Highlights of the 79th Texas Legislature - Senate

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND BUSINESS
Change in Required Rental Car Posting Notice—S.B. 359
By Senator Harris—House Sponsor: Representative Solomons
Currently, state law requires each rental car company that offers a rental car damage waiver to post a notice that, in
part, states: "The Texas personal automobile insurance policy provides coverage with no deductible for the legal
liabilities of the policy holder in connection with the loss or damage to a rented vehicle."
This notice is no longer correct in all cases and may result in renters believing they are protected by their personal
automobile insurance policy when they are not. This bill:
Amends the current posting requirement to reflect recent changes in the law and auto insurance polices and to
advise consumers to make proper inquiry regarding personal auto insurance coverage.
Deletes existing text stating that the Texas personal automobile insurance policy provides coverage with no
deductible for the legal liabilities of the policyholder regarding the damage or loss of a rented vehicle.
Value of Gift Card Purchases Protected—S.B. 446
By Senator Carona—House Sponsor: Representative Martinez
Currently, gift cards exist that expire after 12 or 24 months or have monthly inactivity charges if unused. A number of
states, including California, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, and Washington, have either passed laws or
taken legal action in response to unreasonable gift card fees. This bill:
Authorizes the issuer of a stored value card (gift card) to impose and collect reasonable fees and charges, as
specified.
Requires an expiration date or policy, fee, or other material restriction or contract term applicable to a stored value
card to be clearly and conspicuously disclosed, as specified.
Provides that a stored value card that is sold without the disclosure of an expiration date or policy, fee, or other
material restriction or contract term applicable to the card is valid until redeemed or replaced.
Provides that the stored value card is presumed abandoned to the extent of its unredeemed and uncharged valued
on a certain date, if the existence and location of the owner of a stored value card is unknown to the holder of the
property.
Governor's Study of Emerging Technology—S.B. 593
By Senator Carona—House Sponsor: Representative Anchia
The way people live and do business is fundamentally changing. Entire new industries and markets--the Internet,
information technology, broadband communications, nanotechnology and biotechnology, among many others--now
drive the economy. This bill:
Requires the Office of the Governor to conduct a study to review how states and countries with leading economies
based on information, ideas, and technology have structured economic development programs to match business
needs; to identify emerging technologies within this state's economy, including growth and development needs and
potential capital resources; summarize and outline all existing tools and programs available under law to this state
and political subdivisions for encouraging economic development and emerging technology; and outline economic
56 HIGHLIGHTS - 79 TH TEXAS LEGISLATURE