Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 1220
By the Committee on Transportation; and Senator Massullo
596-02460-26 20261220c1
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to transportation; amending s.
3 260.0142, F.S.; requiring the Florida Greenways and
4 Trails Council to meet within a certain timeframe for
5 a certain purpose; amending s. 311.14, F.S.; providing
6 requirements for an infrastructure development and
7 improvement component included in a port’s strategic
8 plan; defining the term “critical infrastructure
9 resources”; creating s. 311.26, F.S.; requiring the
10 Department of Transportation to coordinate with the
11 Department of Commerce, specified ports, and the
12 Federal Government for a certain purpose; requiring
13 ports to support certain projects; requiring that such
14 projects be evaluated in a certain manner; amending s.
15 316.003, F.S.; revising the definition of the term
16 “personal delivery device”; amending s. 316.008, F.S.;
17 authorizing the operation of a personal delivery
18 device on certain sidewalks, crosswalks, bicycle
19 lanes, and bicycle paths and on the shoulders of
20 certain streets, roadways, and highways; amending s.
21 316.2071, F.S.; conforming provisions to changes made
22 by the act; prohibiting a personal delivery device
23 from operating as otherwise authorized unless the
24 personal delivery device meets certain criteria and a
25 human operator is capable of controlling and
26 monitoring its navigation and operation; prohibiting
27 the operation of a personal delivery device on a
28 limited access facility; authorizing rulemaking;
29 amending s. 320.06, F.S.; authorizing certain rental
30 trucks to elect a permanent registration period;
31 repealing s. 322.032, F.S., relating to digital proof
32 of driver license or identification card; amending ss.
33 322.059 and 322.15, F.S.; conforming provisions to
34 changes made by the act; repealing s. 324.252, F.S.,
35 relating to electronic insurance verification;
36 amending s. 330.41, F.S.; prohibiting a political
37 subdivision from withholding issuance of a business
38 tax receipt, development permit, or other land use
39 approval to certain drone delivery services and from
40 enacting or enforcing ordinances or resolutions that
41 prohibit drone delivery service operation; revising
42 construction; providing that the addition of a drone
43 delivery service within a certain parking area does
44 not reduce the number of parking spaces in the parking
45 area for a certain purpose; amending s. 332.001, F.S.;
46 revising duties of the Department of Transportation
47 relating to airport systems in this state; amending s.
48 332.006, F.S.; requiring the department to coordinate
49 with commercial service airports to review and
50 evaluate certain federal policies and programs;
51 amending s. 332.0075, F.S.; requiring commercial
52 service airports to plan for obtaining and maintaining
53 critical infrastructure resources; providing
54 requirements for such plans; defining the term
55 “critical infrastructure resources”; amending s.
56 334.03, F.S.; defining the term “advanced air mobility
57 corridor connection point”; revising the definition of
58 the term “transportation corridor”; amending s.
59 334.044, F.S.; authorizing the department to purchase,
60 lease, or otherwise acquire property and materials for
61 the promotion of transportation-related economic
62 development opportunities and advanced air mobility;
63 deleting the authority of the department to purchase,
64 lease, or otherwise acquire property and materials for
65 the promotion of electric vehicle use and charging
66 stations; authorizing the department to operate and
67 maintain certain research facilities, enter into
68 certain contracts and agreements, require local
69 governments to submit certain applications for federal
70 funding to the department for review and approval
71 before submission to the Federal Government,
72 coordinate with local governments on the development
73 and review of certain applications, and acquire, own,
74 construct, or operate airports; authorizing the
75 department to adopt rules; creating s. 334.64, F.S.;
76 providing that the department serves as the primary
77 point of contact for statewide topographic aerial
78 LiDAR procurement and certain cost sharing;
79 authorizing the department to provide certain services
80 to other governmental entities through interagency
81 agreements; authorizing rulemaking; amending s.
82 338.231, F.S.; revising the period through which the
83 department, to the extent possible, is required to
84 program sufficient funds in the tentative work program
85 for a specified purpose; requiring the department, to
86 the extent possible, to program sufficient funds in
87 the tentative work program for a specified purpose
88 beginning in a specified fiscal year; amending s.
89 339.81, F.S.; revising construction materials that may
90 be used for certain multiuse trails or shared-use
91 paths; authorizing the department to consider certain
92 sponsorship agreements; amending s. 790.19, F.S.;
93 providing criminal penalties for shooting at, within,
94 or into, or throwing, hurling, or projecting certain
95 objects at, within, or in, an autonomous vehicle;
96 amending s. 806.13, F.S.; providing criminal penalties
97 for defacing, injuring, or damaging an autonomous
98 vehicle if the value of the damage is in excess of a
99 specified amount; requiring the department to conduct
100 a study to evaluate certain impacts of alternative
101 fuel vehicles and identify certain policy options;
102 requiring that the study identify, evaluate, and
103 analyze certain information; requiring the department
104 to submit a certain report to the Governor and the
105 Legislature by a specified date; providing an
106 appropriation; amending ss. 311.07, 316.0777, 316.515,
107 336.01, 338.222, 341.8225, 376.3071, 403.7211,
108 479.261, 715.07, and 1006.23, F.S.; conforming cross
109 references; reenacting ss. 320.02(21), 324.021(1), and
110 324.022(2)(a), F.S., relating to registration
111 requirements, the definition of the term “motor
112 vehicle,” and financial responsibility for property
113 damage, respectively, to incorporate the amendment
114 made to s. 316.003, F.S., in references thereto;
115 providing an effective date.
116
117 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
118
119 Section 1. Paragraph (h) of subsection (4) of section
120 260.0142, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
121 260.0142 Florida Greenways and Trails Council; composition;
122 powers and duties.—
123 (4) The duties of the council include the following:
124 (h) Make recommendations for updating and revising the
125 implementation plan for the Florida Greenways and Trails System,
126 including, but not limited to, recommendations for
127 prioritization of regionally significant trails within the
128 Florida Shared-Use Nonmotorized Trail Network. The council shall
129 meet within 90 days after the Department of Transportation
130 submits its report pursuant to s. 339.81(8) to update its
131 recommendations for prioritization of regionally significant
132 trails within the network.
133 Section 2. Paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of section
134 311.14, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
135 311.14 Seaport planning.—
136 (2) Each port shall develop a strategic plan with a 10-year
137 horizon. Each plan must include the following:
138 (b) An infrastructure development and improvement component
139 that identifies all projected infrastructure improvements within
140 the plan area which require improvement, expansion, or
141 development in order for a port to attain a strategic advantage
142 for competition with national and international competitors.
143 This component must provide strategies for obtaining and
144 maintaining critical infrastructure resources for the port and
145 its tenants. Such strategies must include long-term contracts,
146 rights of first refusal regarding the sale or lease of property
147 storing such resources, and contingency plans for obtaining such
148 resources. For purposes of this paragraph, the term “critical
149 infrastructure resources,” includes, but is not limited to,
150 access to electricity, fuel, and water resources.
