Florida Senate - 2026 CS for CS for SB 1220
By the Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and
Economic Development; the Committee on Transportation; and
Senator Massullo
606-02820-26 20261220c2
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to transportation; amending s.
3 260.0142, F.S.; requiring the Florida Greenways and
4 Trails Council to meet within a certain timeframe for
5 a certain purpose; amending s. 311.14, F.S.; providing
6 requirements for an infrastructure development and
7 improvement component included in a port’s strategic
8 plan; defining the term “critical infrastructure
9 resources”; creating s. 311.26, F.S.; requiring the
10 Department of Transportation to coordinate with the
11 Department of Commerce, specified ports, and the
12 Federal Government for a certain purpose; requiring
13 ports to support certain projects; requiring that such
14 projects be evaluated in a certain manner; amending s.
15 316.003, F.S.; revising the definition of the term
16 “personal delivery device”; amending s. 316.008, F.S.;
17 authorizing the operation of a personal delivery
18 device on certain sidewalks, crosswalks, bicycle
19 lanes, and bicycle paths and on the shoulders of
20 certain streets, roadways, and highways; prohibiting
21 counties and municipalities from enacting, imposing,
22 levying, collecting, or enforcing certain operating
23 fees and advertising regulations; amending s.
24 316.2071, F.S.; conforming provisions to changes made
25 by the act; prohibiting a personal delivery device
26 from operating as otherwise authorized unless the
27 personal delivery device meets certain criteria and a
28 human operator is capable of controlling and
29 monitoring its navigation and operation; prohibiting
30 the operation of a personal delivery device on a
31 limited access facility; authorizing rulemaking;
32 amending s. 320.06, F.S.; authorizing certain rental
33 trucks to elect a permanent registration period;
34 repealing s. 322.032, F.S., relating to digital proof
35 of driver license or identification card; amending ss.
36 322.059 and 322.15, F.S.; conforming provisions to
37 changes made by the act; repealing s. 324.252, F.S.,
38 relating to electronic insurance verification;
39 amending s. 330.41, F.S.; prohibiting a political
40 subdivision from withholding issuance of a business
41 tax receipt, development permit, or other land use
42 approval to certain drone delivery services and from
43 enacting or enforcing ordinances or resolutions that
44 prohibit drone delivery service operation; revising
45 construction; providing that the addition of a drone
46 delivery service within a certain parking area does
47 not reduce the number of parking spaces in the parking
48 area for a certain purpose; amending s. 332.001, F.S.;
49 revising duties of the Department of Transportation
50 relating to airport systems in this state; amending s.
51 332.006, F.S.; requiring the department to coordinate
52 with commercial service airports to review and
53 evaluate certain federal policies and programs;
54 amending s. 332.0075, F.S.; requiring commercial
55 service airports to plan for obtaining and maintaining
56 critical infrastructure resources; providing
57 requirements for such plans; defining the term
58 “critical infrastructure resources”; amending s.
59 334.03, F.S.; defining the term “advanced air mobility
60 corridor connection point”; revising the definition of
61 the term “transportation corridor”; amending s.
62 334.044, F.S.; authorizing the department to purchase,
63 lease, or otherwise acquire property and materials for
64 the promotion of transportation-related economic
65 development opportunities and advanced air mobility;
66 deleting the authority of the department to purchase,
67 lease, or otherwise acquire property and materials for
68 the promotion of electric vehicle use and charging
69 stations; authorizing the department to operate and
70 maintain certain research facilities, enter into
71 certain contracts and agreements, require local
72 governments to submit certain applications for federal
73 funding to the department for review and approval
74 before submission to the Federal Government,
75 coordinate with and provide assistance to local
76 governments on the development and review of certain
77 applications, and acquire, own, construct, or operate
78 airports for a specified purpose; authorizing the
79 department to adopt rules; creating s. 334.64, F.S.;
80 providing that the department serves as the primary
81 point of contact for statewide topographic aerial
82 LiDAR procurement and certain cost sharing;
83 authorizing the department to provide certain services
84 to other governmental entities through interagency
85 agreements; authorizing rulemaking; amending s.
86 338.231, F.S.; revising the period through which the
87 department, to the extent possible, is required to
88 program sufficient funds in the tentative work program
89 for a specified purpose; requiring the department, to
90 the extent possible, to program sufficient funds in
91 the tentative work program for a specified purpose
92 beginning in a specified fiscal year; amending s.
93 339.81, F.S.; revising construction materials that may
94 be used for certain multiuse trails or shared-use
95 paths; authorizing the department to consider certain
96 sponsorship agreements; amending s. 341.041, F.S.;
97 revising the entities for which the department is
98 required to include in grants and agreements certain
99 provisions; revising such provisions; amending s.
100 790.19, F.S.; providing criminal penalties for
101 shooting at, within, or into, or throwing, hurling, or
102 projecting certain objects at, within, or in, an
103 autonomous vehicle; amending s. 806.13, F.S.;
104 providing criminal penalties for defacing, injuring,
105 or damaging an autonomous vehicle if the value of the
106 damage is in excess of a specified amount; requiring
107 the department to conduct a study to evaluate certain
108 impacts of alternative fuel vehicles and identify
109 certain policy options; requiring that the study
110 identify, evaluate, and analyze certain information;
111 requiring the department to submit a certain report to
112 the Governor and the Legislature by a specified date;
113 providing an appropriation; amending ss. 311.07,
114 316.0777, 316.515, 336.01, 338.222, 341.8225,
115 376.3071, 403.7211, 479.261, 715.07, and 1006.23,
116 F.S.; conforming cross-references; reenacting ss.
117 320.02(21), 324.021(1), and 324.022(2)(a), F.S.,
118 relating to registration requirements, the definition
119 of the term “motor vehicle,” and financial
120 responsibility for property damage, respectively, to
121 incorporate the amendment made to s. 316.003, F.S., in
122 references thereto; providing an effective date.
123
124 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
125
126 Section 1. Paragraph (h) of subsection (4) of section
127 260.0142, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
128 260.0142 Florida Greenways and Trails Council; composition;
129 powers and duties.—
130 (4) The duties of the council include the following:
131 (h) Make recommendations for updating and revising the
132 implementation plan for the Florida Greenways and Trails System,
133 including, but not limited to, recommendations for
134 prioritization of regionally significant trails within the
135 Florida Shared-Use Nonmotorized Trail Network. The council shall
136 meet within 90 days after the Department of Transportation
137 submits its report pursuant to s. 339.81(8) to update its
138 recommendations for prioritization of regionally significant
139 trails within the network.
140 Section 2. Paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of section
141 311.14, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
142 311.14 Seaport planning.—
143 (2) Each port shall develop a strategic plan with a 10-year
144 horizon. Each plan must include the following:
145 (b) An infrastructure development and improvement component
146 that identifies all projected infrastructure improvements within
147 the plan area which require improvement, expansion, or
148 development in order for a port to attain a strategic advantage
149 for competition with national and international competitors.
150 This component must provide strategies for obtaining and
151 maintaining critical infrastructure resources for the port and
152 its tenants. Such strategies must include long-term contracts,
153 rights of first refusal regarding the sale or lease of property
154 storing such resources, and contingency plans for obtaining such
155 resources. For purposes of this paragraph, the term “critical
156 infrastructure resources,” includes, but is not limited to,
157 access to electricity, fuel, and water resources.
