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CS/HB 1397 — Regional Transportation Planning
by Transportation and Modals Subcommittee and Rep. McClure and others (CS/SB 1532 by Transportation Committee and Senators Burgess and Collins)
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 provides legislative intent to explore transformative changes to the policy management structure of the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) to achieve organizational efficiencies with the goal of streamlining decision making, improving transparency, and enhancing the effectiveness of local and regional public transit service delivery.
The bill directs the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), or its consultant, to conduct a study reviewing aspects of HART’s organizational structure and operation, including, but not limited to, the following:
- The HART charter to evaluate the authority’s governance structure, including governing board membership, funding, representation, terms, powers, duties, and responsibilities;
- Financial assets and obligations;
- Facilities and operations;
- Issues, advantages, disadvantages, and actions required regarding the dissolution of HART as an agency and options to continue transit services in Hillsborough County in the absence of HART, including service delivery, funding, and asset management;
- Issues, advantages, disadvantages, and actions required regarding collaboration, consolidation, or merger with other transportation service providers in the Tampa Bay region within or adjacent to Hillsborough County, including service delivery, funding, and asset management;
- Policies adopted by the HART governing board and the proposal of amendments thereto related to governance, roles, and responsibilities of governing board officers, the executive administrator or chief executive officer, and the general counsel; and
- Any other matters the FDOT deems necessary or appropriate.
The bill requires the FDOT to submit a report detailing the results of the study to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives by January 1, 2024.
If approved by the Governor, or allowed to become law without the Governor’s signature, these provisions take effect upon becoming law.
Vote: Senate 38-1; House 114-0