COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH

OVERSIGHT DIVISION



FISCAL NOTE



L.R. No.: 4570-01

Bill No.: SB 1263

Subject: Motor Vehicles; Consumer Protection; Insurance - Automobile

Type: Original

Date: March 16, 2004




FISCAL SUMMARY



ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON GENERAL REVENUE FUND
FUND AFFECTED FY 2005 FY 2006 FY 2007
Total Estimated

Net Effect on

General Revenue

Fund

$0 $0 $0



ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON STATE FUNDS
FUND AFFECTED FY 2005 FY 2006 FY 2007
Total Estimated

Net Effect on All

State Funds

$0 $0 $0



Numbers within parentheses: ( ) indicate costs or losses.

This fiscal note contains 3 pages.

















ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON FEDERAL FUNDS
FUND AFFECTED FY 2005 FY 2006 FY 2007
Total Estimated

Net Effect on All

Federal Funds

$0 $0 $0



ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON LOCAL FUNDS
FUND AFFECTED FY 2005 FY 2006 FY 2007
Local Government $0 $0 $0




FISCAL ANALYSIS



ASSUMPTION



Officials from the Department of Revenue, Missouri Department of Transportation and Department of Insurance assume the proposal will have no fiscal impact on their organizations.



Officials from the Office of Attorney General assume any potential costs arising from this proposal can be absorbed with existing resources.



FISCAL IMPACT - State Government FY 2005

(10 Mo.)

FY 2006 FY 2007
$0 $0 $0





FISCAL IMPACT - Local Government FY 2005

(10 Mo.)

FY 2006 FY 2007
$0 $0 $0



FISCAL IMPACT - Small Business



A direct fiscal impact to small businesses could be expected as a result of this proposal.



DESCRIPTION



This proposal makes several changes in the laws regarding car rental contracts. The proposal changes the definition of "authorized driver" as it is used in car rental contracts to include only the actual renter, the renter's spouse (if qualified) and any person expressly listed in the renter's contract. The current law includes the renter's employer or co-workers, drivers who operate the vehicle during an emergency situation, and those who park the rental vehicle at a commercial establishment. The proposal prohibits car rental companies from requiring the purchase of damage waiver, optional car rental insurance or other optional products.



The proposal revises the written notice that must appear on every car rental contract regarding the purchase of optional insurance coverage. The notice shall state that the consumer may wish to determine whether if his or her personal insurance or credit card will provide coverage for the rental car. The proposal requires car rental companies to post a clear and conspicuous sign on the premises that informs the consumer about collision damage waiver, any other optional car rental insurance, and how the consumer's own auto insurance policy or credit card might already offer that protection. This proposal makes a car rental company subject to a $50 fine for each violation, up to $10,000 in any calendar year.



This legislation is not federally mandated, would not duplicate any other program and would not require additional capital improvements or rental space.



SOURCES OF INFORMATION



Office of Attorney General

Department of Revenue

Missouri Department of Transportation

Department of Insurance





















Mickey Wilson, CPA

Director

March 16, 2004