Missouri lawmakers urge statewide regulations for Uber

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri lawmakers in both chambers say passing statewide regulations for app-based car services will lead to thousands of new jobs.

Uber's general manager for Missouri Sagar Shah said Wednesday regulations making their way through the Legislature would allow the company to expand to Springfield, Jefferson City, St. Charles and St. Joseph. The company currently operates in Kansas City, St. Louis and Columbia.

The House already has passed insurance regulations for ride-hailing companies, and a Senate panel amended the measure to make it easier for taxi companies to opt into the new regulatory system. Taxi companies in the past have objected to creating different rules for businesses that offer essentially the same service.

Proposed regulations stalled in each chamber last year. This year, Uber has registered 11 lobbyists in Missouri.