The Florida Senate

338.001  Florida Intrastate Highway System Plan.

338.01  Authority to establish and regulate limited access facilities.

338.04  Acquisition of property and property rights for limited access facility and service roads.

338.065  General motorist services signs; fee schedule.

338.155  Payment of toll on toll facilities required; exemptions.

338.161  Authority of department to advertise and promote electronic toll collection.

338.165  Continuation of tolls.

338.22  Florida Turnpike Law; short title.

338.221  Definitions of terms used in ss. 338.22-¹338.244.

338.222  Department of Transportation sole governmental entity to acquire, construct, or operate turnpike projects; exception.

338.223  Proposed turnpike projects.

338.225  Taking of public road for feeder road.

338.227  Turnpike revenue bonds.

338.2275  Approved turnpike projects.

338.2276  Western Beltway turnpike project; financing.

338.228  Bonds not debts or pledges of credit of state.

338.229  Pledge to bondholders not to restrict certain rights of department.

338.231  Turnpike tolls, fixing; pledge of tolls and other revenues.

338.232  Continuation of tolls upon provision for payment of bondholders and assumption of maintenance by department.

338.234  Granting concessions or selling along the turnpike system.

338.235  Contracts with department for provision of services on the turnpike system.

338.237  Municipal signs on the turnpike system rights-of-way; limitations.

338.239  Traffic control on the turnpike system.

338.241  Cash reserve requirement.

338.250  Central Florida Beltway Mitigation.

338.251  Toll Facilities Revolving Trust Fund.

338.26  Alligator Alley toll road.

338.001  Florida Intrastate Highway System Plan.--

(1)  The department shall plan and develop a proposed Florida Intrastate Highway System Plan which shall delineate a statewide system of limited access facilities and controlled access facilities. The plan shall provide a statewide transportation network that allows for high-speed and high-volume traffic movements within the state. The primary function of the system is to provide such traffic movements. Access to abutting land is subordinate to this function, and such access must be prohibited or highly regulated. The plan shall be consistent with the goals of the Florida Transportation Plan developed pursuant to s. 339.155.

(2)  This system shall consist of the following components of the State Highway System:

(a)  Interstate highways.

(b)  The Florida Turnpike System.

(c)  Interregional and intercity limited access facilities.

(d)  Existing interregional and intercity arterial highways previously upgraded or upgraded in the future to controlled access facility standards.

(e)  New limited access facilities necessary to complete a balanced statewide system.

(3)  The department shall adhere to the following policy guidelines in the development of the proposed plan:

(a)  Make capacity improvements to existing facilities where feasible to minimize costs and environmental impacts.

(b)  Identify appropriate arterial highways in major transportation corridors for inclusion in a program to bring these facilities up to controlled access facility standards.

(c)  Coordinate proposed system projects with appropriate limited access projects undertaken by expressway authorities and local governmental entities.

(d)  Maximize the use of limited access facility standards when constructing new arterial highways.

(e)  Identify appropriate new limited access highways for inclusion as a part of the Florida Turnpike System.

(f)  To the maximum extent feasible, ensure that proposed system projects are consistent with approved local government comprehensive plans of the local jurisdictions in which such facilities are to be located and with the transportation improvement program of any metropolitan planning organization in which such facilities are to be located.

(4)  Projects in the proposed plan are anticipated to be let to contract for construction within a time period of 20 years. The plan shall also identify when segments of the system will meet the standards and criteria developed pursuant to subsection (5).

(5)  The department shall establish the standards and criteria for the functional characteristics and design of facilities proposed as part of the Florida Intrastate Highway System.

(6)  For the purposes of developing the proposed plan, beginning in fiscal year 1993-1994 and for each fiscal year thereafter, the minimum amount allocated shall be based on the fiscal year 1992-1993 allocation of $151.3 million adjusted annually by the change in the Consumer Price Index for the prior fiscal year compared to the Consumer Price Index for fiscal year 1991-1992. No amounts from the funds dedicated to the Florida Intrastate Highway System shall be allocated to turnpike projects after the 1993-1994 fiscal year.

(7)  Any project to be constructed as part of the Florida Intrastate Highway System shall be included in the department's adopted work program. Any Florida Intrastate Highway System projects that are added to or deleted from the previous adopted work program, or any modification to Florida Intrastate Highway System projects contained in the previous adopted work program, shall be specifically identified and submitted as a separate part of the tentative work program.

(8)  A status report on the Florida Intrastate Highway System Plan shall be annually submitted to the legislative transportation committees no later than 14 days after the regular legislative session convenes.

History.--s. 2, ch. 90-136; s. 2, ch. 92-152; s. 51, ch. 94-237; s. 44, ch. 95-257.

338.01  Authority to establish and regulate limited access facilities.--

(1)  The transportation and expressway authorities of the state, counties, and municipalities, referred to in this chapter as "authorities," acting alone or in cooperation with each other or with any federal, state, or local governmental entity or agency of any other state that is authorized to construct highways, are authorized to provide limited access facilities for public use. Any of the authorities may construct a limited access highway as a new facility or may designate an existing street or highway as included within a limited access facility. However, if the limited access facility is entirely located within an incorporated municipality, such authority is subject to municipal consent; except that such consent is not necessary when such limited access facility is part of the interstate system.

(2)  If the jurisdiction of the department or the commissioners over any public highway is jointly involved or would be affected by the exercise of such authority, their joint action or agreement is necessary to make the exercise of authority hereunder effective.

(3)  Such action shall be taken by appropriate resolution or ordinance of the authority or authorities. Notice of such action shall be given by publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the locality affected at least 15 days before such authority becomes effective, and appropriate traffic signs and markers shall be erected along the facility affected to give due notice to public travel of the action to be taken.

(4)  The authorities may regulate the use of such limited access facilities. No public road shall be connected with any such limited access facility without the prior approval of the authority having jurisdiction over the limited access facility. Such approval shall be given only if the public interest will be served.

(5)  No automotive service station or other commercial establishment for serving motor vehicle users, except as authorized by a transportation or expressway authority, or by law for a turnpike project, shall be located within the right-of-way of, or on publicly owned or leased land acquired or used for, a controlled limited access facility. The provisions of this subsection shall not be deemed to exempt transportation and expressway authorities from local zoning and planning laws and ordinances.

History.--s. 111, ch. 29965, 1955; s. 1, ch. 61-435; ss. 23, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 172, ch. 84-309; s. 66, ch. 85-180.

338.04  Acquisition of property and property rights for limited access facility and service roads.--

(1)  Authorities may acquire private or public property and property rights for limited access facilities and service roads in the same manner as they are authorized to acquire property or property rights for highways, roads, and streets within their respective jurisdictions.

(2)  In acquiring property or property rights for any limited access facility or service road, the authorities may acquire an entire lot, block, or tract of land if the interests of the public will be best served by the authorities' doing so, even though the entire lot, block, or tract is not immediately needed for the right-of-way proper.

History.--s. 114, ch. 29965, 1955; s. 175, ch. 84-309.

338.065  General motorist services signs; fee schedule.--The department may, by rule, establish a fee schedule to be charged for the costs of placing general motorist services signs on the right-of-way of limited access highways outside urban or urbanized areas in accord with the uniform system of traffic control devices adopted pursuant to s. 316.0745. Such costs shall be limited to costs of sign materials and installation.

History.--s. 6, ch. 75-202; s. 178, ch. 84-309; s. 34, ch. 94-237.

Note.--Former s. 335.145.

338.155  Payment of toll on toll facilities required; exemptions.--

(1)  No persons are permitted to use any toll facility without payment of tolls, except employees of the agency operating the toll project when using the toll facility on official state business, state military personnel while on official military business, handicapped persons as provided in this section, persons exempt from toll payment by the authorizing resolution for bonds issued to finance the facility, and persons exempt on a temporary basis where use of such toll facility is required as a detour route. Any Florida highway patrol officer, sheriff, deputy sheriff, or municipal police officer operating a marked official vehicle is exempt from toll payment when on official law enforcement business. The secretary, or the secretary's designee, may suspend the payment of tolls on a toll facility when necessary to assist in emergency evacuation. The failure to pay a prescribed toll constitutes a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a moving violation pursuant to s. 318.18.

