CA AB650

Suspends local taxicab regulation requirements when the Director of Finance notifies the legislature that taxicab services are included in a state reorganization of transportation duties from the Public Utilities Commission (except for San Francisco).

Freezes existing local taxicab rules and regulations as they existed on July 1, 2016, while prohibiting new service charges, fees, or assessments and capping annual taxi driver permit fees at $75.

Prohibits cities and counties from restricting prearranged trips via dispatch or online applications, but allows them to limit taxicab companies at taxi stands, airports, and street hail locations.

Prohibits regulation of fare-calculation devices (including GPS metering) and requires taxicab companies to disclose fares before customers accept rides, while allowing fares lower than established maximums.

Declares that taxicab regulation is a statewide concern rather than a municipal affair, and expresses legislative intent to consolidate taxicab regulation under one state agency that handles other for-hire transportation modes.