A Baltimore County lawmaker Monday night introduced sweeping legislation to overhaul regulations of towing companies and remove what he called unfair barriers that have limited minority entrepreneurs for decades.
With County Executive Jim Smith?s support, Councilman Ken Oliver, D-District 4, is sponsoring reform proposals expected to ease approvals of county towing licenses, currently limited to about 30 companies. Existing law requires new companies to identify a “need” for additional towing services before the county issues a license, Oliver said.
That, officials said, hasn?t happened in more than a decade.
“This legislation removes a barrier to commerce that has existed for years,” Oliver said.
Towing licenses have long been a source of contention in Baltimore County. The county last issued a towing license to Woodlawn-based Jordan?s Towing in 1999 ? the first in a decade ? but later revoked it after the county?s appellate board and later the state?s Court of Appeals ruled the license was issued based on its minority owner and not need.
Towers on Monday said the proposal could run some companies out of business. Richard Pollard, the third-generation owner of Towson-based Pollard?s Towing, said little demand for towing has shaped the existing market.
“This law has been in existence for 30 years, probably closer to 40, and it served the county well,” Pollard said. “Everyone will have a license but no one will be able to profit.”
A lawyer representing Baltimore County Organized Licensed Towers ? a group of about 22 companies ? testified at Monday night?s council meeting.”It changes a public process to a more private decision-making process. There needs to be safeguards,” Patrick Roddy said.
Roddy said the organization has had discussions with administrators on the proposal, which also requires towing companies to remain open from 9 a.m. until noonon weekends and holidays.
The county also will contract with one towing company to handle all police-related calls.
The council is expected to discuss the proposal at its work session May 29 and vote on it June 4.
