2539089 Taxicab Commission, DC - Notice of Public Hearing - Amendments to Chapter 8 (Operation of Taxicabs)
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DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA TAXICAB COMMISSION
GOVERNMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Amendments to Chapter 8 (Operation of Taxicabs) of Title 31 (Taxicabs and Public Vehicles for Hire) of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations
JUNE 6, 2012
10:00 A.M.
Ron M. Linton, Chairman, DC. Taxicab Commission (DCTC) announces a Public Hearing to receive comments on the District of Columbia Taxicab Commission’s notice of its intent to adopt amendments to Chapter 8 (Operation of Taxicabs) of Title 31 (Taxicabs and Public Vehicles for Hire) of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations (“DCMR”).
The amendments as originally proposed would: (1) repeal the nineteen dollar ($19) taxicab fare cap and collapse taxicab fare rates into one (1) rate; (2) clarify that Hack Inspectors may make traffic stops in order to enforce the taxicab regulations and laws; (3) specify procedures for the commencement of snow emergency fare periods and replace the snow emergency fare rate with a snow emergency flat fee; (4) update regulations for the use of hand-free communication devices; (5) clarify regulations for the use of the radio when a passenger is in the taxicab; (6) clarify the “No Smoking” signage required; (7) clarify shared riding fares; (8) require the original operator identification (Face) card to be displayed at all times while the operator is in the taxicab; (9) clarify that the operator must remove his or her operator identification (Face) card from an unattended taxicab; (10) clarify violation for leaving the operator identification (Face) card accessible in an unattended taxicab; (11) prohibit duplicate or counterfeit operator identification (Face) cards or vehicle identification (DCTC) cards and the possession of duplicate and counterfeit cards; (12) impose operator standards of conduct and prohibit unlawful activities, including fraud, improper fare charges, bribery of government officials, receipt of gifts for or from government officials, and failure to report criminal convictions, and to impose a requirement to report violations to the Commission; (13) prohibit threats or abuse of any Commission representative, Taxicab Office representative, civil or law enforcement personnel, public servant, passenger or other person; (14) require cooperation by operators with Commission personnel at all times; (15) update the regulation that prohibits loitering in front of hotels, theaters, public buildings, and public gatherings; (16) prohibit hotels from excluding licensed taxicabs from their taxicab stands; (17) update the requirement for the payment of all taxes, assessments, fines, fees, penalties, and interest owed to the District in excess of one hundred ($100) at the time of payment for and receipt of a renewal of an operator identification (Face) card or vehicle identification (DCTC) card; (18) clarify that law enforcement personnel (including civilian Hack Inspectors) and personnel of the Office of Taxicabs may file complaints for violations of taxicab regulations or laws; (19) incorporate fee increases established in the Fiscal Year 2011 Budget Support Act of 2010; (20) establish increased fines to discourage misconduct; and (21) clarify certain definitions.
Several of these amendments have since been completed by single subject rulemaking amendments.
The Proposed rulemaking is published at: DC_Register_Vol_58_No_32_August_12_2011__Pages_007179_thru_007204.
Copies of the proposed rulemaking can be obtained at www.dcregs.dc.gov or by contacting Dena C. Reed, General Counsel and Secretary to the Commission, District of Columbia Taxicab Commission, 2041 Martin Luther King, Jr., Avenue, S.E., Suite 204, Washington, D.C. 20020. (202) 645-6018. The proposed rulemaking will also be available on the DCTC website at www.dctaxi.dc.gov. .
The public hearing will take place at the following time and location:
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6, 2012
10:00 am
OLD COUNCIL CHAMBERS
441 4TH Street, N.W.
First Floor
Washington, DC 20001