I 
117TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 1082 
To require ride-hailing companies to implement an enhanced digital system 
to verify passengers with their authorized ride-hailing vehicles and drivers. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
FEBRUARY 15, 2021 
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey (for himself, Mr. SUOZZI, Mr. CLYBURN, Mr. WIL-
SON of South Carolina, Mr. SIRES, and Mr. GOTTHEIMER) introduced the 
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation 
and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and 
Commerce, and the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined 
by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall 
within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To require ride-hailing companies to implement an enhanced 
digital system to verify passengers with their authorized 
ride-hailing vehicles and drivers. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as ‘‘Sami’s Law’’. 
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
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(1) COUNCIL.—The term ‘‘Council’’ means the 
Safety Actions for Matching and Identifying Ride- 
Share Customers Advisory Council established under 
section 5(a). 
(2) NONVISUAL; NONVISUALLY ACCESSIBLE.— 
The terms ‘‘nonvisual’’ and ‘‘nonvisually accessible’’, 
with respect to the systems described in sections 
3(a)(2)(A)(iv) and 4(b)(2)(B), mean digital content 
that— 
(A) meets the criteria for success described 
in the guidelines entitled ‘‘Web Content Acces-
sibility Guidelines 2.0, Level AA’’ (or a suc-
cessor to, or revision of, those guidelines) that 
have been incorporated into the standards 
issued by the United States Access Board 
known as the ‘‘Section 508 standards’’, includ-
ing, to the extent applicable, the applications 
commonly known as the ‘‘Web Accessibility Ini-
tiative - Accessible Rich Internet Applications 
(WAI–ARIA)’’; or 
(B) otherwise allows visually impaired pas-
sengers to access the same information, and use 
the same systems, offered to nonvisually im-
paired passengers under sections 3(a)(2)(A)(iv) 
and 4(b)(2)(B) in a manner that provides a 
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comparable level of privacy, independence, and 
substantially equivalent ease of use to visually 
impaired passengers. 
(3) PASSENGER.—The term ‘‘passenger’’ means 
an individual who is matched with a TNC driver by 
submitting to a transportation network company a 
trip request using a TNC platform. 
(4) PERSONAL
MOBILE
DEVICE.—The term 
‘‘personal mobile device’’ means a mobile commu-
nications device used by an individual to submit a 
trip request through a TNC platform. 
(5) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of Transportation. 
(6) TNC DRIVER.—The term ‘‘TNC driver’’ 
means an individual who contracts with a transpor-
tation network company to provide transportation 
services through a TNC platform in exchange for 
compensation or payment of a fee. 
(7) TNC PLATFORM.—The term ‘‘TNC plat-
form’’ means an online-enabled application or digital 
network made available by a transportation network 
company to connect passengers to TNC drivers for 
the purpose of providing prearranged transportation 
services. 
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(8) TNC VEHICLE.—The term ‘‘TNC vehicle’’ 
means a vehicle (also known as a ‘‘ride-hailing vehi-
cle’’) that is— 
(A) owned, leased, or otherwise authorized 
for use by a TNC driver; and 
(B) used by the TNC driver to provide to 
passengers prearranged transportation services. 
(9) TRANSPORTATION NETWORK COMPANY.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—The term ‘‘transpor-
tation network company’’ means a corporation, 
partnership, sole proprietorship, or other entity 
that makes available a TNC platform to con-
nect passengers to TNC drivers in exchange for 
compensation or payment of a fee in order for 
the TNC driver to transport the passenger 
using a TNC vehicle to a point chosen by the 
passenger. 
(B) EXCLUSIONS.—The term ‘‘transpor-
tation network company’’ does not include— 
(i) a shared-expense carpool or van-
pool arrangement that is not intended to 
generate profit for the driver; or 
(ii) microtransit or other dedicated 
services provided exclusively on behalf of a 
government entity, a nonprofit organiza-
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tion, or a third-party commercial enter-
prise. 
(10) VERIFIABLE
INFORMATION.—The term 
‘‘verifiable information’’ means data that— 
(A) are shared among— 
(i) a TNC platform; 
(ii) a TNC driver authorized to use 
the TNC platform; and 
(iii) a passenger using the TNC plat-
form; and 
(B) include— 
(i) a personal authentication number 
confirmation; 
(ii) a license plate confirmation; or 
(iii) other information that may be 
used in a successor technology-based sys-
tem. 
SEC. 3. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR TRANSPORTATION 
NETWORK COMPANIES. 
