Bill Text: CA AB1069 | 2017-2018 | Regular Session | Amended

California Assembly Bill 1069 (Prior Session Legislation)

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

Bill Title: Local government: taxicab transportation services.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2017-10-13 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 753, Statutes of 2017. [AB1069 Detail]

Download: California-2017-AB1069-Amended.html

Amended IN Senate August 22, 2017

Amended IN Senate June 28, 2017

Amended IN Assembly May 26, 2017

Amended IN Assembly April 18, 2017

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2017–2018 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill

No. 1069

Introduced by Assembly Member Low

February 16, 2017

An act to amend Section 53075.5 of, and to add Section 53075.51 to to, the Government Code, and to amend Section 1808.1 of the Vehicle Code, relating to local government.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

AB 1069, as amended, Low. Local government: taxicab transportation services.

Existing law requires every city or county to adopt an ordinance or resolution in regard to taxicab transportation service and requires each city or county to provide for a policy for entry into the business of providing taxicab transportation service, the establishment or registration of rates for the provision of taxicab transportation service, and a mandatory controlled substance and alcohol testing certification program for drivers, as specified.
Existing law, referred to as the pull-notice system, requires the prospective employer of a driver who drives a specified vehicle to obtain a report showing the driver’s current public record as recorded by the Department of Motor Vehicles, as specified. A violation of this provision of the Vehicle Code is a crime.
This bill would require a city or county that adopts an ordinance pursuant to the above-described requirements to include in that ordinance a general authorization for a company to set fares and charge a set rate, but would authorize a joint powers authority, transit agency, or countywide transportation authority to impose a maximum rate, and would require a company to comply with requirements related to the calculations and disclosure of rates.
This bill would prohibit a city or county, including a charter city or charter county, except for the City and County of San Francisco, or a joint powers authority, transit agency, or countywide transportation agency from requiring a taxicab service provider, as defined, to obtain a business license, service permit, car inspection certification, driver permit, or any other requirement described above, unless that provider is substantially located within the county. The bill would except an airport operator from this prohibition and instead authorize the operator to regulate access to the airport and set access fees for taxicabs at the airport. The bill would authorize a joint powers authority, a transit agency, or a countywide transportation agency to regulate and issue permits or licenses within the geographical boundaries of the agency, as approved by the agency’s board of directors, and levy service charges, fees, or assessments for these purposes. The bill would further authorize a joint powers authority, transit agency, or countywide transportation agency to collect business license taxes on behalf of a city or county, including the City and County of San Francisco, pursuant to procedures adopted by the board of directors, as specified.
The bill would authorize a permitted taxicab company to provide for prearranged trips, as defined, within the county where it obtains a permit. The bill would prohibit a permitted taxicab company from prejudicing, disadvantaging, or requiring different rates or providing different service to a person based on specified protected characteristics, including race or religion. The bill would require a permitted taxicab service company to comply with various requirements related to driver training and vehicle maintenance. The bill would also require a permitted taxicab company to participate in the Department of Motor Vehicles’ pull-notice system to regularly check the driving records of all drivers. By expanding the scope of an existing crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would provide that it is unlawful to operate a taxicab without a valid permit, and would establish a civil penalty for violation of this provision.
The bill would include findings that the changes proposed by this bill address a matter of statewide concern and is not a municipal affair, and therefore shall apply equally to all cities, including charter cities.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for specified reasons.
Existing law requires every city or county to adopt an ordinance or resolution in regard to taxicab transportation service and requires each city or county to provide for a policy for entry into the business of providing taxicab transportation service, the establishment or registration of rates for the provision of taxicab transportation service, and a mandatory controlled substance and alcohol testing certification program for drivers, as specified. Existing law also authorizes a city or county to levy a charge on a taxicab transportation service that is sufficient to pay for the costs of carrying out the ordinance or resolution adopted by the city or county in regards to taxicab transportation services.
This bill would authorize each of 10 specified counties to regulate taxi service within the respective county by means of a countywide transportation agency, as defined for each of those counties. The bill would, after January 1, 2019, prohibit an authorized county that does not regulate taxi service by means of a countywide transportation agency, and the cities within that county, from regulating taxi service. The bill would require the sheriff in a county that does not regulate taxi service pursuant to these provisions to administer criminal background checks and drug testing for taxicab drivers within that county. By increasing the duties of sheriffs, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The bill would require a countywide transportation agency to provide, in its policy for entry into the business of providing taxicab transportation service, that the taxicab driver comply with a drug testing program, as specified, and pass a criminal background check using a live scan fingerprint provider with monitoring. The bill would also repeal the requirement that a county, when regulating a taxicab company, provide for the establishment of rates for the provision of a taxicab company, and would, instead, prohibit a countywide transportation agency from limiting or prohibiting a licensed taxicab transportation service from setting fares or charging a flat rate, except that a countywide transportation agency would be permitted to establish a maximum rate. The bill also would authorize a countywide transportation agency to impose a charge on a taxicab transportation service that is limited to the reasonable regulatory costs of enforcing the program. The bill would authorize a county or city that operates an airport to regulate the access to airports by taxicabs and to set access fees at the airport. The bill would authorize a permitted taxicab company to use any device or technology approved by the Division of Measurement Standards to calculate fares, as specified. The bill would require a permitted taxicab company to disclose fares, fees, or rates to a potential customer and to also disclose rates for walkup rides and street hails, as specified. The bill would authorize a city or county to limit the number of taxicab companies or vehicles that use specified areas within the city’s or county’s jurisdiction. The bill would prohibit a city or county or countywide transportation agency from limiting or prohibiting prearranged trips by a licensed taxicab company.
The bill would require a countywide transportation agency to issue an inspection sticker to a taxicab that complies with specified requirements, and to issue a photo permit to a taxi driver that complies with specified requirements. The bill would authorize a countywide transportation agency to accept a taxi permit issued by another countywide transportation agency as valid, and to issue that taxicab an inspection sticker or photo permit to operate within the county. The bill would define the terms “permitted taxicab company” and “permitted taxicab driver” for these purposes. The bill would make it unlawful to operate a taxicab in a participating county without a valid permit and would make a violation of the requirement punishable by a fine. By imposing new duties on local governments, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
~~This bill would make legislative findings and declarations as to the necessity of a special statute for the counties specified in this measure.~~
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
~~This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.~~

Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: YES

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this act:

(a) To modernize the regulation of taxicab transportation services in order for taxicabs to better compete with all for-hire modes of transportation.
(b) To move taxicab permitting from the patchwork of various local requirements to require a permit in the jurisdiction in which taxicab transportation services have the most substantial connection.
(c) To authorize a joint powers authority, as an alternative to regulation by an individual city or county, or a transit agency or countywide transportation agency, upon the approval of its board, to prescribe duties and responsibilities for the regulation of taxicab transportation services.

SEC. 2.

Section 53075.5 of the Government Code is amended to read:

53075.5.

(a) Notwithstanding Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 5351) of Division 2 of the Public Utilities Code, ~~every~~ and consistent with the requirements in Section 53075.51, a city or county shall protect the public health, safety, and welfare by adopting an ordinance or resolution in regard to taxicab transportation service rendered in vehicles designed for carrying not more than eight persons, excluding the driver, which is operated and substantially located pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 53075.51 within the jurisdiction of the city or county.

(b) Each city or county that adopts an ordinance pursuant to subdivision (a) shall provide ~~for,~~ for in that ordinance, but is not limited to providing for, the following:

(1) A policy for entry into the business of providing taxicab transportation service. The policy shall include, but need not be limited to, all of the following provisions:

(A) Employment, or an offer of employment, as a taxicab driver in the jurisdiction, including compliance with all of the requirements of the program adopted pursuant to paragraph (3), shall be a condition of issuance of a driver’s permit.

