One Missouri lawmaker continues his push to create statewide regulations for ridesharing companies.
Last week, the Missouri House gave its initial approval to a bill that would limit the ability of cities to regulate app-based ride-sharing companies such as Uber and Lyft. Representative Jay Barnes (R-Jefferson City) added an amendment to HB 781 to deal with the ride-sharing issues.
“They are required to ensure that their drivers have insurance, they’re required to have insurance for their drivers, they’re required to do background checks on their drivers and cannot hire felons, and the fees that they pay must be no higher than the fees that would be charged to a traditional cab company,” said Barnes.
Barnes said in St. Louis there is a regional taxi cab commission that has nine board members, four of which own or work for traditional taxi cab companies, and before a new competitor can operate in St. Louis, it must receive a certificate of necessity from that board.
“I don’t think new businesses like Uber that have creative and innovative business models ought to be forced to kiss the rings of members of a cab cabal who work to keep them out of competition,” said Barnes.
The bill would need another favorable vote to go to the Senate. Another bill addressing the issue is awaiting debate by the full Senate.