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Tallahassee To Get Bill Designed To Curb Predatory Towing

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By CHRISTIAN M. WADE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 2, 2008

PLANT CITY - A local bill designed to crack down on predatory towing companies is headed for Tallahassee.

Hillsborough County lawmakers today gave a nod to legislation that would give the county's Public Transportation Commission enforcement powers over towing companies that target cars on private business property without the owner's written permission.

Approval of the measure by the 16-member delegation means it will be submitted for consideration by the state House and Senate in the upcoming legislative session.

Rep. Michael Scionti, D-Tampa, who is sponsoring the bill in the House, said local law enforcement agencies are too overwhelmed to deal with rogue towing companies.

"It has created an undue burden on their respective agencies," Scionti said, adding that numerous local towing companies support the measure.

Ginger S. Darling, owner of Nationwide Towing Inc. in Clearwater, had been a vocal opponent of turning over enforcement responsibilities to the commission but said she supports the proposed legislation because it protects legitimate towing firms.

"There's just a few renegades here and there," she said. "The majority of towers are very careful and conscientious of the laws and very concerned about serving the customers."

Sen. Ronda Storms, R-Valrico, said she was concerned the bill would create a new layer of regulations.

"It's become a completely irrelevant and duplicative government agency," she said of the transportation commission.

"Join with me, join with me," she said, turning to her colleagues. "Abolish the PTC.""

Despite that, she voted in favor of the proposed legislation.

The delegation also unanimously approved a bill to change Tampa's pension plan for general employees so that it complies with all federal regulations. State Sen. Arthenia Joyner, D-Tampa, who is sponsoring the legislation, said it also empowers the Tampa City Council to alter the plan to conform to future changes of federal law.

If the bill does not pass, the city could face fines from federal regulators, City Attorney Chip Fletcher said. The bill, he said, would not alter benefits or contribution levels.

Reporter Christian M. Wade can be reached at (813) 259-7679 or cwade@tampatrib.com.

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