SB759: Bill Text

SB759,9,2 (b) The applicant owns, operates, or proposes to own or operate a taxicab company or taxicab dispatch service in this state.

SB759,9,7 (c) The applicant demonstrates to the satisfaction of the department that it satisfies all applicable requirements under ss. 474.12, 474.14, 474.145, 474.147, and 474.15. If the applicant is an individual who will also be a driver for a taxicab company, the applicant shall also submit the information identified in s. 474.145 (1) to the department.

SB759,9,9 (d) The applicant pays an initial licensure fee determined by the department in accordance with the sliding scale under sub. (4).

SB759,9,12 (e) The applicant provides the department with a list of all taxicabs that are affiliated with the taxicab company or taxicab dispatch service, in the manner prescribed by the department.

SB759,9,15 (2) Renewal. The renewal date for a license granted under sub. (1) is specified in s. 440.08 (2) (a) 69. A renewal application shall be submitted to the department on a form prescribed by the department and shall include all of the following:

SB759,9,17 (a) The renewal fee determined by the department in accordance with the sliding scale under sub. (4).

SB759,9,19 (b) An updated list of all taxicabs that are affiliated with the taxicab company or taxicab dispatch service, in the manner prescribed by the department.

SB759,9,20 (c) Any other information required by the department by rule.

SB759,9,24 (3) Effect of license. A license issued under this section shall entitle the license holder to operate the taxicab company or taxicab dispatch service to provide transportation in taxicabs to passengers throughout this state, without geographic limitation.

SB759,10,8 (4) Licensure fees. Fees for initial taxicab company and taxicab dispatch service licenses shall be set by the department by rule using a sliding scale ranging from a minimum of $500 to a maximum of $5,000, with the lowest fee to be paid by an individual who owns and operates his or her own taxicab company and is the sole driver for that taxicab company. Fees for renewing those licenses shall also be set by rule using a sliding scale, but the renewal fee for a taxicab company or dispatch service of a given size may not exceed the amount of the initial licensure fee for a taxicab company or dispatch service of that size.

SB759,10,10 474.12 Agent. Each licensed company shall maintain an agent for service of process in this state.

SB759,10,13 474.125 Taxicab fares. (1) A licensed company may, subject to s. 474.15, determine the fares to be charged to passengers for trips provided by the licensed company.

SB759,10,15 (2) (a) A taxicab dispatch service licensed under this subchapter shall disclose its fare calculation method and rates on its Internet site.

SB759,10,18 (b) If a taxicab is not affiliated with a taxicab dispatch service licensed under this subchapter, the taxicab company shall have the fare calculation method and rates for the taxicab disclosed inside the taxicab.

SB759,10,21 (3) (a) In this subsection, “digital network" means any Internet site or online-enabled application, software, or system that permits the prearrangement of transportation of passengers in taxicabs.

SB759,11,2 (b) A licensed company shall ensure that each taxicab is equipped with a device installed in the taxicab that is capable of calculating and displaying a passenger's fare and that the device is in a location visible to the passenger. This subsection does not prohibit a licensed company from using a digital network to calculate a passenger's fare and transmit that fare to the passenger's mobile device.

SB759,11,7 474.14 Zero tolerance for use of drugs or alcohol. (1) Policy. Each licensed company shall develop, implement, and make available a written policy prohibiting any driver for the company from using alcohol, or any other intoxicant that may render the driver incapable of safely driving, while the driver is driving for the licensed company.

SB759,11,10 (2) Complaints. (a) Each licensed company shall develop, implement, and make available complaint procedures for reports of suspected violations of the policy under sub. (1).

SB759,11,14 (b) Upon receipt of a complaint concerning a violation of a licensed company's policy under sub. (1), the licensed company shall immediately suspend the driver and investigate the complaint. The suspension shall continue until the complaint is resolved.

SB759,11,18 (c) Each licensed company shall maintain all records of each investigation under par. (b), including the results of that investigation and any action taken based on that investigation, for at least 2 years after the date the complaint was received by the licensed company.

SB759,11,21 474.145 Certain requirements for drivers and their vehicles. (1) Application. Before a licensed company allows an individual to be a driver for the licensed company, the licensed company shall do all of the following:

SB759,11,23 (a) Require the individual to submit an application to the licensed company that includes at least all of the following:

SB759,11,24 1. The individual's name, address, and age.

