"The first bill before me today is Introductory Number 195-A, sponsored by Council Members Martinez, Dilan, Reyna, Sanders, Jackson, Lopez; and also Council Member Stewart.  This bill establishes a driver’s advisory board that will advise the Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) on driver experiences and will help detect trends that will help reform existing laws or TLC rules.

"The board is to be made up of members representing active drivers across the TLC-licensed industries as follows:  two taxicab lease drivers, two taxicab owner-operators, two for-hire vehicle fleet drivers, two independent for-hire vehicle operators, two black car drivers, two commuter van drivers and two para-transit drivers.  This board will be of great value because it will provide TLC with the opportunity to evaluate policy and procedural reforms while taking into consideration the opinions of drivers in the industry."