2014 -- H 8298

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LC005886

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2014

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J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL JOINT COMMISSION TO STUDY R.I.G.L. 39-14.1, THE PUBLIC

MOTOR VEHICLE ACT, AND THE IMPACT OF INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES ON THE

MARKET FOR TRANSPORTATION SERVICES

     Introduced By: Representative John G.Edwards

     Date Introduced: June 05, 2014

     Referred To: House Corporations

     WHEREAS, The Public Motor Vehicle Act, R.I.G.L. 39 – 14.1 was enacted in 2002.

Since said enactment there have been many developments in the public vehicle for hire industry.

These include innovations in services and technologies that have affected the public vehicle

transportation services industry in several ways, including the types of vehicles available to

passengers, booking methods, payment options, and most recently the introduction of smart

phones and the ability to use a software application, or app, to arrange for a ride between a driver

and a passenger. These innovations have led to a dramatic increase in the choices and options

available to the riding public, including many different categories of public vehicles for hire.

These different categories now include luxury, limousine, standard taxi, low cost sedans and ride

sharing services. Since 2002, there has not been a comprehensive review of the Public Motor

Vehicles Act and the impact of innovative technology to these different categories of public

vehicles for hire, and to the economy of Rhode Island; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this General Assembly hereby finds that in order to provide the

citizens of Rhode Island with the highest level and availability of transportation services, at the

most competitive and affordable pricing, while preserving the safety of all passengers and drivers,

it is necessary to conduct a comprehensive review and study of the Act and any amendments

thereto; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That a special legislative commission be and the same is hereby created

consisting of eleven (11) members: three (3) of whom shall be members of the House of

Representatives, not more than two (2) from the same political party, to be appointed by the

Speaker of House; three (3) of whom shall be members of the Senate, not more than two (2) from

the same political party, to be appointed by the Senate President; one of whom shall be the

Director of the Division of Public Motor Vehicles and Carriers, or designee; one of whom shall

be the President of the Providence Chamber of Commerce, or designee; one of whom shall be a

member of the New England Livery Association, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House

and the President of the Senate; one of whom shall be a representative of the taxi industry, to be

appointed by the Governor; and one of whom shall be a representative of the innovative

technology industry, to be appointed by the Governor.

     The purpose of said commission shall be to make a comprehensive study and analysis of

the status of the Public Motor Vehicle Act, R.I.G.L. 39-14.1, including:

     • Study and analysis of the impact of innovative technologies including online enabled

applications or smart phones to connect passengers with drivers;

     • Study and analysis of new options available to customers, such as ride-sharing services;

     • Study and analyze whether minimum charges are harmful to the economy and the

public welfare in the market for public motor vehicles for hire; and

     • Review all statutes, rules or regulations pertaining to the Act, as well as a review and

analysis of any and all data which may assist the commission in determining whether it would be

in the best interest of the citizens of Rhode Island to amend, alter or repeal the Act in any form

whatsoever.

     Forthwith upon passage of this resolution, the members of the commission shall meet at

the call of the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House and organize and shall select

a chairperson.

     Vacancies in said commission shall be filled in like manner as the original appointment.

     The membership of said commission shall receive no compensation for their services.

     All departments and agencies of the state shall furnish such advice and information,

documentary and otherwise, to said commission and its agents as is deemed necessary or

desirable by the commission to facilitate the purposes of this resolution.

     The Joint Committee on Legislative Services is hereby authorized and directed to provide

suitable quarters for said commission; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That the commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the

General Assembly no later than March 31, 2015, and said commission shall expire on May 31,

2015.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL JOINT COMMISSION TO STUDY R.I.G.L. 39-14.1, THE PUBLIC

MOTOR VEHICLE ACT, AND THE IMPACT OF INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES ON THE

MARKET FOR TRANSPORTATION SERVICES

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     This resolution would create an eleven (11) member special legislative commission

whose purpose it would be to make a comprehensive study of the Public Motor Vehicle Act,

R.I.G.L. 39-14.1, and the impact of innovative technologies on the market for transportation

services, and who would report back to the general assembly no later than March 31, 2015 and

whose life would expire on May 31, 2015.

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