H.R. 7169

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7169 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7169

To require English proficiency as a prerequisite for eligibility for 
ride share contracts, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 21, 2026

Mr. Brecheen (for himself, Mr. Moore of Alabama, Mr. Fine, and Mr. 
Smith of New Jersey) introduced the following bill; which was referred 
to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To require English proficiency as a prerequisite for eligibility for 
ride share contracts, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Understanding Basic English 
Requirements Act of 2026'' or the ``UBER Act''.

SEC. 2. ENGLISH PROFICIENCY AND OTHER DRIVER REQUIREMENTS FOR RIDE 
SHARE CONTRACT ELIGIBILITY.

(a) Requirements.--
(1) In general.--The head of an executive agency may not 
award an agreement or a contract with any transportation 
network company or shared-use mobility company for services 
provided in the continental United States, Alaska, or Hawaii 
where unless each driver who will be performing work under the 
agreement or contract--
(A) is at least 21 years old;
(B) can read and speak English sufficiently to 
converse with the general public, law enforcement, and 
other officials, understand highway traffic signs, 
respond to official inquiries, and make entries on 
reports and records;
(C) can, by reason of experience, training, or 
both, safely operate the type of vehicle the driver 
drives;
(D) has a currently valid driver's license issued 
only by one State or jurisdiction; and
(E) has successfully completed a driver's road 
test.
(2) Exception for american sign language.--The requirement 
under paragraph (1)(B) does not apply to drivers who are deaf 
or hearing impaired and use American Sign Language.
(b) Compliance Certification and Debarment.--A transportation 
network company or shared-use mobility company shall be required, for 
purposes of eligibility for an agreement or contract described in 
paragraph (1) of subsection (a), to certify to the head of the 
executive agency that all drivers for the company who will be 
performing work under such agreement or contract meet the requirements 
set forth in subsection (a)(1). Any company found to not be in 
compliance with such certification shall be debarred from receiving 
Federal contracts for a period of 5 years.
(c) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Executive agency.--The term ``executive agency'' has 
the meaning given the term in section 133 of title 41, United 
States Code.
(2) Shared-use mobility company.--The term ``shared-use 
mobility company'' means a corporation, partnership, sole 
proprietorship, or other licensed and operating entity that 
provides transportation services that are shared among users, 
including taxis, limos, bikesharing, ridesharing (such as 
carpooling and vanpooling), ridesourcing, scooter sharing, or 
shuttle services.
(3) Transportation network company.--The term 
``transportation network company'' means a corporation, 
partnership, sole proprietorship, or other licensed and 
operating entity that uses a digital network to connect a 
transportation network company (TNC) rider to a TNC driver who 
provides a prearranged ride. A TNC may not control, direct, or 
manage the personal vehicle or the TNC driver who connects to 
its digital network, except where agreed to by written 
contract.
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