Andrea Mansfield, on behalf of MACo, testified in support of HB 3, Public Utilities – Transportation Network Services and For–Hire Transportation – Clarifications, on January 21, 2016 to the House Economic Matters Committee.

During implementation of the 2015 Uber bill, the Comptroller’s Office found certain portions of the new language to be confusing and requested that it be clarified. This bill clarifies state laws regulating for-hire transportation providers such as Uber and Lyft.

The bill arises from discussions among stakeholders, including MACo, that took place between the end of the 2015 legislative session and the beginning of the 2016 legislative session.

MACo’s written testimony states:

A small group, including MACo, the Maryland Municipal League (MML), Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties, and committee staff met during the interim to develop language to clarify the imposition of the fee and the “right of first refusal” process. All parties were able to reach consensus and this language has been incorporated into HB 3.

An identical cross-filed bill, SB 54, was heard on January 19 in the Senate.

For more information on MACo 2016 legislation, visit the Legislative Database.