This bill creates a new program in chapter 46.55 RCW that allows registered tow truck operators to be compensated for private-property impounds or law-enforcement-directed impounds when the vehicle owner is indigent, except when the owner was arrested. It adds a new statutory section and amends RCW 46.55.115 and RCW 46.55.120 to change procedures for removals, liens, and vehicle redemption. The Washington State Patrol’s authority to remove vehicles is clarified to allow direct removal, appointments, contracts, or combinations, and appointments may be rescinded for noncompliance; the patrol may not rescind an appointment solely because an operator negotiates different rates for voluntary versus involuntary towing. Costs of removal and storage are a lien on the vehicle until paid unless the removal was invalid or the vehicle was released under the new indigence compensation program. The program requires a two-part form: the first part is completed and self-certified by the person seeking release, and the second part is completed and self-certified by the registered tow truck operator seeking payment; both parts must acknowledge possible departmental verification or audit and include specified certifications. The department (not identified in the extracted text) must provide the form, establish maximum reimbursement rates by rule, convene a stakeholder work group every two years, disburse funds subject to appropriations and availability from “excess funds” under RCW 46.55.130(2)(h), and report annually to legislative committees by October 1. A registered tow truck operator who releases a vehicle under the program waives any lien or deficiency claim on that vehicle. Impounding operators must notify owners about the program and provide the required form and written notice to persons seeking to redeem impounded vehicles. The bill also specifies many procedural provisions for impounds and redemptions: agency-ordered impounds may be held up to 60 days (up to 90 days if the operator has two or more prior such offenses); suspended-license impounds may require a security deposit within five days not to exceed one-half the applicable daily storage rate, with rules for acceptance of other security and auction procedures; rental car businesses, dealers, and secured lenders have specified immediate redemption or repossession rights subject to conditions and anti-collusion rules; “commercially reasonable tender” is defined; and notice, hearing, court procedures, and remedies for contesting impounds and collecting judgments are set out. Vehicles not redeemed within 15 days after mailing notice of custody and sale are sold at public auction, but may be redeemed before auction by paying fees or by completing the section 1 form. The act takes effect February 1, 2026. The extracted text does not identify the specific department responsible, does not include the full text of the required forms, and omits some parts of the amendment to RCW 46.55.120 and details about how “excess funds” under RCW 46.55.130(2)(h) are determined.

If enacted, the state would create a program that lets registered tow truck operators seek payment from the state for private-property or law-enforcement impounds when the vehicle owner self-certifies as indigent (but not if the owner was arrested). Practically, this gives tow operators a new potential revenue route but only when the legislature appropriates money or when “excess” funds from RCW 46.55.130(2)(h) are available; if requests exceed the money available, the department must keep a waitlist. Operators who release vehicles under the program give up any lien or deficiency claim on those vehicles, must use and keep two-part certified forms, provide statutorily required notices to owners, and face possible department verification or audits; the department must set maximum reimbursement rates, convene stakeholder meetings every two years (first within 12 months of rule adoption), and report annually to the legislature by October 1. The act would take effect February 1, 2026. Those most affected are registered tow truck operators, the unidentified department named to run the program, and vehicle owners claiming indigence. Tow companies gain another way to be paid but face new paperwork, certification under penalty of perjury, audit risk, and the real risk of unpaid work if appropriations or excess funds are insufficient or if they release a vehicle and lose lien rights. The department gains new administrative duties and rulemaking responsibilities. Vehicle owners who qualify for indigent release may avoid paying towing and storage in many cases (limited to one application per year and not available after arrests), while courts and law enforcement continue to enforce hold, deposit, and hearing rules; which specific department will administer the program and how “excess funds” are calculated are not specified in the extracted text.