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New Law Allows Cutoff of Limo Operators’ Phones

Limousine operators that don’t include a permit number in advertisements of their services could have their phone service cut off under a new state law. San Francisco Assemblyman Mark Leno authored the legislation at the request of limousine companies concerned about unlicensed competitors.
Leno also was the author in 2004 of a law prescribing tougher enforcement provisions and penalties against illegally operating limos. That legislation was sponsored by United Taxicab Workers and received strong support from the San Francisco taxi industry.
Under the new law, the California Public Utilities Commission (PUC), which is charged with enforcement, could begin the process of cutting off phone service upon receipt of a complaint containing sufficient information to warrant an investigation. Currently, the commission is supposed to investigate every business listed in the phone book to see if it has a valid license.
Phone service could be cut off only after the PUC has exhausted all other enforcement options. Current law authorizes fines of up to $5,000 for operating without a permit or failing to include a permit number in an ad. If other enforcement attempts don’t bring the offender into compliance, phone service could be terminated on a judge’s order.
The law also applies to all other charter-party carriers of passengers, such as tour buses and airport shuttles. It was signed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on October 14 and will go into effect next year.