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Bill116th CongressFiled Oct 15, 2019Transportation and Public Works
H.R. 4686

Sami's Law

Bill journey · stage 2 of 5

Under committee review

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What it doesSummary passed house (Jul 29, 2020)

Sami's Law

This bill establishes requirements for transportation network companies. A transportation network company (TNC) is an entity that uses a digital network to connect riders to drivers affiliated with the entity to transport the rider using a vehicle owned, leased, or otherwise authorized for use by the driver to a point chosen by the rider.

Each TNC must establish and implement a system and policy within its platform to make available to each passenger a digital method to verify that the driver with whom the passenger has been matched through the platform has been authorized by the TNC to accept the passenger's trip request prior to the beginning of the trip.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) must establish the Safety Actions for Matching and Identifying Ride Share Customers' Council (SAMI'S Law Council) that is an advisory council for developing recommended performance standards for successor technology that will protect TNC passengers and drivers.

The bill prohibits the sale of any signage that is designed to help a passenger identify a TNC vehicle and contains a TNC's proprietary trademark or logo, or purports to be that of a TNC, unless the sale is authorized by the TNC.

DOT may issue penalties to a TNC for noncompliance with this bill, including up to $20,000 each day when such noncompliance is knowing and willful.

The Government Accountability Office must conduct a study on the incidence of assault and abuse perpetrated on drivers by passengers of TNC vehicles and on such passengers by drivers of TNC vehicles.

What just happenedJul 30, 2020

Received in the Senate.

Who’s behind it

Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4](R-NJ)Sponsor
11 cosponsors5 D6 R
Read on Congress.gov
11cosponsors2committees14actions2related bills16subjects
  1. Jul 30, 2020IntroReferral

    Received in the Senate.

  2. Jul 29, 2020FloorH38800

    The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.

  3. Jul 29, 2020FloorH38310

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  4. Jul 29, 2020FloorH37300

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3921-3923)

  5. Jul 29, 2020Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H3921-3923)

  6. Jul 29, 2020FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4686.

  7. Jul 29, 2020FloorH30000

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3921-3927)

  8. Jul 29, 2020FloorH30300

    Mr. DeFazio moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

  9. Oct 17, 2019Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce.

    Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee
  10. Oct 16, 2019Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.

    Highways and Transit Subcommittee
  11. Oct 15, 2019IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  12. Oct 15, 2019IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
  13. Oct 15, 2019IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  14. Oct 15, 2019IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Passed HouseJul 29, 202053

Sami's Law

This bill establishes requirements for transportation network companies. A transportation network company (TNC) is an entity that uses a digital network to connect riders to drivers affiliated with the entity to transport the rider using a vehicle owned, leased, or otherwise authorized for use by the driver to a point chosen by the rider.

Each TNC must establish and implement a system and policy within its platform to make available to each passenger a digital method to verify that the driver with whom the passenger has been matched through the platform has been authorized by the TNC to accept the passenger's trip request prior to the beginning of the trip.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) must establish the Safety Actions for Matching and Identifying Ride Share Customers' Council (SAMI'S Law Council) that is an advisory council for developing recommended performance standards for successor technology that will protect TNC passengers and drivers.

The bill prohibits the sale of any signage that is designed to help a passenger identify a TNC vehicle and contains a TNC's proprietary trademark or logo, or purports to be that of a TNC, unless the sale is authorized by the TNC.

DOT may issue penalties to a TNC for noncompliance with this bill, including up to $20,000 each day when such noncompliance is knowing and willful.

The Government Accountability Office must conduct a study on the incidence of assault and abuse perpetrated on drivers by passengers of TNC vehicles and on such passengers by drivers of TNC vehicles.

Introduced in HouseOct 15, 2019

Sami's Law

This bill directs the Department of Transportation to withhold specified graduated percentages of a state's apportionment of certain federal-aid highway funds if the state has not enacted and is not enforcing certain transportation network company (TNC) vehicle identification laws. A "transportation network company" is an entity that uses a digital network to connect riders to drivers affiliated with the entity to transport the rider using a vehicle owned, leased, or otherwise authorized for use by the driver to a point chosen by the rider.

States must require TNC drivers to display (1) a front and rear license plate; (2) a scannable quick response or similar code on the windows for riders to verify that they are entering the correct authorized vehicle; and (3) illuminated signs that are visible in both day and night, and readable from fifty feet. Drivers must also get periodic safety inspections of their ride-hailing vehicle.

The bill prohibits the sale of illuminated TNC vehicle signs by any person other than a transportation network company and the display of such signs by individuals who are not authorized drivers.

Sami's Law — Informed