By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 72
(In the Senate - Filed November 12, 2024; February 3, 2025,
read first time and referred to Committee on Business & Commerce;
March 4, 2025, reported favorably by the following vote: Yeas 11,
Nays 0; March 4, 2025, sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the regulation of private passenger vehicle rental
companies.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Sections 91.001(6) and (7), Business & Commerce
Code, are amended to read as follows:
(6) "Rental agreement" means an agreement for 180 [30]
days or less that states the terms governing the use of a private
passenger vehicle rented by a rental company.
(7) "Rental company" means a person in the business of
renting private passenger vehicles to the public for 180 [30] days
or less. The term does not include a person who holds a license
under Chapter 2301, Occupations Code, and whose primary business
activity is not renting private passenger vehicles.
SECTION 2. Subchapter B, Chapter 91, Business & Commerce
Code, is amended by adding Section 91.057 to read as follows:
Sec. 91.057. REFUND OF DAMAGE WAIVER CHARGE. If a renter
returns a rented motor vehicle before the conclusion of the rental
term, the rental company shall issue a pro rata refund of the damage
waiver charge from the date the vehicle is returned.
SECTION 3. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to
a rental agreement entered into on or after the effective date of
this Act. A rental agreement entered into before the effective date
of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the date the contract
was entered into, and the former law is continued in effect for that
purpose.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.
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