By Rep. Zack Hudgins and Rep. Barbara Bailey

Most cars sit idle 23 hours a day. But there’s a new business model that lets people rent cars and trucks from private citizens.

Peer-to-peer car sharing is one of those solid policies that Democrats and Republicans alike can agree on. This innovative way of bringing new business into our state will reduce pressure on our transportation system and put more money back into your own pocket.

Many neighbors and family members borrow things from each other. You’ve probably borrowed your neighbor’s lawnmower or your uncle’s pickup when you need to make a trip to IKEA, Goodwill, or the dump.

Today, the Internet makes it possible to formalize this groundbreaking idea here in Washington, and businesses down in Oregon and California have shown that this can be a win-win situation.

This idea is quite convenient for people who need to rent an inexpensive ride for just a few hours. And it’s great for people who have an extra car or pickup that they would like to turn into an extra income stream.

Allowing for this to become a business practice is smart, because it is designed to protect you with insurance. For example, if the car is involved in an accident – or gets stolen – the driver and owner are covered.

Person-to-person car sharing is smart for our economy. We can create jobs by doing something innovative. Unfortunately, our state laws have not yet allowed for person-to-person car sharing, which is why we have worked across the aisle to get a new law passed which would clarify insurance coverage for businesses and consumers. The legislation was signed by the governor on March 15.

Car sharing will soon be offered throughout our state, and the business model makes sense whether you are in Oak Harbor, Tukwila or the middle of Spokane.

Granted, personal car sharing isn’t for everyone. But for many people, it will allow access to a whole variety of vehicles – to haul a couch, take a trip to grandma’s house or impress a date during a night on the town.

Renting cars from other people allows you to find a nearby vehicle you can afford, but also allows you to earn money from your car or truck by putting your vehicle in the program.

The programs are designed to screen potential drivers, and with our bill, you and your insurance company will know any problems that happen to occur during the rental – and will be covered by the program’s insurance, not yours.

Environmentalists like the idea because fewer cars will be on the road, leading to less pollution and less strain on our fragile highway system.

Businesses like this because it would bring new businesses into Washington state that are now operating in Oregon and California.

People like this because it is a quick, local, and inexpensive when they need a car. It is also an additional revenue stream for the household budget when they have extra vehicles that may just be sitting around in the driveway.

This is an example of innovation at work.

This legislation makes the entire west coast open for business with person-to-person car sharing, and nothing more needed by government than a little clarity in the insurance laws.

And that would be good for business, good for the environment and great for the people of Washington.

Rep. Zack Hudgins drives a Ford Ranger pickup with 172,000 miles on it. It has been borrowed by many friends to move couches and make runs to the dump. He chairs the General Government Appropriations and Oversight Committee. Rep. Barbara Bailey is the ranking minority member on the Business and Financial Services Committee and can also be spotted in a pickup driving around Oak Harbor.