151
152 To the extent feasible, the port strategic plan must be
153 consistent with the local government comprehensive plans of the
154 units of local government in which the port is located. Upon
155 approval of a plan by the port’s board, the plan shall be
156 submitted to the Florida Seaport Transportation and Economic
157 Development Council.
158 Section 3. Section 311.26, Florida Statutes, is created to
159 read:
160 311.26 Florida seaport maritime industrial base.—The
161 Department of Transportation shall coordinate with the
162 Department of Commerce, the ports specified in s. 311.09, and
163 the Federal Government to identify and prioritize key maritime
164 components in the supply chain which are essential to
165 strengthening and expanding this state’s maritime industrial
166 base. The ports shall support projects prioritized by the
167 Department of Transportation which will directly support the
168 building and construction, maintenance, and modernization of
169 commercial vessels, including cargo vessels, and vessels
170 designed for national defense. Projects must be evaluated by
171 their estimated return on invested capital, job creation, and
172 contribution to the economic competitiveness and national
173 security interests of this state and the United States.
174 Additional consideration must include the anticipated
175 enhancement of this state’s commercial maritime capabilities.
176 Section 4. Subsection (59) of section 316.003, Florida
177 Statutes, is amended to read:
178 316.003 Definitions.—The following words and phrases, when
179 used in this chapter, shall have the meanings respectively
180 ascribed to them in this section, except where the context
181 otherwise requires:
182 (59) PERSONAL DELIVERY DEVICE.—An electrically powered
183 device that:
184 (a) Is operated on sidewalks, and crosswalks, bicycle
185 lanes, or bicycle paths or on the shoulders of streets,
186 roadways, or highways, not including limited access facilities,
187 and intended primarily for transporting property;
188 (b) Has a weight that does not exceed the maximum weight
189 established by Department of Transportation rule;
190 (c) Operates at Has a maximum speed of 10 miles per hour on
191 sidewalks and crosswalks and 20 miles per hour on bicycle lanes
192 or bicycle paths or on the shoulders of streets, roadways, or
193 highways, not including limited access facilities; and
194 (d) Is equipped with technology to allow for operation of
195 the device with or without the active control or monitoring of a
196 natural person.
197
198 A personal delivery device is not considered a vehicle unless
199 expressly defined by law as a vehicle. A mobile carrier is not
200 considered a personal delivery device. The Department of
201 Transportation may adopt rules to implement this subsection.
202 Section 5. Paragraph (b) of subsection (7) of section
203 316.008, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
204 316.008 Powers of local authorities.—
205 (7)
206 (b)1. Except as provided in subparagraph 2., a personal
207 delivery device may be operated on sidewalks, crosswalks,
208 bicycle lanes, and bicycle paths and on the shoulders of
209 streets, roadways, and highways, not including limited access
210 facilities, and a mobile carrier may be operated on sidewalks
211 and crosswalks within a county or municipality when such use is
212 permissible under federal law. This subparagraph paragraph does
213 not restrict a county or municipality from otherwise adopting
214 regulations for the safe operation of personal delivery devices
215 and mobile carriers.
216 2. A personal delivery device may not be operated on the
217 Florida Shared-Use Nonmotorized Trail Network created under s.
218 339.81 or components of the Florida Greenways and Trails System
219 created under chapter 260.
220 Section 6. Subsections (1) and (3) of section 316.2071,
221 Florida Statutes, are amended, and subsection (5) is added to
222 that section, to read:
223 316.2071 Personal delivery devices and mobile carriers.—
224 (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the
225 contrary, a personal delivery device may operate on sidewalks,
226 crosswalks, bicycle lanes, and bicycle paths and on the
227 shoulders of streets, roadways, and highways, not including
228 limited access facilities, and a or mobile carrier may operate
229 on sidewalks and crosswalks, subject to s. 316.008(7)(b). A
230 personal delivery device or mobile carrier operating on a
231 sidewalk or crosswalk has all the rights and duties applicable
232 to a pedestrian under the same circumstances. A, except that the
233 personal delivery device or mobile carrier may must not
234 unreasonably interfere with pedestrians, bicycles, or motor
235 vehicles traffic and must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians
236 on the sidewalk or crosswalk.
237 (3)(a) A personal delivery device and a mobile carrier may
238 not do any of the following:
239 1.(a) Operate on a sidewalk, crosswalk, bicycle lane, or
240 bicycle path or on the shoulder of a street, roadway, or highway
241 unless the personal delivery device meets minimum criteria
242 established by the Department of Transportation and a human
243 operator is capable of controlling and monitoring the navigation
244 and operation of the personal delivery device public highway
245 except to the extent necessary to cross a crosswalk.
246 2. Transport hazardous materials as defined in s. 316.003.
247 3. Operate on a limited access facility.
248 (b) A mobile carrier may not do any of the following:
249 1. Operate on a public highway except to the extent
250 necessary to cross a crosswalk.
251 2. Operate on a sidewalk or crosswalk unless the personal
252 delivery device operator is actively controlling or monitoring
253 the navigation and operation of the personal delivery device or
254 a mobile carrier owner remains within 25 feet of the mobile
255 carrier.
256 3.(c) Transport hazardous materials as defined in s.
257 316.003.
258 4.(d) For mobile carriers, Transport persons or animals.
259 (5) The Department of Transportation may adopt rules to
260 implement this section.
261 Section 7. Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section
262 320.06, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
263 320.06 Registration certificates, license plates, and
264 validation stickers generally.—
265 (1)
266 (b)1. Registration license plates bearing a graphic symbol
267 and the alphanumeric system of identification shall be issued
268 for a 10-year period. At the end of the 10-year period, upon
269 renewal, the plate shall be replaced. The department shall
270 extend the scheduled license plate replacement date from a 6
271 year period to a 10-year period. The fee for such replacement is
272 $28, $2.80 of which shall be paid each year before the plate is
273 replaced, to be credited toward the next $28 replacement fee.
274 The fees shall be deposited into the Highway Safety Operating
275 Trust Fund. A credit or refund may not be given for any prior
276 years’ payments of the prorated replacement fee if the plate is
277 replaced or surrendered before the end of the 10-year period,
278 except that a credit may be given if a registrant is required by
279 the department to replace a license plate under s.
280 320.08056(8)(a). With each license plate, a validation sticker
281 shall be issued showing the owner’s birth month, license plate
282 number, and the year of expiration or the appropriate renewal
283 period if the owner is not a natural person. The validation
284 sticker shall be placed on the upper right corner of the license
285 plate. The license plate and validation sticker shall be issued
286 based on the applicant’s appropriate renewal period. The
287 registration period is 12 months, the extended registration
288 period is 24 months, and all expirations occur based on the
289 applicant’s appropriate registration period. Rental vehicles
290 taxed pursuant to s. 320.08(6)(a) and rental trucks taxed
291 pursuant to s. 320.08(3)(a)-(c) and (4)(a)-(f) (4)(a)-(d) may
292 elect a permanent registration period, provided payment of the
293 appropriate license taxes and fees occurs annually.
294 2. Beginning July 1, 2024, a vehicle registered in
295 accordance with the International Registration Plan must be
296 issued a license plate for a 3-year period. At the end of the 3
297 year period, upon renewal, the license plate must be replaced.
