Mitch Perry
Fort Walton Beach Republican Matt Gaetz has filed legislation in the Florida House (HB 509) that would put ensure that Transportation Network Companies (TNC) such as Uber and Lyft aren’t regulated like taxi companies.
The bill would require any representative for a TNC to obtain a permit from the state of Florida and pay an annual fee of $5,000.
It would also preempt any local government from attempting to regulate such companies.
“A county, municipality, special district, airport authority, port authority, or other local governmental entity or subdivision may not impose a tax on, or require a license for, a company or a driver, or a vehicle used by a driver, if such tax or license relates to providing transportation network company services, or subjects a company to any rate, entry, operation, or other requirement of the county, municipality, special district, airport authority, port authority, or other local governmental entity or subdivision,” reads one provision.
“Special District” refers to the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Agency, which regulates cabs and other vehicles for hire in Hillsborough County, and has been at war with Uber and Lyft since they began operating in the Tampa Bay area during the past 18 months.
Gaetz’ sponsored similar legislation in the 2015 session that ultimately died when the House convened early. He initially filed a bill for the 2016 session in September, before saying that it was premature.
