Category Archives: legislative trend

TREND. 3 Points. Ride Share Favored Bill Failed in the West

The death knell issue: No commercial license plates for ride share drivers

The issue got squashed in substantive committee chaired by sibling to taxi industry: AB 828, which flew through the Assembly had a somber death in Senate Transportation, the chair’s brother is in the taxi industry

Will there be immediate impact to ride share? No. California’s DMV, which has adopted ride share rules, does not require commercial license plates for ride share drivers

The Recorder | Uber-Backed…

LOCAL TREND. County Permits to Build Rail. 5 Legislators Comment.

Which County wants to require county permits before construction on high speed rail may begin? Grimes County, Texas

Is the proposal supported by state lawmakers? Yes. Support has been indicated by Sen. Schwertner, Rep. Schubert, Sen. Birdwell, Rep. Ashby & Sen. Kolkhorst

What would trigger a permit? Any construction crossing a county right of way

What would the application include? A requirement that the entity has state or federal authority to use eminent domain

Are other counties…

How One County Filled a Rail Revenue Deficit with a Property Tax Increase. Special Districts.

The County: Dade County Florida

The revenue deficit: In 2002, the County promised that an 8% increase in sales tax rate would build 90 miles of rail. They’ve built 3 miles.

Are property taxes going to go up? No, the property taxes near the proposed rail lines will be captured by special districts.

Are P3s involved? Yes. The transportation special districts will work with private interests to  pursue private financing & operation of new transit projects within the special…

INTERIM. Sharing Economy. West Coast Statewide Regulation.

Which state is considering statewide regulation of ride share? Oregon

What does the statewide regulatory proposal look like? 

  • Preemption. override local regulations that cause ride share comapnies to leave some cities
  •  Indepdendent Contractors.  Codify the employee status of drivers.
  • Commercial Insurance
  • Annual background checks.

The Oregonian | Uber wants Oregon Legislature to allow ride-hailing apps statewide

INTERIM. Sharing Economy. New Statewide Rules from the East.

Which state legislature passed new statewide ride share rules? Massachusettes

What fee does it levy? 20-cent per ride surcharge to fund state infrastructure improvements

What requirements are placed on ride-share companies?

  • insurance thresholds
  • two-step background check for drivers
  • no fingerprinting requirements
  • decals on ride share cars will be mandatory
  • cars will be required to pay commercial toll fees

What state agency will regulate ride share?  Department of Public Utilities…

3 Ways to Legislatively Stop High Speed Rail

Potential Legislation for the 2017 Texas Legislature to Stop Texas Central Rail from using Eminent Domain:

  • Prohibit Texas Central from exercising eminent domain authority
  • Prevent Texas Central from using private lands for the project, if a 3rd party exercises eminent domain
  • Rep. Metcalf’s proposal to require elected officials in every city & county along the proposed route to approve it

KHOU | High-speed rail opponents hope to block project next year

2017 Calling. List of Legislators Speaking up. High Speed Rail.

  • Senator Birdwell:
    •  “I consider this issue far from resolved and I reiterate my steadfast opposition to the project — both for individual landowners who will be harmed by it in the short term and for the Texas taxpayers who will likely be asked to subsidize it in the long term.”
  • State Representative Will Metcalf:
    • “Fortunately for landowners and all who value property rights, the Surface Transportation Board made the right decision and declined oversight,” Metcalf said in a…