Bill > HB1261

This bill establishes the Oklahoma Wrecker Services Division within the Department of Labor and creates the Oklahoma Wrecker and Towing Services Board to regulate the towing industry, transferring most of the regulatory authority from the Oklahoma Corporation Commission and the Department of Public Safety to the Department of Labor by November 1, 2026. The new Division will employ staff to investigate consumer complaints regarding overcharging for nonconsensual towing, recovery, and storage fees, while the Board, composed of nine members with diverse backgrounds including industry representatives and law enforcement, will set rules for licensing, insurance, equipment, and reasonable tow rates for nonconsensual tows, ensuring these rates are directly related to the actual cost of services and can only be adjusted every three years. The bill also creates the Oklahoma Wrecker and Towing Services Revolving Fund to administer the Division's operations and amends existing laws to reflect these changes, including transferring the Department of Labor's authority over vehicle removal and storage fees, updating definitions, and clarifying the roles of various agencies in regulating towing services, with the entire act becoming effective on January 1, 2027.

Budget and Finance

http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=hb1261&Session=2600