(B) The driver’s permit shall become void upon termination of employment.

(D) The employer shall notify the city or county upon termination of employment.

(E) The driver shall return the permit to the city or county upon termination of employment.

(2) The establishment or registration of rates for the provision of taxicab transportation ~~service.~~ service that meets the following requirements of this paragraph.

(A) The company may set fares or charge a flat rate. However, a joint powers authority, transit agency, or countywide transportation agency that is formed or elects to consolidate and regulate taxicab service and driver permits pursuant to Section 53075.51 may set a maximum rate.
(B) The company may use any type of device or technology approved by the Division of Measurement Standards to calculate fares, including the use of Global Positioning System metering, provided that the device or technology complies with Section 12500.5 of the Business and Professions Code and with all regulations established pursuant to Section 12107 of the Business and Professions Code.
(C) The company shall disclose fares, fees, or rates to the customer. A permitted taxicab company may satisfy this requirement by disclosing fares, fees, or rates on its Internet Web site, mobile telephone application, or telephone orders upon request by the customer.
(D) The company shall notify the passenger of the applicable rate prior to the passenger accepting the ride for walkup rides and street hails. The rate may be provided on the exterior of the vehicle, within an application of a mobile telephone, device, or other internet-connected device, or be clearly visible in either print or electronic form inside the taxicab.

(3) (A) A mandatory controlled substance and alcohol testing certification program. The program shall include, but need not be limited to, all of the following requirements:

(i) Drivers shall test negative for each of the controlled substances specified in Part 40 (commencing with Section 40.1) of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, before employment. Drivers shall test negative for these controlled substances and for alcohol as a condition of permit renewal or, if no periodic permit renewals are required, at such other times as the city or county shall designate. As used in this section, a negative test for alcohol means an alcohol screening test showing a breath alcohol concentration of less than 0.02 percent.

(ii) Procedures shall be substantially as in Part 40 (commencing with Section 40.1) of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, except that the driver shall show a valid California driver’s license at the time and place of testing, and except as provided otherwise in this section. Requirements for rehabilitation and for return-to-duty and followup testing and other requirements, except as provided otherwise in this section, shall be substantially as in Part 382 (commencing with Section 382.101) of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

(iii) A test in one jurisdiction shall be accepted as meeting the same requirement in any other jurisdiction. Any negative test result shall be accepted for one year as meeting a requirement for periodic permit renewal testing or any other periodic testing in that jurisdiction or any other jurisdiction, if the driver has not tested positive subsequent to a negative result. However, an earlier negative result shall not be accepted as meeting the pre-employment testing requirement for any subsequent employment, or any testing requirements under the program other than periodic testing.

(iv) In the case of a self-employed independent driver, the test results shall be reported directly to the city or county, which shall notify the taxicab leasing company of record, if any, of positive results. In all other cases, the results shall be reported directly to the employing transportation operator, who may be required to notify the city or county of positive results.

(v) All test results are confidential and shall not be released without the consent of the driver, except as authorized or required by law.

(vi) Self-employed independent drivers shall be responsible for compliance with, and shall pay all costs of, this program with regard to themselves. Employing transportation operators shall be responsible for compliance with, and shall pay all costs of, this program with respect to their employees and potential employees, except that an operator may require employees who test positive to pay the costs of rehabilitation and of return-to-duty and followup testing.

(vii) Upon the request of a driver applying for a permit, the city or county shall give the driver a list of the consortia certified pursuant to Part 382 (commencing with Section 382.101) of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations that the city or county knows offer tests in or near the jurisdiction.

(B) No evidence derived from a positive test result pursuant to the program shall be admissible in a criminal prosecution concerning unlawful possession, sale or distribution of controlled substances.

(c) Each city or county may levy service charges, fees, or assessments in an amount sufficient to pay for the costs of carrying out an ordinance or resolution adopted in regard to taxicab transportation services pursuant to this section.