(2)  Any person driving an automobile or other vehicle belonging to the Department of Military Affairs used for transporting military personnel, stores, and property, when properly identified, shall, together with any such conveyance and military personnel and property of the state in his or her charge, be allowed to pass free through all tollgates and over all toll bridges and ferries in this state.

(3)  Any handicapped person who has a valid driver's license, who operates a vehicle specially equipped for use by the handicapped, and who is certified by a physician licensed under chapter 458 or chapter 459 or by comparable licensing in another state or by the Adjudication Office of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or its predecessor as being severely physically disabled and having permanent upper limb mobility or dexterity impairments which substantially impair the person's ability to deposit coins in toll baskets, shall be allowed to pass free through all tollgates and over all toll bridges and ferries in this state. A person who meets the requirements of this subsection shall, upon application, be issued a vehicle window sticker by the Department of Transportation.

(4)  A copy of this section shall be posted at each toll bridge and on each ferry.

(5)  The Department of Transportation shall provide envelopes for voluntary payments of tolls by those persons exempted from the payment of tolls pursuant to this section. The department shall accept any voluntary payments made by exempt persons.

(6)  Personal identifying information provided to, acquired by, or in the possession of the Department of Transportation, a county, or an expressway authority for the purpose of using a credit card, charge card, or check for the prepayment of electronic toll facilities charges to the department, a county, or an expressway authority is exempt from s. 119.07 and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution. The exemption is subject to the Open Government Sunset Review Act of 1995 in accordance with s. 119.15. The exemption in this section shall stand repealed effective October 2, 2001, unless otherwise reviewed and reenacted by the Legislature.

History.--s. 1, ch. 59-70; ss. 23, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 243, ch. 71-136; s. 102, ch. 77-104; s. 185, ch. 84-309; s. 3, ch. 85-184; s. 2, ch. 88-252; s. 14, ch. 93-268; s. 47, ch. 94-237; s. 971, ch. 95-148; s. 1, ch. 96-178; s. 55, ch. 97-100.

Note.--Former ss. 340.121, 339.305.

338.161  Authority of department to advertise and promote electronic toll collection.--

(1)  The department is authorized to incur expenses for paid advertising, marketing, and promotion of electronic toll collection products and services. Promotions may include discounts and free products.

(2)  The department is authorized to receive funds from advertising placed on electronic toll collection products and promotional materials to defray the costs of products and services.

History.--s. 16, ch. 97-280.

¹338.165  Continuation of tolls.--

(1)  The department, any transportation or expressway authority or, in the absence of an authority, a county or counties may continue to collect the toll on a revenue-producing project after the discharge of any bond indebtedness related to such project and may increase such toll. All tolls so collected shall first be used to pay the annual cost of the operation, maintenance, and improvement of the toll project.

(2)  If the revenue-producing project is on the State Highway System, any remaining toll revenue shall be used for the construction, maintenance, or improvement of any road on the State Highway System within the county or counties in which the revenue-producing project is located, except as provided in s. 348.0004.

(3)  Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, pursuant to s. 11, Art. VII of the State Constitution, and subject to the requirements of subsection (2), the Department of Transportation may request the Division of Bond Finance to issue bonds secured by toll revenues collected on the Alligator Alley to fund transportation projects contained in the 1993-1994 Adopted Work Program or in any subsequent adopted work program of the department.

(4)  If the revenue-producing project is on the county road system, any remaining toll revenue shall be used for the construction, maintenance, or improvement of any other state or county road within the county or counties in which the revenue-producing project is located, except as provided in s. 348.0004.

(5)  Selection of projects on the State Highway System for construction, maintenance, or improvement with toll revenues shall be, with the concurrence of the department, consistent with the Florida Transportation Plan.

(6)  Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (1), no tolls may be charged for use of an interstate highway where tolls were not charged as of July 1, 1997.

(7)  This section does not apply to the turnpike system as defined under the Florida Turnpike Law.

History.--s. 67, ch. 85-180; s. 1, ch. 88-286; s. 5, ch. 94-115; s. 60, ch. 94-237; s. 17, ch. 97-280.

¹Note.--Section 1, ch. 97-125, provides that "[t]he Everglades Parkway Construction Trust Fund is hereby created, to be administered by the Department of Transportation. The trust fund is created pursuant to ss. 339.081(3) and 338.165(3), Florida Statutes, and by action of the Department of Transportation in issuing revenue bonds pledged by the toll revenues on the Alligator Alley, in accordance with these sections of law."

338.22  Florida Turnpike Law; short title.--Sections 338.22-¹338.244 may be cited as the "Florida Turnpike Law."

History.--s. 1, ch. 28128, 1953; s. 187, ch. 84-309.

¹Note.--Repealed by s. 8, ch. 94-237.

Note.--Former s. 340.01.

338.221  Definitions of terms used in ss. 338.22-¹338.244.--As used in ss. 338.22-¹338.244, the following words and terms have the following meanings, unless the context indicates another or different meaning or intent:

(1)  "Bonds" or "revenue bonds" means notes, bonds, refunding bonds or other evidences of indebtedness or obligations, in either temporary or definitive form, issued by the Division of Bond Finance on behalf of the department and authorized under the provisions of ss. 338.22-¹338.244 and the State Bond Act.

(2)  "Cost," as applied to a turnpike project, includes the cost of acquisition of all land, rights-of-way, property, easements, and interests acquired by the department for turnpike project construction; the cost of such construction; the cost of all machinery and equipment, financing charges, fees, and expenses related to the financing; establishment of reserves to secure bonds; interest prior to and during construction and for such period after completion of construction as shall be determined by the department; the cost of traffic estimates and of engineering and legal expenses, plans, specifications, surveys, estimates of cost and revenues; other expenses necessary or incident to determining the feasibility or practicability of acquiring or constructing any such turnpike project; administrative expenses; and such other expenses as may be necessary or incident to the acquisition or construction of a turnpike project, the financing of such acquisition or construction, and the placing of the turnpike project in operation.

(3)  "Feeder road" means any road no more than 5 miles in length, connecting to the turnpike system which the department determines is necessary to create or facilitate access to a turnpike project.

(4)  "Owner" includes any person or any governmental entity that has title to, or an interest in, any property, right, easement, or interest authorized to be acquired pursuant to ss. 338.22-¹338.244.

(5)  "Revenues" means all tolls, charges, rentals, gifts, grants, moneys, and other funds coming into the possession, or under the control, of the department by virtue of the provisions hereof, except the proceeds from the sale of bonds issued under ss. 338.22-¹338.244.

(6)  "Turnpike system" means those limited access toll highways and associated feeder roads and other structures, appurtenances, or rights previously designated, acquired, or constructed pursuant to the Florida Turnpike Law and such other additional turnpike projects as may be acquired or constructed as approved by the Legislature.

(7)  "Turnpike improvement" means any betterment necessary or desirable for the operation of the turnpike system, including, but not limited to, widenings, the addition of interchanges to the existing turnpike system, resurfacings, toll plazas, machinery, and equipment.

(8)  "Economically feasible" means:

(a)  For a proposed turnpike project, that, as determined by the department before the issuance of revenue bonds for the project, the estimated net revenues of the proposed turnpike project, excluding feeder roads and turnpike improvements, will be sufficient to pay at least 50 percent of the debt service on the bonds by the end of the 5th year of operation and to pay at least 100 percent of the debt service on the bonds by the end of the 15th year of operation. In implementing this ²paragraph, up to 50 percent of the adopted work program costs of the project may be funded from turnpike revenues.

(b)  For turnpike projects, except for feeder roads and turnpike improvements, financed from revenues of the turnpike system, such project, or such group of projects, originally financed from revenues of the turnpike system, that the project is expected to generate sufficient revenues to amortize project costs within 15 years of opening to traffic.


This subsection does not prohibit the pledging of revenues from the entire turnpike system to bonds issued to finance or refinance a turnpike project or group of turnpike projects.

(9)  "Turnpike project" means any extension to or expansion of the existing turnpike system and new limited access toll highways and associated feeder roads and other structures, interchanges, appurtenances, or rights as may be approved in accordance with the Florida Turnpike Law.

(10)  "Statement of environmental feasibility" means a statement by the Department of Environmental Protection of the project's significant environmental impacts.

