Rep. Warren files bill in North Carolina House to regulate towing fees and practices

A new bill filed by State Rep. Harry Warren in the North Carolina House seeks to regulate towing fees and practices to protect vehicle owners from unfair charges, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 931 on April 10 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘End Predatory Towing Fees and Practices.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill seeks to regulate towing fees and practices to eliminate predatory behavior, with an effective date of Oct. 1, 2025. It mandates that all towing fees must be reasonable and clearly disclosed to vehicle operators before towing, if possible. Towing companies are prohibited from moving vehicles to locations that do not allow retrieval within 24 hours and cannot charge storage fees when closed between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. or before one business day after the vehicle is recoverable. Payment must be accepted through debit, credit, or cash, with processing fees capped at 2% unless the cost is higher. The Utilities Commission is empowered to implement rules, investigate compliance, and impose penalties up to $5,000 per violation, with proceeds remitted to a Civil Penalty and Forfeiture Fund. Violations are deemed unfair trade practices.

Of the four sponsors of this bill, Zack Hawkins proposed the most bills (47) during the 2025 regular session.

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Warren graduated from Kent State University in 1972 with a BA.

Warren, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2019 to represent the state’s 76th House district, replacing previous state representative Carl Ford.