NY State Senate Bill 2025-S7717

Senate Bill S7717

2025-2026 Legislative Session

Sets maximum rates that may be charged for the towing and subsequent storage of a motor vehicle

download bill text pdf

Current Bill Status - In Assembly Committee

Introduced
- In Committee Assembly
- In Committee Senate
- On Floor Calendar Assembly
- On Floor Calendar Senate
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
Delivered to Governor
Signed By Governor

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Actions

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	Assembly Actions - Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE
Jun 09, 2025	referred to consumer affairs and protection delivered to assembly passed senate ordered to third reading cal.1708 committee discharged and committed to rules
May 01, 2025	referred to consumer protection

Votes

- Jun 9, 2025 - Floor Vote
  S7717
  
  48
  
  Aye
  
  14
  
  Nay
  
  0
  
  Absent
  
  1
  
  Excused
  
  0
  
  Abstained
  - - Floor Vote: Jun 9, 2025
      
      aye (48)
      
      Addabbo Jr.
      
      Ashby
      
      Bailey
      
      Baskin
      
      Brisport
      
      Brouk
      
      Bynoe
      
      Cleare
      
      Comrie
      
      Cooney
      
      Fahy
      
      Fernandez
      
      Gianaris
      
      Gonzalez
      
      Gounardes
      
      Griffo
      
      Harckham
      
      Helming
      
      Hinchey
      
      Hoylman-Sigal
      
      Jackson
      
      Kavanagh
      
      Krueger
      
      Lanza
      
      Liu
      
      Martinez
      
      May
      
      Mayer
      
      Myrie
      
      O'Mara
      
      Ortt
      
      Parker
      
      Persaud
      
      Ramos
      
      Rivera
      
      Ryan
      
      Ryan
      
      Salazar
      
      Sanders Jr.
      
      Scarcella-Spanton
      
      Sepúlveda
      
      Serrano
      
      Skoufis
      
      Stavisky
      
      Stewart-Cousins
      
      Sutton
      
      Webb
      
      Weik
      
      nay (14)
      
      Borrello
      
      Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick
      
      Chan
      
      Gallivan
      
      Martins
      
      Mattera
      
      Oberacker
      
      Palumbo
      
      Rhoads
      
      Rolison
      
      Stec
      
      Tedisco
      
      Walczyk
      
      Weber
      
      excused (1)
      
      Murray
      
      The following Member(s) participated via videoconferencing: Brouk
  Jun 9, 2025 - Rules Committee Vote
  S7717
  
  15
  
  Aye
  
  1
  
  Nay
  
  5
  
  Aye with Reservations
  
  0
  
  Absent
  
  0
  
  Excused
  
  0
  
  Abstained
  - - Rules Committee Vote: Jun 9, 2025
      
      aye (15)
      
      Addabbo Jr.
      
      Bailey
      
      Comrie
      
      Fernandez
      
      Gianaris
      
      Harckham
      
      Hoylman-Sigal
      
      Krueger
      
      Liu
      
      Mayer
      
      Myrie
      
      Ortt
      
      Parker
      
      Sepúlveda
      
      Stewart-Cousins
      
      nay (1)
      
      Gallivan
      
      aye wr (5)
      
      Griffo
      
      Helming
      
      Lanza
      
      O'Mara
      
      Stec

2025-S7717 (ACTIVE) - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A8858
Current Committee:: Assembly Consumer Affairs And Protection
Law Section:: General Business Law
Laws Affected:: Add §§399-xxx & 399-xxxx, Gen Bus L

2025-S7717 (ACTIVE) - Summary

Sets maximum rates that may be charged for the towing and subsequent storage of passenger and large vehicles outside of New York city.

2025-S7717 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S7717

SPONSOR: COONEY
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the general business law, in relation to setting maximum
rates that may be charged for the towing and subsequent storage of a
motor vehicle

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 of this legislation would add to section 399-xxx of the gener-
al business law, a maximum tow and storage rate for passenger vehicles.
An exception applies for participation in towing contracts in place
before the need for the towing of such vehicles exists, provided that
ownership of such vehicles is with the individual who entered into such
contract.

