Speaker 0: Bill passed and the chair of the Senate. Just one sec here. Okay, let's move to committee reports. Please read the first agenda item.
Speaker 4: The report of the Governance, Equity and Technology Committee Agenda Item one Council Bill 119 427 relating to the regulation of the for hire industry, removing certain considerations between an exclusive driver representative, representative and the Director of Finance, Administrative Services and many sections 6.3 10.7 35 for code and repealing rules and regulations to the extent they are inconsistent with this ordinance. Committee recommends the bill passed.
Speaker 0: Thank you very much. I'll say a few opening words about what this bill is doing and then certainly turn it over to Councilman O'Brien, who shown your strong leadership in this area. So our goal in this legislation has always been to put the city of Seattle in the best position to address the issue of what we consider fair compensation to all TNC taxing for hire drivers without compromising the ability of these companies themselves to thrive in a competitive marketplace. In light of ongoing litigation, we are amending ordinance 124968, which provides council with most flexibility and options directly and efficiently to address the issue of driver compensation. The ordinance we passed in 2015, as many of you know, have been has been tied up in court. And our introduction of this bill, 119427, we think is common sensibly allows us to look at all options on the table regarding driver compensation without any more additional litigation delays. Again, just by way of background, in December 2015, you may recall that we passed an ordinance again under Councilmember Bryant's leadership and many of us looking at these issues relating to the regulation of the transportation and for hire industry and under which for hire drivers could determine whether or not to engage in collective negotiations over various terms with companies who contract with those drivers, examples being Uber, Lyft and and taxi companies. And among other things, the ordinance that we did pass elicited certain subjects to be collectively negotiated, including best practices relative to vehicle equipment standards, safe driving practices, criminal background checks, the nature and amount of payments made to or withheld from drivers hours and conditions of work, etc.. So I was one of the many council members who supported this. And again, the legislation today are just removing as a sub subject of bargaining the nature and amount of payments received by or withheld from drivers. There's a few other technical corrections, but nothing substantive in nature. So that's what we hope to do today. And Councilmember O'Brien, I hope I left you something to say with there. I'll turn it over to you.
Speaker 5: Council President, you did a great job of summarizing that. So you didn't leave me much to say, but I appreciate your support and strong words for this. I also support this legislation and I'll just reiterate that, that by taking this action, we still, as a body, reserve the right to to set fares and standards like we do for other parts of the industry. There's no plan at the moment to do that, but it's something that we might consider going in the future. But again, as you said, just to reiterate, this still leaves most of the terms of employment or work, I should say, for these independent contractors to be subject to the collective bargaining agreement . It just takes this one item out, as you mentioned.
Speaker 0: Very good. Any comments? I mean, our colleagues and I'll just say sort of in closing that as many of these TNC companies sort of struggle or are in many cities throughout this country and actually across the world with what a regulatory. Framework looks like. I'm really optimistic that we can figure this out in Seattle. What's fair to both the drivers, those, whether the part time or full time and to the companies themselves to allow competitive choices that we could figure out what a healthy regulatory scheme looks like here. And and again, maybe other cities in this country could sort of follow our lead. And that's the work we're going to do this year. And I look forward to it. So.
Speaker 2: Can I just ask question about the schedule? What do you anticipate and when do you think we would have something for review?
Speaker 0: Yeah, I know I should have talked that much and I was going to keep the question. I'm optimistic that first quarter this year we'll be firing up the committee and looking at these issues. We're still struggling with some issues on how to get some of the data that we want and the executives on board also assisting us , trying to get data on the types of rides and the number of rides in certain areas of the city, because there are other issues in addition to the composition of the drivers that we're concerned about with how our streets look. So but I anticipate first quarter of this year, we'll be doing some work on it. Okay. Having said that, please call the role on the passage of the bill.
Speaker 1: Make sure. Johnson Whereas O'Brien President Harrell five in favor nine opposed the.
Speaker 0: Bill passed and show sign it please read the next agenda item.
Speaker 4: The report on the Sustainability and Transportation Committee Agenda Item to cancel 119 415 relating to city streets. The committee recommends the bill pass.
AN ORDINANCE relating to the regulation of the for-hire industry; removing certain considerations between an exclusive driver representative and the Director of Finance and Administrative Services; amending Section 6.310.735 of the Seattle Municipal Code; and repealing rules and regulations to the extent they are inconsistent with this ordinance.