(a) TNC PLATFORM SYSTEMS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act, each transpor-
tation network company shall establish and imple-
ment, within the TNC platform of the transportation 
network company, a system and policy under which 
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the transportation network company shall provide to 
each passenger using the TNC platform a digital 
method to verify, prior to the beginning of the trip 
requested by the passenger, that the TNC driver 
with whom the passenger has been matched through 
the TNC platform has been authorized by the trans-
portation network company to accept the trip re-
quest. 
(2) INCLUSIONS.—Each system under para-
graph (1) shall include— 
(A)(i) an initial notification, containing 
verifiable information specific to the applicable 
TNC driver or TNC vehicle with which the ap-
plicable passenger has been matched, that is— 
(I) sent to the personal mobile device 
of the passenger; or 
(II) otherwise communicated to the 
passenger; 
(ii) a method by which the applicable pas-
senger, TNC driver, and TNC platform can 
confirm the verifiable information matching the 
passenger to the TNC driver or TNC vehicle 
prior to the beginning of the requested trip; 
(iii) a restriction imposed by the TNC plat-
form against any TNC driver from commencing 
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(c) EXEMPTIONS.—This section shall not apply to 
any trip— 
(1) with respect to which a passenger elects 
under subsection (b) to opt out of using the system 
of the relevant transportation network company; 
(2) that is facilitated by a third party, including 
any third-party commercial enterprise, nonprofit or-
ganization, or government entity, for a passenger 
who is transported in a TNC vehicle; or 
(3) with respect to which compliance with sub-
section (a) is impracticable due to circumstances be-
yond the control of the relevant transportation net-
work company, including any instance in which— 
(A) the personal mobile device of a pas-
senger has failed to operate; or 
(B) there exists degraded, reduced, or oth-
erwise insufficient cellular connectivity in order 
for the system of a transportation network com-
pany under subsection (a) to operate properly. 
(d) AUTHORITY OF SECRETARY.— 
(1) REGULATIONS.—The Secretary may pro-
mulgate such regulations as the Secretary deter-
mines to be necessary to carry out this section. 
(2) INSPECTION
AUTHORITY.—The Secretary 
may inspect such records of a transportation net-
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work company as the Secretary determines to be 
necessary to allow the Secretary to determine wheth-
er the transportation network company achieves 
compliance with the applicable requirements of this 
section. 
(e) ENFORCEMENT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (2), a 
transportation network company that is in violation 
of an applicable requirement of this section shall be 
liable to the United States for a civil penalty in an 
amount equal to not more than $5,000 per day of 
violation. 
(2) KNOWING AND WILLFUL VIOLATIONS.—A 
transportation network company shall be liable to 
the United States for a civil penalty in an amount 
equal to not more than $20,000 per day of knowing 
and willful violation of an applicable requirement of 
this section. 
(3) COMPROMISE.—The Secretary may com-
promise the amount of a civil penalty imposed under 
this subsection before referral to the Attorney Gen-
eral. 
(4) 
OFFSET
FROM
FEDERALLY
OWED 
AMOUNTS.—The Federal Government may deduct 
the amount of a civil penalty imposed under this 
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subsection (including through compromise under 
paragraph (3)) from any amounts owed by the Fed-
eral Government to the transportation network com-
pany liable for the penalty. 
SEC. 4. SUCCESSOR TECHNOLOGY-BASED SYSTEM PER-
FORMANCE STANDARDS. 
(a) RECOMMENDATIONS
OF COUNCIL.—Not later 
than 180 days after the date of establishment of the Coun-
cil, the Council shall submit to the Secretary information 
regarding best practices and recommendations supported 
by the majority of the members of the Council concerning 
performance standards the Secretary may establish with 
respect to successor technology-based systems described in 
section 3(a)(2)(B). 
(b) ACTION BY SECRETARY.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than one year 
after the date of receipt of the recommendations of 
the Council under subsection (a), the Secretary 
shall— 
(A) review the recommendations; 
(B) establish performance standards with 
respect to successor technology-based systems 
described in section 3(a)(2)(B); and 
(C) provide to each transportation network 
company that elects to use a successor tech-
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nology-based system subject to a performance 
standard established under subparagraph (B) a 
reasonable time to achieve compliance with the 
applicable standards. 
(2) REQUIREMENTS.—The standards estab-
lished under paragraph (1)(B) shall require, at a 
minimum, that— 
(A) a successor technology-based system 
enables verification by a passenger, prior to the 
beginning of the trip requested by the pas-
senger through a TNC platform, that the TNC 
driver with whom the passenger has been 
matched is authorized by the applicable trans-
portation network company to accept the trip 
request; 
(B) the protocols for verification described 
in subparagraph (A) are visually accessible and 
nonvisually accessible; and 
(C) a transportation network company 
shall implement a system incorporating a TNC 
driver education and public awareness program 
relating to— 
(i) the use of the successor tech-
nology-based system; and 
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(ii) any required verifiable informa-
tion. 
