HB 5013

1	A bill to be entitled
2	An act relating to transportation; amending s. 479.261,
3	F.S.; revising requirements for the logo sign program of
4	the interstate highway system; revising the definition of
5	the term "attraction"; removing provisions for permits to
6	be awarded to the highest bidders; authorizing the
7	department to implement a rotation-based logo program;
8	revising contract provisions for related services;
9	requiring the department to adopt rules that set
10	reasonable rates based on certain factors for annual
11	permit fees; requiring that such fees not exceed a certain
12	amount for certain sign locations; providing for
13	distribution of proceeds from such fees; providing an
14	effective date.
15
16	Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
17
18	Section 1.  Subsections (1), (3), (4), and (5) of section
19	479.261, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
20	479.261  Logo sign program.--
21	(1)  The department shall establish a logo sign program for
22	the rights-of-way of the interstate highway system to provide
23	information to motorists about available gas, food, lodging, and
24	camping, attractions, and other services, as approved by the
25	Federal Highway Administration, at interchanges, through the use
26	of business logos, and may include additional interchanges under
27	the program. A logo sign for nearby attractions may be added to
28	this program if allowed by federal rules.
29	(a)  As used in this chapter, the term An "attraction"
30	means as used in this chapter is defined as an establishment,
31	site, facility, or landmark that which is open a minimum of 5
32	days a week for 52 weeks a year; that which charges an admission
33	for entry; which has as its principal focus family-oriented
34	entertainment, cultural, educational, recreational, scientific,
35	or historical activities; and that which is publicly recognized
36	as a bona fide tourist attraction. However, the permits for
37	businesses seeking to participate in the attractions logo sign
38	program shall be awarded by the department annually to the
39	highest bidders, notwithstanding the limitation on fees in
40	subsection (5), which are qualified for available space at each
41	qualified location, but the fees therefor may not be less than
42	the fees established for logo participants in other logo
43	categories.
44	(b)  The department shall incorporate the use of RV-
45	friendly markers on specific information logo signs for
46	establishments that cater to the needs of persons driving
47	recreational vehicles. Establishments that qualify for
48	participation in the specific information logo program and that
49	also qualify as "RV-friendly" may request the RV-friendly marker
50	on their specific information logo sign. An RV-friendly marker
51	must consist of a design approved by the Federal Highway
52	Administration. The department shall adopt rules in accordance
53	with chapter 120 to administer this paragraph, including rules
54	setting forth the minimum requirements that establishments must
55	meet in order to qualify as RV-friendly. These requirements
56	shall include large parking spaces, entrances, and exits that
57	can easily accommodate recreational vehicles and facilities
58	having appropriate overhead clearances, if applicable.
59	(c)  The department may implement a 3-year, rotation-based
60	logo program providing for the removal and addition of
61	participating businesses in the program.
62	(3)  Logo signs may be installed upon the issuance of an
63	annual permit by the department or its agent and payment of a an
64	application and permit fee to the department or its agent.
65	(4)  The department may contract pursuant to s. 287.057 for
66	the provision of services related to the logo sign program,
67	including recruitment and qualification of businesses, review of
68	applications, permit issuance, and fabrication, installation,
69	and maintenance of logo signs. The department may reject all
70	proposals and seek another request for proposals or otherwise
71	perform the work. If the department contracts for the provision
72	of services for the logo sign program, the contract must
73	require, unless the business owner declines, that businesses
74	that previously entered into agreements with the department to
75	privately fund logo sign construction and installation be
76	reimbursed by the contractor for the cost of the signs which has
77	not been recovered through a previously agreed upon waiver of
78	fees. The contract also may allow the contractor to retain a
79	portion of the annual fees as compensation for its services.
80	(5)  At a minimum, permit fees for businesses that
81	participate in the program must be established in an amount
82	sufficient to offset the total cost to the department for the
83	program, including contract costs. The department shall provide
84	the services in the most efficient and cost-effective manner
85	through department staff or by contracting for some or all of
86	the services. The department shall adopt rules that set
87	reasonable rates based upon factors such as population, traffic
88	volume, market demand, and costs for annual permit fees.
89	However, annual permit fees for sign locations inside an urban
90	area, as defined in s. 334.03(32), may not exceed $5,000 and
91	annual permit fees for sign locations outside an urban area, as
92	defined in s. 334.03(32), may not exceed $2,500. After
93	recovering program costs, the proceeds from the annual permit
94	fees shall be deposited into the State Transportation Trust Fund
95	and used for transportation purposes. Such annual permit fee
96	shall not exceed $1,250.
97	Section 2.  This act shall take effect upon becoming a law.

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.