Fines for pirate limo drivers to increase at ONT

Assembly Bill 1885, by Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo, increases penalties for drivers who attempt to illegally solicit passengers at ONT as well as San Francisco International Airport.

The bill increases the punishment from an infraction to a misdemeanor. The drivers could spend up to six months in jail, receive a $1,000 fine or both.

Pirate drivers "put the traveling public in harm's way and being taken advantage of in one way or another," Hill said.

The bill was written specifically for SFO, but ONT was included because the two airports share similar, unusual circumstances. 

Ontario International is in San Bernardino County, but is run by the city of Los Angeles. SFO is in an unincorporated area of San Mateo County and operated by the city of San Francisco.

"We had jurisdictional problems because the SFO police is the entity enforcing the laws at San Mateo County," Hill said. "It created a unique situation and did not allow police to do more than just cite these rogue drivers."

Ontario International, which doesn't have too much of an issue with the rogue drivers, will be able to increase its enforcement abilities, Hill said.

Schwarzenegger has until Sept. 30 to sign the bill. If he does, it would go into effect Jan. 1.

"I'm hoping it (passes)," Hill said. "We've made the case, it's certainly a problem at SFO and it's a public safety issue."