HCS HB 1868 -- REGIONAL TAXICAB COMMISSION

SPONSOR:  Barry

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Motor
Vehicle and Traffic Regulations by a vote of 8 to 0.

This substitute creates a Regional Taxicab Commission that will
exercise authority over a regional taxicab district consisting of
St. Louis City and St. Louis County.  The purposes of the
commission are to improve the quality of taxicab service and to
exercise authority over licensing, control, and regulation of the
district.  The commission is a public corporation acting in a
governmental capacity.

The substitute specifies the composition of the commission,
including the number of members, appointment of members, terms of
service, the selection of a chairperson, and residency
requirements for members.  The substitute also specifies the
duties and powers of the commission.

In addition, the substitute:

(1)  Requires the commission to establish a district-wide taxicab
code which seeks to preserve code provisions similar to specified
code sections of the St. Louis City Municipal Ordinances and St.
Louis County Ordinances;

(2)  Requires the commission to seek input from St. Louis City,
St. Louis County, and the Lambert-St. Louis International Airport
authority for the purpose of providing taxicab service;

(3)  Requires the ordinances for St. Louis City and St. Louis
County relating to taxicabs to remain in force for 120 days after
the commission adopts its taxicab code, and then to be rescinded;

(4)  Requires the commission to develop procedures pertaining to
licensure requirements and appeal procedures for licensure;

(5)  Requires the commission to establish an annual fee-generated
budget;

(6)  Requires the commission to submit a written report before
the second Monday in April of each year to the chief executives
and governing bodies of St. Louis City and St. Louis County.  The
report is required to contain the operating conditions and fiscal
management conditions of the commission; and

(7)  Requires the chief executives of St. Louis City and St.
Louis County, before the end of the first fiscal year of the
commission, to appoint one or more certified public accountants
who will conduct an annual examination of the commission's books,
papers, documents, accounts, and vouchers.  The commission is
required to assist the certified public accountants in the
performance of their duties.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the travel and tourist industry
in the St. Louis area is very important to its economic
stability.  Many first time visitors' impression of the area may
be related to the quality of service given to them by taxicab
operators.  Supporters say there must be consistent city-county
controls.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Barry; St. Louis
Lambert Airport Taxi System; St. Louis Mayor's Office; St. Louis
Convention and Visitors Commission; and Director of Public Works,
St. Louis County.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that any problems that
might exist can be solved at the local level without a
commission.

Testifying against the bill were Yellow Cab, St. Louis; Archway
Cab Company; and Alan Cab Company.

Robert Triplett, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated October 11, 2002 at 9:02 am