Senate committee advances rideshare driver protections bill to rules after informational hearing

Salem, Ore. — The Senate Committee on Labor and Business advanced an expansive rideshare-worker bill to the Senate Rules Committee on March 20 after an informational hearing that drew drivers, union organizers and company representatives.

Senate Bill 11‑66, sponsored by Senator Jama and Representative Sosa, would require transportation network companies (TNCs) to pay minimum compensation rates to drivers, establish written policies and an appeals process for account deactivations, create minimum paid sick time for TNC drivers, direct the Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) to contract with a nonprofit to operate a drivers’ resource center, and vest BOLI with enforcement authority. The bill as presented declares an emergency and sets an effective date of July 1, 2025.

The bill’s sponsors and drivers said the measure aims to raise earnings and add procedural protections for people who drive for services such as Uber and Lyft. “We deserve a living wage,” said Stephanie King, a Portland‑area full‑time rideshare driver, describing multi‑hour shifts, lost bonuses and a roughly $1,600 monthly income drop she said resulted…