Florida Senate - 2021                              CS for SB 950
       
       
        
       By the Committee on Transportation; and Senator Book
       
       
       
       
       
       596-03592-21                                           2021950c1
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to bicycle and pedestrian safety;
    3         amending s. 316.003, F.S.; defining the terms “bicycle
    4         lane” and “separated bicycle lane”; amending s.
    5         316.083, F.S.; revising and providing requirements for
    6         the driver of a motor vehicle overtaking a bicycle or
    7         other nonmotorized vehicle, an electric bicycle, or a
    8         pedestrian; providing exceptions; providing a penalty;
    9         requiring the Department of Highway Safety and Motor
   10         Vehicles to provide an annual awareness and safety
   11         campaign regarding certain safety precautions;
   12         amending s. 316.0875, F.S.; exempting a motor vehicle
   13         driver from certain provisions relating to no-passing
   14         zones when overtaking a bicycle or other nonmotorized
   15         vehicle, an electric bicycle, or a pedestrian; making
   16         a technical change; amending s. 316.151, F.S.;
   17         revising requirements for vehicles turning at
   18         intersections; providing turn signaling and distance
   19         requirements for a motor vehicle driver when
   20         overtaking and passing a bicycle; making a technical
   21         change; amending s. 316.2065, F.S.; providing
   22         requirements for persons riding bicycles on a
   23         substandard-width lane; prohibiting persons riding
   24         bicycles in a bicycle lane from riding more than two
   25         abreast; providing requirements for riding in a
   26         bicycle lane; providing requirements for persons
   27         riding bicycles in groups when stopping at a stop
   28         sign; making a technical change; amending s. 322.12,
   29         F.S.; requiring a minimum number of questions in the
   30         test bank for a Class E driver license to address
   31         bicycle and pedestrian safety; amending ss. 212.05,
   32         316.306, and 655.960, F.S.; conforming cross
   33         references; providing an effective date.
   34          
   35  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   36  
   37         Section 1. Present subsections (5) through (76) and (77)
   38  through (105) of section 316.003, Florida Statutes, are
   39  redesignated as subsections (6) through (77) and (79) through
   40  (107), respectively, new subsections (5) and (78) are added to
   41  that section, and present subsection (62) of that section is
   42  amended, to read:
   43         316.003 Definitions.—The following words and phrases, when
   44  used in this chapter, shall have the meanings respectively
   45  ascribed to them in this section, except where the context
   46  otherwise requires:
   47         (5)BICYCLE LANE.—Any portion of a roadway or highway which
   48  is designated by pavement markings and signs for preferential or
   49  exclusive use by bicycles.
   50         (63)(62) PRIVATE ROAD OR DRIVEWAY.—Except as otherwise
   51  provided in paragraph (86)(b) (84)(b), any privately owned way
   52  or place used for vehicular travel by the owner and those having
   53  express or implied permission from the owner, but not by other
   54  persons.
   55         (78)SEPARATED BICYCLE LANE.—A bicycle lane that is
   56  separated from motor vehicle traffic by a physical barrier.
   57         Section 2. Section 316.083, Florida Statutes, is amended to
   58  read:
   59         316.083 Overtaking and passing a vehicle, a bicycle or
   60  other nonmotorized vehicle, an electric bicycle, or a
   61  pedestrian.—The following rules shall govern the overtaking and
   62  passing of vehicles, bicycles and other nonmotorized vehicles,
   63  electric bicycles, and pedestrians proceeding in the same
   64  direction, subject to those limitations, exceptions, and special
   65  rules hereinafter stated:
   66         (1) The driver of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle
   67  proceeding in the same direction must shall give an appropriate
   68  signal as provided for in s. 316.156, must shall pass to the
   69  left thereof at a safe distance, and must shall not again drive
   70  to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the
   71  overtaken vehicle.
   72         (2)The driver of a vehicle overtaking a bicycle or other
   73  nonmotorized vehicle, an electric bicycle, or a pedestrian
   74  occupying the same travel lane must pass the bicycle or other
   75  nonmotorized vehicle, electric bicycle, or pedestrian at a safe
   76  distance of not less than 3 feet or, if such movement cannot be
   77  safely accomplished, must remain at a safe distance behind the
   78  bicycle or other nonmotorized vehicle, electric bicycle, or
   79  pedestrian until the driver can safely pass at a distance of not
   80  less than 3 feet and must safely clear the overtaken bicycle or
   81  other nonmotorized vehicle, electric bicycle, or pedestrian.
