All Roll Calls
Yes: 215 • No: 0
IndianaHB 1184Second Regular Session 124th General Assembly (2026)HouseWALLET
Towing matters.
Sponsored By: Craig Haggard (Republican)
Became Law
roads and transportationthe senatehomeland security and transportation
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.
Easier vehicle release and fee limits
Starting July 1, 2026, tow and storage yards must release your car after you pay all towing, storage, and allowed fees. They must take cash, certified checks, insurance checks, and money orders; card acceptance is optional, and any card fee is capped at 3%. You can get release within 24 hours by paying 75% of the bill, posting a bond for 25%, and filing a complaint with the attorney general. Yards cannot charge to inspect or retrieve items; you, your lienholder, or your insurer may inspect before release. They must keep office hours, have a 24‑hour phone, give an itemized receipt, and notify the proper agency on release when required. If you dispute charges, either side has 30 days to sue; the court sets a reasonable amount and can order refunds. This law does not expand insurance coverage.
Self-storage liens: notices and towing
Starting July 1, 2026, a storage owner may begin lien enforcement after 5 days of continuous default. The owner may deny access and move your items to another space during enforcement. The owner must send a written notice (email or verified mail) with an itemized claim and give you at least 30 days to pay; it must state that the contents are subject to lien and when and where a sale will happen (at least 60 days after default). Any sale or disposal must follow the time and place stated in the notice. If a motor vehicle, trailer, or watercraft is in the unit and you do not pay on time or after 60 days of default, the owner may have it towed or removed instead of selling it.
New rules for private property towing
Starting July 1, 2026, private commercial lots that tow must post clear tow‑away signs 5–7 feet high with contact info and who may park. Tow trucks cannot tow from a zone without that sign, except for certain removals under state law. Tow companies must secure towed vehicles and work to prevent weather damage or theft, and they must reimburse owners for damage they cause (not for IC 9‑22‑1 tows). Local governments may set different tow‑away zone rules by ordinance. For emergency tows, companies may use the road shoulder to reach a disabled vehicle.
Repossession storage rules and $15/day fee
Starting July 1, 2026, repossession firms must keep repossessed items in Indiana until the owner redeems them or they go to auction. The first 10 days of storage are included in the standard repossession fee. After day 10, the legal owner or lienholder pays $15 per day for storage; extra fees may apply if the item has hazardous materials. The law defines who counts as a repossession firm and what collateral is, and it excludes an RV that is permanently attached and used as a main home. Banks, rental car companies, some equipment finance affiliates, and retailers repossessing goods they sell are exempt when acting within the limits of this chapter.
Abandoned vehicle sales fund rules
Beginning July 1, 2026, money from selling abandoned vehicles first pays removal, storage, and disposal costs. Any leftover money goes into the local abandoned vehicle fund. Cities, towns, and counties must use this fund to cover program costs and must budget enough for it each year. Money left in the fund stays there at year end, and a consolidated city may transfer fund money as allowed.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Craig Haggard
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Alaina Shonkwiler
Republican • House
James Tomes
Republican • Senate
Jim Pressel
Republican • House
Robert Morris
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 2/26/2026
Roll Call 387 on HB1184.04.ENGS.CON01
Yes: 87 • No: 0 • Other: 1
Senate vote • 2/24/2026
Roll Call 238 on HB1184.03.COMS
Yes: 48 • No: 0
House vote • 2/2/2026
Roll Call 173 on HB1184.02.COMH
Yes: 80 • No: 0 • Other: 2
Actions Timeline
Public Law 81
3/4/2026HouseSigned by the Governor
3/4/2026HouseSigned by the President Pro Tempore
2/27/2026SenateSigned by the President of the Senate
2/27/2026SenateHouse concurred with Senate amendments; Roll Call 387: yeas 87, nays 0
2/26/2026HouseSigned by the Speaker
2/26/2026HouseMotion to concur filed
2/25/2026HouseThird reading: passed; Roll Call 238: yeas 48, nays 0
2/24/2026SenateReturned to the House with amendments
2/24/2026SenateSecond reading: amended, ordered engrossed
2/23/2026SenateAmendment #5 (Doriot) prevailed; voice vote
2/23/2026SenateAmendment #1 (Brown L) prevailed; voice vote
2/23/2026SenateAmendment #2 (Crider) prevailed; voice vote
2/23/2026SenateAmendment #6 (Ford J.D.) failed; voice vote
2/23/2026SenateCommittee report: amend do pass, adopted
2/17/2026SenateFirst reading: referred to Committee on Homeland Security and Transportation
2/5/2026SenateReferred to the Senate
2/3/2026HouseSenate sponsor: Senator Tomes
2/2/2026HouseThird reading: passed; Roll Call 173: yeas 80, nays 0
2/2/2026HouseSecond reading: ordered engrossed
1/29/2026HouseRepresentative Shonkwiler added as coauthor
1/27/2026HouseCommittee report: amend do pass, adopted
1/27/2026HouseRepresentative Pressel added as coauthor
1/8/2026HouseAuthored by Representative Haggard
1/5/2026HouseCoauthored by Representative Morris
1/5/2026House
Bill Text
Engrossed House Bill (H)
Enrolled House Bill (H)
House Bill (S)
Introduced House Bill (H)