Rideshare debate: Proposed bill focuses on insurance for drivers

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KABC) -- California lawmakers on Wednesday held a hearing on a bill that would require rideshare drivers to have commercial licenses.

AB 2293 has already passed the State Assembly. On Wednesday, it passed the Senate Insurance Committee 9-1. It will next be heard in the Senate Appropriations Committee, likely in early August, according to Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla's office.

Bonilla (D-Concord) wants to force ridesharing companies like Uber to insure their drivers from the moment they turn the app on to the moment they turn it off, even if they don't have passengers with them.

"This clear definition eliminates the gray area that clearly can lead to an insurance gap. Such clarity protects the driver, the passengers, pedestrians and the general public," said Bonilla.

On New Year's Eve, 6-year-old Sophia Liu was struck and killed by Uber driver Syed Muzaffar in San Francisco. He did not have any passengers in the car. Now, Liu's family is suing Uber and urging Sacramento to change the law.

"Uber is saying they are not responsible. I want them to be responsible," said the mother's victim, Huan Hua Kuang.

Uber says there is no insurance gap and there is insurance from when drivers turn on the app to when they turn it off.

Uber has been sending out email blasts to users urging them to rally their leaders to vote against the legislation.

"The bill in question is simply a backroom deal by insurance companies and trial lawyers to go way beyond the scope of any other car on the road currently," said Eva Behrend, a spokesperson for Uber.