Nevada Governor Signs Bills Authorizing Ridesharing Companies

Gov. Brian Sandoval has signed two bills to regulate ridesharing companies like Uber and Lyft in Nevada.

Sandoval gave final approval to Assembly Bill 175 and Assembly Bill 176 at the end of May, just as cab drivers in Las Vegas staged a protest against the companies.

AB175 sets up a regulatory framework for ride-hailing companies and imposes a 3 percent tax on taxi and Uber rides that’s expected to raise $70 million over two years. AB176 places ride-hailing companies under the jurisdiction of the Nevada Transportation Authority.

Sen. Kelvin Atkinson has said the companies want to begin operations in Nevada in July, although Uber isn’t committing to a specific launch date.

Uber briefly operated in Nevada last fall before a judge issued a restraining order against the company, saying it wasn’t following taxicab regulations.