Section 2 of this legislation would add to section 399-xxxx of the
general business law, a maximum tow and storage rate for large vehicles.
An exception applies for participation in towing contracts in place
before the need for the towing of such vehicles exists, provided that
ownership of such vehicles is with the individual who entered into such

contract.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Legislation that sets a maximum tow and storage rate for passenger and
large vehicles is long overdue. New York State ranks a low 40th out of
51 states in towing consumer protections, lacking crucial safeguards
found elsewhere in the U.S. Predatory towing often involves excessive,
unjustified towing and storage fees set at the sole discretion of towing
companies. Towing companies often charge a combination of administra-
tive, expressway, fuel surcharge, notification, gate, release, and
special equipment fees, which can quickly add up to thousands of dollars
in profits for the company to the detriment of consumers.

Establishing a maximum tow and storage rate would prevent consumers from
being subjected to the exploitative practices of towing companies. This
legislation would ensure fair and transparent pricing, fostering trust
in towing practices while safeguarding consumers from undue financial
hardship. New York City has recognized the burden placed on consumers in
the absence of regulatory oversight and has established maximum rates
for towing and storage. Vehicles weighing 10,000 pounds or less are
subject to a maximum tow rate of $125, while those over 10,000 pounds
have a $140 cap. Storage fees are capped at $25 per day for the first
three days and $27 per day thereafter.This legislation aims to build on
New York City's example by establishing comparable rates and regulations
at the state level, ensuring consistent consumer protections across New
York. While the prevalence of towing may be higher in New York City,
that does not diminish the need for statewide protections. Towing issues
are not absent in New York State and the impact on the affected individ-
ual can be just as severe. The role of the legislature is not to wait
for a crisis to reach NYC-level proportions, but to proactively safe-
guard constituents from preventable harm.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New Bill
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately

2025-S7717 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

                             
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   7717
 
                        2025-2026 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                                May 1, 2025
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sen.  COONEY -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
   printed to be committed to the Committee on Consumer Protection
 
 AN ACT to amend the general business law, in relation to setting maximum
   rates that may be charged for the towing and subsequent storage  of  a
   motor vehicle

   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section 1. The general business law is amended by adding a new section
 399-xxx to read as follows:
   § 399-XXX. PASSENGER CAR TOWING RATES. 1. (A) FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS
 SECTION, A "PASSENGER CAR" IS A VEHICLE WITH  A  MAXIMUM  GROSS  VEHICLE
 WEIGHT UNDER FORTY-FIVE HUNDRED POUNDS.
   (B) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION TWO OF THIS SECTION OR ANY OTHER
 PROVISION OF LAW, CHARGES FOR THE TOWING OF PASSENGER VEHICLES SHALL NOT
 EXCEED  ONE  HUNDRED  DOLLARS  PLUS  ALL TOLLS REQUIRED TO BE PAID WHILE
 TOWING THE VEHICLE. IF A MOTOR VEHICLE HAS BEEN BOOTED BY A PERSON  DULY
 LICENSED  TO  DO  SO  IN  A PRIVATE LOT AND SUCH VEHICLE IS SUBSEQUENTLY
 TOWED, NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE MAY BE IMPOSED FOR THE TOWING OF SUCH  VEHI-
 CLE.
   (C)  THE  RATES IN THIS SECTION SHALL NOT APPLY TO THE TOWING OF MOTOR
 VEHICLES PURSUANT TO A CONTRACT WHICH WAS IN EXISTENCE PRIOR TO THE NEED
 FOR THE TOWING OF SUCH VEHICLES, PROVIDED THAT SUCH MOTOR  VEHICLES  ARE
 EITHER OWNED OR LEASED BY THE PERSON WHO ENTERED INTO SUCH CONTRACT.
   (D)  THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION SHALL NOT APPLY TO CITIES HAVING A
 POPULATION OF ONE MILLION OR MORE.
   2. CHARGES FOR THE TOWING  OF  DISABLED  PASSENGER  VEHICLES  FROM  AN
 ARTERIAL ROADWAY BY AN ARTERIAL TOW PERMITTEE SHALL BE ONE HUNDRED TWEN-
 TY-FIVE  DOLLARS  FOR  THE  FIRST  TEN  MILES  OR FRACTION THEREOF, FOUR
 DOLLARS FOR EACH ADDITIONAL MILE OR  FRACTION  THEREOF,  AND  ALL  TOLLS
 REQUIRED TO BE PAID WHILE TOWING SUCH VEHICLE.
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD11787-01-5
 S. 7717                             2

