House Bill 231

Chair's Name: Vance Smith

Committee: Transportation

House Sponsor: Vance Smith

HB 231 protects persons or services which remove vehicles or other obstructions from the roadway at the direction of law enforcement, fire, or transportation official from liability, except in situations involving gross negligence.

The committee substitute received a Do Pass recommendation from the Transportation Committee and comes to the House Floor under the Modified Open Rule. 

Chairman Smith�s opinion of this legislation:

WHAT PROBLEM/OPPORTUNITY DOES THIS LEGISLATION ADDRESS?

The removal of accident vehicles on our highways.

WHAT IS THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND THIS LEGISLATION?

This bill allows wrecker companies to remove vehicles as instructed by law enforcement, firemen, or department personnel and can only be held liable in gross negligence cases. This should reduce the number of lawsuits against these wrecker services as well as allow road blockages to be resolved more efficiently.