158
159 To the extent feasible, the port strategic plan must be
160 consistent with the local government comprehensive plans of the
161 units of local government in which the port is located. Upon
162 approval of a plan by the port’s board, the plan shall be
163 submitted to the Florida Seaport Transportation and Economic
164 Development Council.
165 Section 3. Section 311.26, Florida Statutes, is created to
166 read:
167 311.26 Florida seaport maritime industrial base.—The
168 Department of Transportation shall coordinate with the
169 Department of Commerce, the ports specified in s. 311.09, and
170 the Federal Government to identify and prioritize key maritime
171 components in the supply chain which are essential to
172 strengthening and expanding this state’s maritime industrial
173 base. The ports shall support projects prioritized by the
174 Department of Transportation which will directly support the
175 building and construction, maintenance, and modernization of
176 commercial vessels, including cargo vessels, and vessels
177 designed for national defense. Projects must be evaluated by
178 their estimated return on invested capital, job creation, and
179 contribution to the economic competitiveness and national
180 security interests of this state and the United States.
181 Additional consideration must include the anticipated
182 enhancement of this state’s commercial maritime capabilities.
183 Section 4. Subsection (59) of section 316.003, Florida
184 Statutes, is amended to read:
185 316.003 Definitions.—The following words and phrases, when
186 used in this chapter, shall have the meanings respectively
187 ascribed to them in this section, except where the context
188 otherwise requires:
189 (59) PERSONAL DELIVERY DEVICE.—An electrically powered
190 device that:
191 (a) Is operated on sidewalks, and crosswalks, bicycle
192 lanes, or bicycle paths or on the shoulders of streets,
193 roadways, or highways, not including limited access facilities,
194 and intended primarily for transporting property;
195 (b) Has a weight that does not exceed the maximum weight
196 established by Department of Transportation rule;
197 (c) Operates at Has a maximum speed of 10 miles per hour on
198 sidewalks and crosswalks and 20 miles per hour on bicycle lanes
199 or bicycle paths or on the shoulders of streets, roadways, or
200 highways, not including limited access facilities; and
201 (d) Is equipped with technology to allow for operation of
202 the device with or without the active control or monitoring of a
203 natural person.
204
205 A personal delivery device is not considered a vehicle unless
206 expressly defined by law as a vehicle. A mobile carrier is not
207 considered a personal delivery device. The Department of
208 Transportation may adopt rules to implement this subsection.
209 Section 5. Paragraph (b) of subsection (7) of section
210 316.008, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
211 316.008 Powers of local authorities.—
212 (7)
213 (b)1. Except as provided in subparagraph 2., a personal
214 delivery device may be operated on sidewalks, crosswalks,
215 bicycle lanes, and bicycle paths and on the shoulders of
216 streets, roadways, and highways, not including limited access
217 facilities, and a mobile carrier may be operated on sidewalks
218 and crosswalks within a county or municipality when such use is
219 permissible under federal law. This subparagraph paragraph does
220 not restrict a county or municipality from otherwise adopting
221 regulations for the safe operation of personal delivery devices
222 and mobile carriers.
223 2. A personal delivery device may not be operated on the
224 Florida Shared-Use Nonmotorized Trail Network created under s.
225 339.81 or components of the Florida Greenways and Trails System
226 created under chapter 260.
227 3. A county or municipality may not enact, impose, levy,
228 collect, or enforce:
229 a. An operating fee for personal delivery devices, except
230 as expressly authorized by state statute; or
231 b. An advertising regulation that restricts, prohibits,
232 conditions, or otherwise limits commercial advertising on
233 personal delivery devices.
234 Section 6. Subsections (1) and (3) of section 316.2071,
235 Florida Statutes, are amended, and subsection (5) is added to
236 that section, to read:
237 316.2071 Personal delivery devices and mobile carriers.—
238 (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the
239 contrary, a personal delivery device may operate on sidewalks,
240 crosswalks, bicycle lanes, and bicycle paths and on the
241 shoulders of streets, roadways, and highways, not including
242 limited access facilities, and a or mobile carrier may operate
243 on sidewalks and crosswalks, subject to s. 316.008(7)(b). A
244 personal delivery device or mobile carrier operating on a
245 sidewalk or crosswalk has all the rights and duties applicable
246 to a pedestrian under the same circumstances. A, except that the
247 personal delivery device or mobile carrier may must not
248 unreasonably interfere with pedestrians, bicycles, or motor
249 vehicles traffic and must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians
250 on the sidewalk or crosswalk.
251 (3)(a) A personal delivery device and a mobile carrier may
252 not do any of the following:
253 1.(a) Operate on a sidewalk, crosswalk, bicycle lane, or
254 bicycle path or on the shoulder of a street, roadway, or highway
255 unless the personal delivery device meets minimum criteria
256 established by the Department of Transportation and a human
257 operator is capable of controlling and monitoring the navigation
258 and operation of the personal delivery device public highway
259 except to the extent necessary to cross a crosswalk.
260 2. Transport hazardous materials as defined in s. 316.003.
261 3. Operate on a limited access facility.
262 (b) A mobile carrier may not do any of the following:
263 1. Operate on a public highway except to the extent
264 necessary to cross a crosswalk.
265 2. Operate on a sidewalk or crosswalk unless the personal
266 delivery device operator is actively controlling or monitoring
267 the navigation and operation of the personal delivery device or
268 a mobile carrier owner remains within 25 feet of the mobile
269 carrier.
270 3.(c) Transport hazardous materials as defined in s.
271 316.003.
272 4.(d) For mobile carriers, Transport persons or animals.
273 (5) The Department of Transportation may adopt rules to
274 implement this section.
275 Section 7. Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section
276 320.06, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
277 320.06 Registration certificates, license plates, and
278 validation stickers generally.—
279 (1)
280 (b)1. Registration license plates bearing a graphic symbol
281 and the alphanumeric system of identification shall be issued
282 for a 10-year period. At the end of the 10-year period, upon
283 renewal, the plate shall be replaced. The department shall
284 extend the scheduled license plate replacement date from a 6
285 year period to a 10-year period. The fee for such replacement is
286 $28, $2.80 of which shall be paid each year before the plate is
287 replaced, to be credited toward the next $28 replacement fee.
288 The fees shall be deposited into the Highway Safety Operating
289 Trust Fund. A credit or refund may not be given for any prior
290 years’ payments of the prorated replacement fee if the plate is
291 replaced or surrendered before the end of the 10-year period,
292 except that a credit may be given if a registrant is required by
293 the department to replace a license plate under s.
294 320.08056(8)(a). With each license plate, a validation sticker
295 shall be issued showing the owner’s birth month, license plate
296 number, and the year of expiration or the appropriate renewal
297 period if the owner is not a natural person. The validation
298 sticker shall be placed on the upper right corner of the license
299 plate. The license plate and validation sticker shall be issued
300 based on the applicant’s appropriate renewal period. The
301 registration period is 12 months, the extended registration
302 period is 24 months, and all expirations occur based on the
303 applicant’s appropriate registration period. Rental vehicles
304 taxed pursuant to s. 320.08(6)(a) and rental trucks taxed
305 pursuant to s. 320.08(3)(a)-(c) and (4)(a)-(f) (4)(a)-(d) may
306 elect a permanent registration period, provided payment of the
307 appropriate license taxes and fees occurs annually.
308 2. Beginning July 1, 2024, a vehicle registered in
309 accordance with the International Registration Plan must be
310 issued a license plate for a 3-year period. At the end of the 3
311 year period, upon renewal, the license plate must be replaced.
