It has come to the attention of the Rio Grande Valley citizenry that the exorbitant costs of nonconsent towing has a detrimental effect on the citizens. With little regulation and oversight, predatory towing practices with fees ranging over $250 for less than 1 mile of towing are allowed. We believe that this is far exceeding the average or fair market rate for these services rendered. 

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations allows for reductions of the maximum nonconsent towing fee. Other cities around the state, such as Austin, have already implemented regulatory protections for its citizens. We believe that if a higher cost of living area of Texas such as Austin has seen the detrimental effects that predatory towing  can have on the pocketbook at the citizenry, that similar protections should be in place in the Rio Grande Valley. 

We challenge each city to set forth a appropriate rate keeping in mind the fair market value of services rendered for each geographic area as outlined in the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations guidelines. 

At the high end of the fee schedule small private vehicles caps out at around $295, or a weeks worth of wages at minimum wage is unmerited at anytime, but especially now due to the economic challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

This petition, and more like it will be submitted to Rio Grande Valley cities and commissioners courts and to any and all instruments of the public that will listen. 

A free market often gives a free person, but not at the expense of predatory practices that do little more than hinder the economic advancement of the citizenry of the Rio Grande Valley