Vehicles: rentals.

(1) Existing law prohibits a person engaging in the short-term rental of vehicles from renting a vehicle unless the vehicle meets specified requirements. A violation of this prohibition is a crime. This bill would enact the Raechel and Jacqueline Houck Rental Car Safety Act, which would further prohibit the short-term rental of a vehicle that is subject to a federal safety recall notice unless specified conditions are met. The bill would prohibit a person engaging in the short-term rental of vehicles from selling a vehicle at retail unless the vehicle meets specified requirements. Because a violation of these prohibitions would be a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. This bill would specify that the provisions relating to short-term rental vehicles are applicable to a rental car company, as defined, and would state that this provision is declaratory of existing law. (2) The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.