HB0375 Kreider, Jim et al

P R E F I L E D

HB 375 -- Boat Repair and Towing Services

This bill requires that no person engaged in the business of repairing or salvaging watercraft can repair or salvage any watercraft unless a written and signed estimate is made stating the approximate cost of the repair or salvage services. If repair or salvage services are initiated and it is discovered that the amount of the estimate is understated, no further services can be performed until the person requesting the services is informed of the underestimate and agrees to the revised estimate.

Members of the State Water Patrol, sheriff, or other law enforcement officer may remove or authorize a towing operator to remove: (1) any vessel or outboard motor from the right-of-way of any waters if the vessel or outboard motor has been left unattended for more that 48 hours and in a position which obstructs the normal traffic flow on the water; (2) any vessel or outboard motor illegally left standing on any water in a position which obstructs the normal flow on the water; (3) any vessel or outboard motor reported as stolen; or (4) any vessel or outboard motor for which the person operating is arrested and taken into custody. The law enforcement agency that authorized such towing must inquire of the national crime information center and any statewide Missouri law enforcement computer system to determine if the vessel or outboard motor has been stolen. The officer who authorized the tow must submit a report to the Department of Revenue within 5 working days. The bill establishes what must be included within the report.

Any person who removes a vessel or outboard at the direction of a law enforcement officer will have a lien for all reasonable charges incurred. The bill spells out the procedure in which a towing operator can enforce a lien if the owner does not reclaim the vessel or outboard motor.