(d) ~~Nothing in this~~ This section ~~prohibits~~ does not prohibit a city or county from adopting additional requirements for a taxicab to operate that is substantially located pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 53075.51 in its jurisdiction.

(e) For purposes of this section, “employment” includes self-employment as an independent driver.

(f) Nothing in this section prohibits a city, county, or city and county from adopting an ordinance that limits the number of taxicab companies or vehicles that may use taxi stand areas or pick up street hails whether or not the taxicab transportation services substantially operates within the jurisdiction.

SEC. 3.

Section 53075.51 is added to the Government Code, immediately following Section 53075.5, to read:

53075.51.
(a) (1) A city, county, joint powers authority, transit agency, or countywide transportation agency shall not require a taxicab service provider to obtain a business license, service permit, car inspection certification, driver permit, or to comply with any requirement under Section 53075.5, unless the provider is substantially located within the city or county and does not hold another business license, service permit, car inspection certification or driver permit within that county.
(A) A taxicab service provider is substantially located within the jurisdiction where the primary business address of the provider is located or if more than 50 percent of the number of fares by the provider originate within that jurisdiction.
(B) If no jurisdiction accounts for more than 50 percent of the revenues of the taxicab transportation provider then the jurisdiction which accounts for the majority of the business is done within the county shall be the jurisdiction in which the provider is substantially located.
(C) For purposes of this section, a taxicab service provider may be substantially located in more than one jurisdiction.
(2) Neither subdivision (a) of Section 53075.5 or this subdivision prohibits a city or county from adopting an ordinance that does either of the following:
(A) Limits the number of taxicab service providers that may use taxi stand areas or pickup street hails within that city’s or county’s jurisdiction. If a city or county chooses to limit the number of taxis that use the stand areas or pick up street hails the city or county shall identify those vehicles with a window sticker and shall not establish additional requirements or costs to the taxis beyond that authorized by Section 53075.5 or this section.
(B) Requires a taxicab service provider to provide services in a manner that provides equal accessibility for all populations within a jurisdiction.
(3) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, an airport operator shall have separate and ultimate authority to regulate taxicab access to the airport and set access fees for taxicabs at the airport.
(4) Nothing in this section or Section 53075.5 shall affect the authority of a jurisdiction to regulate taxi access to an airport it owns or operates and set access fees or requirements.
(b) (1) A joint powers authority, a transit agency, or a countywide transportation agency may regulate and issue permits or licenses to the business of providing taxicab transportation service within the geographical boundaries of the agency as approved by the agency’s board of directors.
(2) A joint powers authority, a transit agency, or a countywide transportation agency may collect, on behalf of a city, county, or city and county in which a taxicab service provider is substantially located, any business license tax imposed by that city, county, or city and county and remit the proceeds of the tax to that jurisdiction pursuant to procedures adopted by the board of directors.
(3) A joint powers authority, a transit agency, or a countywide transportation agency may levy service charges, fees, or assessments sufficient to pay for the costs of carrying out the regulation of taxicab transportation services pursuant to this section.
(4) If a city or county enters into a joint powers agreement with, or an agreement to administer through, a transit agency or countywide transportation agency in order to consolidate or facilitate the process of applying for taxicab service provider permits pursuant to paragraph (1), the city or county shall maintain the provisions of any ordinance adopted under Section 53075.5 that provides for the enforcement of the regulations developed by the relevant transit agency or countywide transportation agency.
