GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 2025

H                                                                                                                                                    1

HOUSE BILL 472

Short Title:      Commercial Vehicle & Cargo Protection.		(Public)
Sponsors:	Representatives Branson, Loftis, Schietzelt, and Hawkins (Primary Sponsors). For a complete list of sponsors, refer to the North Carolina General Assembly web site.
Referred to:	Transportation, if favorable, Judiciary 1, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

March 24, 2025

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT to enact the commercial vehicle and cargo protection act.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  Article 7 of Chapter 20 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:

"§ 20‑219.3A.  Commercial booting.

A commercial motor vehicle shall not be immobilized using a device such as a boot or any other device. Using an immobilization device on a commercial vehicle will be deemed a misdemeanor."

SECTION 2.  Article 7A of Chapter 20 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:

"§ 20‑219.15.  Return of commercial cargo.

Notwithstanding G.S. 20‑219.10(a) to the contrary, a tower of a nonconsensual tow or government‑initiated tow shall promptly return any commercial cargo towed by the tower to the owner of the commercial cargo or to a designee of the owner. In the case of a trailer containing commercial cargo, the tower shall allow the trailer containing the commercial cargo to be exchanged with a different trailer that is in equal or better condition."

SECTION 3.  Section 1 of this act becomes effective December 1, 2025, and applies to offenses charged on or after that date. The remainder of this act is effective when it becomes law.