   82         (3) The driver of a vehicle overtaking a bicycle or other
   83  nonmotorized vehicle, or an electric bicycle, occupying a
   84  bicycle lane must pass the bicycle, other nonmotorized vehicle,
   85  or electric bicycle at a safe distance of not less than 3 feet
   86  between the vehicle and the bicycle, other nonmotorized vehicle,
   87  or electric bicycle.
   88         (4)Subsections (2) and (3) do not apply when a bicycle or
   89  other nonmotorized vehicle, or an electric bicycle, occupies a
   90  separated bicycle lane.
   91         (5)(2) Except when overtaking and passing on the right is
   92  permitted, the driver of an overtaken vehicle must shall give
   93  way to the right in favor of the overtaking vehicle, on audible
   94  signal or upon the visible blinking of the headlamps of the
   95  overtaking vehicle if such overtaking is being attempted at
   96  nighttime, and must shall not increase the speed of his or her
   97  vehicle until completely passed by the overtaking vehicle.
   98         (6)(3) A person who violates violation of this section
   99  commits is a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a
  100  moving violation as provided in chapter 318.
  101         (7)The department must provide an annual awareness and
  102  safety campaign informing the public about the safety
  103  precautions to be taken when overtaking a bicycle or other
  104  nonmotorized vehicle, an electric bicycle, or a pedestrian.
  105         Section 3. Section 316.0875, Florida Statutes, is amended
  106  to read:
  107         316.0875 No-passing zones.—
  108         (1) The Department of Transportation and local authorities
  109  may are authorized to determine those portions of any highway
  110  under their respective jurisdictions jurisdiction where
  111  overtaking and passing or driving to the left of the roadway
  112  would be especially hazardous and may, by appropriate signs or
  113  markings on the roadway, indicate the beginning and end of such
  114  zones., and When such signs or markings are in place and clearly
  115  visible to an ordinarily observant person, a every driver of a
  116  vehicle must shall obey the directions thereof.
  117         (2) Where signs or markings are in place to define a no
  118  passing zone as set forth in subsection (1), a no driver may
  119  not, shall at any time, drive on the left side of the roadway
  120  within with such no-passing zone or on the left side of any
  121  pavement striping designed to mark such no-passing zone
  122  throughout its length.
  123         (3) This section does not apply to a driver who safely and
  124  briefly drives to the left of the center of the roadway only to
  125  the extent necessary to:
  126         (a)Avoid when an obstruction;
  127         (b)Turn exists making it necessary to drive to the left of
  128  the center of the highway, nor to the driver of a vehicle
  129  turning left into or from an alley, a private road, or a
  130  driveway; or
  131         (c)Overtake and pass a bicycle or other nonmotorized
  132  vehicle, an electric bicycle, or a pedestrian pursuant to s.
  133  316.083(2) or (3).
  134         (4) A person who violates violation of this section commits
  135  is a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a moving
  136  violation as provided in chapter 318.
  137         Section 4. Section 316.151, Florida Statutes, is amended to
  138  read:
  139         316.151 Required position and method of turning at
  140  intersections.—
  141         (1)(a)Right turn.The driver of a vehicle intending to
  142  turn right at an intersection onto a highway, public or private
  143  roadway, or driveway must shall do so as follows:
  144         1.(a)Make Right turn.both the approach for a right turn
  145  and a right turn shall be made as close as practicable to the
  146  right-hand curb or edge of the roadway.
  147         2.When overtaking and passing a bicycle proceeding in the
  148  same direction, give an appropriate signal as provided for in s.
  149  316.156 and make the right turn only if the bicycle is at least
  150  20 feet from the intersection.
  151         (b) Left turn.—
  152         1. The driver of a vehicle intending to turn left at an any
  153  intersection onto a highway, public or private roadway, or
  154  driveway must shall approach the intersection in the extreme
  155  left-hand lane lawfully available to traffic moving in the
  156  direction of travel of such vehicle, and must make, after
  157  entering the intersection, the left turn shall be made so as to
  158  leave the intersection in a lane lawfully available to traffic
  159  moving in such direction upon the roadway being entered.
  160         2. A person riding a bicycle and intending to turn left in
  161  accordance with this section is entitled to the full use of the
  162  lane from which the turn may legally be made. The person must:
  163         a. Whenever practicable, make the left turn shall be made
  164  in that portion of the intersection to the left of the center of
  165  the intersection; or.
  166         (c)Left turn by bicycle.—In addition to the method of
  167  making a left turn described in paragraph (b), a person riding a
  168  bicycle and intending to turn left has the option of following
  169  the course described hereafter: The rider shall
  170         b. Approach the turn as close as practicable to the right
  171  curb or edge of the roadway; after proceeding across the
  172  intersecting roadway, make the turn shall be made as close as
  173  practicable to the curb or edge of the roadway on the far side
  174  of the intersection; and, before proceeding, the bicyclist shall
  175  comply with any official traffic control device or police
  176  officer regulating traffic on the highway along which the person
  177  bicyclist intends to proceed.
