PRIA Logo™
119-hr-10897119th CongressWALLET

Sami’s Law

Sponsored By: Representative Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4]

Introduced

Summary

Mandatory digital pre-trip identity verification would require ride-hailing apps to confirm a driver’s authorization and identity before a trip starts. It would also impose tougher background and immigration checks and create civil penalties and enforcement tools.

Show full summary
  • Passengers and families: Would see in-app driver verification before rides so they can confirm identity. The bill includes an opt-out for passengers with clear usability and accessibility protections and exempts trips where opt-out or technical limits apply.
  • Drivers and applicants: Platforms could only contract with U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, or people with Department of Homeland Security work authorization. Drivers would face fingerprint-capable local checks, national criminal checks including sex offender registries, and annual rechecks with consent for ongoing monitoring.
  • Transportation network companies (TNCs) and platforms: Would have to adopt a digital pre-trip verification system or approved successor technology. Federal inspectors could access records and impose civil penalties up to $5,000 per day and up to $20,000 per day for knowing and willful violations. The Federal Trade Commission would enforce a ban on unauthorized sale of ride-hailing signage.

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Stricter work rules for drivers

If enacted, rideshare companies would have to stop contracting with drivers who are not U.S. citizens or nationals, lawful permanent residents, or people with DHS work authorization. The bill would require companies to verify work authorization using the federal E-Verify system. The bill would also say that this verification rule does not by itself make a driver an employee under federal wage-and-hour law. These rules would take effect on enactment.

Driver ID checks and background screening

If enacted, the Transportation Department would start a rulemaking to require a digital pre-trip system that lets riders and drivers verify each other and confirm the driver is authorized before a trip starts. The system would have accessibility rules and allow opt-outs and exceptions for third-party trips or technical failures. The bill would require local and national criminal background checks before account activation and annually, plus ongoing monitoring after initial consent. TNCs could face civil penalties up to $5,000 per day, or $20,000 per day for knowing and willful violations.

Ban on fake rideshare signs

If enacted, it would be unlawful to sell signs that use a rideshare company's trademark or pretend to be official TNC signage unless the company authorizes the seller. The Federal Trade Commission would enforce the ban under its consumer-protection authorities.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4]

NJ • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 10/22/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
Back to Legislation