Towing and Storage Advisory Board Meeting Agenda for March 16, 2021

Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
Towing and Storage Advisory Board Meeting
Tuesday, March 16, 2021 at 10:00 a.m.
VIDEO CONFERENCE MEETING

Agenda

This meeting will take place via videoconference and will be broadcast on TDLR’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/TexasLicensing. The meeting agenda and materials are available on the department’s webpage at www.tdlr.texas.gov. If you need materials in an alternate format, contact the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation at least five working days before the meeting date. Phone: (512) 463-6599, TDD/RELAY TEXAS: 1-800-relay-VV (for voice), 1-800-relay-TX (for TDD).

1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call, Certification of Quorum, and Introductions
3. Approval of Minutes – November 18, 2020 Meeting
4. Public Comment
   Any person wishing to address the Board must submit an Email by following the Public Comment Instructions found on the last page of the agenda or located at www.tdlr.texas.gov. Emails must be submitted to the Board liaison at board.comments@tdlr.texas.gov by 12:00 PM, Monday, March 15, 2021. TDLR offices will not be open for public comment.
5. Staff Reports – Briefing from staff and discussion:
   1. Licensing Division
      1. Statistics
      2. Current Projects
   2. Customer Service Division
      1. Personnel Updates
      2. Statistics
   3. Enforcement Division
      1. Personnel Updates
      2. Statistics
      3. Case Highlights
   4. Field Inspections Division
      1. Personnel Updates
      2. Statistics
      3. Most Common Violations
      4. Current Projects
   5. Regulatory Program Management Division
      1. Statistics
      2. Current Projects
      3. Outreach
   6. Education and Examination Division
      1. Statistics
   7. Executive Office
      1. COVID-19 Response Update
      2. Sunset Review Update
      3. 87^th Legislative Session Update
      4. Update on the progress regarding the companion VSF rule to address “flipping”
      5. Kudos to the many Tow companies and drivers for their heroic actions during snowstorm Uri
      6. Communication Outreach Statistics
6. Discussion and possible recommendation on the proposed amendments to an existing rule at 16 Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Chapter 86, §86.700, regarding the Vehicle Towing and Booting program. The proposed amendments explicitly prohibit tow truck companies and tow truck operators from: (1) towing vehicles involved in Non-Consent tows to locations other than those stated in rule; (2) recommending that vehicles be towed to any location other than a licensed Vehicle Storage Facility; and (3) obtaining authorization from vehicle operators for repairs or any fees other than those required to perform the tow. This agenda item includes discussion of the public comments received on the proposed amendments.
7. Discussion regarding opportunities for improving the performance of the VSF-11 Form
8. Guidance for Tow companies and VSF Operators to assess credit card swipe surcharges
9. Education and Examination Workgroup Update
10. Recommendations for agenda items for next Board meeting
11. Discussion of date, time, and location of next Board meeting
12. Adjournment

The Towing and Storage Advisory Board will accept public comment for the March 16, 2021 meeting. 

Written comments must be submitted to Board.Comments@tdlr.texas.gov by no later than 12:00 p.m., Monday, March 15, 2021. Comments will be provided to the Board members for their review prior to the meeting but will not be read aloud during the public meeting. 

If you wish to address the Board during the public meeting, please provide your contact information to Board.Comments@tdlr.texas.gov by 12:00 p.m., Monday, March 15, 2021. During the meeting, you will receive an email with a link to join the meeting. You will be given no more than three (3) minutes to speak. The presiding officer may reduce the time provided for public comments based on the number of requests received. Ensure that you have a reliable connection and clear audio. 

**Please email your public comment request to Board.Comments@tdlr.texas.gov. **

DEADLINE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT REQUEST IS

12:00 P.M., MONDAY, MARCH 15, 2021

Email request for Public Comment must include:

• Agenda Item or Specific Topic
• Name
• Telephone number
• Please indicate whom you are representing. Ex: attorney, yourself or other

Failure to provide the information requested directly above could result in your comment being delayed or taken out of order.