Balancing Acts: Blanca Pacheco on Politics, Peer-to-Peer Car Sharing, and Public Service
Published Date: 07/30/2024
Balancing Acts: Assemblymember Blanca Pacheco on Peer-to-Peer Car Sharing, Public Service, and Protecting California’s Small Businesses
In the ever-changing landscape of California legislation, new technologies, transportation models, and consumer behaviors often outpace existing laws. Few people understand this balancing act — between innovation, regulation, and fairness — better than Assemblymember Blanca Pacheco, who joined Insurance Hour host Karl Susman for an enlightening discussion about peer-to-peer car sharing, small business protection, and the realities of public service.
The conversation, filled with humor and candor, revealed both the human side of policymaking and the technical challenges of ensuring that laws evolve alongside modern life.
From Attorney to Assemblymember: A Journey of Service
Before delving into the specifics of her legislative work, Pacheco shared the story of how she found her way into politics — a path shaped by community service and personal dedication.
“I always wanted to be an attorney,” she said. “I went to UCLA, then Loyola Law School, became an attorney, passed the California State Bar. About ten years into my practice, I got involved with the community — with the Kiwanis Club of Downey — and that eventually led to being asked to run for City Council in 2016.”
Her commitment to service didn’t stop there. When a vacancy opened in the California State Assembly, she was encouraged to run — and won.
“Here I am,” she said with a smile. “Two years into my service as an Assemblymember.”
Today, Pacheco represents the 64th Assembly District, covering communities like Downey, Bell, Cudahy, Norwalk, Santa Fe Springs, and La Mirada — a diverse cross-section of Southern California that faces both suburban and urban challenges.
Life Between Sacramento and Home
Balancing the demands of political life with family responsibilities is no small feat. Pacheco described a weekly routine that keeps her grounded and connected.
“I fly up to Sacramento Monday mornings and back home on Thursdays,” she said. “I call my mom every day, check in with my family, and stay in touch with everyone in L.A.”
When Susman joked about the legislature’s “recess” being like kindergarten, Pacheco laughed and clarified:
“We call it ‘work back home in the district.’”
Her dedication extends beyond legislation — she also maintains a rigorous 6 a.m. workout routine.
“You’re one of those people,” Susman teased.
“No pain, no gain,” Pacheco replied with a grin.
Wearing Many Hats: Committees and Responsibilities
Beyond representing her district, Pacheco serves on four Assembly committees, including one with an especially intriguing name — Chair of Rules.
“I’m in charge of the operations of the State Assembly,” she explained. “That includes bill referrals and managing the day-to-day activities of the legislative body.”
She also serves on the Judiciary Committee (fitting for a lawyer), Local Government, and Governmental Organization.
“It’s a lot of responsibility for someone just two years in,” Susman observed.
But Pacheco embraces the workload, viewing it as both an honor and an opportunity to make meaningful change.
Introducing AB 2743: Protecting Small Businesses in a New Sharing Economy
At the heart of their conversation was Assembly Bill 2743, a piece of legislation Pacheco authored to address an emerging issue in the car-sharing space.
While most Californians are familiar with ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft, peer-to-peer car sharing operates differently. It allows private car owners to rent their vehicles directly to other individuals through platforms such as Turo or Getaround — essentially an Airbnb model for cars.
But while the idea has gained popularity for its convenience and affordability, it’s also created confusion and financial strain for small operators.
“I’m a proponent of protecting our small businesses,” Pacheco said. “This bill addresses a significant unintended increase in financial responsibility for peer-to-peer car sharing programs in California.”
Understanding the Issue: When Innovation Outpaces Insurance
To understand the need for AB 2743, it’s important to recognize how insurance frameworks often struggle to keep up with technological innovation.
In traditional car rentals, large companies like Hertz or Enterprise maintain robust fleet insurance policies covering all their vehicles. Peer-to-peer platforms, however, rely on individuals who may not fully understand the insurance implications of renting out their personal cars.
When regulators reclassified certain peer-to-peer transactions, some small operators suddenly faced massive increases in required financial responsibility coverage — in some cases, jumping from $1 million to $5 million in liability requirements overnight.
“These were unintended consequences,” Pacheco explained. “We’re not talking about corporations here. We’re talking about small businesses — people trying to make a living by sharing their vehicles safely and responsibly.”
Why AB 2743 Matters
Pacheco’s bill, AB 2743, aims to recalibrate those requirements, ensuring that small peer-to-peer car-sharing operators are treated fairly and proportionally under California law.
