Ride-sharing, unemployment bills get tentative approval

The state House and Senate gave all-but-final legislative approvals to high-profile bills regulating ride-sharing and making changes to unemployment laws.

Posted 7:02 p.m. Aug 26, 2015 — Updated 3:16 a.m. Aug 28, 2015

Mark Binker

and

Laura Leslie

RALEIGH, N.C. — With lawmakers spending most of their time on behind-the-scenes budget negotiations, the House and the Senate quickly moved through their calendars with little debate on Wednesday.

Among the day's action:

UBER: The state House voted 112-2 to tentatively approve a bill that would regulate ride-sharing companies such as Uber and Lyft. The measure, Senate Bill 541, would impose insurance requirements and a single statewide fee on the services but exempts the companies from most local regulations.

It is scheduled for a final vote on Thursday before being sent to Gov. Pat McCrory for his signature or veto.

UNEMPLOYMENT: The state Senate voted 38-7 to tentatively a approve a bill that makes several changes to state unemployment laws. The most controversial change increases the number of "job contacts" someone receiving unemployment benefits must make every week from two to five.

Senators are scheduled to vote again on Senate Bill 15 Thursday, likely sending the measure to McCrory.

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