TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas House has approved changes to a transportation bill that Uber says could drive it out of the state.
Changes to the bill the House approved on Thursday would require drivers from transportation network companies to hold additional insurance for the periods they are transporting riders for pay.
It would also require companies to do background checks on their drivers through the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.
The bill directly affects the company Uber, which connects independent drivers to riders through a smart device app. The company posted on its blog Monday that the bill would make it impossible for Uber to operate in Kansas.
Republican Rep. Scott Schwab said the bill would give fair regulation to Uber without giving the company special treatment.