  178         (2) The state, county, and local authorities in their
  179  respective jurisdictions may cause official traffic control
  180  devices to be placed within or adjacent to intersections and
  181  thereby require and direct that a different course from that
  182  specified in this section be traveled by vehicles turning at an
  183  intersection. When such devices are so placed, a no driver of a
  184  vehicle may not turn a vehicle at an intersection other than as
  185  directed and required by such devices.
  186         (3) A person who violates violation of this section commits
  187  is a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a moving
  188  violation as provided in chapter 318.
  189         Section 5. Subsections (5), (6), and (19) of section
  190  316.2065, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  191         316.2065 Bicycle regulations.—
  192         (5)(a) A Any person operating a bicycle upon a roadway at
  193  less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and
  194  under the conditions then existing must shall ride in the
  195  bicycle lane marked for bicycle use or, if there is no bicycle
  196  lane on the roadway is marked for bicycle use, as close as
  197  practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway except
  198  under any of the following situations:
  199         1. When overtaking and passing another bicycle or vehicle
  200  proceeding in the same direction.
  201         2. When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or
  202  into a private road or driveway.
  203         3. When reasonably necessary to avoid any condition or
  204  potential conflict, including, but not limited to, a fixed or
  205  moving object, parked or moving vehicle, bicycle, pedestrian,
  206  animal, surface hazard, turn lane, or substandard-width lane,
  207  which makes it unsafe to continue along the right-hand curb or
  208  edge or within a bicycle lane. On roads that contain a
  209  substandard-width lane, persons operating bicycles must ride
  210  single-file to maintain the minimum 3 feet of space for motor
  211  vehicles to pass persons operating a bicycle as provided in s.
  212  316.083. For the purposes of this subsection, a “substandard
  213  width lane” is a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle and
  214  another vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane.
  215         (b) A Any person operating a bicycle upon a one-way highway
  216  with two or more marked traffic lanes may ride as near the left
  217  hand curb or edge of such roadway as practicable.
  218         (6)(a) Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway or in a
  219  bicycle lane may not ride more than two abreast except on a
  220  bicycle path paths or parts of roadways set aside for the
  221  exclusive use of bicycles. Persons riding two abreast may not
  222  impede traffic when traveling at less than the normal speed of
  223  traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then
  224  existing and must shall ride within a single lane. Where bicycle
  225  lanes exist, persons riding bicycles may ride two abreast if
  226  both are able to remain within the bicycle lane. If the bicycle
  227  lane is too narrow to allow two persons riding bicycles to ride
  228  two abreast, the persons must ride single-file and within the
  229  bicycle lane. On roads that contain a substandard-width lane as
  230  defined in subparagraph (5)(a)3., persons riding bicycles may
  231  temporarily ride two abreast only to avoid hazards in the
  232  roadway or to overtake another person riding a bicycle.
  233         (b)When stopping at a stop sign, persons riding bicycles
  234  in groups, after coming to a full stop and obeying all traffic
  235  laws, may proceed through the stop sign in a group of 10 or
  236  fewer at a time. Motor vehicle operators must allow each such
  237  group to travel through the intersection before moving forward.
  238         (19) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a person
  239  who violates violation of this section commits is a noncriminal
  240  traffic infraction, punishable as a pedestrian violation as
  241  provided in chapter 318. A law enforcement officer may issue
  242  traffic citations for a violation of subsection (3) or
  243  subsection (15) only if the violation occurs on a bicycle path
  244  or road, as defined in s. 334.03. However, a law enforcement
  245  officer may not issue citations to persons on private property,
  246  except any part thereof which is open to the use of the public
  247  for purposes of vehicular traffic.
  248         Section 6. Subsection (3) of section 322.12, Florida
  249  Statutes, is amended to read:
  250         322.12 Examination of applicants.—
  251         (3) For an applicant for a Class E driver license, such
  252  examination shall include all of the following:
  253         (a) A test of the applicant’s eyesight given by the driver
  254  license examiner designated by the department or by a licensed
  255  ophthalmologist, optometrist, or physician.
  256         (b)and A test of the applicant’s hearing given by a driver
  257  license examiner or a licensed physician.
  258         (c)The examination shall also include A test of the
  259  applicant’s ability to read and understand highway signs
  260  regulating, warning, and directing traffic; his or her knowledge
  261  of the traffic laws of this state, including laws regulating
  262  driving under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances,
  263  driving with an unlawful blood-alcohol level, and driving while
  264  intoxicated; and his or her knowledge of the effects of alcohol
  265  and controlled substances upon persons and the dangers of
  266  driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or
  267  controlled substances. At least 25 questions within the bank of
  268  test questions must address bicycle and pedestrian safety.