312 Each license plate must include a validation sticker showing the
313 month of expiration. A cab card denoting the declared gross
314 vehicle weight for each apportioned jurisdiction must be issued
315 annually. The fee for an original or a renewal cab card is $28,
316 which must be deposited into the Highway Safety Operating Trust
317 Fund. If the license plate is damaged or worn, it may be
318 replaced at no charge by applying to the department and
319 surrendering the current license plate.
320 3. In order to retain the efficient administration of the
321 taxes and fees imposed by this chapter, the 80-cent fee increase
322 in the replacement fee imposed by chapter 2009-71, Laws of
323 Florida, is negated as provided in s. 320.0804.
324 Section 8. Section 322.032, Florida Statutes, is repealed.
325 Section 9. Section 322.059, Florida Statutes, is amended to
326 read:
327 322.059 Mandatory surrender of suspended driver license and
328 registration.—A person whose driver license or registration has
329 been suspended as provided in s. 322.058 must immediately return
330 his or her driver license and registration to the Department of
331 Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. The department shall
332 invalidate the digital proof of driver license issued pursuant
333 to s. 322.032 for such person. If such person fails to return
334 his or her driver license or registration, a law enforcement
335 agent may seize the license or registration while the driver
336 license or registration is suspended.
337 Section 10. Subsection (1) of section 322.15, Florida
338 Statutes, is amended to read:
339 322.15 License to be carried and exhibited on demand;
340 fingerprint to be imprinted upon a citation.—
341 (1) Every licensee shall have his or her driver license,
342 which must be fully legible with no portion of such license
343 faded, altered, mutilated, or defaced, in his or her immediate
344 possession at all times when operating a motor vehicle and shall
345 present or submit the same upon the demand of a law enforcement
346 officer or an authorized representative of the department. A
347 licensee may present or submit a digital proof of driver license
348 as provided in s. 322.032 in lieu of his or her printed driver
349 license; however, if the law enforcement officer or authorized
350 representative of the department is unable to immediately verify
351 the digital proof of driver license, upon the demand of the law
352 enforcement officer or authorized representative of the
353 department, the licensee must present or submit his or her
354 printed driver license.
355 Section 11. Section 324.252, Florida Statutes, is repealed.
356 Section 12. Present paragraph (d) of subsection (3) of
357 section 330.41, Florida Statutes, is redesignated as paragraph
358 (e), a new paragraph (d) is added to that subsection, and
359 paragraph (c) of that subsection is amended, to read:
360 330.41 Unmanned Aircraft Systems Act.—
361 (3) REGULATION.—
362 (c) Except as otherwise expressly provided, a political
363 subdivision may not withhold issuance of a business tax receipt,
364 development permit, or other land use approval to a drone
365 delivery service on a commercial property or enact or enforce an
366 ordinance or a resolution that prohibits a drone delivery
367 service’s operation based on the location of its drone port,
368 notwithstanding part II of chapter 163 and chapter 205. A
369 political subdivision may enforce minimum setback and
370 landscaping regulations that are generally applicable to
371 permitted uses in the applicable drone port site’s zoning
372 district. This paragraph may not be construed to authorize a
373 political subdivision to require additional landscaping as a
374 condition of approval of a drone delivery service on a
375 commercial property port.
376 (d) The addition of a drone delivery service within the
377 parking area of a commercial property does not reduce the number
378 of parking spaces in the parking area for the purpose of
379 complying with any requirement for a minimum number of parking
380 spaces.
381 Section 13. Subsection (1) of section 332.001, Florida
382 Statutes, is amended to read:
383 332.001 Aviation; powers and duties of the Department of
384 Transportation.—
385 (1) It shall be the duty, function, and responsibility of
386 the Department of Transportation to plan and direct investments
387 in airport systems in this state to facilitate the efficient
388 movement of passengers and cargo and to continuously improve the
389 experience for the flying public and the supply chain of this
390 state’s businesses. In carrying out this duty and
391 responsibility, the department may assist and advise, cooperate,
392 and coordinate with the federal, state, local, or private
393 organizations and individuals in planning such systems of
394 airports.
395 Section 14. Subsection (10) is added to section 332.006,
396 Florida Statutes, to read:
397 332.006 Duties and responsibilities of the Department of
398 Transportation.—The Department of Transportation shall, within
399 the resources provided to the department:
400 (10) Coordinate with commercial service airports in this
401 state to review and evaluate policies and programs of the United
402 States Transportation Security Administration, including, but
403 not limited to, security screening programs and programs for
404 veterans and active duty servicemembers and their families, to
405 improve efficiency in the security screening process and the
406 overall experience of the flying public.
407 Section 15. Present subsections (4), (5), and (6) of
408 section 332.0075, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as
409 subsections (5), (6), and (7), respectively, and a new
410 subsection (4) is added to that section, to read:
411 332.0075 Commercial service airports; transparency and
412 accountability; penalty.—
413 (4) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a
414 commercial service airport must plan for obtaining and
415 maintaining critical infrastructure resources for the airport,
416 its tenants, and the traveling public. Such plans must include
417 long-term contracts and rights of first refusal regarding the
418 sale of and contingency plans for such resources. For purposes
419 of this paragraph, the term “critical infrastructure resources”
420 includes, but is not limited to, access to electricity, fuel,
421 and water resources.
422 Section 16. Present subsections (1) through (37) of section
423 334.03, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as subsections (2)
424 through (38), respectively, a new subsection (1) is added to
425 that section, and present subsection (29) of that section is
426 amended, to read:
427 334.03 Definitions.—When used in the Florida Transportation
428 Code, the term:
429 (1) “Advanced air mobility corridor connection point” means
430 any land area or transportation facility, including any
431 airspace, designated by the department as suitable to support
432 the efficient movement of people and goods by use as a
433 connection point for advanced air mobility.
434 (30)(29) “Transportation corridor” means any advanced air
435 mobility corridor connection point or any land area designated
436 by the state, a county, or a municipality which is between two
437 geographic points and which area is used or suitable for the
438 movement of people and goods by one or more modes of
439 transportation, including areas necessary for management of
440 access and securing applicable approvals and permits.
441 Transportation corridors, other than advanced air mobility
442 corridor connection points, shall contain, but are not limited
443 to, the following:
444 (a) Existing publicly owned rights-of-way;
445 (b) All property or property interests necessary for future
446 transportation facilities, including rights of access, air,
447 view, and light, whether public or private, for the purpose of
448 securing and utilizing future transportation rights-of-way,
449 including, but not limited to, any lands reasonably necessary
450 now or in the future for securing applicable approvals and
451 permits, borrow pits, drainage ditches, water retention areas,
452 rest areas, replacement access for landowners whose access could
453 be impaired due to the construction of a future facility, and
454 replacement rights-of-way for relocation of rail and utility
455 facilities.
456 Section 17. Subsections (5), (20), and (21) of section
457 334.044, Florida Statutes, are amended, and subsections (40),
458 (41), and (42) are added to that section, to read:
459 334.044 Powers and duties of the department.—The department
460 shall have the following general powers and duties:
461 (5) To purchase, lease, or otherwise acquire property and
462 materials, including the purchase of promotional items as part
463 of public information and education campaigns for the promotion
464 of environmental management, scenic highways, traffic and train
465 safety awareness, commercial motor vehicle safety, workforce
466 development, transportation-related economic development
467 opportunities, advanced air mobility electric vehicle use and
468 charging stations, autonomous vehicles, and context
469 classification for electric vehicles and autonomous vehicles; to
470 purchase, lease, or otherwise acquire equipment and supplies;
471 and to sell, exchange, or otherwise dispose of any property that
472 is no longer needed by the department.
