House, Senate Divided on Uber Regulations
April 23rd, 2015 by flanewsDrivers who work for ride sharing companies like Uber and Lyft would be required to carry a state backed insurance policy and adhere to stricter background checks if state lawmakers get their way. As Matt Galka tells us, the legislation is a part of a big fight between the upstart companies and traditional cab companies.
Innovation is squaring off with regulation at the Florida Capitol. Lawmakers are trying to set the rules for ride sharing services like Uber and Lyft, which allow people to turn their vehicles into pop-up taxis for money.
While almost any car on the road could be used as a ride sharing vehicle, lawmakers say the problems they need to fix start with the insurance card in your wallet.
Senator David Simmons (R-Altamonte Springs) bill would require ride share drivers to carry minimum state regulated insurance policies regardless of whether they’re on the clock. Most policies don’t cover ride sharing.
“First things first and that’s taking care of citizens in the state of Florida who may be injured as a result of an injury in an automobile in which there was ride sharing for which there’s absolutely no insurance coverage,” said Sen. Simmons.
The House has a similar proposal. But an amendment passed Thursday that will put potential drivers through a tougher Level II background check
“Why would we not want to insure that every rider that gets in a rideshare company vehicle has some protection or at least the best protection that we can give them,” asked Rep. Kathleen Peters (R-St. Petersburg).
Taxi company lobbyist Ron Book says all of these decisions should be made city by city.
“They should be required to carry the same levels of insurance that taxi and limo companies are required to carry. We don’t believe there should be exceptions to a preemption,” he said.
The House’s version of the bill would preempt local regulations that have passed around Florida.
Uber is currently insured by an out of state company. The Senate’s bill would allow insurance claims to be paid out by the state if a driver’s insurance company went bankrupt. The House and Senate have 6 days to get their bills synched up if they hope to pass any regulation.
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