South Carolina General Assembly
113th Session, 1999-2000

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Bill 4271


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COMMITTEE REPORT

February 9, 2000

H. 4271

Introduced by Rep. Cato

S. Printed 2/9/00--H.

Read the first time June 30, 1999.

            

THE COMMITTEE ON

LABOR, COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

To whom was referred a Bill (H. 4271), to amend Section 56-31-30, Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, relating to the rental of private passenger automobiles, rental rates, and permitted and prohibited charges, etc., respectfully

REPORT:

That they have duly and carefully considered the same, and recommend that the same do pass:

HARRY F. CATO, for Committee.

A BILL

TO AMEND SECTION 56-31-30, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE RENTAL OF PRIVATE PASSENGER AUTOMOBILES, RENTAL RATES, AND PERMITTED AND PROHIBITED CHARGES, SO AS, AMONG OTHER THINGS, TO ELIMINATE THE PROHIBITION UPON A RENTAL COMPANY OF CHARGING AN ADDITIONAL FEE AS A CONDITION OF RENTING, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, FUEL SURCHARGES, TO ELIMINATE THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE MEANS OF AVOIDING AIRPORT SURCHARGES MUST BE DISCLOSED CLEARLY AND CONSPICUOUSLY IN ALL ADVERTISEMENTS OF A RENTAL RATE TO WHICH AIRPORT SURCHARGES MAY APPLY, AND TO PROVIDE THAT ONLY AIRPORT FEES THAT ARE REMITTED TO THE AIRPORT MANAGEMENT ARE PERMITTED TO BE SEPARATELY STATED AND COLLECTED.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION 1. Section 56-31-30(A) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"(A) A rental company may advertise, quote, or charge only a rental rate that includes the entire amount, except taxes, airport fees, and a mileage charge, if any, which that a renter pays to rent the vehicle for the period of time to which the rate applies. A company may not charge an additional fee which must be paid by the renter as a condition of renting the vehicle including, but not limited to, fuel surcharges. Airport surcharges which do not apply to every customer may be quoted and charged but fees must be disclosed clearly and conspicuously in all advertisements of a rental rate for an applicable location either as a specific fee or as a range of fees. The means of avoiding airport surcharges must be disclosed clearly and conspicuously in all advertisements of a rental rate to which airport surcharges may apply. Only airport fees that are remitted to the airport management entity are permitted to be separately stated and collected. The company may charge an additional fee for an item or service provided for in the rental agreement if the charge is optional for the renter. The items and services include, but are not limited to, insurance and accessories requested by the renter unless otherwise prohibited as provided in this chapter, charges incident to the renter's optional return of the vehicle to a location other than to where it was rented, and charges for refueling the vehicle at the conclusion of the rental period if the renter did not return the vehicle with the same amount of fuel that was in the vehicle at the beginning of the rental period. A company also may impose an additional charge based on reasonable age criteria it establishes."

SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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