Tennessee might soon put the brakes on car booting practices. Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson has wheeled out a bill that would limit the ability of parking attendants to immobilize vehicles by clamping boots on them. Legislators are backing a move to regulate how vehicles are towed or demolished if they're left unattended.
The proposed legislation, titled Senate Bill 1692, passed the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee and is now headed to the Senate floor for a final vote. As reported by FOX 17, the bill specifies that only individuals licensed through local government would be authorized to place boots on vehicles, and only under certain conditions. Just trying to ensure fair play, the bill also sets a maximum charge of $75 for boot removal.
Unlicensed booting could become a Class B misdemeanor under the new regulations, with repeat offenses jumping to a Class A misdemeanor. Johnson, representing Franklin, cited concerns from Tennesseans who have faced lengthy, expensive ordeals to free their vehicles from boots or tow lots. "I’ve received complaints from many constituents who have had to go through unreasonably long and expensive processes to regain control of their vehicles, which were unfairly immobilized or towed," he told WSMV.
The proposed restrictions aim to address these complaints by ensuring that a licensed parking attendant is identifiable and present, and can remove the boot within 30 minutes of the driver’s request. On their part, the vehicle owners will now be given proper notice before their car is towed, sold, or demolished. Additionally, they will be able to pay no more than $100 to halt the towing process and reclaim their vehicle, provided it hasn't already been removed from the lot, as WBIR reported.
Commercial parking lot owners would have to adopt new payment methods, requiring them to accept both credit and debit cards for boot removal services. And of course, the car owners won't be left in the dark: visible warning signs that vehicles can be booted are a condition for licensing, as per WBIR.
While the bill still requires full Senate approval and a subsequent nod from the House, it's clear that Tennessee lawmakers are steering toward more regulated terrain when it comes to the practice of vehicle booting. This legislative push, if successful, aims to tighten the lug nuts on what some deem an out-of-control practice, driving towards a fairer resolution for frustrated car owners.
