HB128: HB128 Fair Business Practices Act of 1975; prohibit vehicle rental companies from refusing to rent or lease to individuals over the age of 25

Currently, some motor vehicle rental companies in Georgia set age policies that can affect customers over 25, and this bill targets that practice under the state's Fair Business Practices Act of 1975 (O.C.G.A. § 10-1-393.20). The bill adds a new section to that law making it an unfair or deceptive trade practice for a rental company to turn away a would-be renter who is 25 or older based only on their age. The protection applies only if the customer holds a valid driver's license allowing them to drive in Georgia and has, or can get, insurance meeting the state's minimum coverage requirements. The bill defines 'motor vehicle rental company' and 'rental agreement,' and specifically excludes peer-to-peer car-sharing arrangements (like person-to-person car rental apps) from these new rules. Violators would face the same penalties already set out elsewhere in the Fair Business Practices Act.

• Makes it an unfair or deceptive trade practice for a motor vehicle rental company to refuse to rent to someone 25 or older based solely on age.
• Requires that the protected renter hold a valid driver's license and have or be able to obtain insurance meeting Georgia's minimum coverage requirements.
• Defines 'motor vehicle rental company' to exclude individuals engaged in peer-to-peer car-sharing.
• Defines 'rental agreement' as a driver-less vehicle rental or lease lasting 90 days or less, excluding peer-to-peer car-sharing.
• Applies the existing penalty provisions of the Fair Business Practices Act to violations of this new rule.

Motor vehicle rental companies operating in Georgia and their employees who set rental policies, as well as consumers over 25 seeking to rent a car. Peer-to-peer car-sharing services and their users are explicitly excluded from these rules.

Some rental companies have charged extra fees or denied service to older customers based on age brackets. This bill would stop companies from refusing service to anyone 25 or older purely because of age, as long as they have a valid license and adequate insurance, potentially expanding access to rental cars for that group.

• Section 1 adds new Code Section 10-1-393.20 to the Fair Business Practices Act of 1975 (O.C.G.A. § 10-1-393.20).
• Subsection (a) defines 'motor vehicle rental company,' 'peer-to-peer car-sharing' (by reference to O.C.G.A. § 40-1-220), and 'rental agreement.'
• Subsection (b) prohibits refusing to rent to individuals 25 or older solely due to age, conditioned on valid licensure and available insurance meeting legal minimums.
• Subsection (c) applies existing penalties under the Fair Business Practices Act to violations of this section.
• Section 2 repeals any conflicting laws.

1. 2025-01-29House Second Readers (House)
2. 2025-01-28House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-01-27House Hopper (House)

• Kasey Carpenter (R, HD-004)Primary sponsor
• Martin Momtahan (R, HD-017)

• car rental rules
• consumer protection
• age discrimination
• Fair Business Practices Act