Senate Bill 0161

ARCHIVE (2008)

Latest Information

 
DIGEST OF INTRODUCED BILL

Airline consumer advocate. Establishes the office of the airline consumer advocate (office) in the attorney general's office. Requires the office beginning January 1, 2009, to: (1) investigate certain alleged or suspected violations or acts by air carriers; (2) assist consumers in resolving disputes with air carriers; (3) identify problems encountered by consumers in dealing with air carriers; (4) report annually to the legislative council on the office's activities; and (5) publicize and staff or monitor as appropriate a toll free telephone number, a mailing address, and an Internet web site to receive complaints and questions from consumers. Provides that if the office determines after an investigation that an air carrier has committed a specified violation or act, the office shall attempt to reach a settlement with the carrier. Provides that the office may obtain any of the following as part of a settlement agreement: (1) Compensation for affected consumers. (2) The reasonable costs of the office's investigation. (3) A civil penalty not exceeding $1,000 for each violation or act. Allows the attorney general to bring an action to: (1) obtain any remedy the office would be authorized to obtain under a settlement agreement, if the office is unable to reach a settlement with an air carrier; or (2) enforce any provision of a settlement agreement between the office and a carrier. Establishes the airline consumer advocate account within the state general fund to be used for the office's operations. Provides that civil penalties recovered by the office from air carriers shall be deposited in the account. Continuously appropriates money in the account to the office. Requires an air carrier to provide the following whenever passengers have boarded an aircraft

    Current Status:
     In Committee - first House
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