New rideshare bill ceremoniously signed at Capitol

New rideshare bill ceremoniously signed at Capitol

New rideshare bill ceremoniously signed at Capitol

Gov. Tim Walz was joined Tuesday morning by state leaders and rideshare drivers for a ceremonial signing of new legislation for rideshare drivers in Minnesota. As previously reported by 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS, he signed the bill, as well as others, into law on Friday.

The bill is a compromise between lawmakers and rideshare companies Uber and Lyft after hours of negotiation at the Capitol.

Drivers will now make a minimum of $1.28 per mile and 31 cents a minute.

RELATED: Rideshare pay bill advances to Walz’s desk, more time needed for equal rights amendment bill

Walz acknowledged the difficulty in getting the legislation to the finish line, saying, “If it were easy, everybody else would’ve done it, but nobody’s done it.”

The deal preempts any city ordinance that tries to establish its own minimum rates, like Minneapolis City Council members tried to do earlier this year.

In response to the push in Minneapolis, Uber and Lyft threatened to leave.

RELATED: Minneapolis to drop rideshare minimum wage plan, look to future, council member says

Now, the companies say they will stay, but a spokesperson for Uber says prices will likely go up.

CLICK HERE for 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS’ full rideshare coverage. You can find KSTP’s Legislative Tracker by CLICKING HERE.

RELATED: Minnesota legislature adjourns with chaos, accomplishments

New rideshare bill ceremoniously signed at Capitol

New rideshare bill ceremoniously signed at Capitol