R Street praises Florida House for legalizing ridesharing, urges Senate passage
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Jan. 28, 2016) –The R Street Institute is pleased with the Florida House of Representatives’ overwhelming 108-10 vote to pass H.B. 509, legislation creating a regulatory framework for transportation network companies like Lyft and Uber.
Introduced by Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach, the bill sets common sense standards for ridesharing services statewide while providing consumer protection for drivers and passengers. The framework is similar to a model that has been passed in nearly 30 other states.
“As we’ve seen in many cities and states across the country, transportation network companies are quickly gaining in popularity and stature in Florida,” said Christian Cámara, R Street’s Florida director. “This bill lays out such a framework in a way that is beneficial for riders, drivers, TNCs and the state.”
H.B. 509 moves to fill insurance gaps and ensure that drivers are covered for the duration of the time they are using the ridesharing app. It also pre-empts local bans on ridesharing, such as last year’s effort by the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission to ticket TNC drivers.
“It’s time for Floridians to have unified regulations across the state to meet passengers’ growing demands for these services, and we urge the Senate to act quickly to pass H.B. 509,” Cámara said.