History.--s. 4, ch. 28128, 1953; s. 1, ch. 59-69; s. 1, ch. 65-469; ss. 5, 9, ch. 67-359; ss. 23, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 99, ch. 71-355; s. 116, ch. 71-377; s. 99, ch. 73-333; s. 188, ch. 84-309; s. 73, ch. 85-180; s. 34, ch. 86-243; s. 2, ch. 88-286; s. 7, ch. 90-136; s. 167, ch. 94-356; s. 18, ch. 97-280.

¹Note.--Repealed by s. 8, ch. 94-237.

²Note.--The word "paragraph" was substituted for the word "subparagraph" by the editors.

Note.--Former ss. 340.04, 340.011.

338.222  Department of Transportation sole governmental entity to acquire, construct, or operate turnpike projects; exception.--

(1)  No governmental entity other than the department may acquire, construct, maintain, or operate the turnpike system subsequent to the enactment of this law, except upon specific authorization of the Legislature.

(2)  The department may contract with any local governmental entity as defined in ¹s. 334.03(14) for the design, right-of-way acquisition, or construction of any turnpike project which the Legislature has approved. Local governmental entities may negotiate with the department for the design, right-of-way acquisition, and construction of any section of the turnpike project within areas of their respective jurisdictions or within counties with which they have interlocal agreements.

History.--s. 2, ch. 28128, 1953; s. 1, ch. 67-359; ss. 23, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 189, ch. 84-309; s. 3, ch. 88-286; s. 8, ch. 90-136.

¹Note.--Substituted by the editors for a reference to s. 334.03(13) to conform to the redesignation of subunits by s. 2, ch. 93-164.

Note.--Former s. 340.02.

338.223  Proposed turnpike projects.--

(1)(a)  Any proposed project to be constructed or acquired as part of the turnpike system and any turnpike improvement shall be included in the tentative work program. No proposed project or group of proposed projects shall be added to the turnpike system unless such project or projects are determined to be economically feasible and a statement of environmental feasibility has been completed for such project or projects and such projects are determined to be consistent, to the maximum extent feasible, with approved local government comprehensive plans of the local governments in which such projects are located. The department may authorize engineering studies, traffic studies, environmental studies, and other expert studies of the location, costs, economic feasibility, and practicality of proposed turnpike projects throughout the state and may proceed with the design phase of such projects. The department shall not request legislative approval of a proposed turnpike project until the design phase of that project is at least 60 percent complete. If a proposed project or group of proposed projects is found to be economically feasible, consistent, to the maximum extent feasible, with approved local government comprehensive plans of the local governments in which such projects are located, and a favorable statement of environmental feasibility has been completed, the department, with the approval of the Legislature, shall, after the receipt of all necessary permits, construct, maintain, and operate such turnpike projects.

(b)  Any proposed turnpike project or improvement shall be developed in accordance with the Florida Transportation Plan and the work program pursuant to s. 339.135. Turnpike projects that add capacity, alter access, affect feeder roads, or affect the operation of the local transportation system shall be included in the transportation improvement plan of the affected metropolitan planning organization. If such turnpike project does not fall within the jurisdiction of a metropolitan planning organization, the department shall notify the affected county and provide for public hearings in accordance with ¹s. 339.155(6)(c).

(c)  Prior to requesting legislative approval of a proposed turnpike project, the environmental feasibility of the proposed project shall be reviewed by the Department of Environmental Protection. The department shall submit its Project Development and Environmental Report to the Department of Environmental Protection, along with a draft copy of a public notice. Within 14 days of receipt of the draft public notice, the Department of Environmental Protection shall return the draft public notice to the Department of Transportation with an approval of the language or modifications to the language. Upon receipt of the approved or modified draft, or if no comments are provided within 14 days, the Department of Transportation shall publish the notice in a newspaper to provide a 30-day public comment period. The headline of the required notice shall be in a type no smaller than 18 point. The notice shall be placed in that portion of the newspaper where legal notices appear. The notice shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the county or counties of general interest and readership in the community as provided in s. 50.031, not one of limited subject matter. Whenever possible, the notice shall appear in a newspaper that is published at least 5 days a week. The notice shall include, but is not limited to, the following information:

1.  The purpose of the notice is to provide for a 30-day period for written public comments on the environmental impacts of a proposed turnpike project.

2.  The name and description of the project, along with a geographic location map clearly indicating the area where the proposed project will be located.

3.  The address where such comments must be sent and the date such comments are due.

After a review of the department's report and any public comments, the Department of Environmental Protection shall submit a statement of environmental feasibility to the department within 30 days after the date on which public comments are due. The notice and the statement of environmental feasibility shall not give rise to any rights to a hearing or other rights or remedies provided pursuant to chapter 120 or chapter 403, and shall not bind the Department of Environmental Protection in any subsequent environmental permit review.

(2)(a)  Subject to the provisions of s. 338.228, the department is authorized to expend, out of any funds available for the purpose, such moneys as may be necessary for studies, preliminary engineering, construction, right-of-way acquisition, and construction engineering inspection of any turnpike project and is authorized to use its engineering and other resources for such purposes.

(b)  In accordance with the legislative intent expressed in s. 337.273, the department may acquire lands and property before making a final determination of the economic feasibility of a project. The cost of advance acquisition of right-of-way may be paid from bonds issued under s. 337.276 or from turnpike revenues.

(3)  All obligations and expenses incurred by the department under this section shall be paid by the department and charged to the appropriate turnpike project. The department shall keep proper records and accounts showing each amount that is so charged. All obligations and expenses so incurred shall be treated as part of the cost of such project and shall be reimbursed to the department out of turnpike revenues or out of the bonds authorized under ss. 338.22-²338.244 except when such reimbursement is prohibited by state or federal law.

(4)  The department is authorized, with the approval of the Legislature, to use federal and state transportation funds to lend or pay a portion of the operating, maintenance, and capital costs of turnpike projects. Federal and state transportation funds included in an adopted work program, or the General Appropriations Act, for a turnpike project do not have to be reimbursed to the State Transportation Trust Fund, or used in determining the economic feasibility of the proposed project. For operating and maintenance loans, the maximum net loan amount in any fiscal year shall not exceed 0.5 percent of state transportation tax revenues for that fiscal year.

History.--s. 3, ch. 28128, 1953; s. 1, ch. 29634, 1955; s. 2, ch. 67-359; ss. 23, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 117, ch. 71-377; s. 190, ch. 84-309; s. 74, ch. 85-180; s. 35, ch. 86-243; s. 4, ch. 88-286; s. 13, ch. 89-301; s. 9, ch. 90-136; s. 130, ch. 92-152; s. 1, ch. 93-100; s. 3, ch. 94-237; s. 168, ch. 94-356; s. 39, ch. 96-323; s. 19, ch. 97-280.

¹Note.--Substituted by the editors for a reference to s. 339.155(7)(c) to conform to the redesignation of subunits by s. 3, ch. 93-164.

²Note.--Repealed by s. 8, ch. 94-237.

Note.--Former s. 340.03.

338.225  Taking of public road for feeder road.--Before taking over any existing public road for maintenance and operation as a feeder road, the department shall obtain the consent of the governmental entity then exercising jurisdiction over the road, which governmental entity is authorized to give such consent by resolution. Each feeder road or portion of a feeder road acquired, constructed, or taken over under this section for maintenance and operation shall, for all purposes of ss. 338.22-¹338.244, be deemed to constitute a part of the turnpike system, except that no toll shall be charged for transit between points on such feeder road.

History.--s. 11, ch. 28128, 1953; ss. 23, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 192, ch. 84-309; s. 5, ch. 88-286.

¹Note.--Repealed by s. 8, ch. 94-237.

Note.--Former s. 340.11.

338.227  Turnpike revenue bonds.--

(1)  The department is authorized to borrow money as provided by the State Bond Act for the purpose of paying all or any part of the cost of any one or more legislatively approved turnpike projects. The principal of, and the interest on, such bonds will be payable solely from revenues pledged for their payment.

