Although HB 1439 - a local bill to regulate ridesharing companies - failed to earn approval in Hillsborough County last year, the House Local Government Affairs Subcommittee took another look at the bill on Feb. 1 and sanctioned it.
The bill has provisions addressing driver background checks and insurance policies and requires ridesharing companies to pay annual fees of about $5,000 to the state Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
Notably, taxi companies have expressed their discontent with the latter provision, as some of them argue that they have to pay over $100,000 annually in fees.
With the bill in effect, local governments such as the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission will not have to police ridesharing companies. Previously, the commission has gone to court with both Uber and Lyft since they began offering their services almost two years ago.
The bill shares similarities with another ridesharing bill sponsored by Rep. Matt Gaetz of Fort Walton, which passed the House with universal approval the previous week. HB 1439, sponsored by Tampa Rep. Dana Young, differs in that it would allow low-speed vehicle circulators in Tampa’s downtown area.
