Lawmakers Battle over Ridesharing Regulations

The Florida House has passed a bill that would stop local governments from regulating or banning ridesharing companies such as Uber and Lyft. HB 509 would overrule local government regulations and set minimum insurance requirements for drivers who connect with passengers needing a ride using ridesharing apps, the Tampa Bay Times reported. Lawmakers passed the bill by a 108-10 vote. The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach, fended off proposals from Democrats to require ridesharing companies to treat drivers more like employees and less like contractors by comp...