(2)  The proceeds of the bonds of each issue shall be used solely for the payment of the cost of the turnpike projects for which such bonds shall have been issued, except as provided in the State Bond Act. Such proceeds shall be disbursed and used as provided by ss. 338.22-¹338.244 and in such manner and under such restrictions, if any, as the Division of Bond Finance may provide in the resolution authorizing the issuance of such bonds or in the trust agreement hereinafter mentioned securing the same. All revenues and bond proceeds from the turnpike system received by the department pursuant to ss. 338.22-¹338.244, the Florida Turnpike Law, shall be used only for the cost of turnpike projects and turnpike improvements and for the administration, operation, maintenance, and financing of the turnpike system. No revenues or bond proceeds from the turnpike system shall be spent for the operation, maintenance, construction, or financing of any project which is not part of the turnpike system.

(3)  The Division of Bond Finance is authorized to issue revenue bonds on behalf of the department to finance or refinance the cost of turnpike projects approved in s. 338.2275, by the Legislature in accordance with s. 11(e), Art. VII of the State Constitution.

(4)  The Department of Transportation and the Department of Management Services shall create and implement an outreach program designed to enhance the participation of minority persons and minority business enterprises in all contracts entered into by their respective departments for services related to the financing of department projects for the Florida Intrastate Highway System Plan. These services shall include, but not be limited to, bond counsel and bond underwriters.

History.--s. 15, ch. 28128, 1953; s. 1, ch. 68-114; ss. 23, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 121, ch. 71-377; s. 26, ch. 73-302; s. 196, ch. 84-309; s. 75, ch. 85-180; s. 6, ch. 88-286; s. 10, ch. 90-136; s. 283, ch. 92-279; s. 55, ch. 92-326.

¹Note.--Repealed by s. 8, ch. 94-237.

Note.--Former s. 340.15.

338.2275  Approved turnpike projects.--

(1)  Legislative approval of the department's tentative work program that contains the turnpike project constitutes approval to issue bonds as required by s. 11(e), Art. VII of the State Constitution. Turnpike projects approved to be included in future tentative work programs include, but are not limited to, projects contained in the 1997-1998 tentative work program and potential expansion projects listed in the January 25, 1997, report submitted to the Florida Transportation Commission titled "Florida's Turnpike Building on the Past - Preparing for the Future." A maximum of $3 billion of bonds may be issued to fund approved turnpike projects.

(2)  The department is authorized to use turnpike revenues, the State Transportation Trust Fund moneys allocated for turnpike projects pursuant to s. 338.001, federal funds, and bond proceeds, and shall use the most cost-efficient combination of such funds, in developing a financial plan for funding turnpike projects. The department must submit a report of the estimated cost for each ongoing turnpike project and for each planned project to the Legislature 14 days before the convening of the regular legislative session. Verification of economic feasibility and statements of environmental feasibility for individual turnpike projects must be based on the entire project as approved. Statements of environmental feasibility are not required for those projects listed in s. 12, chapter 90-136, Laws of Florida, for which the Project Development and Environmental Reports were completed by July 1, 1990. All required environmental permits must be obtained before the department may advertise for bids for contracts for the construction of any turnpike project.

(3)  Subject to verification of economic feasibility by the department in accordance with s. 338.221(8), the department shall acquire the assets and assume the liabilities of the Sawgrass Expressway as a candidate project from the Broward County Expressway Authority. The agreement to acquire the Sawgrass Expressway shall be subject to the terms and covenants of the Broward County Expressway Authority Bond Series 1984 and 1986A lease-purchase agreements and shall not act to the detriment of the bondholders nor decrease the quality of the bonds. The department shall provide for the cost of operations and maintenance expenses and for the replacement of future Broward County gasoline tax funds pledged for the payment of principal and interest on such bonds. The department shall repay, to the extent possible, Broward County gasoline tax funds used since July 6, 1988, for debt service on such bonds. For the purpose of calculating the economic feasibility of this project, the department is authorized to exclude operations and maintenance expenses accumulated between July 6, 1988, and the date of the agreement. Upon performance of all terms of the agreement between the parties, the Sawgrass Expressway will become a part of the turnpike system.

(4)  Bonds may not be issued to fund a turnpike project until the department has made a final determination that the project is economically feasible in accordance with s. 338.221, based on the most current information available.

History.--s. 12, ch. 90-136; s. 129, ch. 92-152; s. 68, ch. 93-164; ss. 5, 79, ch. 94-237; s. 46, ch. 95-257; s. 20, ch. 97-280.

338.2276  Western Beltway turnpike project; financing.--Upon a determination of economic feasibility, as defined in s. 338.221(8), for part C of the Western Beltway turnpike project, which part extends from Florida's Turnpike near Ocoee in Orange County southerly through Orange County and Osceola County to an interchange with I-4 near the Osceola/Polk County line, the Department of Transportation shall include a request for the issuance of turnpike revenue bonds to construct the project as part of its next legislative budget request and tentative work program. If funding is insufficient to construct part C, it is the intent of the Legislature that such project be given priority as a project financed from subsequent issuances of turnpike revenue bonds approved by the Legislature; however, such priority consideration is contingent on the project's meeting all economic feasibility requirements and upon the project's being financed without the use of capitalized interest.

History.--s. 13, ch. 90-136; s. 47, ch. 95-257; s. 21, ch. 97-280.

338.228  Bonds not debts or pledges of credit of state.--Turnpike revenue bonds issued under the provisions of ss. 338.22-¹338.244 are not debts of the state or pledges of the faith and credit of the state. Such bonds are payable exclusively from revenues pledged for their payment. All such bonds shall contain a statement on their face that the state is not obligated to pay the same or the interest thereon, except from the revenues pledged for their payment, and that the faith and credit of the state is not pledged to the payment of the principal or interest of such bonds. The issuance of turnpike revenue bonds under the provisions of ss. 338.22-¹338.244 does not directly, indirectly, or contingently obligate the state to levy or to pledge any form of taxation whatsoever, or to make any appropriation for their payment. Except as provided in ss. 338.001, 338.223, and 338.2275, no state funds shall be used on any turnpike project or to pay the principal or interest of any bonds issued to finance or refinance any portion of the turnpike system, and all such bonds shall contain a statement on their face to this effect.

History.--s. 13, ch. 28128, 1953; s. 194, ch. 84-309; s. 7, ch. 88-286; s. 15, ch. 90-136.

¹Note.--Repealed by s. 8, ch. 94-237.

Note.--Former s. 340.13.

338.229  Pledge to bondholders not to restrict certain rights of department.--The state does pledge to, and agree with, the holders of the bonds issued pursuant to ss. 338.22-¹338.244 that the state will not limit or restrict the rights vested in the department to construct, reconstruct, maintain, and operate any turnpike project as defined in ss. 338.22-¹338.244 or to establish and collect such tolls or other charges as may be convenient or necessary to produce sufficient revenues to meet the expenses of maintenance and operation of the turnpike system and to fulfill the terms of any agreements made with the holders of bonds authorized by this act and that the state will not in any way impair the rights or remedies of the holders of such bonds until the bonds, together with interest on the bonds, are fully paid and discharged.

History.--s. 14, ch. 28128, 1953; ss. 23, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 195, ch. 84-309; s. 8, ch. 88-286.

¹Note.--Repealed by s. 8, ch. 94-237.

Note.--Former s. 340.14.

¹338.231  Turnpike tolls, fixing; pledge of tolls and other revenues.--The department shall at all times fix, adjust, charge, and collect such tolls for the use of the turnpike system as are required in order to provide a fund sufficient with other revenues of the turnpike system to pay the cost of maintaining, improving, repairing, and operating such turnpike system; to pay the principal of and interest on all bonds issued to finance or refinance any portion of the turnpike system as the same become due and payable; and to create reserves for all such purposes.

(1)  In the process of effectuating toll rate increases over the period 1988 through 1992, the department shall, to the maximum extent feasible, equalize the toll structure, within each vehicle classification, so that the per mile toll rate will be approximately the same throughout the turnpike system. New turnpike projects may have toll rates higher than the uniform system rate where such higher toll rates are necessary to qualify the project in accordance with the financial criteria in the turnpike law. Such higher rates may be reduced to the uniform system rate when the project is generating sufficient revenues to pay the full amount of debt service and operating and maintenance costs at the uniform system rate. If, after 15 years of opening to traffic, the annual revenue of a turnpike project does not meet or exceed the annual debt service requirements and operating and maintenance costs attributable to such project, the department shall, to the maximum extent feasible, establish a toll rate for the project which is higher than the uniform system rate as necessary to meet such annual debt service requirements and operating and maintenance costs. The department may, to the extent feasible, establish a temporary toll rate at less than the uniform system rate for the purpose of building patronage for the ultimate benefit of the turnpike system. In no case shall the temporary rate be established for more than 1 year. The requirements of this subsection shall not apply when the application of such requirements would violate any covenant established in a resolution or trust indenture relating to the issuance of turnpike bonds.

