A proposal that would prevent local governments from regulating popular app-based transportation services such as Uber and Lyft continues to roll through the Florida House.
The House Economic Affairs Committee voted 13-2 on Wednesday to advance the measure (HB 509), which remains vastly different from what the Senate has put forward. The bill is ready to go to the full House.
Jacksonville’s City Council has put two proposed ordinances on hold, waiting to see if the Legislature approves a law. The council delayed action last year, as well, but state lawmakers failed to reach a final agreement.
Rep. Matt Gaetz, a Fort Walton Beach Republican who has been pushing the “transportation network companies” proposal, said he continues to remain optimistic the Senate will eventually consider the wider measures in his bill.
Gaetz’ measure has been approved by two House panels. The Senate has put forward a proposal (SB 1118) that only matches the House in addressing insurance coverage for drivers of the rideshare services.
The coverage deals with what is known as a “gap” period from the time when a driver is notified about having a customer to the actual pickup.
Under the proposal filed by Sen. David Simmons, R-Altamonte Springs, drivers for rideshare services would be required during the gap period to have coverage worth $50,000 for death and bodily injury per person, $100,000 for death and bodily injury per incident and $25,000 for property damage.
When a passenger is in the vehicle, the Senate and House measures both propose a minimum of $1 million in coverage for death and bodily injury.
The insurance requirements have the support of the insurance industry.
Senate President Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, has said the state should respect different regulations that have been established and are being set by cities and counties across the state.
Before Wednesday’s vote, the House committee added an amendment that would allow people to use rental cars when providing the ride services. Another amendment would require specific information in long-form accident reports to record if rideshare drivers were logged on to the services at the time of accidents.
Former Sen. Ellyn Bogdanoff, lobbying on behalf of the Florida Taxi Cab Association, said lawmakers must avoid giving Uber and other app-based services an unfair advantage over taxis and limo services.
Among the issues for the cab companies is part of Gaetz’ proposal that would require Uber and other app-based companies to pay annual fees of $5,000 to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Some cab companies pay more than $100,000 annually in fees with cities and counties.