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Proponents of the ride-sharing service Uber gathered by the state capitol on June 8, 2015.

(Emily Lawler | MLive.com)

LANSING, MI -- Bills a key player says level the playing field for taxicabs and ridesharing companies like Uber and Lyft in Michigan passed easily through the Michigan Senate on Thursday.

Initially, the bills started as a way to establish a separate regulatory scheme for transportation network companies, such as Uber and Lyft. The idea was to rope them into a state regulatory scheme and end the patchwork of regulation between different communities.

But taxi companies raised concerns over being more heavily regulated and paying more fees even though they provide essentially the same service, said Sen. Tory Rocca, R-Sterling Heights, chair of the Senate Regulatory Reform Committee.

The final agreement passed through the Senate puts taxis and transportation network companies like Uber and Lyft on the same regulatory scheme. Taxis will face less regulation than previously, if the bill becomes law.

"It seemed right to actually level out the playing field for everybody," Rocca said.

Currently taxis are regulated at the state level, while transportation network companies operate with a patchwork of agreements in different communities around the state.

Under the bills, both would be regulated by the state. Taxi and transportation network companies would be required to register annually with the state and pay a per-vehicle fee. Drivers register through the companies, not through the state. Companies would be required to conduct background checks and annual vehicle inspections through mechanics.

The legislation's passage was applauded by Lyft.

"We applaud the members of the Senate for recognizing the benefits modern transportation options like Lyft bring to communities across Michigan. Tens of thousands of Michiganders have embraced the safe, affordable rides and flexible economic opportunity Lyft provides. We urge the House to concur with the Senate and send the bill package to Governor Snyder to sign and formally enact a common-sense framework for ridesharing in Michigan," said the company in a statement.

The main bill in the package, House Bill 4637, passed 31-4. Voting against it were Sens. Rebekah Warren, D-Ann Arbor; Coleman Young II, D-Detroit; Dale Zorn, R-Ida; and Mike Nofs, R-Battle Creek.

Young said he would like to see local control for communities like Detroit, which has already struck deals with transportation network companies.

"We wanted existing agreements, we wanted them to be able to continue," Young said.

He said he supports companies like Uber and Lyft as the future, but could not support the main bill.

Rocca said the bill preserves the ability of airports to regulate transportation network companies, but local authorities regulating transportation network companies would be phased out after four years.

The changes would need to be approved by the house before the bill headed to Gov. Rick Snyder for signature.