Ryan Ray
The ride-hailing company Uber continued its legislative push at a news conference at the Capitol on Thursday.
Backers brandished new economic impact numbers indicating growth and told reporters it’s time for lawmakers to finally make good on a pledge to enact a uniform statewide law governing so-called transportation network companies, or TNCs.
An Uber lobbyist said nearly 40,000 affiliated drivers provided more than 24 million rides to customers last year, bringing in some $184 million in proceeds. Matt Gore said the record 105 million tourists who visited Florida last year expect and demand services such as Uber to operate legally and predictably when they visit, and that the state’s current patchwork of city and local regulations are less than optimal for providing that assurance.
The sponsors of this year’s pro-TNC legislation, Republicans Rep. Matt Gaetz and Sen. Jeff Brandes, said Thursday afternoon that what drives opposition to their bills are special interests, primarily those associated with the state’s taxi and limousine industries.
“If we are unable, as a state, to pass meaningful ridesharing legislation to authorize companies like Uber to be able to enhance consumer experiences in Florida, I am concerned we may be impacted negatively as a wonderful tourist destination,” said Gaetz, whose HB 509 passed the House 108-10 last month.
Brandes said he had spoken with Senate Rules Chairman Sen. David Simmons to negotiate on the subject of insurance and other requirements for TNC drivers, long a sticking point between the industry and government. Brandes said Simmons was “very open” to tweaking his bill on the subject — SB 1118 — such that Brandes and other ride-sharing backers could support it.
Simmons’ bill was taken up in the Senate Appropriations Committee, where it passed after Simmons withdrew a late-filed amendment.
Simmons said his bill “very much a work in process” and that he and ride-sharing advocates are getting “closer and closer” to a compromise. It will next be taken up by the full Senate. President Andy Gardiner is known as generally opposed to liberalizing ride-hailing laws.
