In 1984
Arkansas Transportation Commission member John M. Allen was
one of a 14 member Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Regulatory
Review Panel commissioned by
Congress to compare rules from each state and the District
of Columbia and check them against federal regulations. Arkansas,
cited for exemptions granted several types of vehicles (including
those used by members of the towing industry), was among some
thirty plus states with rules and regulations which did not
meet federal guidelines.
Act 42 of
1987 (lst ex. sess.) created the Board of Wrecker Operators.
(Enabling legislation was not included in the Act;)
Act 899
of 1989 repealed and replaced Act 42 of 1987, creating the
Arkansas Towing & Recovery Board. Rules and regulations
proposed by the Board pursuant to Act 899 were rejected by
the Administrative ~Rules & Regulations Subcommittee of
the Legislative Council.
1991 House Bill 1272, aimed at amending Act 899 of 1999, failed
to get out of Committee. To avoid losing federal highway funds,
Senate Bill 80 which brought regulation of wrecker safety
under the Highway Commission was approved. (Act 33 of 1991.)
Act 1000
of 1993, compromise legislation, was enacted subsequent to
lawmakers' review and approval of regulations proposed by
the Board for the towing industry.
1995 Legislation sponsored by the Joint Committees on Transportation
removed from the Highway Commission and returned to the Towing
& Recovery Board authority to regulate wrecker safety
.
Act 392
of 1997 pertains to §§ 27-50-1201 et ~, addressing
language clarification, increasing the number of Board members
and establishing late filing fee and criminal penalty
provisions.
Act 841
of 1997 includes amendments to § 27 -50-1101 for purposes
of consistency (in the sale of abandoned vehicles) and repeals
§27-50-1102.
Act 1279
of 1999 amends § 27-50-1101 pertaining to charges for
storing abandoned vehicles and Act 695 of 1999 amends §
18-45-202 pertaining to priority of liens on abandoned vehicles.
For additional information about the Arkansas Towing &
Recovery Board call the office, any member of the Board, E-Mail
us. E-maill address is artowing@arkansas.gov
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