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CS/SB 106 — Florida Shared-Use Nonmotorized Trail Network
by Appropriations Committee and Senators Brodeur and Stewart
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 (Chapter 2023-20, L.O.F.) expands the existing Shared-Use Nonmotorized (SUN) Trail Network and enhances coordination of the state’s trail system with the Florida Wildlife Corridor. Specifically, the bill:
- Prioritizes the development of “regionally significant trails” which are defined as trails crossing multiple counties; serving economic and ecotourism development; showcasing the state’s wildlife areas, ecology, and natural resources; and serving as main corridors for trail connectedness across the state.
- Enhances the planning, coordination, and marketing of the state’s bicycle and pedestrian trail system and the Wildlife Corridor.
- Stipulates that trails developed within the Wildlife Corridor maximize the use of previously disturbed lands, such as abandoned roads and railroads, canal corridors, and drainage berms, and be compatible with applicable land use provisions.
- Requires the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to erect uniform signage identifying trails that are part of the SUN Trail Network and to submit a periodic report on the status of the SUN Trail Network.
- Authorizes the FDOT and local governments to enter into sponsorship agreements for trails and to use associated revenues for maintenance, signage, and related amenities.
- Recognizes “trail town” communities and directs specified entities to promote the use of trails as economic assets, including the promotion of trail-based tourism.
- Adds to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Florida Greenways and Trails Council a member from the Board of the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation.
- Adds a member representing nature-based tourism to the Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation (VISIT Florida) board of directors.
The bill increases recurring funding for the SUN Trail Network from $25 million to $50 million and provides a non-recurring appropriation of $200 million to plan, design, and construct the SUN Trail Network. The bill does not disrupt the currently planned projects in the FDOT 5-Year Work Program for the SUN Trail Network, but specifically directs the new funds to be used to add new projects to the Work Program or to move up work on projects currently planned.
These provisions were approved by the Governor and take effect July 1, 2023.
Vote: Senate 40-0; House 113-0