1. Except as otherwise provided in NRS 706.4489, an operator of a tow car who is required to tow a vehicle to a designated vehicle storage lot pursuant to that section shall not tow the vehicle to another location. If an operator of a tow car fails to tow a vehicle to the designated vehicle storage lot when required pursuant to NRS 706.4489, the operator of the tow car must:

(a) Forfeit the charge for towing and storage of the vehicle; and

(b) Tow the vehicle free of charge to the vehicle storage lot designated by the insurance company or its representative not later than 24 hours after receiving a demand, which must be made in writing or by electronic mail, from the insurance company or its representative.

2. An operator of a tow car who is required to tow a vehicle to a designated vehicle storage lot pursuant to NRS 706.4489 shall not solicit the owner or operator of the vehicle to divert the towing of the vehicle to a location other than the designated vehicle storage lot or solicit or market other services performed by a third party. Towing services performed pursuant to a request or demand by the owner or operator of a vehicle that the vehicle be towed to a location other than the designated vehicle storage lot does not relieve the operator of a tow car of any obligation relating to towing services performed without the prior consent of the owner or operator of a vehicle.

3. If an operator of a tow car violates the provisions of subsection 1 or 2, the Authority may:

(a) For a first offense, impose an administrative fine of not more than $5,000.

(b) For a second offense within a period of 24 consecutive months, impose an administrative fine of not more than $10,000.

(c) For a third offense within a period of 24 consecutive months, impose an administrative fine of not more than $15,000.

(d) For a fourth or subsequent offense within a period of 24 consecutive months, impose an administrative fine of not more than $20,000.

4. Before imposing a fine pursuant to subsection 3, the Authority shall provide notice to the holder of the certificate of public convenience and necessity and conduct a hearing pursuant to the provisions of chapter 233B of NRS and NRS 706.286.

5. All administrative fines imposed and collected by the Authority pursuant to this section are payable to the State Treasurer and must be credited to a separate account to be used by the Authority to enforce the provisions of this chapter.

(Added to NRS by 2015, 1462)