Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill Sept. 29 that lowers the legally allowed blood alcohol content levels for drivers hired by ride-sharing services.

Rep. Katcho Achadjian, D-San Luis Obispo, authored the bill, AB 2687, which says drivers hired by ride sharing services must follow the same blood alcohol content guidelines as commercial drivers. Under current law commercial drivers may have a BAC of just .04.

Until Brown signed the bill the state did not regulate the BAC levels of ridesharing service drivers so they could have blood alcohol content levels up to the legal limit of .08.

“I am happy to hear that Governor Brown recognizes the importance of leveling the playing field for commercial and passenger for hire drivers,” said Achadjian in a news release. “This new law will keep both passengers and other vehicle drivers safe.”

The law will take effect Jan. 1, 2017.

• Contact Philip Joens at pjoens@pacbiztimes.com.