473 (20) To operate and maintain designated research
474 facilities, to conduct and enter into contracts and agreements
475 for conducting research studies, and to collect data necessary
476 for the improvement of the state transportation system.
477 (21) To conduct and enter into contracts and agreements for
478 conducting research and demonstration projects relative to
479 innovative transportation technologies.
480 (40) To require local governments to submit applications
481 for federal funding for projects on state-owned rights-of-way,
482 roads, bridges, and limited access facilities to the department
483 for review and approval before submission of such applications
484 to the Federal Government.
485 (41) To coordinate with and provide assistance to local
486 governments on the development and review of applications for
487 federal transportation funding to ensure that each project
488 receiving federal funds is consistent with the department’s
489 mission, goals, and objectives as provided in s. 334.046.
490 (42) Notwithstanding any other law, to acquire, own,
491 construct, or operate, or any combination thereof, one or more
492 airports as defined in s. 330.27 for the purpose of supporting
493 advanced air mobility. The department may adopt rules to
494 implement this subsection.
495 Section 18. Section 334.64, Florida Statutes, is created to
496 read:
497 334.64 Department to serve as primary point of contact for
498 LiDAR procurement.—Notwithstanding s. 20.255(9), the department
499 shall serve as the primary point of contact for statewide
500 topographic aerial LiDAR procurement and cost sharing related to
501 statewide geographic information systems and geospatial data
502 sharing. The department may provide these services to other
503 state and local governmental entities by entering into an
504 interagency agreement consistent with chapter 216.
505 Notwithstanding any other provision of law, including any
506 charter, ordinance, statute, or special law, all state agencies
507 and local governmental entities conducting programs or
508 exercising powers relating to topographic aerial LiDAR mapping
509 are authorized to enter into an interagency agreement with the
510 department for the provision by the department of topographic
511 aerial LiDAR procurement and cost-sharing services, and to
512 delegate such authority to conduct programs or exercise powers
513 relating to topographic aerial LiDAR procurement and cost
514 sharing services to the department pursuant to such interagency
515 agreements. The department may adopt rules to implement this
516 section.
517 Section 19. Present paragraphs (b) and (c) of subsection
518 (3) of section 338.231, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as
519 paragraphs (c) and (d), respectively, a new paragraph (b) is
520 added to that subsection, and paragraph (a) of that subsection
521 is amended, to read:
522 338.231 Turnpike tolls, fixing; pledge of tolls and other
523 revenues.—The department shall at all times fix, adjust, charge,
524 and collect such tolls and amounts for the use of the turnpike
525 system as are required in order to provide a fund sufficient
526 with other revenues of the turnpike system to pay the cost of
527 maintaining, improving, repairing, and operating such turnpike
528 system; to pay the principal of and interest on all bonds issued
529 to finance or refinance any portion of the turnpike system as
530 the same become due and payable; and to create reserves for all
531 such purposes.
532 (3)(a)1. For the period July 1, 1998, through June 30, 2029
533 2027, the department shall, to the maximum extent feasible,
534 program sufficient funds in the tentative work program such that
535 the percentage of turnpike toll and bond financed commitments in
536 Miami-Dade County, Broward County, and Palm Beach County as
537 compared to total turnpike toll and bond financed commitments
538 shall be at least 90 percent of the share of net toll
539 collections attributable to users of the turnpike system in
540 Miami-Dade County, Broward County, and Palm Beach County as
541 compared to total net toll collections attributable to users of
542 the turnpike system.
543 2. Beginning in the 2029-2030 fiscal year, the department
544 shall, to the maximum extent feasible, program sufficient funds
545 in the tentative work program such that 100 percent of the share
546 of net toll collections attributable to users of the turnpike
547 system in Miami-Dade County, Broward County, and Palm Beach
548 County is used for turnpike toll and bond financed commitments
549 in those counties.
550
551 This paragraph subsection does not apply when the application of
552 such requirements would violate any covenant established in a
553 resolution or trust indenture relating to the issuance of
554 turnpike bonds.
555 (b) The department may at any time for economic
556 considerations establish lower temporary toll rates for a new or
557 existing toll facility for a period not to exceed 1 year, after
558 which the toll rates adopted pursuant to s. 120.54 shall become
559 effective.
560 Section 20. Paragraph (b) of subsection (2) and paragraph
561 (d) of subsection (5) of section 339.81, Florida Statutes, are
562 amended to read:
563 339.81 Florida Shared-Use Nonmotorized Trail Network.—
564 (2)
565 (b) The multiuse trails or shared-use paths of the
566 statewide network must be physically separated from motor
567 vehicle traffic and constructed with asphalt, concrete, or
568 another improved hard surface approved by the department.
569 (5)
570 (d) To the greatest extent practicable, the department
571 shall program projects in the work program to plan for
572 development of the entire trail and to minimize the creation of
573 gaps between trail segments. The department shall, at a minimum,
574 ensure that local support exists for projects and trail
575 segments, including the availability or dedication of local
576 funding sources and of contributions by private landowners who
577 agree to make their land, or property interests in such land,
578 available for public use as a trail. The department may also
579 consider any sponsorship agreement entered into pursuant to
580 subsection (7).
581 Section 21. Subsection (16) of section 341.041, Florida
582 Statutes, is amended to read:
583 341.041 Transit responsibilities of the department.—The
584 department shall, within the resources provided pursuant to
585 chapter 216:
586 (16) Unless otherwise provided by state or federal law,
587 ensure that all grants and agreements between the department and
588 entities providing paratransit services to persons with
589 disabilities include, at a minimum, the following provisions:
590 (a) Performance requirements for the delivery of services,
591 including clear penalties for repeated or continuing violations;
592 (b) Minimum liability insurance requirements for all
593 transportation services purchased, provided, or coordinated for
594 the transportation disadvantaged, as defined in s. 427.011(1),
595 through the contracted vendor or subcontractor thereof;
596 (c) Complaint and grievance processes for users of
597 paratransit services for persons with disabilities users,
598 including a requirement that all reported complaints,
599 grievances, and resolutions be reported to the department on a
600 quarterly basis; and
601 (d) A requirement that the provisions of paragraphs (a),
602 (b), and (c) must be included in any agreement between an entity
603 receiving a grant or an agreement from the department and such
604 entity’s contractors or subcontractors that provide paratransit
605 services for persons with disabilities.
606 Section 22. Section 790.19, Florida Statutes, is amended to
607 read:
608 790.19 Shooting into or throwing deadly missiles into
609 dwellings, public or private buildings, occupied or not
610 occupied; vessels, aircraft, buses, railroad cars, streetcars,
611 or other vehicles.—A person who Whoever, wantonly or
612 maliciously, shoots at, within, or into, or throws a any missile
613 or hurls or projects a stone or other hard substance which would
614 produce death or great bodily harm, at, within, or in a any
615 public or private building, occupied or unoccupied; a, or public
616 or private bus or a any train, locomotive, railway car, caboose,
617 cable railway car, street railway car, monorail car, or vehicle
618 of any kind which is being used or occupied by a any person; an
619 autonomous vehicle, occupied or unoccupied; a, or any boat,
620 vessel, ship, or barge lying in or plying the waters of this
621 state;, or an aircraft flying through the airspace of this state
622 commits shall be guilty of a felony of the second degree,
623 punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
624 Section 23. Present subsections (8) through (12) of section
625 806.13, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as subsections (9)
626 through (13), respectively, a new subsection (8) is added to
627 that section, and present subsection (11) of that section is
628 amended, to read:
629 806.13 Criminal mischief; penalties; penalty for minor.—
630 (8) A person who willfully or maliciously defaces, injures,
631 or damages by any means an autonomous vehicle as defined in s.
632 316.003(3)(a) commits a felony of the third degree, punishable
633 as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084, if the
634 damage to the vehicle is greater than $200.
635 (12)(11) A minor whose driver license or driving privilege
636 is revoked, suspended, or withheld under subsection (11) (10)
637 may elect to reduce the period of revocation, suspension, or
638 withholding by performing community service at the rate of 1 day
639 for each hour of community service performed. In addition, if
640 the court determines that due to a family hardship, the minor’s
641 driver license or driving privilege is necessary for employment
642 or medical purposes of the minor or a member of the minor’s
643 family, the court shall order the minor to perform community
644 service and reduce the period of revocation, suspension, or
645 withholding at the rate of 1 day for each hour of community
646 service performed. As used in this subsection, the term
647 “community service” means cleaning graffiti from public
648 property.
649 Section 24. The Department of Transportation shall conduct
650 a study to evaluate the long-term impact of alternative fuel
651 vehicles on state transportation revenues and identify potential
652 policy options to address projected revenue reductions.
653 (1) The study must:
654 (a) Identify the projected impact of specific alternative
655 fuel vehicle types and the corresponding projected impact on
656 state transportation revenues.
657 (b) Evaluate new transportation revenue models, including,
658 but not limited to, alternative fuel vehicle-specific
659 registration fees and taxes; technological and industry
660 partnerships that could facilitate fees based on miles-per
661 gallon usage equivalences; and revenue models that are based on
662 vehicle miles-based taxes.
663 (c) Analyze the advantages, disadvantages, and projected
664 revenue impacts from each transportation revenue model.
665 (2) By January 1, 2027, the department shall submit a
666 report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the
667 Speaker of the House of Representatives providing the results of
668 the study.
669 Section 25. For the 2026-2027 fiscal year, the sum of
670 $300,000 in nonrecurring funds is appropriated from the State
671 Transportation Trust Fund to the Department of Transportation
672 for the purpose of studying alternative fuel vehicles and
673 methods to receive transportation revenues from users of such
674 vehicles.
675 Section 26. Paragraph (b) of subsection (3) of section
676 311.07, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
677 311.07 Florida seaport transportation and economic
678 development funding.—
679 (3)
680 (b) Projects eligible for funding by grants under the
681 program are limited to the following port facilities or port
682 transportation projects:
683 1. Transportation facilities within the jurisdiction of the
684 port.
685 2. The dredging or deepening of channels, turning basins,
686 or harbors.
687 3. The construction or rehabilitation of wharves, docks,
688 structures, jetties, piers, storage facilities, cruise
689 terminals, automated people mover systems, or any facilities
690 necessary or useful in connection with any of the foregoing.
691 4. The acquisition of vessel tracking systems, container
692 cranes, or other mechanized equipment used in the movement of
693 cargo or passengers in international commerce.
694 5. The acquisition of land to be used for port purposes.
695 6. The acquisition, improvement, enlargement, or extension
696 of existing port facilities.
697 7. Environmental protection projects which are necessary
698 because of requirements imposed by a state agency as a condition
699 of a permit or other form of state approval; which are necessary
700 for environmental mitigation required as a condition of a state,
701 federal, or local environmental permit; which are necessary for
702 the acquisition of spoil disposal sites and improvements to
703 existing and future spoil sites; or which result from the
704 funding of eligible projects listed in this paragraph.
705 8. Transportation facilities as defined in s. 334.03 s.
706 334.03(30) which are not otherwise part of the Department of
707 Transportation’s adopted work program.
708 9. Intermodal access projects.
709 10. Construction or rehabilitation of port facilities as
710 defined in s. 315.02, excluding any park or recreational
711 facilities, in ports listed in s. 311.09(1) with operating
712 revenues of $5 million or less, provided that such projects
713 create economic development opportunities, capital improvements,
714 and positive financial returns to such ports.
715 11. Seaport master plan or strategic plan development or
716 updates, including the purchase of data to support such plans.
717 12. Spaceport or space industry-related planning or
718 construction of facilities on seaport property which are
719 necessary or useful for advancing the space industry in this
720 state and provide an economic benefit to this state.
721 13. Commercial shipbuilding and manufacturing facilities on
722 seaport property, if such projects provide an economic benefit
723 to the community in which the seaport is located.
724 Section 27. Paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of section
725 316.0777, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
726 316.0777 Automated license plate recognition systems;
727 installation within rights-of-way of State Highway System;
728 public records exemption.—
729 (2)
730 (b) At the discretion of the Department of Transportation,
731 an automated license plate recognition system may be installed
732 within the right-of-way, as defined in s. 334.03 s. 334.03(21),
733 of a road on the State Highway System when installed at the
734 request of a law enforcement agency for the purpose of
735 collecting active criminal intelligence information or active
736 criminal investigative information as defined in s. 119.011(3).
737 An automated license plate recognition system may not be used to
738 issue a notice of violation for a traffic infraction or a
739 uniform traffic citation. Such installation must be in
740 accordance with placement and installation guidelines developed
741 by the Department of Transportation. An automated license plate
742 recognition system must be removed within 30 days after the
743 Department of Transportation notifies the requesting law
744 enforcement agency that such removal must occur.
745 Section 28. Paragraph (c) of subsection (5) of section
746 316.515, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
747 316.515 Maximum width, height, length.—
748 (5) IMPLEMENTS OF HUSBANDRY AND FARM EQUIPMENT;
749 AGRICULTURAL TRAILERS; FORESTRY EQUIPMENT; SAFETY REQUIREMENTS.—
750 (c) The width and height limitations of this section do not
751 apply to farming or agricultural equipment, whether self
752 propelled, pulled, or hauled, when temporarily operated during
753 daylight hours upon a public road that is not a limited access
754 facility as defined in s. 334.03 s. 334.03(12), and the width
755 and height limitations may be exceeded by such equipment without
756 a permit. To be eligible for this exemption, the equipment shall
757 be operated within a radius of 50 miles of the real property
758 owned, rented, managed, harvested, or leased by the equipment
759 owner. However, equipment being delivered by a dealer to a
760 purchaser is not subject to the 50-mile limitation. Farming or
761 agricultural equipment greater than 174 inches in width must
762 have one warning lamp mounted on each side of the equipment to
763 denote the width and must have a slow-moving vehicle sign.
764 Warning lamps required by this paragraph must be visible from
765 the front and rear of the vehicle and must be visible from a
766 distance of at least 1,000 feet.
767 Section 29. Section 336.01, Florida Statutes, is amended to
768 read:
769 336.01 Designation of county road system.—The county road
770 system shall be as defined in s. 334.03 s. 334.03(8).
771 Section 30. Subsection (2) of section 338.222, Florida
772 Statutes, is amended to read:
773 338.222 Department of Transportation sole governmental
774 entity to acquire, construct, or operate turnpike projects;
775 exception.—
776 (2) The department may, but is not required to, contract
777 with any local governmental entity as defined in s. 334.03 s.
