West Virginia Governor to Introduce Ridesharing Bill

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin is on board with letting Uber offer rides in West Virginia.

Tomblin spokeswoman Shayna Varner says the governor plans to introduce a bill letting ridesharing companies, including Uber and Lyft, operate in the state.

An Uber push in the GOP-led Legislature died last year. Among other issues, a pocket of lawmakers opposed a provision to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender riders from discrimination.

Varner says Tomblin’s version will require that companies have a nondiscrimination policy and comply with nondiscrimination laws.

The bill would require companies to have a Division of Motor Vehicles permit, car insurance, underinsured and uninsured motorist coverage and a zero tolerance drug and alcohol policy.

Tomblin’s bill hasn’t been released yet.

Republican Sen. Chris Walters has also introduced an Uber bill.