Deal signs bills regulating Uber and Lyft in Georgia

Gov. Nathan Deal signed legislation Wednesday that regulates Uber and Lyft in Georgia and requires drivers to maintain insurance coverage of up to $1 million.

Few issues have generated as much feedback from voters as House Bills 190 and 225 did. But both ride-sharing firms ultimately signed onto the plan after lawmakers made changes that allowed the companies to conduct their own background checks rather than require all drivers to be fingerprinted.

It could have turned out very differently.

Uber quit Kansas this week after lawmakers there approved legislation that requires state background checks for its drivers and mandates an increase in their insurance coverage. The company said in a blog post that the new bill "makes it impossible for Uber to operate in the state."