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CS/CS/CS/SB 462 — Transportation
by Fiscal Policy Committee; Regulated Industries Committee; Transportation Committee; and Senator DiCeglie
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Transportation Committee (TR)
The bill addresses various transportation-related provisions. Specifically, the bill:
- Authorizes the use of off-highway vehicles on beaches for the removal of rental equipment, if authorized by the appropriate local governing body;
- Requires counties to annually submit information regarding their use of the Charter County and Regional Transportation System Surtax revenues to the Office of Economic and Demographic Research, with the office compiling such information into a report to the Legislature and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT);
- Revises the statutory definitions of the terms “dynamic driving task” and "micromobility device;”
- Effective upon becoming a law, establishes administrative hearing procedures regarding school bus infraction detection systems, providing for local hearing officers appointed by the school district or county, hearing procedures, the distribution of civil penalties, and the authorized use of penalties collected;
- Authorizes local governments to adopt ordinances regarding age and identification requirements to operate an electric bicycle, motorized scooter, or micromobility device;
- Authorizes local governments to provide training on the safe operation of electric bicycles, motorized scooters, and micromobility devices;
- Prohibits a person from operating a motor vehicle or vessel on a flooded street or highway at a speed that creates an excessive wake;
- Requires the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle or its authorized agents to issue expectant mother parking permits authorizing expectant mothers to park in disabled parking spaces;
- Prohibits airports from charging new landing fees for aircraft operations related to flight training operations conducted by certain academic institutions;
- Authorizes public-use airports to participate in the federal Airport Investment Partnership Program and makes such airports eligible to receive state funds appropriated from aviation fuel tax revenues. A political subdivision or a private entity through a public-private partnership may operate a public-use airport;
- Establishes a pilot program at the Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority to determine the long-term feasibility of alternative airport permitting procedures and requires FDOT to submit a report regarding this pilot program by December 1, 2027 to the Legislature. The pilot program ends June 30, 2028;
- Authorizes FDOT to use eminent domain to preserve corridors for future improvements.
- Authorizes FDOT to provide up to $5 million annually through Fiscal Year 2029-2030 for workforce development grants to state colleges and school districts to fund elective courses in heavy civil construction;
- Revises the membership of the advisory board for the Center for Urban Transportation Research at the University of South Florida;
- Requires project concept studies and project development and environmental studies for capacity improvements on limited access facilities to evaluate the use of elevated roadways;
- Requires project development and environmental studies for new alignments or capacity improvement projects, to the maximum extent possible, be completed within 18 months;
- Provides requirements for FDOT to obtain reduced offers, with a change in the scope of work, from the lowest bidder on a project when it intends to reject all bids;
- Revises provisions related to phased design-build contracts, including authorizing the selected design-build firm to perform a portion of the work;
- Requires FDOT’s bridge-related contracts for work over navigable waters to, in addition to marine general liability insurance, include insurance with protection and indemnity coverage;
- Authorizes FDOT to waive prequalification requirements for certain short duration contracts of $1 million or less;
- Authorizes FDOT to waive contract bond requirements for contracts of $250,000 or less, instead of the current $150,000 or less;
- Requires contractors seeking to bid on certain FDOT maintenance contracts to possess the prescribed qualifications, equipment, record, and experience to perform such work;
- Increases threshold amounts for contract disputes subject to the State Arbitration Board and revises the length of time that arbitration requests may be made related to a warranty claim;
- Prohibits the designation of new metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) in areas contiguous to an existing MPO;
- Requires FDOT to annually convene MPOs of similar size, to exchange best practices and authorizes FDOT to provide training to new members of MPO governing boards through FDOT or certain other entities;
- Provides for the integration of new technologies into MPO transportation plans;
- Authorizes FDOT and each MPO to execute a written agreement to establish a cooperative relationship regarding transportation planning;
- Requires FDOT to establish, in cooperation with the MPO, performance metrics for the MPO, and provides that the MPO must annually report on its performance;
- Requires FDOT to prioritize highway projects on the Strategic Intermodal System to make a highway corridor contiguous in its functional characteristics;
- Requires FDOT to implement a Next-generation Traffic Signal Modernization Program to increase the interconnectivity of traffic signals;
- Revises the geographic residency requirements for two of the members of the governing body of the Greater Miami Expressway Agency;
- Requires FDOT to develop and submit a report to the Governor and Legislature, by December 31, 2025, regarding the widening of a portion Interstate 4 in Hillsborough and Polk counties.
If approved by the Governor, or allowed to become law without the Governor’s signature, these provisions take effect July 1, 2025, except where otherwise provided.
Vote: Senate 37-0; House 114-0