Summary：**D.C. Seeks $6M Robotaxi Tax, Unions Vow to Fight Back** *Summary: A proposed bill would legalize

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**D.C. Seeks $6M Robotaxi Tax, Unions Vow to Fight Back**
*Summary: A proposed bill would legalize commercial autonomous vehicles in D.C. under one of the country’s most expensive regulatory frameworks, but unions still want the brakes applied.*

**Introduction**
Washington, D.C. lawmakers have introduced legislation that would impose a $6 million annual fee on robotaxi operators while clearing the way for self‑driving cars to operate commercially in the nation’s capital. The measure, framed as a way to fund infrastructure upgrades and offset potential job losses, has sparked immediate pushback from labor groups who argue the tax is punitive and the regulatory scheme overly burdensome.

**Key Developments**
The bill, sponsored by Councilmember Anita Bonds, would require any company deploying autonomous passenger vehicles to pay a flat $6 million levy each year, regardless of fleet size. In exchange, operators would receive a permit to run driverless taxis on city streets, subject to stringent safety reporting, data‑sharing mandates, and a cap of 500 vehicles during the first two years. Proponents say the revenue will support public transit improvements, cybersecurity upgrades for municipal systems, and a retraining fund for drivers displaced by automation.

Unions, led by the Amalgamated Transit Union and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, have condemned the proposal. “A $6 million tax is a barrier to entry that protects incumbent interests while doing little to safeguard workers,” said ATU Local 689 president Maria Lopez at a press conference. The unions are preparing a coalition effort to lobby for amendments that would lower the fee, introduce a sliding scale based on mileage, and guarantee collective‑bargaining rights for any new mobility‑service employees.

**Industry Analysis**
If enacted, D.C.’s framework would rank among the most expensive autonomous‑vehicle regimes in the United States, surpassing California’s per‑vehicle fees and Arizona’s relatively lax approach. Analysts note that the high fixed cost could deter smaller startups, consolidating market power among well‑capitalized players such as Cruise, Waymo, and emerging local firms. Conversely, the guaranteed revenue stream