298 Each license plate must include a validation sticker showing the
299 month of expiration. A cab card denoting the declared gross
300 vehicle weight for each apportioned jurisdiction must be issued
301 annually. The fee for an original or a renewal cab card is $28,
302 which must be deposited into the Highway Safety Operating Trust
303 Fund. If the license plate is damaged or worn, it may be
304 replaced at no charge by applying to the department and
305 surrendering the current license plate.
306 3. In order to retain the efficient administration of the
307 taxes and fees imposed by this chapter, the 80-cent fee increase
308 in the replacement fee imposed by chapter 2009-71, Laws of
309 Florida, is negated as provided in s. 320.0804.
310 Section 8. Section 322.032, Florida Statutes, is repealed.
311 Section 9. Section 322.059, Florida Statutes, is amended to
312 read:
313 322.059 Mandatory surrender of suspended driver license and
314 registration.—A person whose driver license or registration has
315 been suspended as provided in s. 322.058 must immediately return
316 his or her driver license and registration to the Department of
317 Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. The department shall
318 invalidate the digital proof of driver license issued pursuant
319 to s. 322.032 for such person. If such person fails to return
320 his or her driver license or registration, a law enforcement
321 agent may seize the license or registration while the driver
322 license or registration is suspended.
323 Section 10. Subsection (1) of section 322.15, Florida
324 Statutes, is amended to read:
325 322.15 License to be carried and exhibited on demand;
326 fingerprint to be imprinted upon a citation.—
327 (1) Every licensee shall have his or her driver license,
328 which must be fully legible with no portion of such license
329 faded, altered, mutilated, or defaced, in his or her immediate
330 possession at all times when operating a motor vehicle and shall
331 present or submit the same upon the demand of a law enforcement
332 officer or an authorized representative of the department. A
333 licensee may present or submit a digital proof of driver license
334 as provided in s. 322.032 in lieu of his or her printed driver
335 license; however, if the law enforcement officer or authorized
336 representative of the department is unable to immediately verify
337 the digital proof of driver license, upon the demand of the law
338 enforcement officer or authorized representative of the
339 department, the licensee must present or submit his or her
340 printed driver license.
341 Section 11. Section 324.252, Florida Statutes, is repealed.
342 Section 12. Present paragraph (d) of subsection (3) of
343 section 330.41, Florida Statutes, is redesignated as paragraph
344 (e), a new paragraph (d) is added to that subsection, and
345 paragraph (c) of that subsection is amended, to read:
346 330.41 Unmanned Aircraft Systems Act.—
347 (3) REGULATION.—
348 (c) Except as otherwise expressly provided, a political
349 subdivision may not withhold issuance of a business tax receipt,
350 development permit, or other land use approval to a drone
351 delivery service on a commercial property or enact or enforce an
352 ordinance or a resolution that prohibits a drone delivery
353 service’s operation based on the location of its drone port,
354 notwithstanding part II of chapter 163 and chapter 205. A
355 political subdivision may enforce minimum setback and
356 landscaping regulations that are generally applicable to
357 permitted uses in the applicable drone port site’s zoning
358 district. This paragraph may not be construed to authorize a
359 political subdivision to require additional landscaping as a
360 condition of approval of a drone delivery service on a
361 commercial property port.
362 (d) The addition of a drone delivery service within the
363 parking area of a commercial property does not reduce the number
364 of parking spaces in the parking area for the purpose of
365 complying with any requirement for a minimum number of parking
366 spaces.
367 Section 13. Subsection (1) of section 332.001, Florida
368 Statutes, is amended to read:
369 332.001 Aviation; powers and duties of the Department of
370 Transportation.—
371 (1) It shall be the duty, function, and responsibility of
372 the Department of Transportation to plan and direct investments
373 in airport systems in this state to facilitate the efficient
374 movement of passengers and cargo and to continuously improve the
375 experience for the flying public and the supply chain of this
376 state’s businesses. In carrying out this duty and
377 responsibility, the department may assist and advise, cooperate,
378 and coordinate with the federal, state, local, or private
379 organizations and individuals in planning such systems of
380 airports.
381 Section 14. Subsection (10) is added to section 332.006,
382 Florida Statutes, to read:
383 332.006 Duties and responsibilities of the Department of
384 Transportation.—The Department of Transportation shall, within
385 the resources provided to the department:
386 (10) Coordinate with commercial service airports in this
387 state to review and evaluate policies and programs of the United
388 States Transportation Security Administration, including, but
389 not limited to, security screening programs and programs for
390 veterans and active duty servicemembers and their families, to
391 improve efficiency in the security screening process and the
392 overall experience of the flying public.
393 Section 15. Present subsections (4), (5), and (6) of
394 section 332.0075, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as
395 subsections (5), (6), and (7), respectively, and a new
396 subsection (4) is added to that section, to read:
397 332.0075 Commercial service airports; transparency and
398 accountability; penalty.—
399 (4) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a
400 commercial service airport must plan for obtaining and
401 maintaining critical infrastructure resources for the airport,
402 its tenants, and the traveling public. Such plans must include
403 long-term contracts and rights of first refusal regarding the
404 sale of and contingency plans for such resources. For purposes
405 of this paragraph, the term “critical infrastructure resources”
406 includes, but is not limited to, access to electricity, fuel,
407 and water resources.
408 Section 16. Present subsections (1) through (37) of section
409 334.03, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as subsections (2),
410 through (38), respectively, a new subsection (1) is added to
411 that section, and present subsection (29) of that section is
412 amended, to read:
413 334.03 Definitions.—When used in the Florida Transportation
414 Code, the term:
415 (1) “Advanced air mobility corridor connection point” means
416 any land area or transportation facility, including any
417 airspace, designated by the department as suitable to support
418 the efficient movement of people and goods by use as a
419 connection point for advanced air mobility.
420 (30)(29) “Transportation corridor” means any advanced air
421 mobility corridor connection point or any land area designated
422 by the state, a county, or a municipality which is between two
423 geographic points and which area is used or suitable for the
424 movement of people and goods by one or more modes of
425 transportation, including areas necessary for management of
426 access and securing applicable approvals and permits.
427 Transportation corridors, other than advanced air mobility
428 corridor connection points, shall contain, but are not limited
429 to, the following:
430 (a) Existing publicly owned rights-of-way;
431 (b) All property or property interests necessary for future
432 transportation facilities, including rights of access, air,
433 view, and light, whether public or private, for the purpose of
434 securing and utilizing future transportation rights-of-way,
435 including, but not limited to, any lands reasonably necessary
436 now or in the future for securing applicable approvals and
437 permits, borrow pits, drainage ditches, water retention areas,
438 rest areas, replacement access for landowners whose access could
439 be impaired due to the construction of a future facility, and
440 replacement rights-of-way for relocation of rail and utility
441 facilities.
442 Section 17. Subsections (5), (20), and (21) of section
443 334.044, Florida Statutes, are amended, and subsections (40),
444 (41), and (42) are added to that section, to read:
445 334.044 Powers and duties of the department.—The department
446 shall have the following general powers and duties:
447 (5) To purchase, lease, or otherwise acquire property and
448 materials, including the purchase of promotional items as part
449 of public information and education campaigns for the promotion
450 of environmental management, scenic highways, traffic and train
451 safety awareness, commercial motor vehicle safety, workforce
452 development, transportation-related economic development
453 opportunities, advanced air mobility electric vehicle use and
454 charging stations, autonomous vehicles, and context
455 classification for electric vehicles and autonomous vehicles; to
456 purchase, lease, or otherwise acquire equipment and supplies;
457 and to sell, exchange, or otherwise dispose of any property that
458 is no longer needed by the department.
