Ridesharing is an Internet-based service concept that arranges for one-time shared rides on very short notice. Uber and Lyft are two well-known rideshare apps that allow persons needing a lift to use the Internet for instant connectivity. This popular mode of modern transportation has taken cities across the nation and around the world by surprise. In some cases, municipal transportation systems have already embraced the concept and are creating their own apps to improve the flow of mass-transit. But, along with innovation comes the need for regulation.
According to rstreet.org,* the states listed below have either enacted legislation, pending legislation or no legislation regarding rideshare companies like Uber or Lyft:
Alabama: Enacted Legislation (SB 262)
Alaska: Pending Legislation (SB 58)
Arizona: Enacted Legislation (HB 2135)
Arkansas: Enacted Legislation (SB 800)
California: Enacted Legislation (AB 2293)
Colorado: Enacted Legislation (SB 125)
Connecticut: Pending Legislation (HB 5523)
Delaware: Pending legislation (SB 262)
District of Columbia: Enacted Legislation (B 20-0753)
Florida: Enacted Legislation (CS/HB 221)
Georgia: Enacted Legislation (HB 225)
Hawaii: Pending Legislation(SB 2777; HB 1828)
Idaho: Enacted Legislation (HB 316)
Illinois: Enacted Legislation (SB 2774)
Indiana: Enacted Legislation (HB 1278)
Iowa: Enacted Legislation (HF 2414)
Kansas: Enacted Legislation (SB 117)
Kentucky: Enacted Legislation (SB 153)
Louisiana: Pending Legislation (SB 172)
Maine: Enacted Legislation (LD 1379)
Maryland: Enacted Legislation (SB 868)
Massachusetts: Pending Legislation (H 4049/S 2371)
Michigan: Pending Legislation (SB 188); Package of Bills Passed House
Minnesota: Enacted Legislation (SF 1679)
Mississippi: Enacted Legislation (HB 1381)
Missouri: Enacted Legislation (HB 130)
Montana: Enacted Legislation (SB396)
Nebraska: Enacted Legislation (LB 629)
Nevada: Enacted Legislation (AB 175;AB 176)
New Hampshire: Pending Legislation (HB 1697)
New Jersey: Pending Legislation (A 609)
New Mexico: Enacted Legislation (HB 168)
New York: Pending Legislation (SB 4280A; SB 4108C)
North Carolina: Enacted Legislation (SB 541)
North Dakota: Enacted Legislation (HB 1144)
Ohio: Enacted Legislation (HB 237)
Oklahoma: Enacted Legislation (HB 1614)
Oregon: No TNC Laws; Bills Failed (HB 2237;HB 2995)
Pennsylvania: Pending Legislation (SB 984)
Rhode Island: Pending Legislation (S 2864)
South Carolina: Enacted Legislation (SB 3525)
South Dakota: Enacted Legislation (HB 1091)
Tennessee: Enacted Legislation (HB 0992)
Texas: Enacted Legislation (HB 1733)
Utah: Enacted Legislation (HB 24)
Vermont: Pending Legislation (H 385; H 788)
Virginia: Enacted Legislation (HB 1662)
Washington: Enacted Legislation (SB 5550)
West Virginia: Enacted Legislation (HB 4228)
Wisconsin: Enacted Legislation (AB 143)
Wyoming: Enacted Legislation (HB 0080)
Since most ridesharing companies treat drivers as independent contractors, state and city regulators have expressed concern over who is responsible when something goes wrong. Naturally the goal of legislative actions is to ensure the public understands who can give you the safest and most convenient ride for your dollar. As the first ridesharing company on the scene, Uber got a head start and has become the dominant player in the ridesharing market raising over $1 billion in venture capital funding.
*The R Street Institute is a free market think tank advancing real solutions to complex public policy problems.
