Relating to the regulation of private passenger vehicle rental companies.
SB 72 shortens the definition of short-term vehicle rentals from 180 days to 30 days, expanding state regulation to cover most standard car rentals. It requires rental companies to provide pro-rata refunds for damage waiver charges if customers return vehicles early. The law applies only to new rental agreements entered on or after September 1, 2025, affecting both rental companies and customers who rent private passenger vehicles for 30 days or less. Existing contracts remain governed by prior law.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Nov 2024
Committee Review
May 2025
Senate Passage
May 2025
House Passage
May 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Nov 12, 2024
Signed May 27, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons
What changed between versions
Engrossed
→
Enrolled
·
4 edits
·
May 27, 2025
MODERATE
The bill was formatted and finalized for signature, with substantive changes to the refund policy for damage waiver charges. The most significant policy change is the expansion of refund eligibility to include situations where a damage waiver is not in effect for the entire rental period due to early cancellation, provided the vehicle was not damaged. The bill also clarifies that the refund applies to charges collected for periods exceeding the actual duration the waiver was active.
Scope change
The bill's scope remains focused on regulating private passenger vehicle rental companies in Texas, with no change to the entities covered or the general subject matter.
REQUIREMENT
Expanded refund eligibility to include cases where a damage waiver is cancelled before the rental ends, as long as the vehicle was not damaged prior to cancellation.
Clarified that refunds apply to any damage waiver charges collected for periods longer than the actual time the waiver was in effect.
TECHNICAL
Added certification language confirming the bill passed both legislative chambers and received gubernatorial approval.
Changed bill number from 'A72' to '72' and updated status from 'Engrossed' to 'Enrolled' for final signature.
Floor votes · House May 6, 2025
How they voted
This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
51
Key actions
14
Committee
10
Amendments
4
May 27, 2025
Signed into law
Signed by the Governor
executive
May 15, 2025
Lower · Passed
Signed in the House
lower
May 14, 2025
Upper · Passed
Signed in the Senate
upper
May 12, 2025
Introduced
Senate concurs in House amendment(s)-reported
lower
May 12, 2025
Introduced
Senate concurs in House amendment(s)
upper
May 12, 2025
Introduced
House amendment(s) laid before the Senate
upper
May 6, 2025
Upper · Passed
House passage as amended reported
upper
May 6, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed
lower
May 1, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report sent to Calendars
lower
Apr 30, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report distributed
lower
Apr 23, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably as substituted
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Committee
Referred to Trade, Workforce & Economic Development
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
Mar 11, 2025
Introduced
Received from the Senate
lower
Mar 6, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed
upper
Mar 4, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee report printed and distributed
upper
Mar 4, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported favorably w/o amendments
upper
Feb 27, 2025
Upper · Passed
Vote taken in committee
upper
Feb 18, 2025
Upper · Passed
Left pending in committee
upper
Feb 18, 2025
Upper · Passed
Testimony taken in committee
upper
Feb 3, 2025
Committee
Referred to Business & Commerce
upper
Feb 3, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
upper
2 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about SB 72
Scope: TX
Hi! I can help you understand SB 72. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline