City Council members for months have wrestled with how to regulate ride-sharing companies like Uber and Lyft. Those efforts, though, are on hold until the state Legislature takes a crack at the problem.
“It’s basically all in limbo now,” said council member Stephen Joost.
In late 2014, Joost and others held a series of meetings with taxi companies and ride-sharing representatives about issues in the industry. Taxi groups have said the smartphone-based operators have an unfair advantage and don’t follow the same rules they do. Representatives from UberX and Lyft claim their practices are safe and reliable and aren’t the same thing as taxis.
Joost filed a bill that would have cracked down on companies that don’t comply with local laws, penalties that include fines and cars being impounded. Local laws require city inspections, background checks and permits. The ride-sharing companies do their own.
Joost’s bill has stalled, as it’s been deferred for months while state lawmakers talk insurance requirements and regulations.
“It’s not going to do us any good if the state comes in and trumps it all,” he said.
Matt Schellenberg agrees, but said he’s a great believer in home rule.
Last month, Schellenberg filed a bill that carves out a new section in the vehicle-for-hire laws. It creates “transportation network companies” for businesses like Uber and Lyft and establishes a framework of regulations.
“I think that’s the direction in which the industry is going,” he said. “It’s a completely separate industry … and it needs to be dealt with that way.”
Despite the effort, it also has been deferred as state legislators continue to talk.
One bill making its way through the Senate increases the insurance requirements the ride-sharing companies must have for their drivers who are “on call” but don’t have a passenger in the car.
Currently, that period is covered by drivers’ personal-injury protection insurance, which has a cap of $10,000 for medical benefits.
The Senate bill, filed by Sen. David Simmons, D-Altamonte Springs, bumps the coverage up to $125,000 for death and bodily injury, at least $50,000 for property damage and at least $250,000 in uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, according to a News Service of Florida report last week.
Lobbyists for Uber and Lyft don’t agree, saying it would increase costs, according to the News Service.
That bill continues to work its way through the legislative process, but has unanimously passed in two committees.
Chelsea Wilson, a Lyft spokeswoman, said Thursday the company continues to work with officials and prefers a statewide solution rather than “a patchwork of local regulations.”
If not, Joost and Schellenberg said they’re ready to continue to resume their local efforts.
“My hope is it just gets solved one way or the other,” Joost said. “I just want it to be fair and safe for everybody.”
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