residents. In fact, over 90% of communities in the state depend solely on trucks for their goods transportation needs.
