Council Passes Vehicle Recovery Act for Detained Owners

The Montgomery County Council unanimously passed the Vehicle Recovery Act on April 28, 2026, reducing barriers for family or household members to recover impounded vehicles when the registered owner has been detained by federal immigration authorities. The legislation requires towing companies to accept alternative documentation—such as notarized letters, shared-residence records, or familial relationship proof—in lieu of the owner's presence. The expedited bill takes effect immediately upon becoming law and sunsets four years after its effective date.