S-2115               _______________________________________________

                                                   SENATE BILL NO. 6036

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                               51st Legislature                              1989 Regular Session

By Senator McCaslin

Read first time 2/23/89 and referred to Committee on Financial Institutions & Insurance.

AN ACT Relating to regulation of rental companies; and adding a new chapter to Title 19 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.     Unless the context requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.

          (1) "Advertisement" means any oral, written, graphic, or pictorial statement or representation, including those made through any electronic or print medium.

          (2) "Rental company" means any person or organization in the business of providing rental motor vehicles to the public.

          (3) "Rental cost" means the daily or periodic rate charged for the use of the rental motor vehicle, but does not include optional or refueling charges.

          (4) "Rental motor vehicle" or "vehicle" means a motor vehicle as defined in RCW 46.04.320 which is rented or leased or offered for rent or lease in this chapter, whether for personal or commercial use for a period of thirty days or less.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.     A rental company shall be considered to have conducted an unfair and deceptive act pursuant to section 3 of this act if the rental company, employee, or representative of the rental company makes any material statement or any material omission, either orally or in writing, that has the tendency or capacity to mislead or deceive, in connection with the rental cost, rental of, offer to rent, or advertisement to rent a vehicle.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.     A violation of this chapter constitutes an unfair or deceptive act or practice in violation of chapter 19.86 RCW.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4.     Sections 1 through 3 of this act shall constitute a new chapter in Title 19 RCW.