Assembly chambers (PHOTO: Jackie Johnson)
A bill regulating Transportation Network Companies operating in Wisconsin has passed in the state Assembly. It establishes statewide licensing and insurance requirements for those providers, such as Uber and Lyft, along with background checks for drivers.
Lake Geneva Republican Tyler August, a sponsor of the bill, says it’s needed to help make sure regulations are in place for a rapidly growing industry. “Whether we want it to or not, it’s out there…these companies are operating. So we owe it to our constituents to make sure they are operating in a safe manner.”
The bill would pre-empt local regulations adopted in cities like Madison and Milwaukee, a provision that drew fire from Madison Democrat Lisa Subek. She argued that it throws communities like hers “under the bus” by undoing regulations that were worked on and approved by local leaders to fit the needs of their communities.
The bill passed on a bipartisan 79 to 19 vote. It now heads to the Senate.