Florida Senate - 2026                                     SB 228
       
       
        
       By Senator Smith
       
       
       
       
       
       17-00089-26                                            2026228__
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to toll discounts for certified
    3         veteran business enterprises; amending s. 338.155,
    4         F.S.; requiring the Department of Transportation to
    5         establish a pilot program that provides certified
    6         veteran business enterprises with a discount on
    7         certain toll expenses; providing eligibility
    8         requirements for the pilot program; requiring the
    9         Florida Turnpike Enterprise, in coordination with the
   10         Department of Veterans’ Affairs and the Department of
   11         Management Services, to administer the pilot program;
   12         requiring the Department of Transportation to review
   13         the pilot program and submit a certain report to the
   14         Legislature by a specified date; providing an
   15         effective date.
   16          
   17  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   18  
   19         Section 1. Present subsection (6) of section 338.155,
   20  Florida Statutes, is redesignated as subsection (7), and a new
   21  subsection (6) is added to that section, to read:
   22         338.155 Payment of toll on toll facilities required;
   23  exemptions.—
   24         (6)(a) The department shall establish a 2-year pilot
   25  program that provides certified veteran business enterprises as
   26  defined in s. 295.187(3) with a discount on business-related
   27  toll expenses incurred on toll roads in this state. To be
   28  eligible for the program, a certified veteran business
   29  enterprise must demonstrate regular commercial use of toll roads
   30  through automated toll accounts.
   31         (b) Eligible businesses shall receive a 50 percent discount
   32  on business-related toll expenses incurred on toll roads in this
   33  state by registered commercial vehicles used for business
   34  operations.
   35         (c) The Florida Turnpike Enterprise shall administer the
   36  pilot program in coordination with the Department of Veterans’
   37  Affairs and the Department of Management Services.
   38         (d) Certified veteran business enterprises must apply
   39  annually and provide proof of veteran ownership and toll usage.
   40         (e) Discounts shall be applied through automated toll
   41  accounts.
   42         (f) The department shall review the pilot program and
   43  submit an impact report containing its findings to the President
   44  of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives by
   45  July 1, 2027. The report must assess participation rates and
   46  fiscal impact and provide recommendations for continuation or
   47  expansion of the program.
   48         Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.