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.