UBER Act
- Bill Number
- S. 3121
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Transportation and Public Works
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-11-06: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-19T13:17:40Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose This legislation, titled the Understanding Basic English Requirements Act of 2025 (or UBER Act), aims to establish English proficiency and related standards as mandatory conditions for transportation network companies and shared-use mobility companies to qualify for federal contracts involving ride services in the continental United States or Hawaii.
Key Provisions
- Executive agencies are prohibited from awarding contracts or agreements to such companies unless every driver performing work under the contract meets specific criteria.
- Required driver qualifications include: being at least 21 years old; reading and speaking English at a level sufficient to interact with the public, law enforcement, and officials, understand traffic signs, respond to inquiries, and complete reports; safely operating the vehicle through experience or training; holding a valid driver's license from only one state or jurisdiction; and passing a driver's road test.
- An exception applies to drivers who are deaf or hearing impaired and use American Sign Language.
- Companies must certify compliance with these standards to remain eligible for federal contracts.
- Non-compliance results in a 5-year debarment from receiving any federal contracts.
- Definitions clarify terms such as "executive agency," "shared-use mobility company" (covering taxis, ridesharing, bikesharing, and similar services), and "transportation network company" (entities using digital networks to connect riders and drivers).
Significant Changes to Existing Law The bill introduces new federal requirements linking English language skills and other driver standards directly to eligibility for government ride-share contracts. It adds a certification and debarment mechanism that does not appear in prior law governing these agreements.
Potential Impacts
- Government agencies may face restricted options when procuring ride services, potentially affecting operational flexibility and costs.
- Citizens using federally contracted ride services could encounter changes in driver availability or service quality.
- International relations are not addressed in the legislation.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Transportation network companies and shared-use mobility companies seeking federal contracts.
- Drivers employed or contracted by these companies.
- Executive agencies that award such contracts.
- Passengers and the general public who rely on these services.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The legislation ties contract eligibility to language proficiency and safety standards, with an explicit exception for American Sign Language users. It creates a new compliance and penalty framework for federal procurement in the transportation sector.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2025-11-06: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- 2025-11-06: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Understanding Basic English Requirements Act of 2025 — issued 2025-11-06 — PDF (4 pages)