  269         (d)and shall include An actual demonstration of ability to
  270  exercise ordinary and reasonable control in the operation of a
  271  motor vehicle.
  272         Section 7. Paragraph (c) of subsection (1) of section
  273  212.05, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  274         212.05 Sales, storage, use tax.—It is hereby declared to be
  275  the legislative intent that every person is exercising a taxable
  276  privilege who engages in the business of selling tangible
  277  personal property at retail in this state, including the
  278  business of making mail order sales, or who rents or furnishes
  279  any of the things or services taxable under this chapter, or who
  280  stores for use or consumption in this state any item or article
  281  of tangible personal property as defined herein and who leases
  282  or rents such property within the state.
  283         (1) For the exercise of such privilege, a tax is levied on
  284  each taxable transaction or incident, which tax is due and
  285  payable as follows:
  286         (c) At the rate of 6 percent of the gross proceeds derived
  287  from the lease or rental of tangible personal property, as
  288  defined herein; however, the following special provisions apply
  289  to the lease or rental of motor vehicles:
  290         1. When a motor vehicle is leased or rented for a period of
  291  less than 12 months:
  292         a. If the motor vehicle is rented in Florida, the entire
  293  amount of such rental is taxable, even if the vehicle is dropped
  294  off in another state.
  295         b. If the motor vehicle is rented in another state and
  296  dropped off in Florida, the rental is exempt from Florida tax.
  297         2. Except as provided in subparagraph 3., for the lease or
  298  rental of a motor vehicle for a period of not less than 12
  299  months, sales tax is due on the lease or rental payments if the
  300  vehicle is registered in this state; provided, however, that no
  301  tax shall be due if the taxpayer documents use of the motor
  302  vehicle outside this state and tax is being paid on the lease or
  303  rental payments in another state.
  304         3. The tax imposed by this chapter does not apply to the
  305  lease or rental of a commercial motor vehicle as defined in s.
  306  316.003(14)(a) s. 316.003(13)(a) to one lessee or rentee for a
  307  period of not less than 12 months when tax was paid on the
  308  purchase price of such vehicle by the lessor. To the extent tax
  309  was paid with respect to the purchase of such vehicle in another
  310  state, territory of the United States, or the District of
  311  Columbia, the Florida tax payable shall be reduced in accordance
  312  with the provisions of s. 212.06(7). This subparagraph shall
  313  only be available when the lease or rental of such property is
  314  an established business or part of an established business or
  315  the same is incidental or germane to such business.
  316         Section 8. Paragraph (a) of subsection (3) of section
  317  316.306, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  318         316.306 School and work zones; prohibition on the use of a
  319  wireless communications device in a handheld manner.—
  320         (3)(a)1. A person may not operate a motor vehicle while
  321  using a wireless communications device in a handheld manner in a
  322  designated school crossing, school zone, or work zone area as
  323  defined in s. 316.003(107) s. 316.003(105). This subparagraph
  324  shall only be applicable to work zone areas if construction
  325  personnel are present or are operating equipment on the road or
  326  immediately adjacent to the work zone area. For the purposes of
  327  this paragraph, a motor vehicle that is stationary is not being
  328  operated and is not subject to the prohibition in this
  329  paragraph.
  330         2.a. During the period from October 1, 2019, through
  331  December 31, 2019, a law enforcement officer may stop motor
  332  vehicles to issue verbal or written warnings to persons who are
  333  in violation of subparagraph 1. for the purposes of informing
  334  and educating such persons of this section. This sub
  335  subparagraph shall stand repealed on October 1, 2020.
  336         b. Effective January 1, 2020, a law enforcement officer may
  337  stop motor vehicles and issue citations to persons who are
  338  driving while using a wireless communications device in a
  339  handheld manner in violation of subparagraph 1.
  340         Section 9. Subsection (1) of section 655.960, Florida
  341  Statutes, is amended to read:
  342         655.960 Definitions; ss. 655.960-655.965.—As used in this
  343  section and ss. 655.961-655.965, unless the context otherwise
  344  requires:
  345         (1) “Access area” means any paved walkway or sidewalk which
  346  is within 50 feet of any automated teller machine. The term does
  347  not include any street or highway open to the use of the public,
  348  as defined in s. 316.003(86)(a) or (b) s. 316.003(84)(a) or (b),
  349  including any adjacent sidewalk, as defined in s. 316.003.
  350         Section 10. This act shall take effect July 1, 2021.