778 334.03(13) for the design, right-of-way acquisition, transfer,
779 purchase, sale, acquisition, or other conveyance of the
780 ownership, operation, maintenance, or construction of any
781 turnpike project which the Legislature has approved. Local
782 governmental entities may negotiate and contract with the
783 department for the design, right-of-way acquisition, transfer,
784 purchase, sale, acquisition, or other conveyance of the
785 ownership, operation, maintenance, or construction of any
786 section of the turnpike project within areas of their respective
787 jurisdictions or within counties with which they have interlocal
788 agreements.
789 Section 31. Subsection (2) of section 341.8225, Florida
790 Statutes, is amended to read:
791 341.8225 Department of Transportation sole governmental
792 entity to acquire, construct, or operate high-speed rail
793 projects; exception.—
794 (2) Local governmental entities, as defined in s. 334.03 s.
795 334.03(13), may negotiate with the department for the design,
796 right-of-way acquisition, and construction of any component of
797 the high-speed rail system within areas of their respective
798 jurisdictions or within counties with which they have interlocal
799 agreements.
800 Section 32. Paragraph (b) of subsection (12) of section
801 376.3071, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
802 376.3071 Inland Protection Trust Fund; creation; purposes;
803 funding.—
804 (12) SITE CLEANUP.—
805 (b) Low-scored site initiative.—Notwithstanding subsections
806 (5) and (6), a site with a priority ranking score of 29 points
807 or less may voluntarily participate in the low-scored site
808 initiative regardless of whether the site is eligible for state
809 restoration funding.
810 1. To participate in the low-scored site initiative, the
811 property owner, or a responsible party who provides evidence of
812 authorization from the property owner, must submit a “No Further
813 Action” proposal and affirmatively demonstrate that the
814 conditions imposed under subparagraph 4. are met.
815 2. Upon affirmative demonstration that the conditions
816 imposed under subparagraph 4. are met, the department shall
817 issue a site rehabilitation completion order incorporating the
818 “No Further Action” proposal submitted by the property owner or
819 the responsible party, who must provide evidence of
820 authorization from the property owner. If no contamination is
821 detected, the department may issue a site rehabilitation
822 completion order.
823 3. Sites that are eligible for state restoration funding
824 may receive payment of costs for the low-scored site initiative
825 as follows:
826 a. A property owner, or a responsible party who provides
827 evidence of authorization from the property owner, may submit an
828 assessment and limited remediation plan designed to
829 affirmatively demonstrate that the site meets the conditions
830 imposed under subparagraph 4. Notwithstanding the priority
831 ranking score of the site, the department may approve the cost
832 of the assessment and limited remediation, including up to 12
833 months of groundwater monitoring and 12 months of limited
834 remediation activities in one or more task assignments or
835 modifications thereof, not to exceed the threshold amount
836 provided in s. 287.017 for CATEGORY TWO, for each site where the
837 department has determined that the assessment and limited
838 remediation, if applicable, will likely result in a
839 determination of “No Further Action.” The department may not pay
840 the costs associated with the establishment of institutional or
841 engineering controls other than the costs associated with a
842 professional land survey or a specific purpose survey, if such
843 is needed, and the costs associated with obtaining a title
844 report and paying recording fees.
845 b. After the approval of initial site assessment results
846 provided pursuant to state funding under sub-subparagraph a.,
847 the department may approve an additional amount not to exceed
848 the threshold amount provided in s. 287.017 for CATEGORY TWO for
849 limited remediation needed to achieve a determination of “No
850 Further Action.”
851 c. The assessment and limited remediation work shall be
852 completed no later than 15 months after the department
853 authorizes the start of a state-funded, low-score site
854 initiative task. If groundwater monitoring is required after the
855 assessment and limited remediation in order to satisfy the
856 conditions under subparagraph 4., the department may authorize
857 an additional 12 months to complete the monitoring.
858 d. No more than $15 million for the low-scored site
859 initiative may be encumbered from the fund in any fiscal year.
860 Funds shall be made available on a first-come, first-served
861 basis and shall be limited to 10 sites in each fiscal year for
862 each property owner or each responsible party who provides
863 evidence of authorization from the property owner.
864 e. Program deductibles, copayments, and the limited
865 contamination assessment report requirements under paragraph
866 (13)(d) do not apply to expenditures under this paragraph.
867 4. The department shall issue an order incorporating the
868 “No Further Action” proposal submitted by a property owner or a
869 responsible party who provides evidence of authorization from
870 the property owner upon affirmative demonstration that all of
871 the following conditions are met:
872 a. Soil saturated with petroleum or petroleum products, or
873 soil that causes a total corrected hydrocarbon measurement of
874 500 parts per million or higher for the Gasoline Analytical
875 Group or 50 parts per million or higher for the Kerosene
876 Analytical Group, as defined by department rule, does not exist
877 onsite as a result of a release of petroleum products.
878 b. A minimum of 12 months of groundwater monitoring
879 indicates that the plume is shrinking or stable.
880 c. The release of petroleum products at the site does not
881 adversely affect adjacent surface waters, including their
882 effects on human health and the environment.
883 d. The area containing the petroleum products’ chemicals of
884 concern:
885 (I) Is confined to the source property boundaries of the
886 real property on which the discharge originated, unless the
887 property owner has requested or authorized a more limited area
888 in the “No Further Action” proposal submitted under this
889 subsection; or
890 (II) Has migrated from the source property onto or beneath
891 a transportation facility as defined in s. 334.03 s. 334.03(30)
892 for which the department has approved, and the governmental
893 entity owning the transportation facility has agreed to
894 institutional controls as defined in s. 376.301(21). This sub
895 sub-subparagraph does not, however, impose any legal liability
896 on the transportation facility owner, obligate such owner to
897 engage in remediation, or waive such owner’s right to recover
898 costs for damages.
899 e. The groundwater contamination containing the petroleum
900 products’ chemicals of concern is not a threat to any permitted
901 potable water supply well.
902 f. Soils onsite found between land surface and 2 feet below
903 land surface which are subject to human exposure meet the soil
904 cleanup target levels established in subparagraph (5)(b)9., or
905 human exposure is limited by appropriate institutional or
906 engineering controls.
907
908 Issuance of a site rehabilitation completion order under this
909 paragraph acknowledges that minimal contamination exists onsite
910 and that such contamination is not a threat to the public
911 health, safety, or welfare; water resources; or the environment.
912 Pursuant to subsection (4), the issuance of the site
913 rehabilitation completion order, with or without conditions,
914 does not alter eligibility for state-funded rehabilitation that
915 would otherwise be applicable under this section.
916 Section 33. Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section
917 403.7211, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
918 403.7211 Hazardous waste facilities managing hazardous
919 wastes generated offsite; federal facilities managing hazardous
920 waste.—
921 (2) The department may not issue any permit under s.
922 403.722 for the construction, initial operation, or substantial
923 modification of a facility for the disposal, storage, or
924 treatment of hazardous waste generated offsite which is proposed
925 to be located in any of the following locations:
926 (a) Any area where life-threatening concentrations of
927 hazardous substances could accumulate at any residence or
928 residential subdivision as the result of a catastrophic event at
929 the proposed facility, unless each such residence or residential
930 subdivision is served by at least one arterial road or urban
931 minor arterial road, as determined under the procedures
932 referenced in s. 334.03 s. 334.03(10), which provides safe and
933 direct egress by land to an area where such life-threatening
934 concentrations of hazardous substances could not accumulate in a
935 catastrophic event. Egress by any road leading from any
936 residence or residential subdivision to any point located within
937 1,000 yards of the proposed facility is unsafe for the purposes
938 of this paragraph. In determining whether egress proposed by the
939 applicant is safe and direct, the department shall also
940 consider, at a minimum, the following factors:
941 1. Natural barriers such as water bodies, and whether any
942 road in the proposed evacuation route is impaired by a natural
943 barrier such as a water body.