SB759,11,25 2. A copy of the individual's driver's license.

SB759,12,1 3. The individual's driving history.

SB759,12,3 4. Proof of motor vehicle registration for each vehicle owned by the individual that the individual will use as a taxicab as a driver for the licensed company.

SB759,12,6 5. A copy of the individual's automobile liability insurance policy for each vehicle owned by the individual that the individual will use as a taxicab as a driver for the licensed company.

SB759,12,8 (b) Conduct, or have a 3rd party conduct, a local and national criminal background check for the individual that includes all of the following:

SB759,12,10 1. A multistate and multijurisdictional criminal records locator or other similar commercial nationwide database with validation.

SB759,12,11 2. A national sex offender registry database.

SB759,12,12 (c) Obtain and review a driving history research report for the individual.

SB759,12,14 (2) Who may not be a driver. (a) A licensed company may not allow any of the following individuals to be a driver of a taxicab for the licensed company:

SB759,12,17 1. An individual who has had more than 3 moving violations, as defined in s. 343.01 (2) (cg), in the past 3 years, or one conviction in the past 3 years for an offense listed under s. 351.02 (1) (a).

SB759,12,22 2. An individual who, in the last 7 years, committed an offense that resulted in a suspension, revocation, or other conviction counted under s. 343.307 (1) or was convicted of a sex offense, as defined in s. 301.45 (1d) (b), or of any crime involving fraud, theft, damage to property, violence, acts of terror, or the use of a motor vehicle in the commission of a felony.

SB759,12,24 3. An individual whose information is contained in the sex offender registry under s. 301.45 or on the National Sex Offender Public Website.

SB759,12,25 4. An individual who does not possess a valid driver's license.

SB759,13,3 5. An individual who does not possess proof of motor vehicle registration for each vehicle owned by the individual that the individual will use as a taxicab as a driver for the licensed company.

SB759,13,6 6. An individual who does not possess proof of automobile liability insurance for each vehicle owned by the individual that the individual will use as a taxicab as a driver for the licensed company.

SB759,13,7 7. An individual who is not at least 18 years of age.

SB759,13,11 (b) A driver who is convicted of any moving violation or of any felony or misdemeanor anywhere shall immediately notify the licensed company for which the driver operates a taxicab of the conviction, except that if the driver is a licensed company, the driver shall immediately notify the department.

SB759,13,14 (3) Vehicle safety and emissions. Each licensed company shall ensure that each motor vehicle a driver uses as a taxicab for the licensed company is a vehicle that satisfies all state vehicle safety and emissions standards for private motor vehicles.

SB759,13,16 474.147 Taxicabs; requirements and prohibitions. (1) Each vehicle used by a licensed company as a taxicab shall satisfy all of the following requirements:

SB759,13,20 (a) The vehicle must be marked as a taxicab by posting the word “taxi” or “taxicab” on each side of the vehicle. Evidence supplied by the department that the vehicle is affiliated with a licensed company and legal to operate shall be posted on the vehicle as directed by the department.

SB759,13,22 (b) The vehicle must be marked with the name of the licensed company with which the vehicle is affiliated.

SB759,13,24 (2) No individual may operate a motor vehicle as a taxicab in this state unless the taxicab is affiliated with a licensed company.

SB759,14,5 (3) (a) The owner of a vehicle used as a taxicab is subject to s. 344.62, must have proof of financial responsibility, as defined in s. 344.01 (2) (d), and must maintain a motor vehicle liability policy that meets the minimum requirements specified under s. 632.32 (4) (a) and (4m) (e). The owner of the vehicle is solely responsible for obtaining a motor vehicle liability policy.

SB759,14,8 (b) A taxicab dispatch service with which an independent owner-operator of a taxicab is affiliated may not be held liable for damages caused by the owner or driver of the taxicab.

SB759,14,13 474.15 Nondiscrimination; accessibility. (1) Each licensed company shall adopt a policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of trip origin or destination, race, color, national origin, religious belief or affiliation, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity with respect to passengers and prospective passengers and notify all of its drivers of the nondiscrimination policy.

SB759,14,17 (2) A driver may not discriminate against any passenger or prospective passenger on the basis of trip origin or destination, race, color, national origin, religious belief or affiliation, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

SB759,14,19 (3) Each driver shall permit service animals to accompany passengers when riding in the taxicab operated by the driver.

