Mitch Perry
Among the many casualties in the aborted legislative session last month was legislation regulating ride-sharing apps Uber and Lyft.
On the eve of the Special Session, though, Uber’s Florida General Manager Matthew Gore and other Florida business leaders have asked House Speaker Steve Crisafulli and Senate President Andy Gardiner to include transportation network companies in the call that starts Monday.
“When you gather for this important June session, we hope you consider the more than 60,000 Floridians who have asked you to take up this issue, the 20,000 entrepreneurs that rely on this economic opportunity, and the millions of residents and tourists that depend on the safe, reliable and affordable transportation options Uber partners provide throughout the state,” Gore wrote in a letter co-signed by David Hart from the Florida Chamber of Commerce, J.T. Griffin from Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Brewster Bevis from Associated Industries of Florida and Bill Herrie with the National Federation of Independent Businesses in Florida.
“Creating a permanent home for ride-sharing in Florida through a sensible, modern regulatory framework will be good for the state’s economy, good for our transportation ecosystem, and good for the people of Florida,” Gore wrote.
Senate Transportation Committee Chair Jeff Brandes told FloridaPolitics.com he wasn’t aware of Uber’s request to be part of the Special Session, but agrees that it’s appropriate to discuss as lawmakers gather during next month.
“It’s time to have this discussion,” he said. “Unless the state gets their arms around it, you’re going to have a number of different local ordinances, some of which will have conflicting pieces that deal with transportation network companies.”
Legislation sponsored by Altamonte Springs Republican David Simmons in the Senate would require ride-share drivers to carry at least $1 million in death and bodily injury insurance and $50,000 in property damage when giving a ride. It also requires bodily injury coverage of $125,000 per person and $250,000 per incident and $50,000 in property damage when a driver has the app turned on but is not carrying or picking up a passenger. It also adds additional insurance requirements for “rogue” drivers who pick up people without using the app.
Republican Matt Gaetz‘ bill in the House requires $1 million in death, bodily injury and property damage insurance. It has lower minimums of $50,000 per person and $100,000 per incident for bodily injury and $25,000 for property damage when someone has the app on but doesn’t have a passenger. His bill also would preempt local transportation laws set in place such as by Hillsborough County’s Public Transportation Commission.
Brandes, one of Uber’s leading boosters in Tallahassee, said the two chambers aren’t far apart:
“Especially on the areas of insurance and background checks, I think there’s a lot of common ground that can be had, and that’s what we’re seeking. My goal is that we’ll do that during the special session or next year.”
Here is the letter in full:
The Honorable Rick Scott
The Governor of Florida
The Honorable Andy Gardiner
The President of the Florida Senate
As the Legislature reconvenes for a special session to resolve important, pressing issues for the people of Florida, we respectfully request that you address the need for a sensible, modern regulatory framework for transportation network companies.
In just over a year since beginning operations, Uber has already become an integral part of Florida’s transportation ecosystem. Using the Uber app, driver-partners have facilitated more than 8 million safe, reliable rides throughout the state and are available to more than 90 percent of the Florida population. By connecting residents to convenient, reliable and affordable transportation, Uber is making our roadways safer by helping to prevent instances of drunk driving and raising awareness of this critical issue through a partnership with Mothers Against Drunk Driving.
This is also a major economic issue, with more than 20,000 Florida residents relying on the income they earn providing safe transportation to their neighbors and tourists.
Together, they have already earned more than $90 million to date. And with a permanent home for ride-sharing in the state, Uber partners are projected to take home roughly $2 billion in 2020 alone, helping to further boost the state’s economy.
Beyond direct driver earnings, the availability of ride-sharing is also increasing economic activity throughout the state by better connecting our neighborhoods — especially those with limited access to other affordable transit options — and helping to facilitate convenient transportation for the millions of tourists that visit Florida every year.
When you gather for this important June session, we hope you consider the more
than 60,000 Floridians who have asked you to take up this issue, the 20,000 entrepreneurs that rely on this economic opportunity, and the millions of residents and tourists that depend on the safe, reliable and affordable transportation options Uber partners provide throughout the state.
Creating a permanent home for ride-sharing in Florida through a sensible, modern regulatory framework will be good for the state’s economy, good for our transportation ecosystem, and good for the people of Florida.
