Sami’s Law

This bill requires ride-hailing companies to implement digital systems that let passengers verify their driver and vehicle before a trip starts. It also creates an advisory council to recommend performance standards for future verification technologies and bans the sale of unauthorized ride-hailing signage.

Sec. 2, Definitions: Defines key terms including "transportation network company" (TNC), "TNC driver," "TNC vehicle," "passenger," "personal mobile device," "verifiable information," and "Council" (the advisory council). It also defines "nonvisual" and "nonvisually accessible" to mean digital content that meets Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 Level AA or otherwise gives visually impaired passengers comparable access.

Sec. 3, Minimum requirements for transportation network companies: Within 90 days, each TNC must set up a system in its platform that gives passengers a digital way to verify, before the trip, that their matched driver is authorized. The system must include an initial notification with verifiable info (like a PIN or license plate), a method for passenger, driver, and platform to confirm that info, a restriction preventing the driver from starting the trip until both sides verify, and a nonvisual verification method. Alternatively, a TNC may use a successor technology-based system. TNCs may offer passengers an opt-out. Exemptions apply for trips where the passenger opts out, trips facilitated by a third party, or when compliance is impracticable due to device failure or poor cellular connectivity. The Secretary of Transportation may issue regulations and inspect records. Violations carry civil penalties up to $5,000 per day, or $20,000 per day for knowing and willful violations, which the Secretary may compromise.

Sec. 4, Successor technology-based system performance standards: Within 180 days of the Council's establishment, the Council must submit best practices and recommendations for performance standards for successor technology-based systems. Within one year of receiving those recommendations, the Secretary must review them, establish performance standards, and give TNCs reasonable time to comply. The standards must require that the system enables passenger verification before the trip, that verification protocols are both visually and nonvisually accessible, and that TNCs implement driver education and public awareness programs. The Secretary must update standards periodically after soliciting Council input. During the interim period before standards are set, TNCs may deploy any successor system that enables verification, which will be considered compliant unless the Secretary finds it insufficient. The Secretary must report annually to Congress on the recommendations, standards, and rationale.

Sec. 5, Safety Actions for Matching and Identifying Ride-Share Customers Advisory Council: Subject to appropriations, within 90 days the Secretary must establish a 17-member Council to recommend performance standards for successor technology-based systems. Members include representatives from DOT, NIST, FTC, trade groups, driver organizations, one national and one small TNC, state and local governments, law enforcement, disability organizations, and ride-hailing victims advocacy groups. The Secretary designates a chairperson. Members serve three-year terms without compensation but get travel expenses. The Secretary must provide technical assistance and may detail DOT employees. After 12 years, the Secretary must review whether the Council is still needed and may terminate it.

Sec. 6, Prohibition on sale of ride-hailing signage: It is unlawful for any person to sell or offer for sale signage designed to help identify a TNC vehicle if it contains a proprietary trademark or logo of a TNC or purports to be TNC signage, unless authorized by the TNC. Violations are treated as unfair or deceptive acts under the FTC Act, enforced by the FTC with the same penalties and privileges. This does not limit the FTC's authority under other laws.

Sec. 7, Budgetary effects: The budgetary effects of this Act for PAYGO purposes shall be determined by reference to the latest statement submitted by the Chairman of the House Budget Committee before the vote.