This section defines key terms used for peer-to-peer car sharing.
Sec. 113.0001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter: (1) "Agreement" means the terms and conditions applicable to an owner and driver that govern the use of a shared vehicle through a peer-to-peer car sharing program. The term does not include a rental agreement as defined by Section 91.001. (2) "Car sharing period" means the period of time beginning with the delivery period or, if there is no delivery period, the start time and ending at the termination time. (3) "Delivery period" means the period of time during which a shared vehicle is being delivered to the location of the start time, if applicable, under the agreement. (4) "Driver" means an individual who has been authorized to drive the shared vehicle by the vehicle's owner under an agreement. (5) "Owner" means the registered owner, or a person or entity designated by the registered owner, of a vehicle made available for sharing to drivers through a peer-to-peer car sharing program. (6) "Peer-to-peer car sharing" means the authorized use of a vehicle by an individual other than the vehicle's owner through a peer-to-peer car sharing program. The term does not include the use of a private passenger vehicle from a rental company under the terms of a rental agreement as those terms are defined by Section 91.001. (7) "Peer-to-peer car sharing program" means a business platform that connects owners with drivers to enable vehicle sharing for financial consideration. The term does not include: (A) a service provider who is solely providing hardware or software as a service to a person or entity that is not effectuating payment of financial consideration for use of a shared vehicle; and (B) a rental company as defined by Section 91.001. (8) "Shared vehicle" means a vehicle that is available for sharing through a peer-to-peer car sharing program. The term does not include the use of a private passenger vehicle from a rental company under the terms of a rental agreement as those terms are defined by Section 91.001. (9) "Start time" means the time when the shared vehicle becomes subject to the control of the driver at or after the time the reservation of a shared vehicle is scheduled to begin under the agreement. (10) "Termination time" means the earliest of: (A) the expiration of the period of time established for the use of a shared vehicle according to the agreement if the shared vehicle is returned to the location specified in the agreement; (B) the time when the shared vehicle is returned to a location as alternatively agreed on by the owner and driver as communicated through a peer-to-peer car sharing program and which alternatively agreed on location is thereby incorporated into the agreement; or (C) the time when the owner or owner's authorized designee takes possession and control of the shared vehicle. Added by Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 445 (H.B. 113), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2021.