Florida lawmakers take another shot at a ride-sharing measure

TALLAHASSEE — Ridesharing companies such as Uber and Lyft would no longer be subject to the fees and vehicle inspections required by Orlando and other cities throughout Florida under a bill filed by lawmakers Wednesday.

The bill sets up statewide rules for such companies, preempting local laws and regulations. Although similar legislation has failed to pass the past two years, bill sponsor Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, believes this is the year for the breakthrough.

“These are frontier companies and the traditional fortress companies have worked to keep them out for the last few years,” he said. “We think this is the year to take a stand and really try to tear down those walls.”

Taxicab companies have seen their market share decrease amid the surging popularity of Uber and Lyft, the phone apps that connect prospective riders with drivers, and have fought legislation giving them a legal framework to operate statewide.

Orlando city commissioners passed a law in 2014 requiring Uber and Lyft to charge $2.40 per mile, the same as taxis, and imposing a permit fee of $250 for drivers.

Roger Chapin, executive vice president for public affairs for Orlando-based Mears Transportation, said he wants to work with lawmakers this year “provided [the bill] brings down regulations for taxicabs and ride-sharing companies alike.”

A similar bill passed the House last year but stalled in the Senate.

Last year, Uber ran attack ads against Senate President Andy Gardiner highlighting his friendship with Paul Mears III, president of Mears Transportation, and blaming Gardiner for holding up the bill. New Senate President Joe Negron, R-Stuart, has praised this year’s legislation, increasing its chances of passing during the session that starts March 7.

The bill requires Uber and Lyft to carry $100,000 of insurance for bodily injury or death and $25,000 for property damage while a driver is logged onto their app but hasn’t secured a passenger. When passengers are present, they’re required to have $1 million worth of coverage.

Chapin and other taxicab company operators have criticized previous bills for allowing a gap in coverage for drivers logged onto an app but not yet with a passenger. Brandes said his bill covered that by requiring companies to provide backup insurance for drivers during the gap.

Taxicab companies have called for a fingerprint background check, but the bill doesn’t go that far. It would require Uber and Lyft to conduct background checks on drivers once every three years.

Lyft and Uber are supporting the bill, and note that 37 other states have passed laws allowing them to operate.