COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH

OVERSIGHT DIVISION



FISCAL NOTE



L.R. No.: 4221-09

Bill No.: Truly Agreed To And Finally Passed SS for HS for HCS for HB 1285

Subject: Motor Vehicles; Insurance - Automobile; Consumer Protection; Transportation Dept.

Type: Original

Date: June 8, 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 OTHER STATE FUNDS
FUND AFFECTED FY 2005 FY 2006 FY 2007
Road Unknown less than $50,000 Unknown less than $50,000 Unknown less than $50,000
Highway Unknown less than $50,000 Unknown less than $50,000 Unknown less than $50,000
Total Estimated

Net Effect on All

State Funds

Unknown less than $100,000 Unknown less than $100,000 Unknown less than $100,000



Numbers within parentheses: ( ) indicate costs or losses.

This fiscal note contains 4 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 Office of Administration - Division of Budget and Planning, Department of Economic Development, Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Department of Revenue, and Department of Insurance assume the proposal will have no fiscal impact on their organizations.



Officials from the Office of Attorney General (AGO) state any potential costs arising from this proposal can be absorbed with existing resources, however, the proposal limits the penalties for violations of this subchapter of chapter 407 to $50 per violation with a $10,000 annual cap (current law allows $1,000 per violation). This could result in substantial forgone recoveries to the Merchandising Practices Revolving Fund.



Officials from the Missouri Department of Transportation (DOT) state Section 226.092 removes the requirement that the insured be state employees and the vehicles state-owned. This would result in DOT being more efficient and operations may be less costly. The DOT assumes the proposal would have an unknown positive impact of less than $100,000 annually.









FISCAL IMPACT - State Government FY 2005

(10 Mo.)

FY 2006 FY 2007
ROAD FUND
Savings - Missouri Department of Transportation
Reduced operations costs Unknown less than $50,000 Unknown less than $50,000 Unknown less than $50,000
ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON ROAD FUND



Unknown less than $50,000


Unknown less than $50,000


Unknown less than $50,000
HIGHWAY FUND
Savings - Missouri Department of Transportation
Reduced operations costs Unknown less than $50,000 Unknown less than $50,000 Unknown less than $50,000
ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON HIGHWAY FUND

Unknown less than $50,000


Unknown less than $50,000


Unknown less than $50,000




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 changes the laws regarding car rental contracts. The proposal:



(1) Changes the definition of "authorized driver" as it applies to car rental contracts to exclude employers, parking valets, and family members other than a spouse;



DESCRIPTION (continued)



(2) Revises the written notice that must appear on every car rental contract regarding the purchase of optional insurance coverage and how the consumer's own auto insurance policy or credit card might already offer that protection. However, this notice will be deemed provided if it is included in a master rental agreement given to the consumer prior to the proposal's effective date. In addition, notice will be deemed provided if it appears on the car rental company's web site;



(3) Requires car rental companies to provide notice to the consumer in the form of a sign or brochure at the rental office that informs the consumer about the availability of a collision damage waiver, any other optional car rental insurance, and a statement that the purchase of collision damage waiver is not required in order to rent a car;



(4) Clarifies that a violation for deceptive and unfair practice must be done knowingly and intentionally; and



(5) Limits the remedy for non-compliance to injunctive relief and monetary damages of $50 for each violation, not to exceed $100,000 in the aggregate 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

Office of Administration -

Division of Budget and Planning

Department of Economic Development

Department of Labor and Industrial Relations

Department of Revenue

Missouri Department of Transportation

Department of Insurance







Mickey Wilson, CPA

Director

June 8, 2004