Resolve, to Convene a Working Group to Evaluate Potential
Maine Legislature, Session 132, LD 1377
Sponsors: NANGLE

Legislative Document
No. 1377
S.P. 572
In Senate, April 1, 2025
Resolve, to Convene a Working Group to Evaluate Potential 
Regulation of the Vehicle Towing Industry and the Impact on State 
Agencies and Industries
Received by the Secretary of the Senate on March 28, 2025.  Referred to the Committee on 
Transportation pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed.
DAREK M. GRANT
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator NANGLE of Cumberland.
Preamble.  Whereas, motor vehicles are an essential part of everyday life for many 
people residing in Maine; and
Whereas, deceptive, irresponsible and predatory towing practices impose financial 
burdens and logistical hardships on those who rely on their vehicles for everyday use; and
Whereas, the towing industry affects many different industries and state agencies 
because of the differing ways the industry conducts its business; now, therefore, be it
Sec. 1.  Working group. Resolved:  That the Department of the Secretary of State 
shall convene a working group, referred to in this resolve as "the working group," to 
evaluate potential solutions regarding regulation and enforcement of regulation of the 
towing industry.
Sec. 2.  Working group membership. Resolved:  That, notwithstanding Joint 
Rule 353, the working group membership is as follows:
1. One member of the Senate who serves on the Joint Standing Committee on 
Transportation, appointed by the President of the Senate;
2. One member of the House of Representatives who serves on the Joint Standing 
Committee on Transportation, appointed by the Speaker of the House;
3. One member representing the towing industry, appointed by the Secretary of State;
4. One member representing credit unions, appointed by the Secretary of State;
5. One member representing large financial institutions, appointed by the Secretary of 
State;
6. One member representing the insurance industry, appointed by the Secretary of 
State;
7. One member representing the legal interests of people earning low income in the 
State, appointed by the Secretary of State;
8. One member representing a State Police traffic division, appointed by the Chief of 
the State Police;
9. One member representing the consumer protection division of the Office of the 
Attorney General, appointed by the Attorney General;
10. The deputy secretary of state having oversight over the Department of the Secretary 
of State, Bureau of Motor Vehicles or the deputy secretary's designee; and
11. The Secretary of State or the secretary's designee.
Sec. 3.  Chairs. Resolved:  That the Legislators appointed by the President of the 
Senate and the Speaker of the House serve as cochairs of the working group.
Sec. 4.  Compensation. Resolved:  That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, members 
of the working group may not be compensated for their work on the working group, but 
legislative members may receive the legislative per diem.
Sec. 5.  Duties. Resolved:  That the working group shall:
1. Identify and examine potential methods for regulating the towing industry to protect 
drivers from deceptive, predatory or irresponsible practices;
2. Identify and examine how identified regulations under subsection 1 could be most 
efficiently and comprehensively enforced;
3. Consider how any identified regulations under subsection 1 would impact the 
agencies, industries and citizen groups represented on the working group and any 
potential further impacts to agencies, industries and citizen groups not represented; and
4. Make recommendations based on the findings of the working group.
Sec. 6.  Staff assistance. Resolved:  That the Department of the Secretary of State 
shall provide necessary staffing services to the working group; Legislative Council staff 
support is not authorized.
Sec. 7.  Report. Resolved:  That, no later than December 3, 2025, the working group 
shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, including any 
necessary implementing legislation, to the Joint Standing Committee on Transportation. 
The joint standing committee may submit legislation related to the report to the Second 
Regular Session of the 132nd Legislature.
SUMMARY
This resolve creates a working group to identify and examine potential methods for 
regulating the vehicle towing industry.