District Of Columbia 2023-2024 Regular Session

District Of Columbia Council Bill B25-0620 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

Old	New	Differences
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3	3	OFFICE OF COUNCILMEMBER ANITA BONDS
4	4	CHAIR, COMMITTEE ON EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATION AND LABOR
5	5	THE JOHN A. WILSON BUILDING
6	6	1350 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, NW
7	7	WASHINGTON, DC 20004
8	8
9	9	December 7, 2023
10	10
11	11	Nyasha Smith, Secretary
12	12	Council of the District of Columbia
13	13	1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
14	14	Washington, DC 20004
15	15
16	16	Dear Secretary Smith,
17	17
18	18	Today, I am introducing the “For-Hire Vehicle Trade Dress Requirement Enhancement Act of
19	19	2023” along with Councilmembers Brooke Pinto, Janeese Lewis-George, and Vincent Gray. This
20	20	legislation will amend the D.C. Code to expand requirements for trade dress markings of
21	21	vehicles operating in a rideshare capacity. Specifically, this measure will require clear,
22	22	conspicuous signage on the side and rear windows of rideshare vehicles.
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24	24	Rideshare companies match passengers with drivers of vehicles for hire via websites and/or
25	25	mobile apps. The use of rideshare services, like Uber and Lyft, has exploded in the last decade.
26	26	By the end of this year, the worldwide market size of the rideshare industry is expected to reach
27	27	over $70 billion. In the District, the use of rideshare services increased exponentially across the
28	28	District and the metropolitan area upon the arrival of Uber in 2011. These services are now
29	29	intertwined with our daily lives, and we must take steps to make sure that traffic safety on the
30	30	roads is not compromised by the presence of rideshare vehicles.
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32	32	Some evidence suggests that the rise of these “app-taxis” has led to an increase in traffic
33	33	fatalities. In 2010, the number of U.S. roadway deaths totaled 32,885, its lowest level since 1949.
34	34	That number increased to 37,461 in 2016. This research reveals that the introduction of
35	35	ridesharing services accounts for a roughly 3 percent annual increase in those fatalities, or 987
36	36	people each year nationwide.
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38	38	A big part of the problem is that rideshare vehicles often look like other, non- commercial
39	39	vehicles on the road. While these vehicles are difficult to distinguish from private vehicles, they
40	40	behave like traditional taxicabs, such as by pulling over to the side of the road against the flow of
41	41	traffic or stopping unexpectedly. In addition, advancing technology and changing cultural norms
42	42	have drastically altered traffic patterns in the District. For example, other non-traditional modes
43	43	of transportation, such as electronic bicycles and scooters, have seen widespread adoption. The addition of new bike lanes has helped adapt the District to these new traffic patterns, but the
44	44	arrival of these varied modes of transportation requires us to take necessary steps to ensure the
45	45	safety of all commuters and pedestrians.
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47	47	This bill takes a step toward that goal by requiring clear signage on the side and rear windows of
48	48	rideshare vehicles. This identification will make it easier for other drivers and pedestrians to
49	49	quickly identify rideshare vehicles and anticipate the potential for erratic driving maneuvers by
50	50	these vehicles. I am calling on my colleagues to support this measure, and I encourage the
51	51	executive to sign it into law.
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55	55	Thank you,
56	56
57	57
58	58
59	59	Anita Bonds
60	60
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68	68	___________
69	69	1
70	70	National Institute of Mental Health statistics for 2021: NIMH » Mental Illness (nih.gov)
71	71
72	72	2
73	73	American Psychological Association national trends: The national mental health crisis (apa.org)
74	74	3
75	75	National Institute of Mental Health list of mental illnesses: NIMH » Brochures and Fact Sheets (nih.gov)
76	76	4
77	77	American Psychological Association demand for treatment: Demand for mental health treatment continues to
78	78	increase, say psychologists (apa.org) ___________________________ ______________________________ 1
79	79	Councilmember Brooke Pinto Councilmember Anita Bonds 2
80	80	3
81	81	4
82	82	___________________________ ______________________________ 5
83	83	Councilmember Vincent C. Gray Councilmember Janeese Lewis George 6
84	84	7
85	85	8
86	86	A BILL 9
87	87	10
88	88	_____________ 11
89	89	12
90	90	IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 13
91	91	14
92	92	______________________ 15
93	93	16
94	94	To amend the District of Columbia Taxicab Commission Establishment Act of 1985 to require 17
95	95	additional trade dress markings for vehicles-for-hire to be displayed on the vehicle’s 18
96	96	windows. 19
97	97	20
98	98	BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this 21
99	99	act may be cited as the “For-Hire-Vehicle Trade Dress Requirement Enhancement Act of 2023”. 22
100	100	Sec. 2. The District of Columbia Taxicab Commission Establishment Act of 1985, 23
101	101	effective March 25, 1986 (D.C. Law 6- 97; D.C. Official Code § 50- 301.01 et seq.), is amended 24
102	102	as follows: 25
103	103	(a) Section 4 (D.C. Official Code § 50–301.03) is amended by adding a new paragraph 26
104	104	(29A) to read as follows: 27
105	105	“(29A) “Trade dress” means a unique marketing logo, insignia, or emblem that 28
106	106	identifies, distinguishes, and is substantially inseparable from the source of a product or service, 29
107	107	using a specific style to differentiate from competitors.”. 30
108	108	(b) Section 20j-4 (D.C. Code § 50–301.29d) is amended as follows: 31 (1) The lead-in language is amended by striking the phrase “emblem at” and 32
109	109	inserting the phrase “emblem that identifies, distinguishes, and is substantially inseparable from 33
110	110	the vehicle- for-hire company at” in its place. 34
111	111	(2) Paragraph (1) is amended by striking the phrase “; and” and inserting a 35
112	112	semicolon in its place. 36
113	113	(3) Paragraph (2) is amended by striking the period and inserting the phrase “; 37
114	114	and” in its place. 38
115	115	(4) A new paragraph (3) is added to read as follows: 39
116	116	“(3) Affixed on each window of the vehicle-for-hire adjacent to where passengers 40
117	117	may sit, as well as the rear window.”. 41
118	118	Sec. 4. Fiscal i mpact s tatement. 42
119	119	The Council adopts the fiscal impact statement in the committee report as the fiscal 43
120	120	impact statement required by section 4a of the General Legislative Procedures Act of 1975, 44
121	121	approved October 16, 2006 (120 Stat. 2038; D.C. Official Code § 1- 301.47a). 45
122	122	Sec. 5. Effective date. 46
123	123	This act shall take effect following approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by the 47
124	124	Mayor, action by the Council to override the veto), a 30- day period of congressional review as 48
125	125	provided in section 602(c)(1) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 49
126	126	21, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Official Code § 1- 206.02(c)(1)), and publication in the District of 50
127	127	Columbia Register. 51