944 2. Potential exposure during egress and potential increases
945 in the duration of exposure.
946 3. Whether any road in a proposed evacuation route passes
947 in close proximity to the facility.
948 4. Whether any portion of the evacuation route is
949 inherently directed toward the facility.
950
951 For the purposes of this subsection, all distances shall be
952 measured from the outer limit of the active hazardous waste
953 management area. “Substantial modification” includes: any
954 physical change in, change in the operations of, or addition to
955 a facility which could increase the potential offsite impact, or
956 risk of impact, from a release at that facility; and any change
957 in permit conditions which is reasonably expected to lead to
958 greater potential impacts or risks of impacts, from a release at
959 that facility. “Substantial modification” does not include a
960 change in operations, structures, or permit conditions which
961 does not substantially increase either the potential impact
962 from, or the risk of, a release. Physical or operational changes
963 to a facility related solely to the management of nonhazardous
964 waste at the facility is not considered a substantial
965 modification. The department shall, by rule, adopt criteria to
966 determine whether a facility has been substantially modified.
967 “Initial operation” means the initial commencement of operations
968 at the facility.
969 Section 34. Subsection (5) of section 479.261, Florida
970 Statutes, is amended to read:
971 479.261 Logo sign program.—
972 (5) At a minimum, permit fees for businesses that
973 participate in the program must be established in an amount
974 sufficient to offset the total cost to the department for the
975 program, including contract costs. The department shall provide
976 the services in the most efficient and cost-effective manner
977 through department staff or by contracting for some or all of
978 the services. The department shall adopt rules that set
979 reasonable rates based upon factors such as population, traffic
980 volume, market demand, and costs for annual permit fees.
981 However, annual permit fees for sign locations inside an urban
982 area, as defined in s. 334.03 s. 334.03(31), may not exceed
983 $3,500, and annual permit fees for sign locations outside an
984 urban area, as defined in s. 334.03 s. 334.03(31), may not
985 exceed $2,000. After recovering program costs, the proceeds from
986 the annual permit fees shall be deposited into the State
987 Transportation Trust Fund and used for transportation purposes.
988 Section 35. Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section
989 715.07, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
990 715.07 Vehicles or vessels parked on private property;
991 towing.—
992 (2) The owner or lessee of real property, or any person
993 authorized by the owner or lessee, which person may be the
994 designated representative of the condominium association if the
995 real property is a condominium, may cause any vehicle or vessel
996 parked on such property without her or his permission to be
997 removed by a person regularly engaged in the business of towing
998 vehicles or vessels, without liability for the costs of removal,
999 transportation, or storage or damages caused by such removal,
1000 transportation, or storage, under any of the following
1001 circumstances:
1002 (a) The towing or removal of any vehicle or vessel from
1003 private property without the consent of the registered owner or
1004 other legally authorized person in control of that vehicle or
1005 vessel is subject to substantial compliance with the following
1006 conditions and restrictions:
1007 1.a. Any towed or removed vehicle or vessel must be stored
1008 at a site within a 10-mile radius of the point of removal in any
1009 county of 500,000 population or more, and within a 15-mile
1010 radius of the point of removal in any county of fewer than
1011 500,000 population. That site must be open for the purpose of
1012 redemption of vehicles on any day that the person or firm towing
1013 such vehicle or vessel is open for towing purposes, from 8:00
1014 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and, when closed, shall have prominently
1015 posted a sign indicating a telephone number where the operator
1016 of the site can be reached at all times. Upon receipt of a
1017 telephoned request to open the site to redeem a vehicle or
1018 vessel, the operator shall return to the site within 1 hour or
1019 she or he will be in violation of this section.
1020 b. If no towing business providing such service is located
1021 within the area of towing limitations set forth in sub
1022 subparagraph a., the following limitations apply: any towed or
1023 removed vehicle or vessel must be stored at a site within a 20
1024 mile radius of the point of removal in any county of 500,000
1025 population or more, and within a 30-mile radius of the point of
1026 removal in any county of fewer than 500,000 population.
1027 2. The person or firm towing or removing the vehicle or
1028 vessel shall, within 30 minutes after completion of such towing
1029 or removal, notify the municipal police department or, in an
1030 unincorporated area, the sheriff, of such towing or removal, the
1031 storage site, the time the vehicle or vessel was towed or
1032 removed, and the make, model, color, and license plate number of
1033 the vehicle or description and registration number of the vessel
1034 and shall obtain the name of the person at that department to
1035 whom such information was reported and note that name on the
1036 trip record.
1037 3. A person in the process of towing or removing a vehicle
1038 or vessel from the premises or parking lot in which the vehicle
1039 or vessel is not lawfully parked must stop when a person seeks
1040 the return of the vehicle or vessel. The vehicle or vessel must
1041 be returned upon the payment of a reasonable service fee of not
1042 more than one-half of the posted rate for the towing or removal
1043 service as provided in subparagraph 6. The vehicle or vessel may
1044 be towed or removed if, after a reasonable opportunity, the
1045 owner or legally authorized person in control of the vehicle or
1046 vessel is unable to pay the service fee. If the vehicle or
1047 vessel is redeemed, a detailed signed receipt must be given to
1048 the person redeeming the vehicle or vessel.
1049 4. A person may not pay or accept money or other valuable
1050 consideration for the privilege of towing or removing vehicles
1051 or vessels from a particular location.
1052 5. Except for property appurtenant to and obviously a part
1053 of a single-family residence, and except for instances when
1054 notice is personally given to the owner or other legally
1055 authorized person in control of the vehicle or vessel that the
1056 area in which that vehicle or vessel is parked is reserved or
1057 otherwise unavailable for unauthorized vehicles or vessels and
1058 that the vehicle or vessel is subject to being removed at the
1059 owner’s or operator’s expense, any property owner or lessee, or
1060 person authorized by the property owner or lessee, before towing
1061 or removing any vehicle or vessel from private property without
1062 the consent of the owner or other legally authorized person in
1063 control of that vehicle or vessel, must post a notice meeting
1064 the following requirements:
1065 a. The notice must be prominently placed at each driveway
1066 access or curb cut allowing vehicular access to the property
1067 within 10 feet from the road, as defined in s. 334.03 s.
1068 334.03(22). If there are no curbs or access barriers, the signs
1069 must be posted not fewer than one sign for each 25 feet of lot
1070 frontage.
1071 b. The notice must clearly indicate, in not fewer than 2
1072 inch high, light-reflective letters on a contrasting background,
1073 that unauthorized vehicles will be towed away at the owner’s
1074 expense. The words “tow-away zone” must be included on the sign
1075 in not fewer than 4-inch high letters.
1076 c. The notice must also provide the name and current
1077 telephone number of the person or firm towing or removing the
1078 vehicles or vessels.
1079 d. The sign structure containing the required notices must
1080 be permanently installed with the words “tow-away zone” not
1081 fewer than 3 feet and not more than 6 feet above ground level
1082 and must be continuously maintained on the property for not
1083 fewer than 24 hours before the towing or removal of any vehicles
1084 or vessels.