(5) A joint powers authority, transit agency, or countywide transportation agency that elects to fully administer issuance of taxicab service provider permits pursuant to this subdivision shall issue a permit to a taxicab service company that complies with all provisions of this section, Section 53075.5, and any additional requirement required by the permitting agency, an inspection sticker. The authority or agency shall also issue to a taxicab driver that complies with all provisions of this section, and with all applicable requirements of the permitting agency, a photo permit that the driver is required to display in a place visible to a passenger. A taxicab service provider issued an inspection sticker or photo permit under this subdivision may operate countywide.
(6) A joint powers authority, transit agency, or countywide transportation agency may accept a taxicab service provider permit issued in a different county as valid, and may issue to that provider an inspection sticker or photo permit that authorizes that provider to operate within the county.
(c) A taxicab service provider shall obtain a permit in every county in which that provider is substantially located as defined in subdivision (a).
(d) A permitted taxicab company may provide prearranged trips anywhere within the county in which it has obtained a permit under subdivision (a) of Section 53075.5 or pursuant to subdivision (b).
(e) A permitted taxicab company shall not prejudice, disadvantage, or require different rates or provide different service to a person because of race, national origin, religion, color, ancestry, physical handicap, medical condition, occupation, marital status or change in marital status, sex, or any characteristic listed or defined in Section 11135 of the Government Code.
(f) A permitted taxicab service company shall do all of the following:
(1) Maintain reasonable financial responsibility to conduct taxicab transportation services in accordance with the requirements of an ordinance adopted pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 53075.5 or the regulation adopted pursuant to subdivision (b).
(2) Participate in the pull-notice program pursuant to Section 1808.1 of the Vehicle Code to regularly check the driving records of all taxicab drivers, whether employees or contractors.
(3) Maintain a safety education and training program in effect for all taxicab drivers, whether employees or contractors.
(4) Maintain a disabled access education and training program to instruct its taxicab drivers on compliance with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 12101 et seq.) and amendments thereto, and state disability rights laws, including making clear that it is illegal to decline to serve a person with a disability or who has a service animal.
(5) Maintain its motor vehicles used in taxicab transportation services in a safe operating condition and in compliance with the Vehicle Code and with regulations contained in Title 13 of the California Code of Regulations relative to motor vehicle safety.
(6) Provide the jurisdiction or agency that has issued a permit under this article an address of an office or terminal where documents supporting the factual matters specified in the showing required by this subdivision may be inspected by the permitting agency.
(7) Provide for a taxi driver fingerprint-based criminal history check and a drug and alcohol testing program pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of Section 53075.5.
(g) (1) It shall be unlawful to operate a taxicab without a valid permit to operate.
(2) The minimum fine for violation of paragraph (1) shall be five thousand dollars ($5,000) and shall be payable to the county or city where the violation occurred.
(h) For purposes of this section:
(1) “City or county” includes a charter city or charter county, but does not include the City and County of San Francisco.
(2) “Permitted taxicab company” means a taxicab service provider who obtains all necessary permits required by this article.
(3) “Taxicab service provider” means a taxicab service company, taxicab transportation company, or taxicab driver.
(i) A taxicab company shall provide documentation substantiating that 50 percent or more of the number of fares are generated from within a specific jurisdiction.
(j) “Prearranged trip” means trip using an online enabled application, dispatch, or Internet Web site.

