Andrea Mansfield, on behalf of MACo, testified in support of HB 3, Public Utilities – Transportation Network Services and For–Hire Transportation – Clarifications, to the Senate Finance Committee on March 24, 2016.

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.

From MACo’s written testimony,

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.

This bill passed the House (141-0) on February 2, 2016.

An identical cross-filed bill, SB 54, passed the Senate (46-0) on February 8, 2016 and is now being considered in the House.

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