Charter-party carriers of passengers: consumer protection.

The Passenger Charter-party Carriers' Act, with certain exceptions, requires a charter-party carrier of passengers that engages in transportation services subject to regulation by the Public Utilities Commission to obtain a specified certificate or permit, as appropriate, from the commission, subject to various requirements. The act defines a charter-party carrier of passengers as every person engaged in the transportation of persons by motor vehicle for compensation, whether in common or contract carriage, over any public highway in this state and includes any person, corporation, or other entity engaged in the provision of a hired driver service when a rented motor vehicle is being operated by a hired driver. This bill would declare the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would address consumer protection with respect to charter-party carriers of passengers.