(3) UPDATES.—Not later than 180 days after 
the date of establishment of performance standards 
under paragraph (1)(B), and not less frequently 
than annually thereafter, the Secretary— 
(A) shall solicit input from the Council re-
garding whether the performance standards 
should be updated or expanded to incorporate 
new technological developments; and 
(B) may issue such amended performance 
standards as the Secretary determines to be 
necessary to account for new technological de-
velopments. 
(4) INTERIM STANDARDS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—During the period be-
ginning on the date of enactment of this Act 
and ending on the date on which performance 
standards are established under paragraph 
(1)(B), a transportation network company may 
adopt and deploy any successor technology- 
based system that enables passengers to verify, 
prior to the beginning of the trip requested by 
the passenger, that the TNC driver with whom 
the passenger has been matched through the 
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TNC platform has been authorized by the 
transportation network company to accept the 
trip request. 
(B) TREATMENT.—A successor technology- 
based system deployed pursuant to subpara-
graph (A) shall be considered to meet the appli-
cable requirements of paragraph (2) during the 
period described in that subparagraph, unless 
the Secretary determines that the successor 
technology-based system is insufficient. 
(C) INSUFFICIENCIES.—If the Secretary 
makes a determination described in subpara-
graph (B) with respect to a successor tech-
nology-based system deployed by a transpor-
tation network company, the Secretary shall 
provide to the transportation network company 
a reasonable period to remedy the insufficiency. 
(5) REPORTS.—On initially establishing per-
formance standards under paragraph (1)(B), and 
not less frequently than annually thereafter until the 
date of termination of the Council under section 
5(g)(2), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate and the Committee on Transportation and 
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Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a re-
port that describes— 
(A)(i) the recommendations of the Council 
under subsection (a); and 
(ii) the consideration by the Secretary of 
those recommendations, including the reasons 
why the recommendations were accepted or not 
accepted, as applicable; 
(B) the performance standards established 
by the Secretary under paragraph (1)(B), in-
cluding any updates to those standards under 
paragraph (3); and 
(C) the rationale of the Secretary for es-
tablishing those performance standards. 
SEC. 5. SAFETY ACTIONS FOR MATCHING AND IDENTI-
FYING RIDE-SHARE CUSTOMERS ADVISORY 
COUNCIL. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Subject to the availability of 
appropriations, not later than 90 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a 
council, to be known as the ‘‘Safety Actions for Matching 
and Identifying Ride-Share Customers Advisory Council’’ 
or ‘‘SAMI’s Law Council’’, to recommend to the Secretary 
performance standards the Secretary may establish with 
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respect to successor technology-based systems described in 
section 3(a)(2)(B). 
(b) MEMBERSHIP.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Council shall be com-
posed of 17 members to be appointed by the Sec-
retary, comprised of the following: 
(A) One or more representatives of each 
of— 
(i) the Department of Transportation; 
(ii) the National Institute of Stand-
ards and Technology; 
(iii) the Federal Trade Commission; 
(iv) an association or trade group that 
represents technology companies, the mem-
bership of which includes 1 or more trans-
portation network companies; 
(v) an association or trade group that 
represents ground passenger transpor-
tation, the membership of which includes 1 
or more transportation network companies; 
and 
(vi) an organization that is— 
(I) comprised, and established for 
the benefit, of TNC drivers; and 
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(II) present in not fewer than 
two States. 
(B) Two or more representatives from each 
of— 
(i) one national transportation net-
work company and one small, local trans-
portation network company; 
(ii) one State government and one 
unit of local or Tribal government; 
(iii) law enforcement agencies; 
(iv) national organizations comprised, 
and established for the benefit, of individ-
uals with disabilities; and 
(v) 
ride-hailing 
victims 
advocacy 
groups. 
(2) CHAIRPERSON.—Of the members of the 
Council appointed under paragraph (1)(A), the Sec-
retary shall designate one to serve as chairperson of 
the Council. 
(c) TERM; VACANCIES.— 
(1) TERM.—A member of the Council shall 
serve for a term of three years. 
(2) VACANCIES.—A vacancy on the Council— 
(A) shall not affect the powers of the 
Council; and 
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(B) shall be filled in the same manner as 
the original appointment was made. 
(d) COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—A member of the Council 
shall serve without compensation. 