1085 e. The local government may require permitting and
1086 inspection of these signs before any towing or removal of
1087 vehicles or vessels being authorized.
1088 f. A business with 20 or fewer parking spaces satisfies the
1089 notice requirements of this subparagraph by prominently
1090 displaying a sign stating “Reserved Parking for Customers Only
1091 Unauthorized Vehicles or Vessels Will be Towed Away At the
1092 Owner’s Expense” in not fewer than 4-inch high, light-reflective
1093 letters on a contrasting background.
1094 g. A property owner towing or removing vessels from real
1095 property must post notice, consistent with the requirements in
1096 sub-subparagraphs a.-f., which apply to vehicles, that
1097 unauthorized vehicles or vessels will be towed away at the
1098 owner’s expense.
1099
1100 A business owner or lessee may authorize the removal of a
1101 vehicle or vessel by a towing company when the vehicle or vessel
1102 is parked in such a manner that restricts the normal operation
1103 of business; and if a vehicle or vessel parked on a public
1104 right-of-way obstructs access to a private driveway the owner,
1105 lessee, or agent may have the vehicle or vessel removed by a
1106 towing company upon signing an order that the vehicle or vessel
1107 be removed without a posted tow-away zone sign.
1108 6. Any person or firm that tows or removes vehicles or
1109 vessels and proposes to require an owner, operator, or person in
1110 control or custody of a vehicle or vessel to pay the costs of
1111 towing and storage before redemption of the vehicle or vessel
1112 must file and keep on record with the local law enforcement
1113 agency a complete copy of the current rates to be charged for
1114 such services and post at the storage site an identical rate
1115 schedule and any written contracts with property owners,
1116 lessees, or persons in control of property which authorize such
1117 person or firm to remove vehicles or vessels as provided in this
1118 section.
1119 7. Any person or firm towing or removing any vehicles or
1120 vessels from private property without the consent of the owner
1121 or other legally authorized person in control or custody of the
1122 vehicles or vessels shall, on any trucks, wreckers as defined in
1123 s. 713.78(1), or other vehicles used in the towing or removal,
1124 have the name, address, and telephone number of the company
1125 performing such service clearly printed in contrasting colors on
1126 the driver and passenger sides of the vehicle. The name shall be
1127 in at least 3-inch permanently affixed letters, and the address
1128 and telephone number shall be in at least 1-inch permanently
1129 affixed letters.
1130 8. Vehicle entry for the purpose of removing the vehicle or
1131 vessel shall be allowed with reasonable care on the part of the
1132 person or firm towing the vehicle or vessel. Such person or firm
1133 shall be liable for any damage occasioned to the vehicle or
1134 vessel if such entry is not in accordance with the standard of
1135 reasonable care.
1136 9. When a vehicle or vessel has been towed or removed
1137 pursuant to this section, it must be released to its owner or
1138 person in control or custody within 1 hour after requested. Any
1139 vehicle or vessel owner or person in control or custody has the
1140 right to inspect the vehicle or vessel before accepting its
1141 return, and no release or waiver of any kind which would release
1142 the person or firm towing the vehicle or vessel from liability
1143 for damages noted by the owner or person in control or custody
1144 at the time of the redemption may be required from any vehicle
1145 or vessel owner or person in control or custody as a condition
1146 of release of the vehicle or vessel to its owner or person in
1147 control or custody. A detailed receipt showing the legal name of
1148 the company or person towing or removing the vehicle or vessel
1149 must be given to the person paying towing or storage charges at
1150 the time of payment, whether requested or not.
1151 Section 36. Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section
1152 1006.23, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
1153 1006.23 Hazardous walking conditions.—
1154 (2) HAZARDOUS WALKING CONDITIONS.—
1155 (a) Walkways parallel to the road.—
1156 1. It shall be considered a hazardous walking condition
1157 with respect to any road along which students must walk in order
1158 to walk to and from school if there is not an area at least 4
1159 feet wide adjacent to the road, not including drainage ditches,
1160 sluiceways, swales, or channels, having a surface upon which
1161 students may walk without being required to walk on the road
1162 surface or if the walkway is along a limited access facility as
1163 defined in s. 334.03 s. 334.03(12). In addition, whenever the
1164 road along which students must walk is uncurbed and has a posted
1165 speed limit of 50 miles per hour or greater, the area as
1166 described above for students to walk upon shall be set off the
1167 road by no less than 3 feet from the edge of the road.
1168 2. Subparagraph 1. does not apply when the road along which
1169 students must walk:
1170 a. Is a road on which the volume of traffic is less than
1171 180 vehicles per hour, per direction, during the time students
1172 walk to and from school; or
1173 b. Is located in a residential area and has a posted speed
1174 limit of 30 miles per hour or less.
1175 Section 37. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
1176 made by this act to section 316.003, Florida Statutes, in a
1177 reference thereto, subsection (21) of section 320.02, Florida
1178 Statutes, is reenacted to read:
1179 320.02 Registration required; application for registration;
1180 forms.—
1181 (21) A personal delivery device and a mobile carrier as
1182 defined in s. 316.003 are not required to satisfy the
1183 registration and insurance requirements of this section.
1184 Section 38. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
1185 made by this act to section 316.003, Florida Statutes, in a
1186 reference thereto, subsection (1) of section 324.021, Florida
1187 Statutes, is reenacted to read:
1188 324.021 Definitions; minimum insurance required.—The
1189 following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall, for
1190 the purpose of this chapter, have the meanings respectively
1191 ascribed to them in this section, except in those instances
1192 where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
1193 (1) MOTOR VEHICLE.—Every self-propelled vehicle that is
1194 designed and required to be licensed for use upon a highway,
1195 including trailers and semitrailers designed for use with such
1196 vehicles, except traction engines, road rollers, farm tractors,
1197 power shovels, and well drillers, and every vehicle that is
1198 propelled by electric power obtained from overhead wires but not
1199 operated upon rails, but not including any personal delivery
1200 device or mobile carrier as defined in s. 316.003, bicycle,
1201 electric bicycle, or moped. However, the term “motor vehicle”
1202 does not include a motor vehicle as defined in s. 627.732(3)
1203 when the owner of such vehicle has complied with the
1204 requirements of ss. 627.730-627.7405, inclusive, unless the
1205 provisions of s. 324.051 apply; and, in such case, the
1206 applicable proof of insurance provisions of s. 320.02 apply.
1207 Section 39. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
1208 made by this act to section 316.003, Florida Statutes, in a
1209 reference thereto, paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section
1210 324.022, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:
1211 324.022 Financial responsibility for property damage.—
1212 (2) As used in this section, the term:
1213 (a) “Motor vehicle” means any self-propelled vehicle that
1214 has four or more wheels and that is of a type designed and
1215 required to be licensed for use on the highways of this state,
1216 and any trailer or semitrailer designed for use with such
1217 vehicle. The term does not include:
1218 1. A mobile home.
1219 2. A motor vehicle that is used in mass transit and
1220 designed to transport more than five passengers, exclusive of
1221 the operator of the motor vehicle, and that is owned by a
1222 municipality, transit authority, or political subdivision of the
1223 state.
1224 3. A school bus as defined in s. 1006.25.
1225 4. A vehicle providing for-hire transportation that is
1226 subject to the provisions of s. 324.031. A taxicab shall
1227 maintain security as required under s. 324.032(1).
1228 5. A personal delivery device as defined in s. 316.003.
1229 Section 40. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.