NC H163

Establishes a rebuttable presumption that taxicab drivers who operate and own or lease a passenger motor vehicle are independent contractors, not employees, under the workers' compensation act.

The presumption cannot be rebutted solely because operators must comply with local government rules for taxicabs or because they accept trip requests to specific locations at specific times.

The presumption may still be rebutted by application of the common law test for determining employment status.

Defines covered vehicles as passenger motor vehicles with seating capacity not exceeding seven persons that transport persons for hire where passengers control destination and route, or that operate under contract to provide specific transportation services.

Takes effect upon enactment and applies to affected persons on or after that date.