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

The bill shifted from creating four brand-new sections (RSA 262:40-d through 40-h) establishing a new Department of Safety regulatory framework with fee schedules and rulemaking authority, to instead amending two existing sections (RSA 262:35-a and RSA 262:33) and adding one new section on license suspensions.

The deadline to request a review of towing or impoundment fees was extended from 15 days to 30 days, and the clock now starts from the owner's receipt of the invoice rather than from the release of the vehicle or the towing event itself.

Invoices for towing and impoundment must now clearly indicate the process for appealing the tow or impoundment, giving vehicle owners notice of their rights at the point they receive the bill.

A new section (RSA 263:56-h) prohibits the Division of Motor Vehicles from suspending a person's license or driving privileges based on failure to pay a debt related to a commercial entity's towing or storage of a vehicle.

The appeals process now includes specific hearing procedures: the bureau of hearings must schedule a hearing within 20 days after the commissioner determines one is necessary, and the commissioner must approve or disapprove the hearing decision within 7 days. A new right to appeal the commissioner's decision to superior court was also added.

The fiscal note estimating approximately $233,000-$238,000 in annual costs (for two new Department of Safety positions) was removed from the amended version, consistent with the shift away from creating a new regulatory program.