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Uber political caucus grows, as does popularity on Capitol Hill

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As Uber grows in popularity, so does scrutiny of the ridesharing phenomenon, especially among those in Washington, D.C. But that scrutiny has not stopped many on Capitol Hill from taking advantage of the emerging on-demand service. Despite concerns raised by some lawmakers over Uber’s handling of private customer data, the Center for Public Integrity found that 275 federal politicians and political committees spent more than $278,000 combined on a minimum of 7,625 Uber rides during 2013-2014. According to reporter Dave…

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Uber wants ridesharing on the agenda during summertime Session

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The ridesharing app company Uber is appealing to the public for support in its effort to convince lawmakers to include legislation to regulate its industry in the call for a special session this summer. “We need your help to make sure the Legislature doesn’t go home again without taking up ridesharing legislation during the special session,” the email to users and supporters reads. “This is your opportunity to tell Governor [Rick] Scott, House Speaker [Steve] Crisafulli and Senate President [Andy] Gardiner…

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Legislature’s Uber regulation efforts stuck in neutral

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Advocates for ride-sharing firms Lyft and Uber evidently did not reach an agreement this weekend with traditional taxi cab and limousine stakeholders, as a ride-sharing policy bill sponsored by state Rep. Matt Gaetz was temporarily postponed Monday for the second time in as many appearances on the House floor. HB 817 is generally considered a pro-Uber piece of legislation, but it recently took on amendments sponsored by state Reps. Kathleen Peters and Mike Miller that tightened requirements on ride-sharing operations, making the bill more palatable to taxi companies. That legislative back and…

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Senate Uber insurance bill advances with new tweaks amid debate

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With a newfound emphasis on a ridesharing scourge sponsor state Sen. David Simmons called “rogue drivers,” a bill to require greater insurance coverage for Uber and Lyft continued along its road this afternoon in the Senate. Simmons’ SB 1298 — which also deals with short-term property rental companies like Airbnb, another facet of the emerging “sharing economy” — passed after the adoption of three amendments this afternoon. The debate took on a new tinge, however, as the better part of today’s ridesharing discussion…

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New amendment to Uber insurance bill could contain poison pill for ridesharing

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Altamonte Springs state Sen. David Simmons has filed a new amendment to his SB 1298 — a bill originally considered to be part and parcel of Senate plans to smooth the way forward for both ‘transportation network companies’ like Uber and short-term rental companies like Airbnb –– that might spell the end of the line for ridesharing progress this session. The amendment, filed Wednesday, would ratchet up insurance requirements for vehicles operated by Uber and other app-based ridesharing firms to an extent considered excessive by the industry.…

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Southern Strategy Group lands short-term rentals giant Airbnb

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Though ridesharing companies like Uber and Lyft are getting most of the ink these days, you’d be a fool to sleep on the short-term rental aspect of the new so-called sharing economy, where companies like industry leader Airbnb are challenging zoning rules, raising the ire of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association and raising questions about fundamental property rights. Such a complex issue will require a big lift on the influence side, and Airbnb is hiring up top-shelf lobbying talent to meet…

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Uber bill cruises through Senate panel, will see amendment in Appropriations

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A ridesharing insurance requirements bill that goes hand in hand with a broader effort to pass legislation permitting Uber across Florida made progress today, passing quickly and unanimously through the Senate Judiciary Committee early Tuesday evening. The proposal — SB 1298 — sponsored by Altamonte Springs state Sen. David Simmons requires that app-based “transportation network companies” like Uber and Lyft carry specialized insurance policies, the same way cab companies carry commercial and liability insurnce. Simmons’ bill provides for specific guidelines — including $1 million…

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