Committee approves TNC transparency, deactivation protections and sends bill to Finance

Sen. Srinivasan presented SB 550, a transparency and deactivation bill for transportation network companies, and the committee voted unanimously to report the substitute to Finance.

The substitute clarifies that a 'deactivation' is a permanent removal from a platform, requires individualized weekly summaries that show total fare collected and the driver’s share, and requires trip-level receipts to be provided within 24 hours (including itemized fees and net tip amounts). It also requires a confidential annual aggregated report to the DMV with averages for fares, driving time and partner earnings; the bill’s effective date is delayed to Jan. 1, 2027.

Industry representatives from Uber and Lyft said they had worked with the sponsor and supported transparency efforts, while urging refinement of some timing and technical sections. Edward Mullen of 7 Hills Strategy (representing Uber) said the proposal was a step toward aligning data and noted the companies already provide many items but asked for additional work on the receipt timing language. Driver advocates and the DMV Drivers Alliance supported the bill as a necessary transparency measure so drivers can verify fares and splits.

The committee voted to report the substitute (roll: 15-0), sending SB 550 to the Finance Committee for further review.