(2)  Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the department may defer the scheduled July 1, 1993, toll rate increase on the Homestead Extension of the Florida Turnpike until July 1, 1995. The department may also advance funds to the Turnpike General Reserve Trust Fund to replace estimated lost revenues resulting from this deferral. The amount advanced must be repaid within 12 years from the date of advance; however, the repayment is subordinate to all other debt financing of the turnpike system outstanding at the time repayment is due.

(3)  The department shall publish a proposed change in the toll rate for the use of an existing toll facility, in the manner provided for in s. 120.54, which will provide for public notice and the opportunity for a public hearing before the adoption of the proposed rate change. When the department is evaluating a proposed turnpike toll project under s. 338.223 and has determined that there is a high probability that the project will pass the test of economic feasibility predicated on proposed toll rates, the toll rate that is proposed to be charged after the project is constructed must be adopted during the planning and project development phase of the project, in the manner provided for in s. 120.54, including public notice and the opportunity for a public hearing. For such a new project, the toll rate becomes effective upon the opening of the project to traffic.

(4)  For the period July 1, 1998, through June 30, 2007, the department shall, to the maximum extent feasible, program sufficient funds in the tentative work program such that the percentage of turnpike toll and bond financed commitments in Dade County, Broward County, and Palm Beach County as compared to total turnpike toll and bond financed commitments shall be at least 90 percent of the share of net toll collections attributable to users of the turnpike system in Dade County, Broward County, and Palm Beach County as compared to total net toll collections attributable to users of the turnpike system. The requirements of this subsection do not apply when the application of such requirements would violate any covenant established in a resolution or trust indenture relating to the issuance of turnpike bonds.

(5)  When bonds are outstanding which have been issued to finance or refinance any turnpike project, the tolls and all other revenues derived from the turnpike system and pledged to such bonds shall be set aside as may be provided in the resolution authorizing the issuance of such bonds or the trust agreement securing the same. The tolls or other revenues or other moneys so pledged and thereafter received by the department are immediately subject to the lien of such pledge without any physical delivery thereof or further act. The lien of any such pledge is valid and binding as against all parties having claims of any kind in tort or contract or otherwise against the department irrespective of whether such parties have notice thereof. Neither the resolution nor any trust agreement by which a pledge is created need be filed or recorded except in the records of the department.

(6)  In each fiscal year while any of the bonds of the Broward County Expressway Authority series 1984 and series 1986-A remain outstanding, the department is authorized to pledge revenues from the turnpike system to the payment of principal and interest of such series of bonds, the repayment of Broward County gasoline tax funds as provided in ²s. 338.2275(4), and the operation and maintenance expenses of the Sawgrass Expressway, to the extent gross toll revenues of the Sawgrass Expressway are insufficient to make such payments. The terms of an agreement relative to the pledge of turnpike system revenue will be negotiated with the parties of the 1984 and 1986 Broward County Expressway Authority lease-purchase agreements, and subject to the covenants of those agreements. The agreement shall establish that the Sawgrass Expressway shall be subject to the planning, management, and operating control of the department limited only by the terms of the lease-purchase agreements. The department shall provide for the payment of operation and maintenance expenses of the Sawgrass Expressway until such agreement is in effect. This pledge of turnpike system revenues shall be subordinate to the debt service requirements of any future issue of turnpike bonds, the payment of turnpike system operation and maintenance expenses, and subject to provisions of any subsequent resolution or trust indenture relating to the issuance of such turnpike bonds.

(7)  The use and disposition of revenues pledged to bonds are subject to the provisions of ss. 338.22-³338.244 and such regulations as the resolution authorizing the issuance of such bonds or such trust agreement may provide.

History.--s. 12, ch. 28128, 1953; ss. 23, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 1, ch. 84-276; s. 193, ch. 84-309; s. 9, ch. 88-286; s. 16, ch. 90-136; s. 57, ch. 93-164; s. 22, ch. 97-280.

¹Note.--Section 1, ch. 97-280, provides that "[t]he Department of Transportation is directed to perform a pilot project under section 338.231, Florida Statutes, as the SUNPASS electronic toll collection system is implemented, offering at least a 10 percent discount to turnpike commuters who use SUNPASS on the turnpike. The Department of Transportation shall provide a preliminary report to the Legislature by February 15, 1998, and shall report the results of the pilot project by February 15, 1999. The report shall include projected impacts of statewide commuter discounts on the turnpike system, and recommend to the Legislature how to achieve discounts in 5 percent increments up to and including 20 percent. Savings to the commuter shall be a priority in the analysis. The projected impacts shall include, but not be limited to, ridership increases, SUNPASS utilization, operating and maintenance costs, and future ability to finance capacity requirements. The Department of Transportation is further directed to advise the Legislature as to when the system shall be implemented systemwide and on a county-by-county basis."

²Note.--Redesignated as s. 338.2275(3) by s. 20, ch. 97-280.

³Note.--Repealed by s. 8, ch. 94-237.

Note.--Division of former s. 340.12.

338.232  Continuation of tolls upon provision for payment of bondholders and assumption of maintenance by department.--When all revenue bonds issued under the provisions of ss. 338.22-¹338.244 in connection with the turnpike system and the interest on the bonds have been paid, or an amount sufficient to provide for the payment of all such bonds and the interest on the bonds to the maturity of the bonds, or such earlier date on which the bonds may be called, has been set aside in trust for the benefit of the bondholders, the department may assume the maintenance of the turnpike system as part of the State Highway System, except that the turnpike system shall remain subject to sufficient tolls to pay the cost of the maintenance, repair, improvement, and operation of the system and the construction of turnpike projects.

History.--s. 24, ch. 28128, 1953; ss. 23, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 122, ch. 71-377; s. 199, ch. 84-309; s. 18, ch. 85-81; s. 76, ch. 85-180; s. 10, ch. 88-286.

¹Note.--Repealed by s. 8, ch. 94-237.

Note.--Former s. 340.24.

338.234  Granting concessions or selling along the turnpike system.--

(1)  The department may grant concessions or sell services or products along the turnpike system which benefit the traveling public. Services and products authorized include, but are not limited to, the sale of motor fuel, towing and maintenance services; the sale of food with attendant nonalcoholic beverages; the sale of state lottery tickets by authorized retailers; the granting of concessions for amusement devices which operate by the application of skill, not including games of chance as defined in s. 849.16 or other illegal gambling games; the sale of Florida citrus, goods promoting the state or handmade goods produced within the state; the granting of concessions for equipment which provides travel information or tickets, reservations, or other related services; and the granting of concessions which provide banking and other business services. The department may also provide information centers on the plazas for the benefit of the public.

(2)  The department may provide an opportunity for governmental agencies to hold public events at turnpike plazas which educate the traveling public as to safety, travel, and tourism.

History.--s. 4, ch. 28128, 1953; s. 1, ch. 59-69; s. 1, ch. 65-469; s. 8, ch. 67-359; ss. 23, 29, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 99, ch. 73-333; s. 1, ch. 81-116; s. 191, ch. 84-309; s. 11, ch. 88-286; s. 7, ch. 89-208; s. 6, ch. 94-237.

Note.--Former ss. 340.04, 340.011(2)(b)-(d), 340.091.

338.235  Contracts with department for provision of services on the turnpike system.--

(1)  The department is empowered to contract with any person for the purpose of providing a service on the turnpike system, including those services authorized in s. 338.234, which the department determines is necessary or desirable, and to review and adjust as appropriate the terms, conditions, rates, and charges for use.

(2)  In order to secure high-quality products and services for turnpike patrons, products and services authorized by s. 338.234(1) may be secured through the request-for-proposal process. The department may select the proposal and fee which best satisfy the conditions of a quality service and product operation for the turnpike system. The factors to be used in evaluating proposals include, but are not limited to:

(a)  The financial capacity of the provider;

(b)  The willingness to contribute toward the cost of facility construction;

(c)  The type and quality of the service or product offered;

(d)  The price structure of the service or product offered;

(e)  Management experience and capabilities;

(f)  The national brand names offered;

(g)  The originality of the concept and its relationship to the turnpike system;

(h)  The lease rate; and

(i)  Other factors that the department may deem pertinent.