459 (20) To operate and maintain designated research
460 facilities, to conduct and enter into contracts and agreements
461 for conducting research studies, and to collect data necessary
462 for the improvement of the state transportation system.
463 (21) To conduct and enter into contracts and agreements for
464 conducting research and demonstration projects relative to
465 innovative transportation technologies.
466 (40) To require local governments to submit applications
467 for federal funding for projects on state-owned rights-of-way,
468 roads, bridges, and limited access facilities to the department
469 for review and approval before submission of such applications
470 to the Federal Government.
471 (41) To coordinate with local governments on the
472 development and review of applications for federal
473 transportation funding to ensure that each project receiving
474 federal funds will benefit the state’s transportation system by
475 reducing congestion or providing other infrastructure
476 improvements.
477 (42) Notwithstanding any other law, to acquire, own,
478 construct, or operate, or any combination thereof, one or more
479 airports as defined in s. 330.27, including, without limitation,
480 for purposes of supporting advanced air mobility. The department
481 may adopt rules to implement this subsection.
482 Section 18. Section 334.64, Florida Statutes, is created to
483 read:
484 334.64 Department to serve as primary point of contact for
485 LiDAR procurement.—Notwithstanding s. 20.255(9), the department
486 shall serve as the primary point of contact for statewide
487 topographic aerial LiDAR procurement and cost sharing related to
488 statewide geographic information systems and geospatial data
489 sharing. The department may provide these services to other
490 state and local governmental entities by entering into an
491 interagency agreement consistent with chapter 216.
492 Notwithstanding any other provision of law, including any
493 charter, ordinance, statute, or special law, all state agencies
494 and local governmental entities conducting programs or
495 exercising powers relating to topographic aerial LiDAR mapping
496 are authorized to enter into an interagency agreement with the
497 department for the provision by the department of topographic
498 aerial LiDAR procurement and cost-sharing services, and to
499 delegate such authority to conduct programs or exercise powers
500 relating to topographic aerial LiDAR procurement and cost
501 sharing services to the department pursuant to such interagency
502 agreements. The department may adopt rules to implement this
503 section.
504 Section 19. Present paragraphs (b) and (c) of subsection
505 (3) of section 338.231, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as
506 paragraphs (c) and (d), respectively, a new paragraph (b) is
507 added to that subsection, and paragraph (a) of that subsection
508 is amended, to read:
509 338.231 Turnpike tolls, fixing; pledge of tolls and other
510 revenues.—The department shall at all times fix, adjust, charge,
511 and collect such tolls and amounts for the use of the turnpike
512 system as are required in order to provide a fund sufficient
513 with other revenues of the turnpike system to pay the cost of
514 maintaining, improving, repairing, and operating such turnpike
515 system; to pay the principal of and interest on all bonds issued
516 to finance or refinance any portion of the turnpike system as
517 the same become due and payable; and to create reserves for all
518 such purposes.
519 (3)(a)1. For the period July 1, 1998, through June 30, 2029
520 2027, the department shall, to the maximum extent feasible,
521 program sufficient funds in the tentative work program such that
522 the percentage of turnpike toll and bond financed commitments in
523 Miami-Dade County, Broward County, and Palm Beach County as
524 compared to total turnpike toll and bond financed commitments
525 shall be at least 90 percent of the share of net toll
526 collections attributable to users of the turnpike system in
527 Miami-Dade County, Broward County, and Palm Beach County as
528 compared to total net toll collections attributable to users of
529 the turnpike system.
530 2. Beginning in the 2029-2030 fiscal year, the department
531 shall, to the maximum extent feasible, program sufficient funds
532 in the tentative work program such that 100 percent of the share
533 of net toll collections attributable to users of the turnpike
534 system in Miami-Dade County, Broward County, and Palm Beach
535 County is used for turnpike toll and bond financed commitments
536 in those counties.
537
538 This paragraph subsection does not apply when the application of
539 such requirements would violate any covenant established in a
540 resolution or trust indenture relating to the issuance of
541 turnpike bonds.
542 (b) The department may at any time for economic
543 considerations establish lower temporary toll rates for a new or
544 existing toll facility for a period not to exceed 1 year, after
545 which the toll rates adopted pursuant to s. 120.54 shall become
546 effective.
547 Section 20. Paragraph (b) of subsection (2) and paragraph
548 (d) of subsection (5) of section 339.81, Florida Statutes, are
549 amended to read:
550 339.81 Florida Shared-Use Nonmotorized Trail Network.—
551 (2)
552 (b) The multiuse trails or shared-use paths of the
553 statewide network must be physically separated from motor
554 vehicle traffic and constructed with asphalt, concrete, or
555 another improved hard surface approved by the department.
556 (5)
557 (d) To the greatest extent practicable, the department
558 shall program projects in the work program to plan for
559 development of the entire trail and to minimize the creation of
560 gaps between trail segments. The department shall, at a minimum,
561 ensure that local support exists for projects and trail
562 segments, including the availability or dedication of local
563 funding sources and of contributions by private landowners who
564 agree to make their land, or property interests in such land,
565 available for public use as a trail. The department may also
566 consider any sponsorship agreement entered into pursuant to
567 subsection (7).
568 Section 21. Section 790.19, Florida Statutes, is amended to
569 read:
570 790.19 Shooting into or throwing deadly missiles into
571 dwellings, public or private buildings, occupied or not
572 occupied; vessels, aircraft, buses, railroad cars, streetcars,
573 or other vehicles.—A person who Whoever, wantonly or
574 maliciously, shoots at, within, or into, or throws a any missile
575 or hurls or projects a stone or other hard substance which would
576 produce death or great bodily harm, at, within, or in a any
577 public or private building, occupied or unoccupied; a, or public
578 or private bus or a any train, locomotive, railway car, caboose,
579 cable railway car, street railway car, monorail car, or vehicle
580 of any kind which is being used or occupied by a any person; an
581 autonomous vehicle, occupied or unoccupied; a, or any boat,
582 vessel, ship, or barge lying in or plying the waters of this
583 state;, or an aircraft flying through the airspace of this state
584 commits shall be guilty of a felony of the second degree,
585 punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
586 Section 22. Present subsections (8) through (12) of section
587 806.13, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as subsections (9)
588 through (13), respectively, a new subsection (8) is added to
589 that section, and present subsection (11) of that section is
590 amended, to read:
591 806.13 Criminal mischief; penalties; penalty for minor.—
592 (8) A person who willfully or maliciously defaces, injures,
593 or damages by any means an autonomous vehicle as defined in s.
594 316.003(3)(a) commits a felony of the third degree, punishable
595 as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084, if the
596 damage to the vehicle is greater than $200.