SEC. 4.

Section 1808.1 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:

1808.1.

(a) The prospective employer of a driver who drives a vehicle specified in subdivision (k) shall obtain a report showing the driver’s current public record as recorded by the department. For purposes of this subdivision, a report is current if it was issued less than 30 days prior to the date the employer employs the driver. The report shall be reviewed, signed, and dated by the employer and maintained at the employer’s place of business until receipt of the pull-notice system report pursuant to subdivisions (b) and (c). These reports shall be presented upon request to an authorized representative of the Department of the California Highway Patrol during regular business hours.

(b) The employer of a driver who drives a vehicle specified in subdivision (k) shall participate in a pull-notice system, which is a process for the purpose of providing the employer with a report showing the driver’s current public record as recorded by the department, and any subsequent convictions, failures to appear, accidents, driver’s license suspensions, driver’s license revocations, or any other actions taken against the driving privilege or certificate, added to the driver’s record while the employer’s notification request remains valid and uncanceled. As used in this section, participation in the pull-notice system means obtaining a requester code and enrolling all employed drivers who drive a vehicle specified in subdivision (k) under that requester code.

(c) The employer of a driver of a vehicle specified in subdivision (k) shall, additionally, obtain a periodic report from the department at least every 12 months. The employer shall verify that each employee’s driver’s license has not been suspended or revoked, the employee’s traffic violation point count, and whether the employee has been convicted of a violation of Section 23152 or 23153. The report shall be signed and dated by the employer and maintained at the employer’s principal place of business. The report shall be presented upon demand to an authorized representative of the Department of the California Highway Patrol during regular business hours.

(d) Upon the termination of a driver’s employment, the employer shall notify the department to discontinue the driver’s enrollment in the pull-notice system.

(e) For the purposes of the pull-notice system and periodic report process required by subdivisions (b) and (c), an owner, other than an owner-operator as defined in Section 34624, and an employer who drives a vehicle described in subdivision (k) shall be enrolled as if he or she were an employee. A family member and a volunteer driver who drives a vehicle described in subdivision (k) shall also be enrolled as if he or she were an employee.

(f) An employer who, after receiving a driving record pursuant to this section, employs or continues to employ as a driver a person against whom a disqualifying action has been taken regarding his or her driving privilege or required driver’s certificate, is guilty of a public offense, and upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by confinement in a county jail for not more than six months, by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by both that confinement and fine.

(g) As part of its inspection of bus maintenance facilities and terminals required at least once every 13 months pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 34501, the Department of the California Highway Patrol shall determine whether each transit operator, as defined in Section 99210 of the Public Utilities Code, is then in compliance with this section and Section 12804.6, and shall certify each operator found to be in compliance. Funds shall not be allocated pursuant to Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 99200) of Part 11 of Division 10 of the Public Utilities Code to a transit operator that the Department of the California Highway Patrol has not certified pursuant to this section.

(h) (1) A request to participate in the pull-notice system established by this section shall be accompanied by a fee determined by the department to be sufficient to defray the entire actual cost to the department for the notification service. For the receipt of subsequent reports, the employer shall also be charged a fee established by the department pursuant to Section 1811. An employer who qualifies pursuant to Section 1812 shall be exempt from any fee required pursuant to this section. Failure to pay the fee shall result in automatic cancellation of the employer’s participation in the notification services.

(2) A regularly organized fire department, having official recognition of the city, county, city and county, or district in which the department is located, shall participate in the pull-notice program and shall not be subject to the fee established pursuant to this subdivision.

(3) The Board of Pilot Commissioners for Monterey Bay and the Bays of San Francisco, San Pablo, and Suisun, and its port agent shall participate in the pull-notice system established by this section, subject to Section 1178.5 of the Harbors and Navigation Code, and shall not be subject to the fees established pursuant to this subdivision.

(i) The department, as soon as feasible, may establish an automatic procedure to provide the periodic reports to an employer by mail or via an electronic delivery method, as required by subdivision (c), on a regular basis without the need for individual requests.

(j) (1) The employer of a driver who is employed as a casual driver is not required to enter that driver’s name in the pull-notice system, as otherwise required by subdivision (a). However, the employer of a casual driver shall be in possession of a report of the driver’s current public record as recorded by the department, prior to allowing a casual driver to drive a vehicle specified in subdivision (k). A report is current if it was issued less than six months prior to the date the employer employs the driver.

(2) For the purposes of this subdivision, a driver is employed as a casual driver when the employer has employed the driver less than 30 days during the preceding six months. “Casual driver” does not include a driver who operates a vehicle that requires a passenger transportation endorsement.

