Drafter

Clerk 03/13/2019

Title

AN ORDINANCE relating to transportation network companies vehicle endorsements; and amending Ordinance 17892, Section 26, and K.C.C. 6.64.271 and Ordinance 17892, Section 27, and K.C.C. 6.64.281.

Body

PREAMBLE:

King County regulates taxis and for-hire vehicles that transport passengers for compensation.  The regulations are intended to ensure that customers can use the options under the regulations in a safe manner.

Since 1979, King County, the city of Seattle and the Port of Seattle have consistently worked to regionalize regulations and licensing by developing consistent regulations and services across jurisdictions.  The goal of the cooperation is to promote public safety and customer service by standardizing fees, regulations, enforcement and rate review procedures throughout King County.

Since 2012, new transportation options that make use of application-based technology on smartphones have entered the market.  The new organizations that use that technology as part of their business models have come to be known as transportation network companies.

Before 2013, the new entrants had not been regulated.  The city of Seattle adopted regulations for transportation network companies in 2014.  King County adopted new regulations in September 2014, with Ordinance 17892, which made changes to existing regulations for transportation companies and added new regulations affecting transportation network company organizations, drivers and vehicles.

Generally, the city and the county attempt to have these regulations conform so as to ensure that regulations are the same across jurisdictions.  However, county regulations place requirements on vehicles used by drivers for transportation network companies that are different from city requirements.

                     BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KING COUNTY:

                     SECTION 1.  Ordinance 17892, Section 26, and K.C.C. 6.64.271 are each hereby amended to read as follows:

                     A.  The director shall not issue a transportation network company vehicle endorsement unless the person meets the following requirements:

                       1.  Has a for-hire driver's ((license)) permit or transportation network company license under this chapter; and

                       2.  ((Is the registered owner of the vehicle; and

                       3.))  Is affiliated with a licensed transportation network company.

                     B.  The director shall not issue a transportation network company vehicle endorsement unless the vehicle meets the following requirements:

                       1.  ((Is personal;

                       2.  Is a passenger car as defined in RCW 46.04.382;

                       3.))  Has insurance that complies with K.C.C. 6.64.211 and state law; ((and

                       4.)) 2.  Has a certificate of safety as required by K.C.C. 6.64.360; and

                       3.  The vehicle's model year is no more than ten years old, unless otherwise allowed by state law.

                     SECTION 2.  Ordinance 17892, Section 27, and K.C.C. 6.64.281 are each hereby amended to read as follows:

                     A.  An applicant for a transportation network company vehicle endorsement, or a transportation network company on behalf of the applicant, shall file annually with the director a signed application on a form provided by the director to include the following information about the applicant:

                       1.  Name, aliases, residence ((and)) or business address and residence and business telephone numbers;

                       2. ((Place and)) If the applicant is an individual, the date of birth, which shall be at least twenty-one years before the date of application, height, weight, color of hair and color of eyes;

                       3.  If the applicant is an individual, a Washington state driver's license number.  The applicant shall present the applicant's Washington state driver's license or a copy at the time of application;

                       4.  If the applicant is an individual, ((E))evidence of a for-hire driver's license or permit, or an approved application for a for-hire driver's license or permit;

                       5.  Vehicle information including vehicle identification number or numbers and Washington state license plate number or numbers;

                       6.  Evidence of vehicle insurance as required in K.C.C. 6.64.211;

                       7.  Vehicle certificate of safety required by K.C.C. 6.64.360;

                       8.  Whether any of the circumstances in K.C.C. 6.64.291.B. apply to the applicant;

                       9.  Evidence that the applicant is affiliated with a transportation network company; and

                       10.  Other information as reasonably determined by the director.

                     B.  The transportation network company vehicle endorsement consists of a certificate((, an endorsement sticker affixed to the vehicle owner's for-hire driver's license,)) and an endorsement decal affixed to the vehicle.  The certificate shall include the following:

                       1.  Vehicle identification number;

                       2.  Vehicle registered owner's full legal name;

                       3.  Vehicle license plate number;

                       4.  Endorsement expiration date;

                       5.  Unique number; and

                       6.  Other information the director may reasonably require.

                     C.  A transportation network company vehicle endorsement is valid for not more than one year ((and shall expire the same day as the for-hire driver's license it endorses)).

                     D.  A person shall not lease, transfer or assign a transportation network company vehicle endorsement.