CITY OF SEATTLE
ORDINANCE __________________
COUNCIL BILL __________________
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AN ORDINANCE relating to the for-hire industry, including wheelchair accessible taxis and for-hire industry insurance; amending Sections 6.310.260, 6.310.300, and 6.310.500 and repealing Section 6.310.335 of the Seattle Municipal Code.
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WHEREAS, industry regulations for taxicab and for-hire vehicle services must ensure fair market competition and encourage innovation without compromising the regulatory safety that the public relies on for its protection; and
WHEREAS, the number of insurance companies available to taxicab and for-hire vehicles licensees has become very limited; and
WHEREAS, no complaints, claims or additional risk were realized during the 2014 provisional period when the A.M. Best rating on insurance companies was decreased; and
WHEREAS, the State of Washington does not require commercial vehicle operators, like taxicabs and for-hire vehicles to have an insurance policy that is A.M. Best rated; and
WHEREAS, the State of Washington has a guaranty fund that processes claims in the event an insurance company becomes insolvent; and
WHEREAS, the provisional period referenced in SMC 6.310 has elapsed; and
WHEREAS, wheelchair accessible taxis have provided accessible service in Seattle since 2008; and
WHEREAS, operating a wheelchair accessible taxi is more expensive than a non-accessible taxi and therefore reimbursing some operating expenses helps ensure the economic sustainability of this service; and
WHEREAS, demand for wheelchair accessible taxis has been expressed by the Seattle Commission for People with Disabilities; and
WHEREAS, King County has licensed wheelchair accessible taxicabs that are able to drop off passengers in the city but are not allowed to pick that same passenger back up contributing to customer complaints and greenhouse gas emissions; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF SEATTLE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Section 6.310.260 of the Sea...
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