In essence, the legislation seeks to:
- Protect small business operators from unsustainable insurance burdens.
- Clarify liability standards for peer-to-peer car-sharing programs.
- Encourage innovation while maintaining public safety and consumer protections.
By addressing this narrow but crucial issue, Pacheco hopes to strike a balance between innovation and regulation — ensuring that California remains both a hub for technological progress and a fair environment for small entrepreneurs.
“We can’t stifle innovation,” she said. “But we also can’t ignore the impact on individuals and small businesses who are just trying to participate responsibly.”
Peer-to-Peer vs. Ride-Sharing: What’s the Difference?
For many consumers, the difference between car-sharing and ride-sharing isn’t immediately clear — but the distinction matters when it comes to insurance, liability, and regulation.
Ride-Sharing (Uber/Lyft)Peer-to-Peer Car Sharing (Turo/Getaround)You pay someone to drive you somewhere.You rent someone’s vehicle and drive it yourself.Covered by commercial insurance (provided by the company).Typically covered by a mix of platform-provided and personal insurance.Regulated under transportation network laws.Falls into a gray area between rental car and private ownership law.
This gray area is exactly where AB 2743 steps in — to provide clarity, consistency, and fairness.
The Broader Implications: Policy That Keeps Up with Technology
Susman and Pacheco’s discussion also touched on a larger theme — the need for government to adapt more quickly to technological disruption.
“We’re living in an age where business models evolve faster than the legal system can respond,” Susman said. “It’s not just insurance — it’s everything from AI to mobility to data privacy.”
Pacheco agreed, adding that thoughtful, targeted legislation can help ensure California remains a leader in innovation without punishing early adopters.
“We have to make sure our policies reflect the realities of the time we’re in,” she said. “That’s how we protect both consumers and small business owners.”
The Personal Side of Public Service
While the policy discussion was rich with nuance, what made the episode stand out was Pacheco’s personal authenticity. She spoke candidly about the challenges of being away from her family, her commitment to early-morning exercise, and her genuine enjoyment of serving her community.
“I really enjoy what I do,” she said. “It means a lot. But I do miss being home.”
Her words underscored a recurring theme in Insurance Hour: behind every piece of legislation is a human being — someone balancing duty, family, and passion.
“It’s that balance between your work life and home life,” Susman noted. “And you’ve managed it with grace.”
Leadership Through Empathy
What shines through in Pacheco’s approach is empathy — a quality often missing from political discussions. Her understanding of both the human and economic dimensions of policy comes from her years as a practicing attorney and active community member.
“We need to protect small businesses,” she emphasized. “They’re the backbone of our economy.”
Her pragmatic tone stood in contrast to the polarization often found in political rhetoric. Pacheco doesn’t speak in absolutes — she talks about balance, fairness, and reasonableness.
“We have to be practical,” she said. “We can do both — support innovation and protect people.”
Looking Ahead: California’s Evolving Relationship with Innovation
As California continues to navigate a complex intersection of technology, economics, and social responsibility, lawmakers like Blanca Pacheco represent a new generation of leadership — one that understands both the legal and cultural dimensions of change.
AB 2743, while narrowly focused, is a microcosm of a much larger conversation: how can government enable innovation without creating unintended harm?
Susman summed it up well:
“This is what happens when law and technology collide — and you have to find a way to make sure no one gets run over in the process.”
Final Thoughts
In a state known for pioneering everything from Silicon Valley startups to electric vehicle mandates, peer-to-peer car sharing is yet another frontier where innovation meets regulation.
Through her bill, Blanca Pacheco isn’t just writing law — she’s building a bridge between progress and protection, ensuring that small entrepreneurs aren’t left behind in the rush toward modernization.
And as the conversation revealed, she does it all with humility, humor, and a genuine sense of purpose.
“We need to protect small businesses,” she said again as the interview wrapped. “That’s what this is really about.”
It’s that combination of practicality and heart that defines effective leadership — and it’s exactly the kind of perspective California needs as it confronts its next generation of policy challenges.
Key Takeaways
- AB 2743 aims to protect small peer-to-peer car-sharing operators from excessive financial liability.
- The bill reflects California’s ongoing struggle to balance innovation with regulation.
- Assemblymember Pacheco’s leadership emphasizes empathy, transparency, and practical policymaking.
- Peer-to-peer car sharing is not the same as ride-sharing — and the legal distinctions matter.
- Strong legislation can protect consumers while still encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship.
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