597 (12)(11) A minor whose driver license or driving privilege
598 is revoked, suspended, or withheld under subsection (11) (10)
599 may elect to reduce the period of revocation, suspension, or
600 withholding by performing community service at the rate of 1 day
601 for each hour of community service performed. In addition, if
602 the court determines that due to a family hardship, the minor’s
603 driver license or driving privilege is necessary for employment
604 or medical purposes of the minor or a member of the minor’s
605 family, the court shall order the minor to perform community
606 service and reduce the period of revocation, suspension, or
607 withholding at the rate of 1 day for each hour of community
608 service performed. As used in this subsection, the term
609 “community service” means cleaning graffiti from public
610 property.
611 Section 23. The Department of Transportation shall conduct
612 a study to evaluate the long-term impact of alternative fuel
613 vehicles on state transportation revenues and identify potential
614 policy options to address projected revenue reductions.
615 (1) The study must:
616 (a) Identify the projected impact of specific alternative
617 fuel vehicle types and the corresponding projected impact on
618 state transportation revenues.
619 (b) Evaluate new transportation revenue models, including,
620 but not limited to, alternative fuel vehicle-specific
621 registration fees and taxes; technological and industry
622 partnerships that could facilitate fees based on miles-per
623 gallon usage equivalences; and revenue models that are based on
624 vehicle miles-based taxes.
625 (c) Analyze the advantages, disadvantages, and projected
626 revenue impacts from each transportation revenue model.
627 (2) By January 1, 2027, the department shall submit a
628 report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the
629 Speaker of the House of Representatives providing the results of
630 the study.
631 Section 24. For the 2026-2027 fiscal year, the sum of
632 $300,000 in nonrecurring funds is appropriated from the State
633 Transportation Trust Fund to the Department of Transportation
634 for the purpose of studying alternative fuel vehicles and
635 methods to receive transportation revenues from users of such
636 vehicles.
637 Section 25. Paragraph (b) of subsection (3) of section
638 311.07, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
639 311.07 Florida seaport transportation and economic
640 development funding.—
641 (3)
642 (b) Projects eligible for funding by grants under the
643 program are limited to the following port facilities or port
644 transportation projects:
645 1. Transportation facilities within the jurisdiction of the
646 port.
647 2. The dredging or deepening of channels, turning basins,
648 or harbors.
649 3. The construction or rehabilitation of wharves, docks,
650 structures, jetties, piers, storage facilities, cruise
651 terminals, automated people mover systems, or any facilities
652 necessary or useful in connection with any of the foregoing.
653 4. The acquisition of vessel tracking systems, container
654 cranes, or other mechanized equipment used in the movement of
655 cargo or passengers in international commerce.
656 5. The acquisition of land to be used for port purposes.
657 6. The acquisition, improvement, enlargement, or extension
658 of existing port facilities.
659 7. Environmental protection projects which are necessary
660 because of requirements imposed by a state agency as a condition
661 of a permit or other form of state approval; which are necessary
662 for environmental mitigation required as a condition of a state,
663 federal, or local environmental permit; which are necessary for
664 the acquisition of spoil disposal sites and improvements to
665 existing and future spoil sites; or which result from the
666 funding of eligible projects listed in this paragraph.
667 8. Transportation facilities as defined in s. 334.03 s.
668 334.03(30) which are not otherwise part of the Department of
669 Transportation’s adopted work program.
670 9. Intermodal access projects.
671 10. Construction or rehabilitation of port facilities as
672 defined in s. 315.02, excluding any park or recreational
673 facilities, in ports listed in s. 311.09(1) with operating
674 revenues of $5 million or less, provided that such projects
675 create economic development opportunities, capital improvements,
676 and positive financial returns to such ports.
677 11. Seaport master plan or strategic plan development or
678 updates, including the purchase of data to support such plans.
679 12. Spaceport or space industry-related planning or
680 construction of facilities on seaport property which are
681 necessary or useful for advancing the space industry in this
682 state and provide an economic benefit to this state.
683 13. Commercial shipbuilding and manufacturing facilities on
684 seaport property, if such projects provide an economic benefit
685 to the community in which the seaport is located.
686 Section 26. Paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of section
687 316.0777, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
688 316.0777 Automated license plate recognition systems;
689 installation within rights-of-way of State Highway System;
690 public records exemption.—
691 (2)
692 (b) At the discretion of the Department of Transportation,
693 an automated license plate recognition system may be installed
694 within the right-of-way, as defined in s. 334.03 s. 334.03(21),
695 of a road on the State Highway System when installed at the
696 request of a law enforcement agency for the purpose of
697 collecting active criminal intelligence information or active
698 criminal investigative information as defined in s. 119.011(3).
699 An automated license plate recognition system may not be used to
700 issue a notice of violation for a traffic infraction or a
701 uniform traffic citation. Such installation must be in
702 accordance with placement and installation guidelines developed
703 by the Department of Transportation. An automated license plate
704 recognition system must be removed within 30 days after the
705 Department of Transportation notifies the requesting law
706 enforcement agency that such removal must occur.
707 Section 27. Paragraph (c) of subsection (5) of section
708 316.515, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
709 316.515 Maximum width, height, length.—
710 (5) IMPLEMENTS OF HUSBANDRY AND FARM EQUIPMENT;
711 AGRICULTURAL TRAILERS; FORESTRY EQUIPMENT; SAFETY REQUIREMENTS.—
712 (c) The width and height limitations of this section do not
713 apply to farming or agricultural equipment, whether self
714 propelled, pulled, or hauled, when temporarily operated during
715 daylight hours upon a public road that is not a limited access
716 facility as defined in s. 334.03 s. 334.03(12), and the width
717 and height limitations may be exceeded by such equipment without
718 a permit. To be eligible for this exemption, the equipment shall
719 be operated within a radius of 50 miles of the real property
720 owned, rented, managed, harvested, or leased by the equipment
721 owner. However, equipment being delivered by a dealer to a
722 purchaser is not subject to the 50-mile limitation. Farming or
723 agricultural equipment greater than 174 inches in width must
724 have one warning lamp mounted on each side of the equipment to
725 denote the width and must have a slow-moving vehicle sign.
726 Warning lamps required by this paragraph must be visible from
727 the front and rear of the vehicle and must be visible from a
728 distance of at least 1,000 feet.
729 Section 28. Section 336.01, Florida Statutes, is amended to
730 read:
731 336.01 Designation of county road system.—The county road
732 system shall be as defined in s. 334.03 s. 334.03(8).
733 Section 29. Subsection (2) of section 338.222, Florida
734 Statutes, is amended to read:
735 338.222 Department of Transportation sole governmental
736 entity to acquire, construct, or operate turnpike projects;
737 exception.—
738 (2) The department may, but is not required to, contract
739 with any local governmental entity as defined in s. 334.03 s.
740 334.03(13) for the design, right-of-way acquisition, transfer,
741 purchase, sale, acquisition, or other conveyance of the
742 ownership, operation, maintenance, or construction of any
743 turnpike project which the Legislature has approved. Local
744 governmental entities may negotiate and contract with the
745 department for the design, right-of-way acquisition, transfer,
746 purchase, sale, acquisition, or other conveyance of the
747 ownership, operation, maintenance, or construction of any
748 section of the turnpike project within areas of their respective
749 jurisdictions or within counties with which they have interlocal
750 agreements.
