The Valley Industry & Commerce Association Aviation Committee voted to recommend supporting pending legislation to give flexibility to collect a fee from rental car customers used to build consolidated rental facilities. The current law sets a $10 fee for each car rental but the change would allow airports to charge a daily rate. The measure is backed by four airports, including Bob Hope Airport in Burbank and Los Angeles International Airport. The Senate has passed a version of the bill and the language of the Assembly version is still being worked on. If the bill becomes law it would allow but not mandate the airports collect a daily fee charged to rental car customers that would then be used to fund new facilities that put car rental businesses in one location. Both Bob Hope and LAX have projects on the drawing boards to consolidate their respective car rental operations. The full VICA board must now vote on whether to give its backing to the legislation. Mark R. Madler