 
   3. EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED, CHARGES FOR STORAGE OF TOWED VEHICLES
 SHALL NOT EXCEED TWENTY-FIVE DOLLARS FOR EACH TWENTY-FOUR-HOUR PERIOD OR
 FRACTION  THEREOF  FOR  THE FIRST THREE DAYS OF STORAGE AND TWENTY-SEVEN
 DOLLARS FOR THE FOURTH DAY OF STORAGE AND EACH DAY THEREAFTER.
   4.  (A)  WHERE UNUSUAL PREPARATION IS REQUIRED BEFORE A VEHICLE CAN BE
 TOWED, ADDITIONAL CHARGES MAY BE IMPOSED NOT TO  EXCEED  TWELVE  DOLLARS
 PER  TOW TRUCK FOR EACH QUARTER HOUR OR PART THEREOF, PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
 THAT NO SUCH CHARGE MAY BE IMPOSED OR COLLECTED  FOR  THE  TOWING  OF  A
 VEHICLE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT FROM THE SCENE OF SUCH ACCIDENT. UNUSUAL
 PREPARATION  INCLUDES WINCHING OR RIGHTING A VEHICLE OR ANY OTHER PREPA-
 RATION NECESSARY TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN A POSITION WHERE IT CAN BE HOOKED
 OR RAISED TO THE TOW TRUCK.
   (B) NOTWITHSTANDING PARAGRAPH (A) OF THIS SUBDIVISION, A TOWING COMPA-
 NY WHICH HAS TOWED A VEHICLE TO ITS STORAGE  FACILITIES  MAY  CHARGE  AN
 ADDITIONAL  AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED TWENTY-FIVE DOLLARS FOR THE POSITIONING
 OF SUCH VEHICLE FOR REMOVAL FROM SUCH  STORAGE  FACILITIES  BY  THE  TOW
 TRUCK  OF ANOTHER TOWING COMPANY THAT IS CAPABLE OF TOWING THREE OR MORE
 VEHICLES SIMULTANEOUSLY.
   5. (A) A TOW TRUCK OPERATOR SHALL NOT REQUIRE THE PAYMENT OF  ANY  FEE
 OR  CHARGE  FOR  TOWING  AND  STORAGE OF A VEHICLE, OR ANY FEE OR CHARGE
 DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY RELATED TO TOWING AND STORAGE OF A VEHICLE,  THAT
 IS NOT SPECIFICALLY AUTHORIZED BY LAW OR RULE.
   (B)  A  CHARGE  FOR  THE  TOWING  AND STORAGE OF VEHICLES SHALL NOT BE
 IMPOSED BY ANY PERSON WHO DOES NOT HAVE A LICENSE TO ENGAGE  IN  TOWING,
 AS  REQUIRED BY SECTION FIVE HUNDRED ONE OF THE VEHICLE AND TRAFFIC LAW,
 OR WHOSE VEHICLE IS NOT REGISTERED  AS  A  TOW  TRUCK,  AS  REQUIRED  BY
 SECTION  FOUR  HUNDRED ONE-B OF THE VEHICLE AND TRAFFIC LAW, AT THE TIME
 THAT THE TOWING AND STORAGE SERVICES ARE PERFORMED.
   § 2. The general business law is amended by adding a new section  399-
 xxxx to read as follows:
   §  399-XXXX.  LARGE  VEHICLE  TOWING RATES. 1. (A) FOR THE PURPOSES OF
 THIS SECTION, A "LARGE VEHICLE" IS A VEHICLE WITH A GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT
 EXCEEDING FORTY-FIVE HUNDRED POUNDS.
   (B) THE RATES IN THIS SECTION SHALL NOT APPLY TO THE TOWING  OF  MOTOR
 VEHICLES PURSUANT TO A CONTRACT WHICH WAS IN EXISTENCE PRIOR TO THE NEED
 FOR  THE  TOWING OF SUCH VEHICLES, PROVIDED THAT SUCH MOTOR VEHICLES ARE
 EITHER OWNED OR LEASED BY THE PERSON WHO ENTERED INTO SUCH CONTRACT.
   (C) THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION SHALL NOT APPLY TO CITIES HAVING  A
 POPULATION OF ONE MILLION OR MORE.
   2.  (A)  FOR  A  VEHICLE WITH A MAXIMUM GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT EXCEEDING
 FORTY-FIVE HUNDRED POUNDS BUT NOT EXCEEDING  TEN  THOUSAND  POUNDS,  THE
 RATE  FOR  THE  PREPARATION,  HOIST AND TOW, INCLUDING THE FIRST MILE OR
 FRACTION THEREOF, SHALL NOT EXCEED ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-FIVE DOLLARS.  THE
 RATE PER EACH ADDITIONAL MILE SHALL NOT EXCEED FIVE DOLLARS. THE RATE OF
 SUBSEQUENT STORAGE SHALL NOT EXCEED THIRTY-FIVE DOLLARS PER TWENTY-FOUR-
 HOUR PERIOD.
   (B)  FOR  A  VEHICLE WITH A MAXIMUM GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT EXCEEDING TEN
 THOUSAND POUNDS BUT NOT EXCEEDING EIGHTEEN THOUSAND POUNDS, THE RATE FOR
 THE PREPARATION, HOIST AND TOW, INCLUDING THE  FIRST  MILE  OR  FRACTION
 THEREOF, SHALL NOT EXCEED ONE HUNDRED SEVENTY-FIVE DOLLARS. THE RATE PER
 EACH  ADDITIONAL MILE SHALL NOT EXCEED TEN DOLLARS. THE RATE FOR THE USE
 OF AN UNDER-LIFT SHALL NOT EXCEED FIFTY DOLLARS. THE RATE OF  SUBSEQUENT
 STORAGE SHALL NOT EXCEED FIFTY DOLLARS PER TWENTY-FOUR-HOUR PERIOD.
   (C)  FOR A VEHICLE WITH A MAXIMUM GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT EXCEEDING EIGH-
 TEEN THOUSAND POUNDS BUT NOT EXCEEDING TWENTY-SIX THOUSAND  POUNDS,  THE
 RATE  FOR  THE  PREPARATION,  HOIST AND TOW, INCLUDING THE FIRST MILE OR
 S. 7717                             3
 
