NEWS RELEASE
Rep. Hodan Hassan
Minnesota House of Representatives
District 62B – 651-296-0294 – rep.hodan.hassan@house.mn.gov
597 State Office Building, St. Paul, MN 55155
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Marlee Schlegel
651-296-9873 or marlee.schlegel@house.mn.gov
March 13, 2023
New Legislation to Increase Pay and Protections for Rideshare Drivers Receives First Hearing
SAINT PAUL, Minn. - Today, the House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee passed legislation to increase protections for drivers of technology network companies, commonly known as rideshare companies. These companies, such as Uber and Lyft, hire drivers as non-employees, which leaves drivers responsible for both employer and employee taxes and expenses, exempts the company from providing benefits, and excludes drivers from many standard workplace protections. HF 4746 is a newly introduced bill, differing from last year’s legislation on the topic that was ultimately vetoed by Governor Walz. The bill is based on recommendations from the Governor’s Committee on the Compensation, Wellbeing, and Fair Treatment of Transportation Network Company Drivers, which was formed by the Governor via an executive order last spring.
The bill is authored by Rep. Hodan Hassan (DFL – Minneapolis).
“We’re determined to get this done for our rideshare drivers – they can’t afford to keep waiting for action,” said Rep. Hassan. “It was disappointing to see the bill fail at its final stop last year, but we’ve been having a lot of productive conversations with stakeholders, including Uber and Lyft, as well as drivers as we crafted this new legislation. The compensation amounts proposed came directly from the report published by the Governor’s Committee on the Compensation, Wellbeing, and Fair Treatment of Transportation Network Company Drivers, and is the best middle ground to ensure these companies continue to operate in Minnesota, but that most importantly, drivers are treated fairly.”
You can view the hearing on the Minnesota House YouTube Page. The bill has been referred to the Labor Committee.
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