HBA-ATS H.B. 1435 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1435 By: Janek Business & Industry 3/3/1999 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Current law authorizes an owner of a car and truck rental agency to include in a customer agreement a separate charge for title fees, registration fees, and property taxes paid on the vehicle fleet. These charges are often billed separately. Unexpectedly receiving a separate billing statement months after a rental agreement was signed may lead customers to believe that these costs were purposely hidden from them. H.B. 1435 prohibits a charge for title fees, registration fees, and property taxes from being billed separately. These charges must be included as itemized charges in a billing statement that reflects all other charges under the customer agreement. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Article 9026a, V.T.C.S., to add a provision prohibiting a charge for title and registration fees and property taxes under an automobile rental agreement (agreement) from being billed separately. Provides that the charge must be included as an itemized charge in a billing statement that includes all other charges under the agreement. Makes a conforming change. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1999. Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 3. Emergency clause.