ROCKVILLE, Md. — The Montgomery County Council has agreed to crack down on what consumer advocates in the county say is “predatory towing.”

The bill, passed during a vote at a Tuesday morning meeting, forbids the use of “spotters” — people who check out private lots and look for cars that may be in violation of parking regulations and then notify tow operators to get the car.

At one council hearing, council member Roger Berliner reported getting testimony from a witness who described finding their car being hooked up to a tow truck while they were still in the car.

In another vote, the council passed a bill that will change the way taxi companies operate in the county.

The council voted unanimously to relax some of the regulations in the taxi industry.

Berliner says the aim is to make traditional cab companies and independent drivers more competitive with Uber and Lyft car services.

WTOP’s Kate Ryan contributed to this report.