BILL ANALYSIS Ó AB 2790 Page 1 Date of Hearing: May 4, 2016 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS Lorena Gonzalez, Chair AB 2790 (Nazarian) - As Amended April 13, 2016 ----------------------------------------------------------------- |Policy |Business and Professions |Vote:|12 - 2 | |Committee: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |-------------+-------------------------------+-----+-------------| | |Transportation | |14 - 0 | | | | | | | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: NoReimbursable: No SUMMARY: This bill requires the California Research Bureau (CRB) to conduct a study, on or before September 1, 2017, on the necessity and feasibility of licensure for taxicab drivers. FISCAL EFFECT: AB 2790 Page 2 Negligible state fiscal impact. CRB prepares reports for members of the Legislature upon request. COMMENTS: Purpose. According to the author, "the recent expansion of technology-enabled transportation services has questioned the way California incorporates regulatory frameworks across all sectors of the transportation industry," including taxis. By collecting information through a study of the necessity and feasibility of statewide licensure for taxicab drivers, the author intends to provide a basis for future Legislative action in this field. Background. Unlike other models of passenger carriers, which are regulated under one statewide requirement, established by the Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), taxicab businesses and taxicab drivers are regulated through various local ordinances. Each ordinance or resolution must include a policy for entry into the business of providing taxicab services, the establishment or registration of rates, and a mandatory controlled substance and alcohol testing certification program. Each ordinance may include additional requirements as well. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there are just over 13,000 taxicab and chauffer drivers in California. California Research Bureau. CRB, part of the California State Library, provides nonpartisan research services to the Governor and his staff, to both houses of the Legislature, and to other elected State officials. These services include preparation of reports and memoranda on current policy issues, which might AB 2790 Page 3 cover topics such as the history of the issue, experiences and proposals in other states, case studies and examples, data analysis, and development of legislative proposals. This work might be confidential to the requestor, or might result in a published report. In addition, the Bureau convenes regular seminars and presentations by academic and think tank scholars doing work related to current policy issues. Analysis Prepared by:Jennifer Swenson / APPR. / (916) 319-2081