751 Section 30. Subsection (2) of section 341.8225, Florida
752 Statutes, is amended to read:
753 341.8225 Department of Transportation sole governmental
754 entity to acquire, construct, or operate high-speed rail
755 projects; exception.—
756 (2) Local governmental entities, as defined in s. 334.03 s.
757 334.03(13), may negotiate with the department for the design,
758 right-of-way acquisition, and construction of any component of
759 the high-speed rail system within areas of their respective
760 jurisdictions or within counties with which they have interlocal
761 agreements.
762 Section 31. Paragraph (b) of subsection (12) of section
763 376.3071, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
764 376.3071 Inland Protection Trust Fund; creation; purposes;
765 funding.—
766 (12) SITE CLEANUP.—
767 (b) Low-scored site initiative.—Notwithstanding subsections
768 (5) and (6), a site with a priority ranking score of 29 points
769 or less may voluntarily participate in the low-scored site
770 initiative regardless of whether the site is eligible for state
771 restoration funding.
772 1. To participate in the low-scored site initiative, the
773 property owner, or a responsible party who provides evidence of
774 authorization from the property owner, must submit a “No Further
775 Action” proposal and affirmatively demonstrate that the
776 conditions imposed under subparagraph 4. are met.
777 2. Upon affirmative demonstration that the conditions
778 imposed under subparagraph 4. are met, the department shall
779 issue a site rehabilitation completion order incorporating the
780 “No Further Action” proposal submitted by the property owner or
781 the responsible party, who must provide evidence of
782 authorization from the property owner. If no contamination is
783 detected, the department may issue a site rehabilitation
784 completion order.
785 3. Sites that are eligible for state restoration funding
786 may receive payment of costs for the low-scored site initiative
787 as follows:
788 a. A property owner, or a responsible party who provides
789 evidence of authorization from the property owner, may submit an
790 assessment and limited remediation plan designed to
791 affirmatively demonstrate that the site meets the conditions
792 imposed under subparagraph 4. Notwithstanding the priority
793 ranking score of the site, the department may approve the cost
794 of the assessment and limited remediation, including up to 12
795 months of groundwater monitoring and 12 months of limited
796 remediation activities in one or more task assignments or
797 modifications thereof, not to exceed the threshold amount
798 provided in s. 287.017 for CATEGORY TWO, for each site where the
799 department has determined that the assessment and limited
800 remediation, if applicable, will likely result in a
801 determination of “No Further Action.” The department may not pay
802 the costs associated with the establishment of institutional or
803 engineering controls other than the costs associated with a
804 professional land survey or a specific purpose survey, if such
805 is needed, and the costs associated with obtaining a title
806 report and paying recording fees.
807 b. After the approval of initial site assessment results
808 provided pursuant to state funding under sub-subparagraph a.,
809 the department may approve an additional amount not to exceed
810 the threshold amount provided in s. 287.017 for CATEGORY TWO for
811 limited remediation needed to achieve a determination of “No
812 Further Action.”
813 c. The assessment and limited remediation work shall be
814 completed no later than 15 months after the department
815 authorizes the start of a state-funded, low-score site
816 initiative task. If groundwater monitoring is required after the
817 assessment and limited remediation in order to satisfy the
818 conditions under subparagraph 4., the department may authorize
819 an additional 12 months to complete the monitoring.
820 d. No more than $15 million for the low-scored site
821 initiative may be encumbered from the fund in any fiscal year.
822 Funds shall be made available on a first-come, first-served
823 basis and shall be limited to 10 sites in each fiscal year for
824 each property owner or each responsible party who provides
825 evidence of authorization from the property owner.
826 e. Program deductibles, copayments, and the limited
827 contamination assessment report requirements under paragraph
828 (13)(d) do not apply to expenditures under this paragraph.
829 4. The department shall issue an order incorporating the
830 “No Further Action” proposal submitted by a property owner or a
831 responsible party who provides evidence of authorization from
832 the property owner upon affirmative demonstration that all of
833 the following conditions are met:
834 a. Soil saturated with petroleum or petroleum products, or
835 soil that causes a total corrected hydrocarbon measurement of
836 500 parts per million or higher for the Gasoline Analytical
837 Group or 50 parts per million or higher for the Kerosene
838 Analytical Group, as defined by department rule, does not exist
839 onsite as a result of a release of petroleum products.
840 b. A minimum of 12 months of groundwater monitoring
841 indicates that the plume is shrinking or stable.
842 c. The release of petroleum products at the site does not
843 adversely affect adjacent surface waters, including their
844 effects on human health and the environment.
845 d. The area containing the petroleum products’ chemicals of
846 concern:
847 (I) Is confined to the source property boundaries of the
848 real property on which the discharge originated, unless the
849 property owner has requested or authorized a more limited area
850 in the “No Further Action” proposal submitted under this
851 subsection; or
852 (II) Has migrated from the source property onto or beneath
853 a transportation facility as defined in s. 334.03 s. 334.03(30)
854 for which the department has approved, and the governmental
855 entity owning the transportation facility has agreed to
856 institutional controls as defined in s. 376.301(21). This sub
857 sub-subparagraph does not, however, impose any legal liability
858 on the transportation facility owner, obligate such owner to
859 engage in remediation, or waive such owner’s right to recover
860 costs for damages.
861 e. The groundwater contamination containing the petroleum
862 products’ chemicals of concern is not a threat to any permitted
863 potable water supply well.
864 f. Soils onsite found between land surface and 2 feet below
865 land surface which are subject to human exposure meet the soil
866 cleanup target levels established in subparagraph (5)(b)9., or
867 human exposure is limited by appropriate institutional or
868 engineering controls.
869
870 Issuance of a site rehabilitation completion order under this
871 paragraph acknowledges that minimal contamination exists onsite
872 and that such contamination is not a threat to the public
873 health, safety, or welfare; water resources; or the environment.
874 Pursuant to subsection (4), the issuance of the site
875 rehabilitation completion order, with or without conditions,
876 does not alter eligibility for state-funded rehabilitation that
877 would otherwise be applicable under this section.
878 Section 32. Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section
879 403.7211, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
880 403.7211 Hazardous waste facilities managing hazardous
881 wastes generated offsite; federal facilities managing hazardous
882 waste.—
883 (2) The department may not issue any permit under s.
884 403.722 for the construction, initial operation, or substantial
885 modification of a facility for the disposal, storage, or
886 treatment of hazardous waste generated offsite which is proposed
887 to be located in any of the following locations:
888 (a) Any area where life-threatening concentrations of
889 hazardous substances could accumulate at any residence or
890 residential subdivision as the result of a catastrophic event at
891 the proposed facility, unless each such residence or residential
892 subdivision is served by at least one arterial road or urban
893 minor arterial road, as determined under the procedures
894 referenced in s. 334.03 s. 334.03(10), which provides safe and
895 direct egress by land to an area where such life-threatening
896 concentrations of hazardous substances could not accumulate in a
897 catastrophic event. Egress by any road leading from any
898 residence or residential subdivision to any point located within
899 1,000 yards of the proposed facility is unsafe for the purposes
900 of this paragraph. In determining whether egress proposed by the
901 applicant is safe and direct, the department shall also
902 consider, at a minimum, the following factors:
903 1. Natural barriers such as water bodies, and whether any
904 road in the proposed evacuation route is impaired by a natural
905 barrier such as a water body.
