ATA Applauds Anti-Predatory Towing Provision in House Appropriations Bill

The American Trucking Associations (ATA) has praised the House Appropriations Committee for supporting a provision in the fiscal year 2025 transportation funding bill aimed at tackling predatory towing. This bill mandates the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to engage with local, state, and private sector stakeholders to establish comprehensive towing and recovery guidelines across all government levels.

Addressing Predatory Towing

Predatory towing refers to scenarios where towing operators excessively charge, illegally seize assets, use improper equipment, or unlawfully withhold trucks, trailers, or cargo. A study by the American Transportation Research Institute found that 82.7% of motor carriers experienced exorbitant towing rates, while 81.8% faced unwarranted extra service charges. Additional issues included delays in truck and cargo release, unjustified truck seizures, and misreported consensual tows.

ATA President and CEO Chris Spear emphasized the detrimental impact of these practices on the supply chain, stating, “Charging truck owners thousands of dollars for each unwanted tow and holding cargo hostage with excessive invoices are egregious practices that disrupt our supply chain.” He welcomed the bill’s provision, noting it as a significant move towards transparency and fairness in the towing industry, holding unscrupulous operators accountable.

House Committee Actions

The House Appropriations Committee advanced the bill with a 31-26 vote, including other significant wins for the trucking industry. Last month, ATA celebrated several legislative victories incorporated into this bill, such as:

• $200 Million for Truck Parking: This funding aims to address the critical shortage of truck parking spaces, enhancing safety and convenience for truckers.
• Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot Program: The bill preserves ATA’s earlier achievement to strengthen this program, ensuring a robust pipeline of qualified drivers.
• Blocking California’s Meal and Rest Break Waiver: Preventing this waiver helps avoid a confusing patchwork of rules that could undermine safety and disrupt the supply chain.
• Preventing Greenhouse Gas Emissions Performance Measures: The bill stops the Federal Highway Administration from enforcing these measures on state departments of transportation and metropolitan planning organizations, aligning with congressional intent.
• Prohibiting Congestion Tolling Programs: This includes halting the proposed congestion tolling in New York City, which has now been indefinitely suspended.

The ATA's efforts to fight predatory towing and the broader legislative successes underline the organization's commitment to protecting the interests of truckers and ensuring the efficiency and safety of the national supply chain.