Booting bill gets unsympathetic hearing in House committee

A bill regulating booting sponsored by House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee Chairman Alan Powell, R-Hartwell passed out of committee Monday, but in a radically changed form.

A bill regulating booting sponsored by House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee Chairman Alan Powell, R-Hartwell passed out of committee Monday, but in a radically changed form.

Car booters got a rough ride in a state House committee considering legislation  to legalize the practice.

The industry wanted booting legalized throughout the state and charge a $85 fee.

Instead, the House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee said booting could only be legal where jurisdictions explicitly allow it. And it set the maximum fee at $65. Local ordinances could be even stricter.

“There is nothing simple about hemming up a business practice that needs to be hemmed up,” said Chairman Alan Powell, R-Hartwell.

Read about the bill and why booters say they need protection on myAJC.com and PoliticallyGeorgia.