H 8361Licensing & Accreditation

Public Utilities and Carriers - Rhode Island Towing Industry Modernization and Regulatory Equity Act

This bill requires tow truck operators to be licensed, complete annual training, and creates a towing advisory board.

Held for study

Population
Affected

Introduced Mar 27, 2026Committee House Corporations

Plain-English Summary

This bill creates new rules for tow truck drivers in Rhode Island. It requires all tow truck operators to be properly licensed and hold a certificate from the state. Drivers must also complete minimum safety training and at least eight hours of continuing education every year. Additionally, the bill establishes a six-member Rhode Island Towing Advisory Board, which includes state officials, industry representatives, and a public member. The state's public utilities division must consult with this new board before setting towing rates, licensing standards, or safety regulations.

For younger readers

This bill makes new rules for people who drive tow trucks. To drive a tow truck, a person will need a special license and a certificate from the state. The drivers will also have to take classes every year to learn how to do their jobs safely. The bill also creates a new group of six people, called an advisory board. This group will help the state decide how much tow truck drivers can charge people and what the safety rules should be.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups

Tow truck operatorsTowing business ownersMotoristsRhode Island public towing associationDivision of public utilities and carriers

Impacted communities

All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely. The bill regulates commercial activities and public safety on state highways, which falls squarely within the state's standard police powers. There are no obvious violations of free speech, due process, or protections against unreasonable searches and seizures.

Estimated cost

Amount unknown

Estimated revenue

Amount unknown

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints

For Progressives

Mandates transparent and timely pricing procedures, which could help protect low-income individuals from predatory or unexpected towing fees.
Requires annual safety training and continuing education for tow truck drivers, improving workplace safety for operators and general safety for the public on the roads.
Includes a public member on the newly created advisory board, ensuring that everyday citizens have a voice in how the local towing industry is regulated.
Heavily weights the advisory board with industry insiders and law enforcement, which could result in policies that favor corporate interests over consumer protection.
Creates new licensing and continuing education requirements that could act as financial or administrative barriers to entry for low-income or marginalized individuals seeking jobs in the towing industry.
Fails to include specific provisions or representation for marginalized communities, focusing instead on standardizing the industry without addressing potential systemic inequities in how towing affects poor neighborhoods.

For Conservatives

Strengthens enforcement against unlicensed and illegal towing operations, protecting legitimate, law-abiding towing businesses from unfair competition.
Grants the towing industry direct representation on the new advisory board, ensuring that private businesses have a strong voice in determining their own regulations and pricing.
Promotes the rule of law and public safety on state highways by ensuring that all tow truck operators are properly licensed, trained, and accountable.
Increases government red tape by mandating new state-issued certificates and annual continuing education requirements for private tow truck drivers.
Restricts free-market capitalism by requiring state consultation and approval for changes to towing prices (tariffs) rather than letting the market dictate rates.
Expands the size and scope of state government by creating a new advisory board to oversee and regulate a private industry.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 45 additions

SECTION 1. Legislative findings and purpose.

(1) The general assembly finds that:

(i) Tow truck operators perform essential public safety services on the highways of this state.

(ii) The towing industry operates in hazardous roadside conditions requiring standardized safety training.

(iii) The current tariff modification process lacks statutory timelines and shared regulatory accountability.

(iv) Public safety, consumer protection, and economic sustainability require modernization of regulatory oversight.

(2) The purpose of this chapter is to:

(i) Establish mandatory tow operator licensing standards;

(ii) Create a Rhode Island towing advisory board as a public body;

(iii) Establish a consulting relationship between the division of public utilities and carriers and the Rhode Island towing advisory board;

(iv) Mandate transparent and timely tariff modification procedures;

(v) Strengthen enforcement against unlicensed towing operations.

SECTION 2. Title 39 of the General Laws entitled "PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter: 39-12.2-1. Tow operator licensing requirement.

(a) No individual shall operate a tow truck within the state unless:

(1) The operator possesses a certificate of public convenience issued by the administrator of the division of public utilities and carriers ("DPUC").

(2) The operator of the tow vehicle is properly licensed, to include a commercial driver's license, if applicable, for the operation of the tow vehicle.

(3) The division of public utilities and carriers, in consultation with the Rhode Island towing advisory board pursuant to § 39-12.2-3, shall promulgate regulations establishing minimum training standards and annual continuing education requirements of not less than eight (8) hours.

(d) Nothing in this section shall be construed as prohibiting any municipality from establishing or enforcing rules of operation for tow truck operators not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter and the rules and regulations promulgated by the DPUC for operation of tow trucks within the municipality's jurisdiction. 39-12.2-2. Establishment of Rhode Island towing advisory board.

(a) There is hereby established the Rhode Island towing advisory board ("advisory board").

(b) The advisory board shall consist of six (6) members:

(1) Two (2) representatives appointed by the Rhode Island public towing association;

(2) One representative of the division of public utilities and carriers appointed by the administrator of the department;

(3) One representative of the department of transportation appointed by the department's director;

(4) One representative of the Rhode Island state police appointed by the director of public safety, who shall serve as chairperson; and

(5) One public member appointed by the governor.

(d) The board shall meet at least annually at the call of the chairperson.

(e) The board shall have the following duties:

(1) Provide advice and recommendations to the DPUC regarding:

(i) Tariff rate approvals and modifications;

(ii) Licensing standards;

(iii) Enforcement policies;

(iv) Training, safety, tooling and technology standards; and

(v) Other matters as requested by the DPUC.

(2) Assist the DPUC in providing transparency and information to the public regarding licensed tow operations and authorized tariff rates.

(f) Vacancies on the board shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.

(g) A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum. 39-12.2-3. Rules and regulations.

(a) The DPUC shall establish by rules and regulations, after consultation with the advisory board, tariff rate approvals and modifications, licensing standards, enforcement policy, and safety regulations.

(b) No tariff rate, rule, or regulation shall be adopted pursuant to this chapter by the DPUC without consultation with the advisory board.

(c) All actions taken pursuant to this chapter shall be subject to the provisions of chapter 35 of title 42 ("administrative procedures").

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect on January 1, 2027.