Minnesota lawmakers aim to protect rideshare drivers hurt on the job -- but pay remains unresolved

MINNEAPOLIS — Legislation advancing at the Minnesota Capitol could extend new insurance protections to rideshare drivers attacked while driving, although lawmakers haven't resolved the central question of minimum pay.

House and Senate committees have revised the bill to grant drivers new rights if they are hurt on the job.

"Consider the human cost behind the services these drivers provide," said Eid Ali, president of the Minnesota Uber and Lyft Drivers Association. "The nature of their job exposes them to danger."

The revisions are the product of compromise between Uber and Lyft, a drivers organization, legislative leaders and Gov. Tim Walz's administration. Uber and Lyft already provide insurance for drivers that covers crashes, but drivers' advocates say they face other dangers.

Stephen Cooper, an attorney working with the drivers association, said drivers have frequently been victims of violence, with no cushion from Uber and Lyft if they are hurt.

"Previously, if a driver was shot, beaten, stabbed or robbed, there was no coverage," Cooper said.

The Senate Commerce committee amended the bill Tuesday to add insurance coverage for drivers including disability benefits and survivors' benefits if a driver is a victim of violence on the job.

Joel Carlson, a lobbyist representing Uber, called the insurance amendment "a step forward." He said the Senate language now matches the House bill more closely — and both bills' insurance provisions were close to the task force recommendations agreed to by both the ride-hailing companies, drivers' groups and a group of state lawmakers. A lobbyist representing Lyft said that company also supported the insurance amendment.

The bill's sponsor, state Sen. Omar Fateh, DFL-Minneapolis, said he agreed to the amendment as a show of good faith.

During the commerce committee hearing, state Sen. Jordan Rasmusson, R-Fergus Falls, introduced an amendment that would block any local government unit from setting its own regulations for ride-hailing companies, terming it a "backstop" to keep Uber and Lyft in Minnesota even if the Legislature and governor cannot agree on a bill.

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