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Minutes for HB2019 - Committee on Transportation
Short Title
Establishing conditions for when a driver is an independent contractor for a transportation network company.
Minutes Content for Thu, Jan 26, 2023
Chairperson Francis opened the hearing on HB2019.
Chris Waggoner, Office of Revisor of Statutes, provided an overview of the bill and addressed questions from the committee. (Attachment 1)
Harry Hartfield, Public Policy Manager, testified as a proponent conferee on behalf of Uber Technologies, Inc. stating that this bill enshrines Kansas rideshare drivers' ability to work when and where they want with any rideshare company they choose by ensuring their continued access to flexible work opportunities on app-based platforms like Uber and Lyft while at the same time not altering in any way how other businesses in the state work with independent contractors. (Attachment 2)
Mr. Hartfield responded to questions from committee members.
Matthew Hall, Political Coordinator, Teamsters Joint Council 56 testified as an opponent conferee stating that it is the position of the organization he represents that this bill is an erosion of labor rights in the state of Kansas and does a disservice to workers and the labor market by removing the Kansas Department of Labor standard which states that one of the considerations to determine whether a worker is an employee or an independent contractor is "whether or not the work is part of the regular business of the principal (employer)". He further described the bill as a grab from out of state big tech to increase profits and siphon money away from our state by creating an uneven playing field. (Attachment 3)
Mr. Hall responded to questions from committee members.
Steven Greenhut, Resident Senior Fellow, Western Region Director, R Street Institute provided written testimony in support of the bill. (Attachment 4)
Jake Miller, Executive Director, Working Kansas Alliance provided written testimony in opposition to the bill. (Attachment 5)
Joe Hudson, Regional Political Director/Representative, Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council provided written testimony in opposition to the bill. (Attachment 6)
There being no further conferees, Chairperson Francis closed the hearing on HB2019.