906 2. Potential exposure during egress and potential increases
907 in the duration of exposure.
908 3. Whether any road in a proposed evacuation route passes
909 in close proximity to the facility.
910 4. Whether any portion of the evacuation route is
911 inherently directed toward the facility.
912
913 For the purposes of this subsection, all distances shall be
914 measured from the outer limit of the active hazardous waste
915 management area. “Substantial modification” includes: any
916 physical change in, change in the operations of, or addition to
917 a facility which could increase the potential offsite impact, or
918 risk of impact, from a release at that facility; and any change
919 in permit conditions which is reasonably expected to lead to
920 greater potential impacts or risks of impacts, from a release at
921 that facility. “Substantial modification” does not include a
922 change in operations, structures, or permit conditions which
923 does not substantially increase either the potential impact
924 from, or the risk of, a release. Physical or operational changes
925 to a facility related solely to the management of nonhazardous
926 waste at the facility is not considered a substantial
927 modification. The department shall, by rule, adopt criteria to
928 determine whether a facility has been substantially modified.
929 “Initial operation” means the initial commencement of operations
930 at the facility.
931 Section 33. Subsection (5) of section 479.261, Florida
932 Statutes, is amended to read:
933 479.261 Logo sign program.—
934 (5) At a minimum, permit fees for businesses that
935 participate in the program must be established in an amount
936 sufficient to offset the total cost to the department for the
937 program, including contract costs. The department shall provide
938 the services in the most efficient and cost-effective manner
939 through department staff or by contracting for some or all of
940 the services. The department shall adopt rules that set
941 reasonable rates based upon factors such as population, traffic
942 volume, market demand, and costs for annual permit fees.
943 However, annual permit fees for sign locations inside an urban
944 area, as defined in s. 334.03 s. 334.03(31), may not exceed
945 $3,500, and annual permit fees for sign locations outside an
946 urban area, as defined in s. 334.03 s. 334.03(31), may not
947 exceed $2,000. After recovering program costs, the proceeds from
948 the annual permit fees shall be deposited into the State
949 Transportation Trust Fund and used for transportation purposes.
950 Section 34. Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section
951 715.07, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
952 715.07 Vehicles or vessels parked on private property;
953 towing.—
954 (2) The owner or lessee of real property, or any person
955 authorized by the owner or lessee, which person may be the
956 designated representative of the condominium association if the
957 real property is a condominium, may cause any vehicle or vessel
958 parked on such property without her or his permission to be
959 removed by a person regularly engaged in the business of towing
960 vehicles or vessels, without liability for the costs of removal,
961 transportation, or storage or damages caused by such removal,
962 transportation, or storage, under any of the following
963 circumstances:
964 (a) The towing or removal of any vehicle or vessel from
965 private property without the consent of the registered owner or
966 other legally authorized person in control of that vehicle or
967 vessel is subject to substantial compliance with the following
968 conditions and restrictions:
969 1.a. Any towed or removed vehicle or vessel must be stored
970 at a site within a 10-mile radius of the point of removal in any
971 county of 500,000 population or more, and within a 15-mile
972 radius of the point of removal in any county of fewer than
973 500,000 population. That site must be open for the purpose of
974 redemption of vehicles on any day that the person or firm towing
975 such vehicle or vessel is open for towing purposes, from 8:00
976 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and, when closed, shall have prominently
977 posted a sign indicating a telephone number where the operator
978 of the site can be reached at all times. Upon receipt of a
979 telephoned request to open the site to redeem a vehicle or
980 vessel, the operator shall return to the site within 1 hour or
981 she or he will be in violation of this section.
982 b. If no towing business providing such service is located
983 within the area of towing limitations set forth in sub
984 subparagraph a., the following limitations apply: any towed or
985 removed vehicle or vessel must be stored at a site within a 20
986 mile radius of the point of removal in any county of 500,000
987 population or more, and within a 30-mile radius of the point of
988 removal in any county of fewer than 500,000 population.
989 2. The person or firm towing or removing the vehicle or
990 vessel shall, within 30 minutes after completion of such towing
991 or removal, notify the municipal police department or, in an
992 unincorporated area, the sheriff, of such towing or removal, the
993 storage site, the time the vehicle or vessel was towed or
994 removed, and the make, model, color, and license plate number of
995 the vehicle or description and registration number of the vessel
996 and shall obtain the name of the person at that department to
997 whom such information was reported and note that name on the
998 trip record.
999 3. A person in the process of towing or removing a vehicle
1000 or vessel from the premises or parking lot in which the vehicle
1001 or vessel is not lawfully parked must stop when a person seeks
1002 the return of the vehicle or vessel. The vehicle or vessel must
1003 be returned upon the payment of a reasonable service fee of not
1004 more than one-half of the posted rate for the towing or removal
1005 service as provided in subparagraph 6. The vehicle or vessel may
1006 be towed or removed if, after a reasonable opportunity, the
1007 owner or legally authorized person in control of the vehicle or
1008 vessel is unable to pay the service fee. If the vehicle or
1009 vessel is redeemed, a detailed signed receipt must be given to
1010 the person redeeming the vehicle or vessel.
1011 4. A person may not pay or accept money or other valuable
1012 consideration for the privilege of towing or removing vehicles
1013 or vessels from a particular location.
1014 5. Except for property appurtenant to and obviously a part
1015 of a single-family residence, and except for instances when
1016 notice is personally given to the owner or other legally
1017 authorized person in control of the vehicle or vessel that the
1018 area in which that vehicle or vessel is parked is reserved or
1019 otherwise unavailable for unauthorized vehicles or vessels and
1020 that the vehicle or vessel is subject to being removed at the
1021 owner’s or operator’s expense, any property owner or lessee, or
1022 person authorized by the property owner or lessee, before towing
1023 or removing any vehicle or vessel from private property without
1024 the consent of the owner or other legally authorized person in
1025 control of that vehicle or vessel, must post a notice meeting
1026 the following requirements:
1027 a. The notice must be prominently placed at each driveway
1028 access or curb cut allowing vehicular access to the property
1029 within 10 feet from the road, as defined in s. 334.03 s.
1030 334.03(22). If there are no curbs or access barriers, the signs
1031 must be posted not fewer than one sign for each 25 feet of lot
1032 frontage.
1033 b. The notice must clearly indicate, in not fewer than 2
1034 inch high, light-reflective letters on a contrasting background,
1035 that unauthorized vehicles will be towed away at the owner’s
1036 expense. The words “tow-away zone” must be included on the sign
1037 in not fewer than 4-inch high letters.
1038 c. The notice must also provide the name and current
1039 telephone number of the person or firm towing or removing the
1040 vehicles or vessels.
1041 d. The sign structure containing the required notices must
1042 be permanently installed with the words “tow-away zone” not
1043 fewer than 3 feet and not more than 6 feet above ground level
1044 and must be continuously maintained on the property for not
1045 fewer than 24 hours before the towing or removal of any vehicles
1046 or vessels.
1047 e. The local government may require permitting and
1048 inspection of these signs before any towing or removal of
1049 vehicles or vessels being authorized.
