Assembly passes measure to have NTA regulate ride-sharing companies

CARSON CITY — An amendment to a bill lost in a confusing Assembly floor vote early Saturday that would have given regulatory authority over ride-hailing companies to the Nevada Transportation Authority sailed through in a second vote Tuesday.

A Senate amendment to Assembly Bill 176 was concurred in by the Assembly on a voice vote. The bill was part of a deal hammered out between legislative leaders to have the NTA regulate companies like Uber and Lyft rather than the Nevada Public Utilities Commission.

The vote finalized the plan to allow the companies to begin operating in Nevada once regulators implement rules and the companies apply and are approved to do business.

AB176 was one of two bills that were part of the deal to allow Uber and Lyft to operate. The other measure, Assembly Bill 175, was approved by the Assembly early Saturday. It includes a 3 percent excise tax on ride-hailing and taxi fares that could raise as much as $70 million over the next two years. About $19 million of the total is expected to be directed to the opening of a medical school at UNLV.

AB175 was approved in what appeared to be confusion by some Assembly members over which of the two measures contained the tax plan.

Both measures are now on their way to Gov. Brian Sandoval.