 FRACTION THEREOF, SHALL NOT EXCEED TWO HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS.  THE  RATE
 PER  EACH ADDITIONAL MILE SHALL NOT EXCEED TEN DOLLARS. THE RATE FOR THE
 USE OF AN UNDER-LIFT SHALL NOT EXCEED FIFTY DOLLARS. THE RATE OF  SUBSE-
 QUENT  STORAGE SHALL NOT EXCEED FIFTY DOLLARS PER TWENTY-FOUR-HOUR PERI-
 OD.
   (D) FOR A VEHICLE WITH A MAXIMUM GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT EXCEEDING  TWEN-
 TY-SIX  THOUSAND  POUNDS,  THE  RATE FOR THE PREPARATION, HOIST AND TOW,
 INCLUDING THE FIRST MILE OR FRACTION THEREOF,  SHALL  NOT  EXCEED  THREE
 HUNDRED  DOLLARS. THE RATE PER EACH ADDITIONAL MILE SHALL NOT EXCEED TEN
 DOLLARS. THE RATE FOR THE USE OF AN  UNDER-LIFT  SHALL  NOT  EXCEED  ONE
 HUNDRED  DOLLARS. THE RATE OF SUBSEQUENT STORAGE SHALL NOT EXCEED SEVEN-
 TY-FIVE DOLLARS PER TWENTY-FOUR-HOUR PERIOD.
   3. THE COST OF LABOR PER QUARTER HOUR PER TRUCK OR PER PERSON OR OPER-
 ATOR SHALL NOT EXCEED FIFTY DOLLARS.
   4. (A) A TOW TRUCK OPERATOR SHALL NOT REQUIRE THE PAYMENT OF  ANY  FEE
 OR  CHARGE  FOR  TOWING  AND  STORAGE OF A VEHICLE, OR ANY FEE OR CHARGE
 DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY RELATED TO TOWING AND STORAGE OF A VEHICLE,  THAT
 IS NOT SPECIFICALLY AUTHORIZED BY LAW OR RULE.
   (B)  A  CHARGE  FOR  THE  TOWING  AND STORAGE OF VEHICLES SHALL NOT BE
 IMPOSED BY ANY PERSON WHO DOES NOT HAVE A LICENSE TO ENGAGE  IN  TOWING,
 AS  REQUIRED BY SECTION FIVE HUNDRED ONE OF THE VEHICLE AND TRAFFIC LAW,
 OR WHOSE VEHICLE IS NOT REGISTERED  AS  A  TOW  TRUCK,  AS  REQUIRED  BY
 SECTION  FOUR  HUNDRED ONE-B OF THE VEHICLE AND TRAFFIC LAW, AT THE TIME
 THAT THE TOWING AND STORAGE SERVICES ARE PERFORMED.
   § 3. This act shall take effect immediately.

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