(3)  The department may enter into contracts or agreements, with or without competitive bidding or procurement, to make available, on a fair, reasonable, nonexclusive, and nondiscriminatory basis, turnpike property and other turnpike structures, for the placement of wireless facilities by any wireless provider of mobile services as defined in 47 U.S.C. s. 153(n) or s. 332(d), and any telecommunications company as defined in s. 364.02 when it is determined to be practical and feasible to make such property or structures available. The department may, without adopting a rule, charge a just, reasonable, and nondiscriminatory fee for placement of the facilities, payable annually, based on the fair market value of space used by comparable communications facilities in the state. The department and a wireless provider may negotiate the reduction or elimination of a fee in consideration of service provided to the department by the wireless provider. All such fees collected by the department shall be deposited directly into the State Agency Law Enforcement Radio System Trust Fund and may be used to construct, maintain, or support the system.

(4)  The department shall receive credits for any amounts expended or proposed to be expended from the State Transportation Trust Fund for the department's participation in and use of the State Agency Law Enforcement Radio System. Revenue from the fees collected under subsection (3) in amounts equal to such credits shall be deposited in the State Transportation Trust Fund for use by the department under s. 339.08.

History.--s. 12, ch. 28128, 1953; ss. 23, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 1, ch. 74-73; s. 1, ch. 77-174; s. 1, ch. 84-276; s. 193, ch. 84-309; s. 12, ch. 88-286; s. 7, ch. 94-237; s. 48, ch. 95-257; s. 4, ch. 96-357.

Note.--Division of former s. 340.12.

338.237  Municipal signs on the turnpike system rights-of-way; limitations.--Any incorporated municipality may maintain signboards along and upon the right-of-way of the turnpike system constructed hereunder, provided such signs meet the specifications as to location, frequency, construction, and design which are prescribed by the department. Any such signboard shall not advertise any private industry, business, or attraction, but shall advertise only the community or area placing such board upon the turnpike project.

History.--s. 1-B, ch. 29634, 1955; ss. 23, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 1, ch. 77-174; s. 200, ch. 84-309; s. 13, ch. 88-286.

Note.--Division of former s. 340.34.

338.239  Traffic control on the turnpike system.--

(1)  The department is authorized to adopt rules with respect to the use of the turnpike system, which rules must relate to vehicular speeds, loads and dimensions, safety devices, rules of the road, and other matters necessary to carry out the purposes of ss. 338.22-¹338.244. Insofar as these rules may be inconsistent with the provisions of chapter 316, the rules control. A violation of these rules must be punished pursuant to chapters 316 and 318.

(2)  Members of the Florida Highway Patrol are vested with the power, and charged with the duty, to enforce the rules of the department. Expenses incurred by the Florida Highway Patrol in carrying out its powers and duties under ss. 338.22-¹338.244 may be treated as a part of the cost of the operation of the turnpike system, and the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles shall be reimbursed by the Department of Transportation for such expenses incurred on the turnpike mainline, which is that part of the turnpike system extending from the southern terminus in Florida City to the northern terminus in Wildwood including all contiguous sections.

History.--s. 23, ch. 28128, 1953; ss. 10, 23, 24, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 244, ch. 71-136; s. 8, ch. 74-377; s. 51, ch. 76-31; s. 56, ch. 78-95; s. 198, ch. 84-309; s. 14, ch. 88-286; s. 49, ch. 95-257; s. 57, ch. 96-350.

¹Note.--Repealed by s. 8, ch. 94-237.

Note.--Former s. 340.23.

338.241  Cash reserve requirement.--The budget for the turnpike system shall be so planned as to provide for a cash reserve of not less than 10 percent of the unpaid balance of all turnpike system contractual obligations, excluding bond obligations, to be paid from revenues.

History.--s. 3, ch. 63-257; s. 1, ch. 65-158; ss. 2, 3, ch. 67-371; ss. 23, 31, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 119, ch. 79-190; s. 1, ch. 82-162; s. 201, ch. 84-309; s. 16, ch. 88-286.

Note.--Former s. 340.35.

338.250  Central Florida Beltway Mitigation.--

(1)  The Central Florida Beltway, consisting of the Western Beltway, the Eastern Beltway in Seminole County, the Southern Connector, the Turnpike/Southern Connector Interchange, and the Southern Connector Extension, is of regional transportation benefit. It is the intent of the Legislature that any adverse environmental effects of the beltway, or portions thereof, be mitigated through the acquisition of lands and through environmental restoration or creation of projects of corresponding regional environmental benefit. The Legislature finds that the creation and enhancement of wetlands and acquisition of such lands is reasonably necessary for and constitutes appropriate mitigation for securing applicable environmental permits.

(2)  Environmental mitigation required as a result of construction of the beltway, or portions thereof, shall be satisfied in the following manner:

(a)  For those projects which the Department of Transportation is authorized to construct, funds for environmental mitigation shall be deposited in the Central Florida Beltway Trust Fund created within the department at the time bonds for the specific project are sold. If a road building authority other than the department is authorized to construct the project, funds for environmental mitigation shall be deposited in a mitigation fund account established in the construction fund for the bond issues. Said account shall be established at the time bond proceeds are deposited into the construction fund for the specific project. These funds shall be provided from bond proceeds, and the use of such funds from bond proceeds for mitigation shall be deemed a public purpose. The amount to be provided for mitigation for the Eastern Beltway in Seminole County shall be up to $4 million, the amount to be provided for mitigation for the Western Beltway shall be up to $30.5 million, the amount to be provided for mitigation for the Southern Connector shall be up to $14.28 million, the amount to be provided for mitigation for the Turnpike/Southern Connector Interchange shall be up to $1.46 million, and the amount to be provided for mitigation for the Southern Connector Extension shall be in proportion to the amount provided for the Southern Connector based upon the amount of wetlands displaced. To the extent allowed by law, the interest on said funds as earned, after deposit into the Central Florida Beltway Trust Fund, or in a mitigation fund account shall accrue and be paid to the agency responsible for the construction of the appropriate project. Where feasible, mitigation funds shall be used in coordination with funds from the Conservation and Recreation Lands Trust Fund, Save Our Rivers Land Acquisition Program, or from other appropriate sources.

(b)  The appropriate road building authority shall prepare and submit to the St. Johns River Water Management District an inventory of wetland resources to be impacted by its plan of construction for the Western Beltway, the Southern Connector, the Turnpike/Southern Connector Interchange, or the Southern Connector Extension. The appropriate road building authority shall prepare and submit to the South Florida Water Management District an inventory of wetland resources within and near the preliminary right-of-way limits that could be impacted by its plan of construction for the Western Beltway. A copy of each plan shall also be submitted to the Department of Environmental Protection. Said inventory shall list the acreage type and location of the wetlands to be potentially impacted as well as an assessment of the functions presently served by wetlands to potentially be impacted within and near the preliminary right-of-way limits of the beltway project. In the design of the project, wetland impacts which are reasonably avoidable should be avoided.

(c)  Immediately upon receipt of the wetland inventory by the St. Johns River Water Management District and the South Florida Water Management District, as appropriate, in consultation with the Central Florida Beltway Project Environmental Advisory Group, shall develop a conceptual plan for the mitigation of such wetland impacts as are shown in the wetland inventory submitted in accordance with paragraph (b) above. Separate mitigation plans, identifying a variety of appropriate mitigation options shall be prepared for each of the segments of the beltway project identified in subsection (1) above. The St. Johns River Water Management District will prepare a plan for that portion of the mitigation activities which will occur within its boundaries, as shown in paragraph (d) below, and the South Florida Water Management District will prepare the plan for that portion of the mitigation which will occur within its boundaries. The conceptual plan shall identify and propose for acquisition for purposes of preservation, restoration or enhancement lands located in those areas identified in paragraph (d) below and shall be consistent with the criteria outlined therein. Said plan shall identify as many alternative mitigation sites and projects as are practicable, together with a reasonable estimate of the cost of each alternative. The affected district shall give strong consideration to the county in which wetland impacts occur in identifying mitigation locations. The conceptual plan must be completed and approved by the governing board of the appropriate water management district within 90 days of receipt of the wetland inventory required by paragraph (b) above by the water management district. Preference shall be given in the selection of mitigation sites to locations where other entities contribute funding toward acquisition. The water management districts shall be reimbursed for the actual cost of preparation of the mitigation plans from the mitigation funds derived from the sale of bonds only when and if the funds are transferred to the water management district in accordance with this section.

