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Utah House approves statewide rules for ride‑hailing companies after contentious debate
Summary
After hours of floor debate, the Utah House adopted a third substitute to Senate Bill 294, creating a statewide regulatory framework for transportation network companies (TNCs) including insurance and background‑check requirements; the bill passed 66–5.
The Utah House of Representatives voted to approve third substitute Senate Bill 294, a measure to authorize and regulate transportation network companies (TNCs) such as Uber and Lyft statewide, after an extended, often heated debate late March 12.
Sponsor Representative Dan McKay said the substitute provides a consistent statewide framework with robust insurance and background checks for drivers. "This bill has also been endorsed by the Federation for the Blind," McKay said, and he listed insurance, background‑check and vehicle‑safety requirements that the substitute would require of TNCs.
Opponents urged caution and an interim study. Representative Christiansen told colleagues that the timing and scope undercut existing local rules and risked "circumventing the entire industry," arguing the House should let a separate House bill (HB440) and an interim review address unresolved issues. Other members, including Representative Cutler, likewise recommended deferring to local ordinances and studying the issue nationally.
Supporters emphasized compromise among stakeholders. Backers noted the substitute resulted from negotiations involving insurers, cities, trial lawyers, rental companies and disability advocates, and said it levels the insurance requirement across taxi and TNC operators so all must carry the same $1 million liability minimum under the substitute. Representative McKay said fingerprinting was not required because third‑party background‑check vendors provide timely checks.
Motion and vote: The House adopted the third substitute and passed SB294 on a recorded vote of 66 yes and 5 no.
What happens next: The bill will return to the Senate for the president’s signature and any further action required between chambers.
