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DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA TAXICAB COMMISSION
NOTICE OF EMERGENCY RULEMAKING
The District of Columbia Taxicab Commission (“Commission”), pursuant to the authority set forth in Sections 8(c) (3), (4), (5), and (19), and 14 of the District of Columbia Taxicab Commission Establishment Act of 1985 (“Establishment Act”), effective March 25, 1986 (D.C. Law 6-97; D.C. Official Code §§ 50-307(c) (3), (4), (5), and (19), and 50-313, (2012 Repl. & 2015 Supp.)), hereby gives notice of the adoption, on an emergency basis, of amendments to Chapter 5 (Taxicab Companies, Associations and Fleets) of Title 31 (Taxicabs and Public Vehicles For Hire) of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations (DCMR).
The emergency rules are necessary because there is an immediate need to preserve and promote the safety and welfare of District residents. Immediate implementation of the rulemaking will protect taxicab passengers and drivers throughout the District by amending the Chapter 5 to require taxicab companies and associations to promptly install safety devices in all taxicabs.
This emergency rulemaking was adopted by the Commission on October 14, 2015 and took effect immediately. The Commission, through separate notice, also adopted proposed rulemaking on August 12, 2015, published in the D.C. Register on September 11, 2015 at 62 DCR 012443, incorporating the requirements of this emergency rulemaking. This emergency rulemaking shall remain in effect for one hundred and twenty (120) days after the date of adoption (expiring February 11, 2016), unless earlier superseded by an amendment or repeal by the Commission, or the publication of final rulemaking, whichever occurs first.
Chapter 5, Taxicab COMPANIES, ASSOCIATIONS AND FLEETS, of Title 31 DCMR, TAXICABS AND PUBLIC VEHICLES FOR HIRE, is amended to read as follows:
A new Section 510 is added to read as follows:
510 Taxicab Companies and Associations – Operating Requirements
A new Subsection 510.5 is added to read as follows:
510.5 Each taxicab company and association shall provide one or more safety devices for all its owned and associated vehicles which conforms to the equipment standards of § 603.8(n)(3), as specified in an administrative issuance, including a device which also provides for driver’s safety.
