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SF1111 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Transportation network companies accessibility requirement and appropriation

Related bill: HF1427

AI Generated Summary

This bill, titled S.F. No. 1111, aims to enhance transportation accessibility for individuals with disabilities through several key measures applied to transportation network companies (like Uber and Lyft) in Minnesota:

  1. Wheelchair Accessibility: Companies must have vehicles that are wheelchair accessible; these vehicles should be equipped with ramps or lifts to accommodate non-folding motorized wheelchairs and mobility scooters.

  2. Surcharge for Non-accessibility: For each ride that is not accessible to wheelchair users, companies must pay a 15-cent surcharge to the state. The collected funds go into a newly established "Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Services Account."

  3. Digital Accessibility: Companies must ensure that their digital platforms are accessible to individuals with disabilities by January 1, 2026.

  4. Equity Data Reporting: Annually, companies must report data on the accessibility of their services, including the wait times for wheelchair-accessible vehicles, the number of such requests, fulfilled rides, and denied services.

  5. Nondiscrimination Policies: Companies are required to establish and publicize nondiscrimination policies, ensuring that services are provided without bias based on disability, including accommodations for service animals and not charging extra fees to individuals with disabilities.

  6. Grants for Accessibility: The bill establishes a grant program funded from the wheelchair services account to help taxi companies and independent contractors purchase or maintain wheelchair accessible vehicles.

  7. Incentives and Penalties: Cities can waive license fees for companies that maintain a certain percentage of wheelchair accessible vehicles. Moreover, companies that fail to meet certain criteria on service provision to disabled individuals could face fines.

Overall, the legislation seeks to ensure that transportation services are more inclusive, accommodating the needs of individuals with disabilities through improved vehicle accessibility, fair policies, and financial incentives and penalties that encourage compliance.

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
February 05, 2025SenateFloorActionIntroduction and first reading
February 05, 2025SenateFloorActionReferred toTransportation

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Allowance for waiver of license fees for companies with wheelchair accessible vehicles."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill amends requirements related to small vehicle passenger service under section 221.091.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarifies regulation enforcement permissions for cities."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "221.091"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "References section 65B.472 for definitions relevant to transportation network companies.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "65B.472"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Refers to electric-assisted bicycle requirements under section 169.011 to define allowable motor specifications.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "169.011"
  }
]

Sponsors