State legislators advanced two bills Thursday that address regulation of taxicabs and ride-hailing companies that use smartphones to connect independent drivers with fares.

Senate Bill 2777 would give oversight of ride-hailing companies like Uber and Lyft to the counties, which already regulate taxicabs. The committees on Transportation and Energy; Commerce, Consumer Protection and Health; and Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs passed the measure with amendments. The bill will now go to the Senate Ways and Means Committee.

The bill would require the counties to regulate and permit ride-hailing companies and drivers. It also would require that ride-hailing companies pay an annual airport permit fee to the state Department of Transportation. In addition, it would create requirements pertaining to insurance and set minimum standards for driver qualifications and policies tied to drug and alcohol matters, anti-discrimination and accessibility.

Public Utilities Commission Chairman Randy Iwase said the commission supports vesting oversight of ride-sharing with the counties. Several insurance companies and organizations that represent insurers also supported the measure, although some recommended modifying the insurance requirements. The Hawaii Association for Justice, an organization made up of personal injury or consumer action attorneys, backed the bill.

Brian Hughes, general manager Uber Hawaii, said the company opposes the bill.

Annabel Chang, director of public policy for Lyft, submitted testimony advocating for a statewide regulatory framework.

“Twenty-five other states … have passed statewide comprehensive (ride-hailing) legislation to combat the confusion and difficulties brought about by differing local mandates,” Chang said.

Another measure, SB 3155, was advanced by the Senate Transportation and Energy Committee and by the Senate Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs Committee. The bill passed with amendments proposed by the state attorney general to facilitate counties in obtaining state and federal criminal background checks of applicants for taxicab driver’s certificates. The bill now goes to the Senate Judiciary and Labor Committee.

The bills are among about 20 related to the issue introduced this year. The Honolulu City Council also is considering four bills and two resolutions designed to shore up regulation of taxicab companies and drivers and to create a regulatory framework for their ride-hailing competitors. The legislative push follows a series of articles in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser last fall on the oversight of taxicabs and ride-hailing companies.