The state House on Friday made a last-ditch effort to expand and regulate the ride-sharing services Uber and Lyft.
Lawmakers added an amendment to a measure dealing with the state Department of Transportation and Development that mirrors the Uber/Lyft bill approved earlier this year.
That plan, by House Speaker Taylor Barras, R-New Iberia, died in a Senate committee for the second consecutive year after winning lopsided House approval.
Plan to expand Uber, Lyft again sidelined in Senate committee after heavy opposition
Barras shelved his own proposal, House Bill 749, amid criticism of the measure from committee members.
Backers contend the change would allow Uber and Lyft to expand into rural areas and for the state to set up uniform rules statewide.
They say most states have similar laws.
Opponents argue that Uber and Lyft officials are seeking special treatment minus the rules and regulations faced by traditional taxi cab operators.
The Uber and Lyft portions were added to Senate Bill 332, which would require DOTD to post on its website detailed information on road and bridge projects in each district statewide.
It passed the Senate earlier.
The 2018 regular session is expected to end Friday, 17 days ahead of schedule, so the Legislature can start another special session on state budget problems.
That gathering starts on Tuesday.
Check back with The Advocate for more details.