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CS/CS/HB 1525 — Prearranged Transportation Services
by Judiciary Committee; Criminal Justice Subcommittee and Rep. Busatta and others (CS/SB 1696 by Rules Committee and Senator Calatayud)
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Transportation Committee (TR)
The bill prohibits a person from willfully impersonating a transportation network company (TNC) driver by making a false statement, displaying counterfeit signage or emblems of a TNC, or engaging in any other act that falsely represents that the person represents a TNC or is responding to a passenger ride request for a TNC. Under the bill, a violation of this prohibition is generally a second degree misdemeanor; however, a person commits a third degree felony if he or she impersonates a TNC driver during the commission of, or to facilitate the commission of, a separate felony offense.
The bill provides that services purchased from a TNC do not qualify as privately owned or operated bus transit systems as it relates to transit safety standards.
The bill authorizes the Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged to expend funds to contract with alternative transportation providers to support transportation services for persons with disabilities. Such services must be tailored to the rider’s specified needs and comply with commission service standards.
The bill revises the definition of “transportation service provider” for purposes of paratransit service contracts to provide that an organization or entity that contracts with a local government entity to provide paratransit service to persons with disabilities must use a dedicated fleet of vehicles operated by its employees or directly contracted drivers who meet paratransit service standards. The bill also provides that a TNC is not a transportation service provider, and thus not subject to such regulations.
Finally, the bill modifies training requirements for paratransit drivers to authorize driver access to third-party training materials.
If approved by the Governor, or allowed to become law without the Governor’s signature, these provisions take effect July 1, 2025.
Vote: Senate 37-0; House 116-0