UBER Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7169
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Transportation and Public Works
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-01-21: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-19T13:17:40Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The "Understanding Basic English Requirements Act of 2026" (UBER Act) aims to establish minimum driver qualifications, including English proficiency, for companies receiving federal contracts for ride-sharing or shared mobility services in the continental U.S., Alaska, or Hawaii. It ensures drivers can safely communicate and operate vehicles under these contracts.
Key Provisions
- Driver Requirements: For any federal contract or agreement with a transportation network company (TNC, e.g., app-based rides like Uber) or shared-use mobility company (e.g., taxis, shuttles, bikesharing):
- Drivers must be at least 21 years old.
- Drivers must read and speak English well enough to converse with the public, law enforcement, understand traffic signs, respond to officials, and fill out reports. (Exception: Does not apply to deaf or hearing-impaired drivers using American Sign Language.)
- Drivers must be qualified by experience or training to safely operate their vehicle type.
- Drivers must hold a valid driver's license from only one state or jurisdiction.
- Drivers must have passed a road test.
- Company Responsibilities: Companies must certify to the federal agency that all drivers meet these standards.
- Penalties: Non-compliant companies are debarred (banned) from federal contracts for 5 years.
- Scope: Applies only to executive agencies (as defined in federal procurement law) and services in specified U.S. regions.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Introduces uniform federal driver standards (age, English skills, licensing, testing) specifically for TNCs and shared mobility firms bidding on or holding federal contracts.
- Adds mandatory certification by companies and automatic 5-year debarment for false or failed compliance—previously, no such nationwide prerequisites existed for these company types in federal contracting.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Must review company certifications before awarding contracts, potentially increasing administrative workload and limiting vendor options.
- Citizens and Riders: May improve safety and communication for passengers using federally contracted services, but could reduce driver pools, raise service costs, or limit availability in some areas.
- Companies and Drivers: TNCs and shared mobility firms must screen and train drivers for federal work; non-English proficient drivers may be ineligible, affecting hiring in diverse regions.
- No direct international relations impact.
Main Stakeholders
- Federal executive agencies (e.g., those procuring transport services).
- Transportation network companies (TNCs like Uber or Lyft).
- Shared-use mobility companies (taxis, shuttles, scooter/bike shares).
- Ride-share and mobility drivers (must meet new qualifications).
- Passengers and federal employees using these services.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens federal procurement rules with clear certification and debarment mechanisms, enforceable via existing procurement statutes.
- Constitutional: English requirement focuses on public safety and communication needs but includes ASL exception to address disability access; could face challenges if seen as discriminatory against non-English speakers.
- Political: Playful acronym ("UBER Act") highlights focus on ride-sharing; introduced by bipartisan House members and referred to oversight committee, signaling emphasis on accountability in federal spending.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (3)
Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1], Rep. Fine, Randy [R-FL-6], Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4]
Recent Actions
- 2026-01-21: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- 2026-01-21: Introduced in House
- 2026-01-21: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Understanding Basic English Requirements Act of 2026 — issued 2026-01-21 — PDF (4 pages)