(2) TRAVEL
EXPENSES.—A member of the 
Council shall be allowed travel expenses, including 
per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized 
for an employee of an agency under subchapter I of 
chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, while 
away from the home or regular place of business of 
the member in the performance of the duties of the 
Council. 
(e) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—On request of the 
Council, the Secretary shall provide such technical assist-
ance as the Secretary determines to be necessary to enable 
the Council to carry out the duties of the Council. 
(f) DETAIL OF DOT EMPLOYEES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—On receipt of a request from 
the Council, the Secretary may detail to the Council 
any employee of the Department of Transportation, 
with or without reimbursement. 
(2) CIVIL SERVICE STATUS.—The detail of an 
employee under paragraph (1) shall be without inter-
ruption or loss of civil service status or privilege. 
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(g) REVIEW BY SECRETARY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Beginning on the date that 
is 12 years after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Secretary shall periodically review, and solicit 
public comment regarding, whether the continued 
existence of the Council is necessary. 
(2) TERMINATION OF COUNCIL.—On a deter-
mination by the Secretary under paragraph (1) that 
the Council is no longer necessary, the Secretary 
may— 
(A) terminate the Council; and 
(B) on termination of the Council under 
subparagraph (A), update performance stand-
ards relating to successor technologies as the 
Secretary determines to be appropriate. 
SEC. 6. PROHIBITION ON SALE OF RIDE-HAILING SIGNAGE. 
(a) PROHIBITION.—Except as provided in subsection 
(b), it shall be unlawful for any person to sell or offer 
for sale any signage that— 
(1) is designed to help a passenger to identify 
a TNC vehicle; and 
(2)(A) contains a proprietary trademark or logo 
of a transportation network company; or 
(B) purports to be signage of a transportation 
network company. 
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(b) APPLICABILITY.—Subsection (a) shall not apply 
to any person authorized by a transportation network 
company to sell or offer for sale signage of the transpor-
tation network company described in that subsection. 
(c) ENFORCEMENT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—A violation of this section 
shall be considered to be a violation of a rule defin-
ing an unfair or deceptive act or practice prescribed 
under section 18(a)(1)(B) of the Federal Trade 
Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 57a(a)(1)(B)). 
(2) ACTION BY FTC.—The Federal Trade Com-
mission shall enforce this section in the same man-
ner, by the same means, and with the same jurisdic-
tion, powers, and duties as though all applicable pro-
visions of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 
U.S.C. 41 et seq.) are incorporated in this Act. 
(3) TREATMENT.—Any person who violates this 
section shall be subject to the penalties, and entitled 
to the privileges and immunities, provided in the 
Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 41 et 
seq.). 
(d) SAVINGS CLAUSE.—Nothing in this section limits 
the authority of the Federal Trade Commission under any 
other provision of law. 
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SEC. 7. GAO STUDY ON INCIDENCE OF ASSAULT AND ABUSE 
OF PASSENGERS, TNC DRIVERS, AND DRIV-
ERS OF OTHER FOR-HIRE VEHICLES. 
The Comptroller General of the United States shall— 
(1) conduct a study regarding the incidence of 
assault and abuse perpetrated— 
(A) against TNC drivers and drivers of 
other for-hire vehicles (including taxicabs) by 
passengers and riders of for-hire vehicles; and 
(B) against passengers and riders by TNC 
drivers or drivers of other for-hire vehicles (in-
cluding taxicabs); and 
(2) not later than 14 months after the date of 
enactment of this Act, submit to Congress a report 
that includes a description of— 
(A) the nature and specifics of any back-
ground checks conducted on prospective TNC 
drivers of and drivers of other for-hire vehicles 
(including taxicabs), including any State and 
local laws requiring those background checks; 
(B) incidences in which— 
(i) individuals who are not TNC driv-
ers or drivers of other for-hire vehicles at-
tempt to pose as TNC drivers or drivers of 
other for-hire vehicles; or 
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(ii) passengers enter an incorrect vehi-
cle, regardless of whether the vehicle is a 
TNC vehicle or other for-hire vehicle; and 
(C)(i) efforts by— 
(I) transportation network companies, 
taxicab companies, or for-hire vehicle com-
panies to implement additional safety 
measures and practices; and 
(II) State and local governments to 
require those measures; and 
(ii) the efficacy of those efforts, practices, 
and requirements. 
SEC. 8. BUDGETARY EFFECTS. 
The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of 
complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, 
shall be determined by reference to the latest statement 
titled ‘‘Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation’’ for this 
Act, submitted for printing in the Congressional Record 
by the Chairman of the House Budget Committee, pro-
vided that such statement has been submitted prior to the 
vote on passage. 
Æ 
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