National Car Rental Settlement
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LADA Settles with National Car Rental on Behalf of ARB for $60,000
In April 2003, the Los Angeles County District Attorney (LADA) entered into a $60,000 settlement with the National Car Rental, Inc. on behalf of Air Resources Board (ARB). National was found to be in violation of the California Health and Safety Code (H&SC), section 43151 and Business and Professions Code, section 17200. National Car Rental, Inc. repeatedly rented or offered for rent, non-California certified vehicles within the State. Investigation by ARB staff revealed that on multiple occasions, 49-state vehicles that had been rented in other states and dropped off in California, were repeatedly rented in State prior to being sent to out-of-state destinations.
The $60,000 settlement included $30,000 to reimburse the ARB for investigative costs. The most important benefit from the settlement of this case is National agreed that one interstate rental constitutes a violation regardless of the majority of the rentals of that vehicles being out of state. This agreement will make it easier to enforce the H&SC in any future cases based on the same type of violations. Enforcement actions of this nature are important, ensuring that businesses in California are provided with a level playing field. Additionally, these enforcement actions help obtain the full benefit of California's emission standards.