(k) This section applies to a vehicle for the operation of which the driver is required to have a class A or class B driver’s license, a class C license with any endorsement issued pursuant to Section 15278, a class C license issued pursuant to Section 12814.7, or a certificate issued pursuant to Section 12517, 12519, 12520, 12523, 12523.5, or 12527, or a passenger vehicle having a seating capacity of not more than 10 persons, including the driver, operated for compensation by a charter-party carrier of passengers or passenger stage corporation pursuant to a certificate of public convenience and necessity or a permit issued by the Public Utilities ~~Commission.~~ Commission, or a permitted taxicab company as described in Section 53075.51 of the Government Code.

(l) This section shall not be construed to change the definition of “employer,” “employee,” or “independent contractor” for any purpose.

(m) A motor carrier who contracts with a person to drive a vehicle described in subdivision (k) that is owned by, or leased to, that motor carrier, shall be subject to subdivisions (a), (b), (c), (d), (f), (j), (k), and (l) and the employer obligations in those subdivisions.

(n) Reports issued pursuant to this section, but only those for a driver of a taxicab engaged in transportation services as described in subdivision (a) of Section 53075.5 of the Government Code, shall be presented upon request, during regular business hours, to an authorized representative of the administrative agency responsible for issuing permits to taxicab transportation services pursuant to Section 53075.5 of the Government Code.

SEC. 5.
The Legislature finds and declares that taxicabs face a substantial competitive disadvantage due to the numerous and differing requirements from city to city while all other modes of for-hire transportation are regulated by one statewide entity, and, therefore, the regulation of taxicab transportation services and taxi cab service providers is an issue of statewide concern and not a municipal affair, as that term is used in Section 5 of Article XI of the California Constitution. Therefore, this act shall apply to charter cities.

SEC. 6.
No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution because a local agency or school district has the authority to levy service charges, fees, or assessments sufficient to pay for the program or level of service mandated by this act or because costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution.