SB759,14,21 (4) A licensed company may not impose additional charges for providing rides to persons with disabilities because of those disabilities.

SB759,15,2 (5) Each licensed company shall provide each prospective passenger an opportunity to indicate whether the passenger requires a wheelchair-accessible vehicle. If a licensed company cannot arrange a wheelchair-accessible taxicab for a prospective passenger who requires wheelchair-accessible services, the licensed company shall refer the prospective passenger to an alternate provider of wheelchair-accessible transportation, if available.

SB759,15,6 474.165 Limitations on local and other regulation. (1)  No city, village, town, or county may enact or enforce an ordinance or adopt or enforce a resolution that regulates a taxicab company or taxicab dispatch service or its drivers in connection with taxicab services.

SB759,15,8 (2) Notwithstanding sub. (1), a city, village, town, or county may do any of the following:

SB759,15,13 (a) To the extent necessary to comply with assurances under 49 USC 47107, impose fees or charges under s. 114.14 (1) for the use of an airport by taxicab drivers. Any such fees or charges shall be imposed on taxicab companies or taxicab dispatch services and may not exceed fees or charges imposed under s. 114.14 (1) for the use of an airport by limousines, shuttles, or other for-hire vehicles.

SB759,15,18 (b) Require a taxicab company or taxicab dispatch service to comply with a permit developed by an airport and issued to the taxicab company or taxicab dispatch service regarding the manner of operation on airport property by its drivers. A single permit under this paragraph shall be issued to each taxicab company or taxicab dispatch service and shall apply to all of its drivers.

SB759,15,24 474.19 Disciplinary proceedings and actions. (1) Investigations and hearings. Subject to the rules promulgated under s. 440.03 (1), the department may conduct investigations and hold hearings to determine whether a violation of this subchapter or any rule promulgated under this subchapter or a violation of any other law that substantially relates to the operation of a taxicab company or taxicab dispatch service has occurred.

SB759,16,4 (2) Discipline. Subject to the rules promulgated under s. 440.03 (1), the department may reprimand a licensed company or deny, limit, suspend, or revoke a license granted under s. 474.115 if the department finds that an applicant for licensure or a licensed company has done any of the following:

SB759,16,6 (a) Intentionally made a material misstatement in an application for a license or license renewal.

SB759,16,7 (b) Advertised in a manner that is false or misleading.

SB759,16,8 (c) Obtained or attempted to obtain compensation through fraud or deceit.

SB759,16,11 (d) Violated this subchapter or any rule promulgated under this subchapter or violated any other law that substantially relates to the operation of a taxicab company or taxicab dispatch service.

SB759,16,14 (e) Failed to cooperate with the department, or failed to timely respond to a request for information by the department, in connection with an investigation under this section.

SB759,16,19 (2m) Denial or revocation. Subject to the rules promulgated under s. 440.03 (1), the department shall deny or revoke a license granted under s. 474.115 to an individual who is a driver for a licensed company that is a taxicab company if the department finds that anything specified in s. 474.145 (2) (a) applies to the individual.

SB759,16,23 (3) Forfeitures. In addition to or in lieu of a reprimand or other action under sub. (2), the department may assess against a licensed company, for the violations enumerated under sub. (2), a forfeiture of not more than $1,000 for each separate offense.

SB759,16,25 474.195 Penalties. Any person who violates this subchapter or any rule promulgated under this subchapter may be fined not more than $1,000.

SB759,30 Section 30 . Nonstatutory provisions.

SB759,17,11 (1) Emergency rules. The department of safety and professional services may promulgate emergency rules under section 227.24 of the statutes implementing subchapter I of chapter 474 of the statutes. Notwithstanding section 227.24 (1) (c) and (2) of the statutes, emergency rules promulgated under this subsection remain in effect until June 30, 2020, or the date on which permanent rules take effect, whichever is sooner. Notwithstanding section 227.24 (1) (a) and (3) of the statutes, the department is not required to provide evidence that promulgating a rule under this subsection as an emergency rule is necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health, safety, or welfare and is not required to provide a finding of emergency for a rule promulgated under this subsection.

SB759,31 Section 31. Effective dates. This act takes effect on the first day of the 3rd month beginning after publication, except as follows:

SB759,17,14 (1) Section 30 (1 ) of this act takes effect on the day after publication.

SB759,17,15 (End)