PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Dueling bills in the Rhode Island General Assembly are seeking to regulate the growing use of ride-hailing companies such as Uber and Lyft.
The Senate Commerce Committee held a hearing Thursday on an Uber-friendly bill that resembles legislation adopted in other states.
A competing bill in the House would require more rigorous background checks for drivers.
Sen. Maryellen Goodwin, the Providence Democrat who introduced the Senate bill, and Rep. John Edwards, the Tiverton Democrat who introduced the House bill, co-chaired a group to study how to regulate the app-based companies last year.
New England Livery Association CEO Rick Szilagyi says taxi operators favor the House bill’s provisions on vetting drivers, identifying vehicles and insurance.
Uber and Democratic Gov. Gina Raimondo favor the Senate bill.
