SB 617 · 2026 · Senate · Judiciary Committee

Towing disputes and abandoned vehicle removal

(Second New Title) relative to the regulation and appeal of motor vehicle towing from public highways and relative to the removal of abandoned vehicles by law enforcement.

Extends deadlines for disputing motor vehicle towing and storage fees, requires invoices to disclose dispute procedures, and revises processes for maintaining the state police's contracted tow company list and removing abandoned vehicles.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · July 9, 2026

✓Introduced
✓Senate
✓House
✓Governor
✓Law

Analysis

This bill substantially revises the procedures and processes concerning the maintenance of and utilization of a list of contracted tow companies used by the division of state police for the removal of vehicles. This bill is a request of the department of safety.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Public testimony

10 signed in online · 1 wrote testimony

80% support20% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I am writing in strong support of SB 617, particularly the provision that prohibits the DMV from suspending a driver's license due to unpaid debts owed to private towing or storage companies.…”

— Nicholas Hobart, Portsmouthsupports

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

2026-03-031:00 pmSenate JudiciarySH 100Public hearing
2026-04-149:00 amHouse TransportationGP 234Public hearing
2026-04-141:00 pmHouse TransportationGP 234Public hearing
2026-04-3010:00 amHouse Criminal Justice and Public SafetyGP 159Public hearingrescheduled

Legislative history

Jan 7, 2026SenIntroduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 1
Mar 3, 2026SenHearing: 03/03/2026, Room 100, SH, 01:45 pm; SC 8
Mar 26, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1218s, 03/26/2026; Vote 4-0; CC; SC 11
Mar 26, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-1218s, AA, VV; 03/26/2026; SJ 7
Mar 26, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-1218s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/26/2026; SJ 7
Mar 26, 2026HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 03/26/2026 and referred to Transportation HJ 9 P. 55
Apr 14, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 04/14/2026 11:00 am GP 234
Apr 14, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 04/14/2026 01:00 pm GP 234
Apr 14, 2026HouseCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1510h (NT) 04/14/2026 (Vote 15-0; CC)
Apr 23, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-1510h: AA VV 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 13
Apr 23, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-1510h: MA VV 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 13
Apr 23, 2026HouseReferred to Criminal Justice and Public Safety 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 15
Apr 30, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 04/30/2026 10:00 am GP 159
Apr 30, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 04/30/2026 10:00 am GP 159
Apr 30, 2026House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1755h (NT) 04/30/2026 (Vote 12-1; CC) HC 19 P. 11
May 14, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-1755h: AA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 12
May 14, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-1755h: MA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 12
May 21, 2026SenSen. Gannon Moved to Concur with the House Amendment, MA, VV; 05/21/2026; SJ 13
Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 14
Jul 2, 2026SenSigned by the Governor on 07/02/2026; Chapter 274
Jan 1, 2027SenI. Sections 1-4 Effective 01/01/2027
Aug 31, 2026SenII. Remainder Effective 08/31/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.