Legislation to facilitate the adoption of ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft cleared its final hurdle today and is headed to the Governor’s desk for his signature.

Sen. Cyrus Habib, D-Kirkland and prime sponsor of the bill, applauded the passage of the legislation, which protects the public while allowing innovative new transportation options to expand across the state.

“As our technology sector offers new and exciting transportation choices, our regulators have to modernize how they operate to keep up,” Habib said. “I’m tremendously excited about the expansion of ride sharing services in communities across the state, and this legislation will ensure that drivers can take advantage of insurance options for their own safety, and that of passengers and the public as well. I appreciate the work done by Uber, Lyft, taxicab drivers, and the insurance industry to find solutions that work for all parties involved. This is a day to celebrate the power of innovation.”

SB 5550 would establish affordable insurance options for drivers of ride sharing services to provide coverage when driving for a transportation network company, or TNC, including liability and uninsured motorist coverage. The bill would also allow ride sharing services to operate statewide.

“As someone who is blind, I rely on ride sharing services to get around, as do many people who are disabled, don’t own cars, or need to avoid driving intoxicated,” said Habib. “These new transportation services are clearly popular and are an important and growing element of the transportation infrastructure in many cities. Some proposals were discussed that might kill this growing industry in its cradle, and it was very important to me that we not do that. I think we’ve found a way to help this industry grow, ensure that it can operate statewide, and provide protections for the public and all involved.”

The legislation now goes to the desk of Gov. Jay Inslee for his signature.