SECTION 1.Section 53075.51 is added to the Government Code, immediately following Section 53075.5, to read:
53075.51.
~~(a)(1)Taxicab transportation service permits and taxi driver’s permits may be administered by a countywide transportation agency in the following counties:~~
~~(A)Los Angeles.~~
~~(B)San Diego.~~
~~(C)Orange.~~
~~(D)Riverside.~~
~~(E)San Bernardino.~~
~~(F)Santa Clara.~~
~~(G)Alameda.~~
~~(H)Sacramento.~~
~~(I)Contra Costa.~~
~~(J)Fresno.~~
~~(2)Taxicab transportation service permits and taxi driver’s permits issued by the countywide transportation agency shall be valid countywide.~~
(3)Notwithstanding Section 53075.5, beginning January 1, 2019, the counties listed in paragraph (1) and the cities within those counties shall not regulate taxi companies except through a countywide transportation agency as allowed by this section.
(4)Each of the counties listed in paragraph (1) that participates under this section, and the cities within each of those counties, shall enact an ordinance that adopts, and provides for the enforcement of, the regulations developed by the relevant countywide transportation agency as described in this section.
(5)If a countywide transportation agency in a county listed in paragraph (1) does not administer the permitting of taxicabs, the sheriff of that county shall administer criminal background checks and drug testing for taxicab drivers within that county.
(b)Employment, or an offer of employment, as a taxicab driver in the jurisdiction, including compliance with all of the requirements of the drug testing program adopted pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 53075.5 and passage of a fingerprint criminal background check using a live scan fingerprint provider with monitoring, shall be a condition of issuance of a driver’s permit by the countywide transportation agency.
(c)The countywide transportation agency may levy service charges, fees, or assessments limited to the amount sufficient to pay for the costs of carrying out the regulation of taxicab transportation services pursuant to this section.
(d)In a county for which a countywide transportation agency has been established pursuant to this section, a city or the county that operates an airport may adopt an ordinance or charter provision to regulate access to the airport by taxicabs. The airport operator shall have ultimate authority to regulate taxicab access to the airport and set access fees for taxicabs at the airport.
(e)A countywide transportation agency, or a city or the county, shall not limit or prohibit a permitted taxicab company from setting fares or charging a flat rate. However, the countywide transportation agency may set a maximum rate.
(f)A permitted taxicab company may use any type of device or technology approved by the Division of Measurement Standards to calculate fares, including the use of Global Positioning System metering, provided that the device or technology complies with Section 12500.5 of the Business and Professions Code and with all regulations established pursuant to Section 12107 of the Business and Professions Code.
(g)A permitted taxicab company shall disclose fares, fees, or rates to the customer. A permitted taxicab company may satisfy this requirement by disclosing fares, fees, or rates on its Internet Web site, cellular telephone application, or phone orders upon request by the customer.
(h)A permitted taxicab company shall notify the passenger of the rate prior to the passenger accepting the ride for walkup rides and street hails. The rate may be provided in any of the following forms:
~~(1)On the exterior of the vehicle.~~
~~(2)Within an application of a mobile phone, device, or other internet-connected device.~~
~~(3)Clearly visible in either print or electronic form inside the taxicab.~~
~~(i)A city or county may limit the number of taxicab companies or vehicles that may use taxistand areas or pick up street hails in that city or county’s jurisdiction.~~
~~(j)A countywide transportation agency, or a city or the county, shall not limit or prohibit a prearranged trip by a permitted taxicab company within the county.~~
(k)The countywide transportation agency administering the taxi permit shall issue to a taxicab that complies with all provisions of this section, and with all applicable requirements of that countywide agency, an inspection sticker. The countywide transportation agency shall issue to a taxi driver that complies with all provisions of this section, and with all applicable requirements of the countywide agency, a photo permit, and that driver is required to display that photo permit in a place visible to a passenger. A taxicab, or taxi driver, issued an inspection sticker or photo permit under this subdivision may operate countywide.
(l)A countywide transportation agency may accept a taxi permit issued by another countywide transportation agency as valid, and thereby may issue to that taxicab an inspection sticker or photo permit that authorizes that taxicab to operate within the county.
~~(m)For purposes of this section, the following terms shall have the following meanings:~~
(1)The term “permitted taxicab driver” or “permitted taxicab company” means a taxicab driver or a taxicab company that has a permit to operate issued by the countywide transportation agency and has complied with all provisions of this section.
~~(2)“Countywide transportation agency” means:~~
~~(A)In the County of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority.~~
~~(B)In the County of San Diego, the San Diego Association of Governments.~~
~~(C)In the County of Orange, the Orange County Transportation Authority.~~
~~(D)In the County of Riverside, the Riverside County Transportation Commission.~~
~~(E)In the County of San Bernardino, the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority.~~
~~(F)In the County of Santa Clara, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority established pursuant to Part 12 (commencing with Section 100000) of Division 10 of the Public Utilities Code.~~
~~(G)In the County of Alameda, the Alameda County Transportation Commission.~~
~~(H)In the County of Sacramento, the Sacramento Area Council of Governments.~~
~~(I)In the County of Contra Costa, the Contra Costa Transportation Authority.~~
~~(J)In the County of Fresno, the Fresno Council of Governments.~~
~~(3)“Employment” includes self-employment as an independent driver.~~
~~(4)“Prearranged trip” means a trip originated through a dispatch, an Internet Web site, or an online-enabled application.~~
(n)(1)In a county that participates under this section, it shall be unlawful to operate a taxicab in a county participating under this section without a valid permit to operate issued by the countywide transportation agency.
~~(2)The minimum fine for violation of paragraph (1) shall be five thousand dollars ($5,000) and shall be payable to the county or city where the violation occurred.~~
SEC. 2.
The Legislature finds and declares that a special statute is necessary and that a general statute cannot be made applicable within the meaning of Section 16 of Article IV of the California Constitution because of the circumstances unique to the larger counties in the state with respect to the regulation of taxicab services.
SEC. 3.
No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution because a local agency or school district has the authority to levy service charges, fees, or assessments sufficient to pay for the program or level of service mandated by this act, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code.