Florida

Chances for Settling Uber, Lyft Regulations Looking Dim

Chances for a Florida law regulating and legalizing ride sharing services, like Uber and Lyft, are looking dim.

The House and Senate can't agree on regulations, and a compromise bill was postponed in the Senate Thursday. That leaves only a day for negotiators, including legislators, ridesharing services and competing taxi companies, to settle the issue before the session ends Friday, after haggling unsuccessfully throughout the session.

With no statewide law, the ridesharing services have been operating in a legal gray zone. Some local governments call their operations illegal and have been ticketing their drivers.

Spokesmen for Uber have publicly accused Senate leaders, including Senate President Andy Gardiner, of being unduly influenced by taxi companies. The legislators deny that, saying they're seeking fair competition, fair treatment of drivers and passenger safety.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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