SB 106

This bill creates a licensure program for transportation network companies to

be administered by the Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS).

Under the bill, a "transportation network company" (TNC) is a business that, for

compensation, uses a digital network to connect individuals seeking transportation

via the digital network (passengers) to drivers who are logged on to the digital

network and receive compensation for providing that transportation (participating

drivers). The bill specifies that a TNC is not a taxicab, limousine, shuttle, or other

for-hire vehicle service. The participating driver pays a fee to the TNC in order to

participate in the TNC's digital network.

Under the bill, a TNC may only operate in Wisconsin if it is licensed by DSPS,

and a participating driver may only provide transportation network services (TNC

services) through a licensed TNC. There is no licensure requirement for a

participating driver under the bill.

The bill requires DSPS to grant a license to an applicant for licensure as a TNC

if certain application requirements are satisfied, including that the TNC pays an

initial licensure fee of $5,000. The biennial renewal fee is also $5,000.

The bill exempts TNCs and participating drivers and their vehicles used to

provide TNC services from certain requirements applicable under current law to

common motor carrier and other for-hire vehicles. The bill also prohibits a city,

village, town, or county from enacting or enforcing an ordinance or adopting or

enforcing a resolution that regulates TNCs or their participating drivers and

vehicles used to provide TNC services. Under current law, a city, town, or village is

authorized to regulate and license taxicab businesses, taxicabs, and chauffeurs.

That authorization does not apply to TNCs or their participating drivers and vehicles

under the bill.

The bill includes a number of requirements applicable to a licensed TNC and

its participating drivers, including all of the following:

1. A TNC must disclose its fare calculation method and other fare information

on its Internet site and to prospective passengers, must provide certain identifying

information about the participating driver to a prospective passenger before the

prospective passenger receives TNC services, and must transmit an electronic

receipt that contains specific information to a passenger within a reasonable time

after TNC service have been provided.

2. A participating driver may not solicit or accept street hails or otherwise

provide rides for compensation that are not prearranged through a TNC, and all

payments for TNC services must be made electronically using the TNC's digital

network.

3. A TNC may not disclose a passenger's or prospective passenger's personally

identifiable information to any other person, except under certain limited

circumstances.