(d)  With regard to the Western Beltway, the Southern Connector, the Turnpike/Southern Connector Interchange, and the Southern Connector Extension, where feasible, the mitigation plan shall propose for acquisition lands located within the Wekiva River hydrologic basin, the Lake Apopka hydrologic basin, and the Econlockhatchee River hydrologic basin, and only to the extent provided in paragraph (i), the Upper Kissimmee chain-of-lakes hydrologic basin, Shingle Creek, Boggy Creek, or Reedy Creek. The lands identified for acquisition shall be or have the potential to be of regional environmental importance, taking account of their proximity to water bodies and other publicly held lands, the extent and diversity of wildlife on the property, recreational benefits available on the property as well as environmental enhancement, recreation, and wetland creation potential.

(e)  Immediately upon approval of the conceptual mitigation plan by the appropriate water management district governing board, the plan shall be sent to the secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection for review. Within 30 days of receipt of the plan, the department shall take final action either approving the conceptual plan or referring the plan back to the appropriate water management district with directions as to what portions of the plan are unacceptable and how they may be corrected. Approval of the conceptual mitigation plan shall create a presumption in favor of approval of any wetland mitigation proposed in any permit applications submitted to the department pursuant to paragraph (g) below, provided the wetland impacts proposed are not inconsistent with those reflected in the wetlands inventory submitted in accordance with paragraph (b) above and provided impacts to waters of the state which are reasonably avoidable have been avoided in the design of the project. If the mitigation plan is referred back to a water management district by the department, the water management district shall modify those portions deemed unacceptable by the department and resubmit the plan to the secretary within 30 days of referral. The department shall then have 30 days to take action on the modified mitigation plan.

(f)  Upon approval of the conceptual mitigation plans submitted by the water management districts, the Department of Environmental Protection shall forward such information and comments to any appropriate federal agencies which also require permitting or approval of wetland mitigation, as is necessary for the appropriate road building authority to obtain such permits or approvals. The department shall seek to obtain formal concurrence of the approved mitigation plan from the federal agencies.

(g)  The appropriate road building authority shall make its permit application to the Department of Environmental Protection which shall be solely responsible for review and final action on such application required by chapter 373 or chapter 403. No local environmental permits shall be required for construction of the project. Copies of any permit applications filed by an expressway authority shall be provided by that expressway authority to any county government where construction shall take place. Such affected county government shall have 30 days from the date of its receipt of said permit application to make written comments for same to the department. In reviewing any permit applications submitted pursuant to chapter 373, the department shall utilize the rule criteria adopted by the water management district in which the construction is proposed. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs (d), (e), and (i), should any federal permitting authority require modification of a mitigation plan approved by the department in order to gain approval of the mitigation plan by said federal authority, or as the result of phased construction of the beltway project sufficient funds are not available at the time of permitting for the appropriate water management district to carry out the required mitigation, the department shall have the authority to make appropriate modifications, insofar as the total funding amount provided in this legislation would permit, to allow said mitigation funds to be applied within any of the hydrologic basins described in paragraphs (d) and (i) herein.

(h)  Should the Department of Environmental Protection or any federal agency require modification to the beltway project plans, the cost of implementing those modifications shall not be funded from the moneys provided for wetland mitigation. However, to the extent the required modifications decrease dredge and fill activities, the moneys herein required to be provided for wetland mitigation shall be reduced in the same proportion as the acreage of impacted wetlands are reduced in an amount to be determined by the department. No water management district shall be required to expend funds for mitigation in excess of those provided in paragraph (a).

(i)  Mitigation funds derived from the Western Beltway in the amount of $7 million and mitigation funds derived from the Southern Connector in the amount of $3 million shall be used to supplement the acquisition of land within the Upper Kissimmee chain-of-lakes hydrologic basin, Shingle Creek, Boggy Creek, or Reedy Creek. The South Florida Water Management District shall consult with the Central Florida Beltway Environmental Advisory Group in selecting those lands to be acquired under this paragraph.

(j)  A decision by the Seminole County Expressway Authority to enter into the Central Florida Beltway Mitigation program established in this section shall be at the sole discretion of the Seminole County Expressway Authority. If the authority elects this participation, the selection of mitigation lands shall be made pursuant to paragraph (c), and contracts to purchase or the filing of declarations of taking pursuant to chapter 73 or chapter 74 shall take place within 15 months after the effective date of project authorization. The St. Johns River Water Management District, in consultation with the Seminole County Expressway Authority and affected water management districts, shall select lands within the Lake Jessup/St. Johns River or Econlockhatchee River hydrologic basins. The lands selected shall be of regional environmental importance based upon criteria which include proximity to water bodies and other publicly held lands, wildlife and endangered species value, recreational benefits, and the potential for wetlands creation and enhancement.

(k)  The affected water management district shall serve as acquisition agent in acquiring lands necessary to implement the mitigation plan once it is approved. The affected water management district may contract with, or otherwise enter into agreements with, the agency responsible for the right-of-way acquisition of the beltway for the provision of appraisals of mitigation projects. Such appraisals may be made by the agency responsible for the right-of-way acquisition of the beltway either in conjunction with, or separate from, appraisals of property necessary for right-of-way acquisition. Title to lands which are acquired by a water management district as mitigation lands shall be held by the affected water management district and may be transferred, if appropriate for management purposes, to any other public or governmental agency.

(l)  Management plans for mitigation lands shall be conditions of the permit and shall be prepared and implemented by the agency holding title to the lands in consultation with the Environmental Advisory Group to the Central Florida Beltway Project. The management plan shall be submitted to the Department of Environmental Protection for final approval.

(m)  Approval of the mitigation plan by the Department of Environmental Protection and the water management district and approval and issuance of any necessary permits by the Department of Environmental Protection and by the United States Corps of Engineers must occur prior to the commencement of the construction of the project. Upon the issuance of the permits, the trustee of the Central Florida Beltway Trust Fund or the applicable road building authority shall transfer to the appropriate water management district the moneys provided for in paragraph (a) above in accordance with the schedule of payments mutually adopted by both parties. The appropriate water management district shall be responsible for the implementation of the mitigation plan. All bond proceeds disbursed to the water management district shall be invested and disbursed by said district in accordance with all applicable state and federal laws and in accordance with the terms of the trust indenture or bond resolutions for the bond issue from which such proceeds were obtained.

(n)  The St. Johns River Water Management District and the South Florida Water Management District shall have full authority to acquire those lands and implement those projects identified in the mitigation plan prepared by the appropriate water management district. This authority shall be in addition to that conferred under s. 373.139.

(o)  All funds deposited in the Central Florida Beltway Trust Fund or in a mitigation fund account shall be disbursed and invested in accordance with applicable state and federal law and in accordance with the terms of the trust indenture or bond resolutions for the bond issue from which such proceeds were obtained.

(p)  In the event that the applicable water management district and the Department of Environmental Protection fail to timely adopt the conceptual mitigation plans as herein contemplated, or in the event that such plans are not approved by the appropriate federal agencies, a road building authority on any of the Central Florida Beltway projects as herein defined may then make application for necessary permits to the appropriate agencies which may be accompanied by conventional mitigation plans, and proceed as if this act did not exist.

(q)  Nothing in this act shall, in any way, prevent a road building authority from electing not to build a project of the Central Florida Beltway and thereby using the bond proceeds in accordance with the applicable trust indenture or bond resolutions. In such event, if moneys have been deposited in the Central Florida Beltway Trust Fund, the trustee shall forthwith disburse the moneys together with all accrued interest to the appropriate road building authority for use in accordance with the trust indenture or bond resolutions.

History.--s. 19, ch. 90-136; s. 1, ch. 90-227; s. 150, ch. 92-152; s. 169, ch. 94-356.

338.251  Toll Facilities Revolving Trust Fund.--The Toll Facilities Revolving Trust Fund is hereby created for the purpose of encouraging the development and enhancing the financial feasibility of revenue-producing road projects undertaken by local governmental entities in a county or combination of contiguous counties.