1050 f. A business with 20 or fewer parking spaces satisfies the
1051 notice requirements of this subparagraph by prominently
1052 displaying a sign stating “Reserved Parking for Customers Only
1053 Unauthorized Vehicles or Vessels Will be Towed Away At the
1054 Owner’s Expense” in not fewer than 4-inch high, light-reflective
1055 letters on a contrasting background.
1056 g. A property owner towing or removing vessels from real
1057 property must post notice, consistent with the requirements in
1058 sub-subparagraphs a.-f., which apply to vehicles, that
1059 unauthorized vehicles or vessels will be towed away at the
1060 owner’s expense.
1061
1062 A business owner or lessee may authorize the removal of a
1063 vehicle or vessel by a towing company when the vehicle or vessel
1064 is parked in such a manner that restricts the normal operation
1065 of business; and if a vehicle or vessel parked on a public
1066 right-of-way obstructs access to a private driveway the owner,
1067 lessee, or agent may have the vehicle or vessel removed by a
1068 towing company upon signing an order that the vehicle or vessel
1069 be removed without a posted tow-away zone sign.
1070 6. Any person or firm that tows or removes vehicles or
1071 vessels and proposes to require an owner, operator, or person in
1072 control or custody of a vehicle or vessel to pay the costs of
1073 towing and storage before redemption of the vehicle or vessel
1074 must file and keep on record with the local law enforcement
1075 agency a complete copy of the current rates to be charged for
1076 such services and post at the storage site an identical rate
1077 schedule and any written contracts with property owners,
1078 lessees, or persons in control of property which authorize such
1079 person or firm to remove vehicles or vessels as provided in this
1080 section.
1081 7. Any person or firm towing or removing any vehicles or
1082 vessels from private property without the consent of the owner
1083 or other legally authorized person in control or custody of the
1084 vehicles or vessels shall, on any trucks, wreckers as defined in
1085 s. 713.78(1), or other vehicles used in the towing or removal,
1086 have the name, address, and telephone number of the company
1087 performing such service clearly printed in contrasting colors on
1088 the driver and passenger sides of the vehicle. The name shall be
1089 in at least 3-inch permanently affixed letters, and the address
1090 and telephone number shall be in at least 1-inch permanently
1091 affixed letters.
1092 8. Vehicle entry for the purpose of removing the vehicle or
1093 vessel shall be allowed with reasonable care on the part of the
1094 person or firm towing the vehicle or vessel. Such person or firm
1095 shall be liable for any damage occasioned to the vehicle or
1096 vessel if such entry is not in accordance with the standard of
1097 reasonable care.
1098 9. When a vehicle or vessel has been towed or removed
1099 pursuant to this section, it must be released to its owner or
1100 person in control or custody within 1 hour after requested. Any
1101 vehicle or vessel owner or person in control or custody has the
1102 right to inspect the vehicle or vessel before accepting its
1103 return, and no release or waiver of any kind which would release
1104 the person or firm towing the vehicle or vessel from liability
1105 for damages noted by the owner or person in control or custody
1106 at the time of the redemption may be required from any vehicle
1107 or vessel owner or person in control or custody as a condition
1108 of release of the vehicle or vessel to its owner or person in
1109 control or custody. A detailed receipt showing the legal name of
1110 the company or person towing or removing the vehicle or vessel
1111 must be given to the person paying towing or storage charges at
1112 the time of payment, whether requested or not.
1113 Section 35. Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section
1114 1006.23, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
1115 1006.23 Hazardous walking conditions.—
1116 (2) HAZARDOUS WALKING CONDITIONS.—
1117 (a) Walkways parallel to the road.—
1118 1. It shall be considered a hazardous walking condition
1119 with respect to any road along which students must walk in order
1120 to walk to and from school if there is not an area at least 4
1121 feet wide adjacent to the road, not including drainage ditches,
1122 sluiceways, swales, or channels, having a surface upon which
1123 students may walk without being required to walk on the road
1124 surface or if the walkway is along a limited access facility as
1125 defined in s. 334.03 s. 334.03(12). In addition, whenever the
1126 road along which students must walk is uncurbed and has a posted
1127 speed limit of 50 miles per hour or greater, the area as
1128 described above for students to walk upon shall be set off the
1129 road by no less than 3 feet from the edge of the road.
1130 2. Subparagraph 1. does not apply when the road along which
1131 students must walk:
1132 a. Is a road on which the volume of traffic is less than
1133 180 vehicles per hour, per direction, during the time students
1134 walk to and from school; or
1135 b. Is located in a residential area and has a posted speed
1136 limit of 30 miles per hour or less.
1137 Section 36. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
1138 made by this act to section 316.003, Florida Statutes, in a
1139 reference thereto, subsection (21) of section 320.02, Florida
1140 Statutes, is reenacted to read:
1141 320.02 Registration required; application for registration;
1142 forms.—
1143 (21) A personal delivery device and a mobile carrier as
1144 defined in s. 316.003 are not required to satisfy the
1145 registration and insurance requirements of this section.
1146 Section 37. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
1147 made by this act to section 316.003, Florida Statutes, in a
1148 reference thereto, subsection (1) of section 324.021, Florida
1149 Statutes, is reenacted to read:
1150 324.021 Definitions; minimum insurance required.—The
1151 following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall, for
1152 the purpose of this chapter, have the meanings respectively
1153 ascribed to them in this section, except in those instances
1154 where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
1155 (1) MOTOR VEHICLE.—Every self-propelled vehicle that is
1156 designed and required to be licensed for use upon a highway,
1157 including trailers and semitrailers designed for use with such
1158 vehicles, except traction engines, road rollers, farm tractors,
1159 power shovels, and well drillers, and every vehicle that is
1160 propelled by electric power obtained from overhead wires but not
1161 operated upon rails, but not including any personal delivery
1162 device or mobile carrier as defined in s. 316.003, bicycle,
1163 electric bicycle, or moped. However, the term “motor vehicle”
1164 does not include a motor vehicle as defined in s. 627.732(3)
1165 when the owner of such vehicle has complied with the
1166 requirements of ss. 627.730-627.7405, inclusive, unless the
1167 provisions of s. 324.051 apply; and, in such case, the
1168 applicable proof of insurance provisions of s. 320.02 apply.
1169 Section 38. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
1170 made by this act to section 316.003, Florida Statutes, in a
1171 reference thereto, paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section
1172 324.022, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:
1173 324.022 Financial responsibility for property damage.—
1174 (2) As used in this section, the term:
1175 (a) “Motor vehicle” means any self-propelled vehicle that
1176 has four or more wheels and that is of a type designed and
1177 required to be licensed for use on the highways of this state,
1178 and any trailer or semitrailer designed for use with such
1179 vehicle. The term does not include:
1180 1. A mobile home.
1181 2. A motor vehicle that is used in mass transit and
1182 designed to transport more than five passengers, exclusive of
1183 the operator of the motor vehicle, and that is owned by a
1184 municipality, transit authority, or political subdivision of the
1185 state.
1186 3. A school bus as defined in s. 1006.25.
1187 4. A vehicle providing for-hire transportation that is
1188 subject to the provisions of s. 324.031. A taxicab shall
1189 maintain security as required under s. 324.032(1).
1190 5. A personal delivery device as defined in s. 316.003.
1191 Section 39. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.