Florida Senate - 2015                                     SB 956
       
       
        
       By Senator Simpson
       
       
       
       
       
       18-00890-15                                            2015956__
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to freight logistics zones; creating
    3         s. 311.103, F.S.; defining the term “freight logistics
    4         zone”; authorizing a county or two or more contiguous
    5         counties to designate a geographic area or areas
    6         within its jurisdiction as a freight logistics zone;
    7         requiring the adoption of a strategic plan which must
    8         include certain information; providing that certain
    9         projects within freight logistics zones may be
   10         eligible for priority in state funding and certain
   11         incentive programs; providing evaluation criteria for
   12         freight logistics zones; providing an effective date.
   13          
   14  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   15  
   16         Section 1. Section 311.103, Florida Statutes, is created to
   17  read:
   18         311.103 Designation of state freight logistics zones.—
   19         (1) As used in this section, the term “freight logistics
   20  zone” means a grouping of activities and infrastructure
   21  associated with freight transportation and related services
   22  within a defined area around an intermodal logistics center as
   23  defined in s. 311.101(2).
   24         (2) A county, or two or more contiguous counties, may
   25  designate a geographic area or areas within its jurisdiction as
   26  a freight logistics zone. The designation must be accompanied by
   27  a strategic plan adopted by the county or counties. At a
   28  minimum, the strategic plan must include, but is not limited to:
   29         (a) A map depicting the geographic area or areas to be
   30  included within the designation.
   31         (b) Identification of the existing or planned freight
   32  facilities or logistics clusters located within the designated
   33  zone.
   34         (c) Identification of existing transportation
   35  infrastructure, such as roads, rail, airports, and seaports,
   36  within or in close proximity to the proposed freight logistics
   37  zone.
   38         (d) Identification of existing workforce availability
   39  within or in close proximity to the proposed zone.
   40         (e) Identification of any existing or planned local, state,
   41  or federal workforce training capabilities available for a
   42  business seeking to locate or expand within the proposed zone.
   43         (f) Identification of any local, state, or federal plans,
   44  including transportation, seaport, or airport plans, concerning
   45  the movement of freight within or in close proximity to the
   46  proposed zone.
   47         (g) Identification of financial or other local government
   48  incentives to encourage new development, expansion of existing
   49  development, or redevelopment within the proposed zone.
   50         (h) Documentation that the plan is consistent with
   51  applicable local government comprehensive plans and adopted
   52  long-range transportation plans of a metropolitan planning
   53  organization, where applicable.
   54         (3) Projects within freight logistics zones designated
   55  pursuant to this section, which are consistent with the Freight
   56  Mobility and Trade Plan developed in accordance with s.
   57  334.044(33), may be eligible for priority in state funding and
   58  incentive programs relating to freight logistics zones,
   59  including applicable programs identified in parts I, III, and V
   60  of chapter 288.
   61         (4) When evaluating projects within a designated freight
   62  logistics zone for purposes of determining funding or incentive
   63  program eligibility under this section, consideration must be
   64  given to:
   65         (a) The presence of an existing or planned intermodal
   66  logistics center within the freight logistics zone.
   67         (b) Whether the project serves a strategic state interest.
   68         (c) Whether the project facilitates the cost-effective and
   69  efficient movement of goods.
   70         (d) The extent to which the project contributes to economic
   71  activity, including job creation, increased wages, and revenues.
   72         (e) The extent to which the project efficiently interacts
   73  with and supports the existing or planned transportation
   74  network.
   75         (f) The amount of investment or commitments made by the
   76  owner or developer of the existing or proposed facility.
   77         (g) The extent to which the county or counties have
   78  commitments with private sector businesses planning to locate
   79  operations within the freight logistics zone.
   80         (h) Demonstrated local financial support and commitment to
   81  the project, including in-kind contributions.
   82         Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2015.