Iowa House Approves Rules for Ridesharing Services

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa House has approved rules for ridesharing services such as Uber, saying a statewide approach is better than different regulations in many cities.

The legislation outlining the state regulations advanced Tuesday on a 95-5 vote. It now goes to the Senate for review.

The Des Moines Register reports that the legislation prevents cities from implementing stricter ordinances in most cases. Rep. Chris Hagenow, a Windsor Height Republican who managed the bill on the House floor, says this ensures consistency across the state.

The bill also requires ridesharing companies to provide insurance coverage of up to $100,000 when drivers are waiting to be contacted for a ride and $1 million once a job is accepted.

Rep. Dawn Pettengill, a Mount Auburn Republican, says those coverage numbers should be higher.