GCLA Aims To Streamline Chauffeur Background Checks

SAN FRANCISCO — The GCLA is sponsoring a bill in the state legislature that would coordinate one background check for all chauffeurs and drivers that would be accepted at all major airports in California.

GCLA lobbyist Gregg Cook of Government Affairs Consulting updated operators at a GCLA meeting in San Francisco last Wednesday about Assembly Bill 709, authored by Rep. Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo County. It would spare operators the expense and hassle of getting separate background checks and badges at each major airport for access to public areas to pick up clients.

With a state background check and badging program, individual airports would not be able to regulate beyond what the state stipulates and allows, Cook said. The GCLA recommends that the California Public Utilities Commission administer the program and design and issue the badges.

Cook said the bill is at the negotiating stage, with the GCLA attempting to get all airports on board with the concept. Instead of four background checks at Northern California airports and six at Southern California airports, operators could get one badge for one fee and avoid the expensive bureaucratic procedures, he said.

“We’re working this bill hard and you can help us,” Cook told operators. “Tell the management people at the airports to consider it. We want them to cooperate and collaborate on it.”

Cook said such a program would “save you time and money.” “Stay with us. We’re going to make this work.”

Source: Martin Romjue, LCT Magazine