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.