Bill language that would allow for ride-hailing companies such as Uber in Nevada is back after a similar proposal failed a Senate vote last month.
The bill comes after months of debate among lawmakers about how to regulate the companies.
Senators agreed Thursday to add a major amendment to AB175, a bill that changes rules about lawsuits in taxicab crashes. The Senate is expected to vote on the amended bill soon.
The amendment revives many of the provisions of hard-fought SB439, which would create regulations for so-called "transportation network companies" that allow people to hail a ride using a smartphone.
SB439 failed when Democrats opposed it because it didn't include an amendment that would have required FBI background
The new language removes a proposed 25-cent-per-ride surcharge, and instead places a 3 percent tax on the total fare for rides through a cab company or a ride-hailing company.
It also changes provisions about insurance and background checks.
The Livery Operators Association of Las Vegas issued the following statement, which read in part:
“The Settelmeyer/Atkinson amendment that was adopted today is a thinly-veiled attempt to trade critical public safety for the promise of millions of dollars in return. In a tourism state like ours, transportation providers in Nevada should have mandatory FBI driver background checks, full-time commercial insurance, vehicle maintenance inspections, driver training and drug screening and regulation of fares for consumer protection."
Uber started rolling in November but the Nevada Taxicab Authority stopped and cited drivers. Court battles followed until a state judge issued a restraining order, saying the company wasn't following the same regulations as cabs.
The taxi lobby has said it isn't oppose to Uber operating in Nevada, it is just opposed to what it believes is a seperate set of rules for them.
(The Associated Press contributed to this report)