(1)(a)  The department is authorized to advance funds for preliminary engineering, traffic and revenue studies, environmental impact studies, financial advisory services, engineering design, right-of-way map preparation, other appropriate project-related professional services, and advanced right-of-way acquisition to expressway authorities, counties, or other local governmental entities that desire to undertake revenue-producing road projects.

¹(b)  For the 1998-1999 fiscal year only, up to $5.3 million may be loaned by the department to the St. Lucie County Expressway Authority, contingent upon approval of a traffic and revenue study, for purposes described in paragraph (a). This paragraph is repealed on July 1, 1999.

(2)  No funds shall be advanced pursuant to this section unless the following is documented to the department:

(a)  The proposed facility is consistent with the adopted transportation plan of the appropriate metropolitan planning organization and the Florida Transportation Plan.

(b)  A proposed 2-year budget detailing the use of the cash advance and a project schedule consistent with the budget.

(3)  Prior to receiving any moneys for advance right-of-way acquisition, it shall be shown that such right-of-way will substantially appreciate prior to construction and that savings will result from its advance purchase. Any such request for moneys for advance right-of-way acquisition shall be accompanied by a preliminary engineering study, environmental impact study, traffic and revenue study, and right-of-way maps along with either a negotiated contract for purchase of the right-of-way, such contract to include a clause stating that it is subject to funding by the department or the Legislature, or an appraisal of the subject property for purpose of condemnation proceedings.

(4)  Each advance pursuant to this section shall require repayment out of the initial bond issue revenue or, at the discretion of the governmental entity of the facility, repayment shall begin no later than 7 years after the date of the advance, provided repayment shall be completed no later than 12 years after the date of the advance. However, such election shall be made at the time of the initial bond issue, and, if repayment is to be made during the time period referred to above, a schedule of such repayment shall be submitted to the department.

(5)  No amount in excess of $500,000 annually shall be advanced to any one governmental entity pursuant to this section without specific appropriation by the Legislature.

(6)  Funds may not be advanced for funding final design costs beyond 60 percent completion until an acceptable plan to finance all project costs, including the reimbursement of outstanding trust fund advances, is approved by the department.

(7)  The department may advance funds sufficient to defray shortages in toll revenues of facilities receiving funds pursuant to this section for the first 5 years of operation, up to a maximum of $5 million per year, to be reimbursed to this fund within 5 years of the last advance hereunder. Any advance under this provision shall require specific appropriation by the Legislature.

(8)  No expressway authority, county, or other local governmental entity shall be eligible to receive any advance under this section if the expressway authority, county, or other local governmental entity has failed to repay any previous advances as required by law or by agreement with the department.

(9)  Repayment of funds advanced, including advances made prior to January 1, 1994, shall not include interest. However, interest accruing to local governmental entities from the investment of advances shall be paid to the department.

(10)  Any repayment of prior or future advances made from the State Transportation Trust Fund which were used to fund any project phase of a toll facility, shall be deposited in the Toll Facilities Revolving Trust Fund. However, when funds advanced to the Seminole County Expressway Authority pursuant to this section are repaid to the Toll Facilities Revolving Trust Fund by or on behalf of the Seminole County Expressway Authority, those funds shall thereupon and forthwith be appropriated for and advanced to the Seminole County Expressway Authority for funding the design of and the advanced right-of-way acquisition for that segment of the Seminole County Expressway extending from U.S. Highway 17/92 to Interstate Highway 4. Notwithstanding subsection (6), when funds previously advanced to the Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority are repaid to the Toll Facilities Revolving Trust Fund by or on behalf of the Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority, those funds may thereupon and forthwith be appropriated for and advanced to the Seminole County Expressway Authority for funding that segment of the Seminole County Expressway extending from U.S. Highway 17/92 to Interstate Highway 4.

(11)  The department shall adopt rules necessary for the implementation of this section, including rules for project selection and funding.

History.--s. 34, ch. 85-180; s. 18, ch. 90-136; s. 149, ch. 92-152; s. 45, ch. 93-164; s. 9, ch. 94-237; s. 50, ch. 95-257; s. 21, ch. 96-420; s. 25, ch. 97-153; ss. 31, 38, ch. 98-46.

¹Note.--Section 31, ch. 98-46, amended paragraph (1)(b) "[i]n order to implement Specific Appropriation 1531W of the 1998-1999 General Appropriations Act."

338.26  Alligator Alley toll road.--

(1)  The Legislature finds that the construction of Alligator Alley, designated as State Highway 84 and federal Interstate Highway 75, has provided a convenient and necessary connection of the east and west coasts of Florida for commerce and other purposes. However, this state highway has contributed to the alteration of water flows in the Everglades and affected ecological patterns of the historical southern Everglades. The Legislature has determined that it is appropriate and in the public interest to establish a system of tolls for use of Alligator Alley to produce needed financial resources to help restore the natural resource values lost by construction of this highway.

(2)  The Department of Transportation is directed to continue the system of tolls on this highway. Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 338.165(2) to the contrary, such toll collections shall be used for the purposes of this section.

¹(3)  Fees generated from tolls shall be deposited in the State Transportation Trust Fund, and any amount of funds generated annually in excess of that required to reimburse outstanding contractual obligations, to operate and maintain the highway and toll facilities, including reconstruction and restoration, and to pay for those projects that are funded with Alligator Alley toll revenues and that are contained in the 1993-1994 adopted work program or the 1994-1995 tentative work program submitted to the Legislature on February 22, 1994, may be transferred to the Everglades Fund of the South Florida Water Management District for environmental projects to restore the natural values of the Everglades, subject to compliance with any applicable federal laws and regulations. Projects shall be limited to:

(a)  Highway redesign to allow for improved sheet flow of water across the southern Everglades.

(b)  Water conveyance projects to enable more water resources to reach Florida Bay to replenish marine estuary functions.

(c)  Engineering design plans for wastewater treatment facilities as recommended in the Water Quality Protection Program Document for the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

(d)  Acquisition of lands to move STA 3/4 out of the Toe of the Boot, provided such lands are located within 1 mile of the northern border of STA 3/4.

(e)  Other Everglades Construction Projects as described in the February 15, 1994, conceptual design document.

(4)  The district may issue revenue bonds or notes under s. 373.584 and pledge the revenue from the transfers from the Alligator Alley toll revenues as security for such bonds or notes. The proceeds from such revenue bonds or notes shall be used for environmental projects; at least 50 percent of said proceeds must be used for projects that benefit Florida Bay, as described in this section subject to resolutions approving such activity by the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund and the governing board of the South Florida Water Management District and the remaining proceeds must be used for restoration activities in the Everglades Protection Area.

History.--s. 4, ch. 94-115; s. 2, ch. 97-258.

¹Note.--Section 2, ch. 97-258, amended subsection (3), effective July 1, 1998, to read:

(3)  Fees generated from tolls shall be deposited in the State Transportation Trust Fund, and any amount of funds generated annually in excess of that required to reimburse outstanding contractual obligations, to operate and maintain the highway and toll facilities, including reconstruction and restoration, and to pay for those projects that are funded with Alligator Alley toll revenues and that are contained in the 1993-1994 adopted work program or the 1994-1995 tentative work program submitted to the Legislature on February 22, 1994, may be transferred to the Everglades Fund of the South Florida Water Management District. The South Florida Water Management District shall deposit funds for projects undertaken pursuant to s. 373.4592 in the Everglades Trust Fund pursuant to s. 373.45926(4)(a). Any funds remaining in the Everglades Fund may be used for environmental projects to restore the natural values of the Everglades, subject to compliance with any applicable federal laws and regulations. Projects shall be limited to:

(a)  Highway redesign to allow for improved sheet flow of water across the southern Everglades.

(b)  Water conveyance projects to enable more water resources to reach Florida Bay to replenish marine estuary functions.

(c)  Engineering design plans for wastewater treatment facilities as recommended in the Water Quality Protection Program Document for the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

(d)  Acquisition of lands to move STA 3/4 out of the Toe of the Boot, provided such lands are located within 1 mile of the northern border of STA 3/4.

(e)  Other Everglades Construction Projects as described in the February 15, 1994, conceptual design document.