Turner warns city will drop oversight of Uber and others

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, seen here on May 18, issued a statement Friday warning that city control of paid ride companies such as Uber could end on Monday. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, seen here on May 18, issued a statement Friday warning that city control of paid ride companies such as Uber could end on Monday. Photo: Yi-Chin Lee / Houston Chronicle, Yi-Chin Lee Photo: Yi-Chin Lee / Houston Chronicle, Yi-Chin Lee Image 1 of / 32 Caption Close Turner warns city will drop oversight of Uber and others 1 / 32 Back to Gallery

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner kicked off Memorial Day weekend urging travelers to remember that the city is losing its regulatory authority over paid rides provided by companies such as Uber and Lyft.

In a statement released late Friday, Turner said Gov. Greg Abbott is expected to sign legislation on Monday regulating the companies that connect willing drivers to interested riders. The rules, which Houston and other cities opposed and became hotly debated as part of an ongoing dispute between municipalities and state lawmakers, trump local laws.

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“Just because you see a blue City of Houston sticker, I can no longer guarantee that your car has been inspected to ensure it is road worthy and safe,” Turner said, anticipating the law to take effect. “Starting Monday, I can no longer guarantee that your driver has passed a background check that includes all 50 states and the FBI’s national criminal database.”

The statement directed those who feel they have been impacted by the legislation to direct their concerns to the state, specifically legislators and the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

“As mayor, it is my duty to make you aware of these changes so you can be safe once the state has removed our regulatory authority,” Turner said, saying he expected all oversight by the city to end once Abbott signs the bill, HB 100, sponsored by Rep. Chris Paddie, R-Marshall.

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The bill easily passed by the House and Senate, with many lawmakers agreeing with Paddie and the companies that the patchwork of local regulations stifled their business.

Companies such as Uber and Lyft, which link drivers and riders via smartphone app, sought the change to state control citing a need to simplify regulations. The companies have also balked at regulations in Houston, Austin and other cities that required drivers to submit to a fingerprint-based background check. The companies conduct and prefer a background check based on a Social Security number as proof of identity.

If Abbott signs the law on Monday, the rules would go into effect immediately. That could mean competition quickly for Uber in Houston. Lyft, which left Houston when the city’s rules went into effect in November 2014, is planning to return, spokeswoman Chelsea Harrison said.

“We will re-launch in Houston after (Abbott signs the bill), but do not have a timeline yet,” she said.