BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center                                                                                               C.S.S.B. 1390

                                                                                                                                            By: Uresti

                                                                                             Veteran Affairs & Military Installations

                                                                                                                                              4/2/2007

                                                                                                        Committee Report (Substituted)

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Currently, many car rental agencies will not rent to persons under a certain age.

 

C.S.S.B. 1390 requires all rental car companies to lease to military personnel regardless of age. The bill also establishes a civil penalty for violation of this provision.

 

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 if the person presents a valid military identification card indicating that the person is a member of the United States armed forces or a member of the Texas state military forces as defined by Section 431.001, Government Code.

 

(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.