New Hampshire SB 617: relative to the regulation and appeal of motor vehicle towing from public highways and relative to the removal of abandoned vehicles by law enforcement.

Bill Text

CHAPTER 274
SB 617 - FINAL VERSION
03/26/2026 1218s
23Apr2026... 1510h
14May2026... 1755h
2026 SESSION
26-2182
09/08
SENATE BILL 617
AN ACT relative to the regulation and appeal of motor vehicle towing from public highways and
relative to the removal of abandoned vehicles by law enforcement.
SPONSORS: Sen. Gannon, Dist 23; Sen. Innis, Dist 7; Sen. Birdsell, Dist 19; Sen. McGough, Dist
11; Rep. Bernardy, Rock. 36; Rep. Litchfield, Rock. 32; Rep. Khan, Rock. 30; Rep. M.
Pearson, Rock. 34
COMMITTEE: Judiciary
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AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill extends deadlines for disputing towing and storage fees and requires invoices to include
information on how to challenge charges. This bill also revises the procedures and processes concerning
the maintenance of and utilization of a list of contracted tow companies used by the division of state police
for the removal of vehicles.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

CHAPTER 274
SB 617 - FINAL VERSION
03/26/2026 1218s
23Apr2026... 1510h
14May2026... 1755h 26-2182
09/08
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
AN ACT relative to the regulation and appeal of motor vehicle towing from public highways and
relative to the removal of abandoned vehicles by law enforcement.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
274:1 Fees for Removal and Impoundment of Motor Vehicles. Amend RSA 262:35-a to read as
follows:
262:35-a Review of Fees for Removal and Impoundment.
I. All fees charged for the removal and storage of any vehicle caused to be removed by an
authorized official pursuant to RSA 262:32 or RSA 262:40-a shall be reasonable, and may reflect market
variables, including, but not limited to, distance traveled to and from the storage facility, vehicle size and
weight, the amount of time needed to remove and store the vehicle, any special equipment needed, and
personnel costs. If the owner or other person lawfully entitled to possession of the vehicle wishes to
challenge the reasonableness of the fee charged, the owner or other person may pay over to the
custodian of the vehicle an amount equal to the towing and storage charges to secure the release of the
vehicle, and, within [15] 30 days of the [release of the vehicle] receipt of the invoice, request in writing a
review by the commissioner of safety. The commissioner of safety or designee shall review the claim to
determine if there are sufficient grounds to conduct a hearing to determine whether the charge was
reasonable. If the commissioner or designee determines that a hearing is necessary, the hearing shall be
scheduled by the bureau of hearings within 20 days after review by the commissioner, at which time the
extent of removal and storage fees shall be determined. The commissioner or designee shall approve or
disapprove of the decision of the bureau of hearings within 7 days after the hearing was held.
Notwithstanding RSA 262:25, any person aggrieved by a decision of the commissioner or designee under
this section may appeal the decision to the superior court in the same manner as that prescribed in RSA
263:75, II and III. If no request for review is filed within the [15-day] 30-day period, the owner or other
person lawfully entitled to possession of the vehicle shall be deemed to have waived all rights to review
under this section and shall be liable for the total amount billed.
II. Nothing in this section shall prevent a review of the reasonableness of the towing or other
action as may be permitted by laws of this state by a court of competent jurisdiction.
III. Any time that a person is storing a vehicle pursuant to the provisions of this subdivision, the
person may remove any items from within the vehicle that are not a part of or accessories to the vehicle.
The person may hold any such items, other than wallets, purses, life essential clothing, mail, legal
documents, car seats, eyeglasses, medicine, medical equipment, or house keys pending payment of any
fees due under this subdivision. If fees remain unpaid after [20] 30 days, the person may dispose of the
items.
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CHAPTER 274
SB 617 - FINAL VERSION
- Page 2 -
274:2 Abandoned Vehicles; Procedure for Removal and Impoundment. Amend RSA 262:33, II and
III to read as follows:
II. Whenever a vehicle is towed pursuant to RSA 262:31-a or RSA 262:32 the owner or other
person lawfully entitled to the possession of the vehicle shall be entitled to recover said vehicle and
release of the above lien by payment of all reasonable towing a