Skip to main content Skip to office menu Skip to footer
Capital IconMinnesota Legislature

House lawmakers pass agreement that would keep Uber, Lyft operating in Minnesota

Rideshare drivers rally at the Capitol May 18. The House passed legislation Sunday that would set minimum pay for Uber and Lyft drivers and that the companies said would keep them operating in Minnesota. (Photo by Michele Jokinen)
Rideshare drivers rally at the Capitol May 18. The House passed legislation Sunday that would set minimum pay for Uber and Lyft drivers and that the companies said would keep them operating in Minnesota. (Photo by Michele Jokinen)

A provision two years in the making is now a signature away from providing benefits to ride share drivers.

Passed 71-59 by the House and included in the transportation, labor and housing conference committee report is a plan to pay rideshare drivers $1.28 per mile and 31 cents per minute with a $5 minimum per ride.

Minnesota House debate on HF4746 - Pt. 1 5/19/24

The transportation, labor and housing bill was passed 70-59 Sunday night and sent to the Senate.

Sponsored by Rep. Hodan Hassan (DFL-Mpls), HF4746, as amended, would also grant drivers the right to appeal a deactivation, providing an avenue to possibly reactivate their account on a rideshare app, and appropriate $173,000 in fiscal year 2025 from the General Fund for enforcement, education, and outreach, with annual base of $123,000 beginning in fiscal year 2026.

“This has been about fair wages, fair treatment and protecting workers,” she said. “These are immigrants, new Americans. These are low-income people. These are Black and brown people … who want to achieve the American Dream. And that has been what this work has been.”

Minnesota House debate on HF4746 - Pt. 2 5/19/24

At a late-Saturday news conference, House Majority Leader Jamie Long (DFL-Mpls) called the it “the best deal” possible after the companies had threatened to cease operations after the Minneapolis City Council voted to require a raise for them earlier this year.

Sen. Omar Fateh (DFL-Mpls), the Senate sponsor, was more emotional at the gathering. “This damn bill,” he said while holding back tears. “It’s been two long years.”

Officials representing Uber and Lyft assured the conference committee Sunday that the two companies would continue to operate in Minnesota.

“Every word of this bill has been vetted with council and ‘where shall’ in this bill is the appropriate grammar,” said Uber representative Joel Carlson.

[MORE: Labor panel approves rideshare pay compromise; Uber, Lyft say rate ‘not supportable’]

Drivers are classified as independent contractors, and don’t receive benefits like unemployment insurance and overtime, and the bill would not change that. However, provisions would mandate rideshare companies provide drivers with vehicle insurance and compensation for injuries occurring while driving to pick up passengers or when transporting them.

Republicans question late-session process

Rep. Hodan Hassan receives a hug from Rep. Liz Lee following passage of HF4746 on the House Floor May 19. (Photo by Michele Jokinen)

Acknowledging that keeping the rideshare companies in Minnesota was the right thing to do, House Minority Leader Lisa Demuth (R-Cold Spring) termed Sunday’s House debate on the bill as “absolutely disingenuous” and “not a serious process.”

A dozen amendments were added to the bill but none of the changes are included in the conference committee report that was finalized before the House ended debate on the bill as a standalone product.

Long said the path was taken to allow the full body to engage in debate on the issue with the session in its final hours.

Republican amendments that were adopted would have:


Related Articles


Priority Dailies

House closes 2024 session in chaotic fashion, trading bonding for budget boosts
(House Photography file photo) It was a session of modest ambitions. After 2023 produced a record $72 billion in biennial funding, Minnesota’s legislative leaders were dampening expectations for anything ...
Ways and Means Committee OKs proposed $512 million supplemental budget on party-line vote
(House Photography file photo) Meeting more needs or fiscal irresponsibility is one way to sum up the differences among the two parties on a supplemental spending package a year after a $72 billion state budg...

Minnesota House on Twitter