BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center                                                                                                      S.B. 1390

80R4541 DWS-D                                                                                                               By: Uresti

Veterans Affairs & Military Installations

3/26/2007

As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Currently, military personal on leave and under certain ages may be charged higher rental prices on rental cars used on leave to visit loved ones, which can pose a financial hardship for the renter. Other rental agencies will not rent to persons under a certain age.

As proposed, S.B. 1390 requires all rental car companies to lease to military personnel regardless of age and regardless of whether the servicemember has a credit card.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Subchapter D, Chapter 35, Business & Commerce Code, by adding Section 35.63, as follows:

Sec. 35.63.  RENTAL OF VEHICLE TO MEMBER OF ARMED FORCES.  (a)  Defines "vehicle rental company."

(b)  Prohibits a vehicle rental company from refusing to rent a private passenger vehicle to a person because of the person's age or because the person does not present a credit card or debit card if the person presents a valid military identification card indicating that the person is a member of the United States armed forces.

(c)  Provides that a vehicle rental company that violates this section is liable to the state for a civil penalty of not more than $1,000 for each violation.  Authorizes the attorney general or the prosecuting attorney in the county in which a violation occurs to bring suit to recover the civil penalty imposed under this subsection.

SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 2007.