House Transportation reviews S326 to raise tow reimbursement, clarify abandoned-vehicle process

The House Transportation Committee on April 2 reviewed sections of S326, a miscellaneous motor vehicle bill that would raise a state reimbursement to tow companies to $250 for removing vehicles the Agency of Transportation (AOT) deems abandoned and would clarify salvage-title procedures.

Christopher Herrick, AOT director of emergency management, safety, facilities and hazmat, told the committee the change aims to streamline removals and improve coordination with DMV and law enforcement. "For the record, my name is Christopher Herrick," he said before describing how AOT distinguishes between homeless encampments—where staff involve mental-health partners and may serve trespass notices—and true abandoned vehicles that can be towed. "I support the language as as presented," Herrick said.

Why it matters: witnesses said the provision would help speed removal of unsafe vehicles from park-and-rides and rights-of-way while retaining procedures to protect people who are living in vehicles. Herrick described a process in which AOT employees or the public report a vehicle, AOT assesses health or safety concerns and invokes AHS (Addiction and Mental Health services) when appropriate, serves trespass notices if needed, and pursues towing once a vehicle is officially considered abandoned.

Costs and operational realities: AOT and tow operators told the committee removals can be costly and uneven. Committee discussion cited a range of disposal and handling costs: some routine removals can cost about $1,000, while complex motor-home or RV disposals have been billed up to roughly $4,000 when decontamination and roll‑off disposal are required. Towing-industry testimony said salvage yards often require towers to remove fluids, propane, tires and other hazardous materials before accepting scrap; one witness estimated that after stripping a vehicle, a tow yard might pay $120–$230 for scrap metal but still face recycling fees for tires and fluids.

Industry perspective: Testifying for the Vermont Towing Association, Herbert Bar (for the record) said the association worked with DMV on the bill and welcomed the $250 reimbursement as "a good start," while cautioning many removals cost more. "We're at about 1,400 cars," he said when describing the association's estimate of statewide abandoned‑vehicle incidents; he also told members many towers consider a $300–$400 reimbursement closer to operational costs for some calls.

Timing, enforcement and signage: Committee members asked how long a vehicle must sit before AOT acts. Speakers said parking‑lot signs commonly prohibit overnight parking or camping and that a statutory reference discussed by members was interpreted as a 96‑hour limit in certain contexts, but enforcement is discretionary and triaged by traffic, visibility and safety. Herrick said AOT commonly lets a vehicle sit a few weeks before initiating removal unless it poses an immediate hazard, and that district staff and DMV officers report problem vehicles to AOT contacts.

Role of cameras and data: The agency noted cameras are a tool being piloted at some lots; one example cited was a $75,000 security camera investment at a commuter lot. Witnesses and members discussed data limitations—AOT does not maintain a definitive statewide count of abandoned vehicles, and different witnesses cited different figures, which committee members flagged for clarification.

Human-services coordination: Committee discussion repeatedly stressed the agency's dual role of safety enforcement and humane response. Herrick and others described instances where outreach led to housing assistance or minimal aid (smoke alarms, dog food) before enforcement, and they emphasized coordination with local police and AHS when people are living in vehicles.

Other bill provisions: Members also discussed a separate provision in S326 that would raise the fine for driving an unregistered snowmobile on VAST trails (the bill would increase the penalty to $450); representatives of snowmobile organizations expressed support.

What’s next: The committee paused for a break at the close of the hearing and did not record any formal vote during the session. Staff and members said they would follow up with DMV and AOT for clarified counts, cost estimates and more precise statutory citations before further action.