The state is poised to help combat rental car theft with the Assembly’s passage today of AB 2620 by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco). The proposal would increase the chances of recovering stolen vehicles by shortening the waiting period a rental car company can turn on the vehicle’s GPS location feature.
"California has the highest number of rental car thefts in the nation, and the problem has become especially rampant in San Francisco,” said Ting. “The current one week waiting period is far too long, allowing cars to sometimes end up in another country before a rental car company can turn on GPS tracking. By shortening the waiting period to three days after the missed return date, AB 2620 would be instrumental in the timely recovery of stolen vehicles.”
Over the past few years, thieves have been increasingly targeting rental car companies, largely because they can’t report a vehicle missing or take any action until at least five days after it’s overdue. This bill was spurred by Sharky Laguana, owner and CEO of Bandago, a San Francisco rental van company. He used Twitter to vent his frustration over law enforcement’s inability to help him recover one of his company’s past-due vans, even after he had miraculously spotted it while driving. Officers cited the five-day legal requirement before they can act on overdue rental vehicles. Laguana and his business partner took matters into their own hands and recovered their van on their own despite the risks.
“I was extremely lucky to come across my stolen van by chance a few days after it wasn’t returned, but it’s not feasible to always rely on luck. By being able to activate GPS tracking earlier, companies can at least keep tabs on where their vehicle is until help can be obtained,” said Laguana.
AB 2620 would also require rental car companies to inform renters of the companies’ ability to activate GPS location services if a return is not made and to provide a 24 hour notice prior to the activation.
The bill now advances to Governor Brown for consideration. As with all bills that are sent to him in the last days of session, he has until the end of September to take action. If signed, the bill will go into effect Jan. 1, 2019.
Media Contact: Nannette Miranda (916) 319-2019
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