Private Vehicle-for-Hire Operator Clarification Emergency Amendment Act of 2026

Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor: Nadeau
Last action: 2026-07-14
Official status: Under Council Review
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill is currently under Council Review, so it has not yet become law or taken effect.

Private Vehicle-for-Hire Operator Clarification Emergency Amendment Act of 2026

This bill changes the law to clearly define who counts as a private vehicle-for-hire operator in Washington, D.C.

What This Bill Does

Amends the Department of For-Hire Vehicles Establishment Act of 1985 on an emergency basis.
Defines a 'private vehicle-for-hire operator' as someone using digital dispatch from a company to drive passengers.
Sets the rule's start date back to March 1, 2024.

Who It Names or Affects

Individuals who use digital apps or systems from ride companies to drive passengers
Private vehicle-for-hire companies operating in the District of Columbia

Terms To Know

Digital dispatch: Using a computer system, app, or online platform to assign rides and connect drivers with passengers.
Emergency basis: A special process that lets the law take effect quickly but only for 90 days unless extended by other steps.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not say if it costs money or how much.
This version of the law expires after 90 days unless other steps are taken to make it permanent.
The text does not explain what happens if a driver uses digital dispatch but is not employed by a company.

Bill History

2026-07-14 Council of the District of Columbia LIMS
Retained by the Council
2026-07-14 Council of the District of Columbia LIMS
Legislative Meeting
2026-07-09 Council of the District of Columbia LIMS
B26-0728 Introduced by Councilmember Nadeau at Office of the Secretary

Official Summary Text

Private Vehicle-for-Hire Operator Clarification Emergency Amendment Act of 2026

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

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Councilmember Brianne K. Nadeau 2
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A BILL 6
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_________________________ 8
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IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 11
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To amend, on an emergency basis, the Department of For-Hire Vehicles Establishment Act of 15
1985 to clarify the definition of a private vehicle-for-hire operator. 16
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this 18
act may be cited as the “Private Vehicle-for-Hire Operator Clarification Emergency Amendment 19
Act of 2026”. 20
Sec. 2. Section 4(16C) of the Department of For-Hire Vehicles Establishment Act of 21
1985, effective March 25, 1986 (D.C. Law 6-97; D.C. Official Code § 50-301.03(16C)), is 22
amended to read as follows: 23
“(16C) “Private vehicle-for-hire operator” means an individual who utilizes the 24
digital dispatch of a private vehicle-for-hire company to operate a motor vehicle to provide 25
transportation to passengers.”. 26
Sec. 3. Applicability. 27
This act shall apply as of March 1, 2024. 28
Sec. 4. Fiscal impact statement. 29

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The Council adopts the fiscal impact statement of the Budget Director as the fiscal impact 30
statement required by section 4a of the General Legislative Procedures Act of 1975, approved 31
October 16, 2006 (120 Stat. 2038; D.C. Official Code § 1-301.47a). 32
Sec. 5. Effective date. 33
This act shall take effect following approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by the 34
Mayor, action by the Council to override the veto), and shall remain in effect for no longer than 35
90 days, as provided for emergency acts of the Council of the District of Columbia in section 36
412(a) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 788; 37
D.C. Official Code § 1-204.12(a)). 38