The Florida Senate

341.3334  Franchise review process.--

(1)  In assessing an application for franchise, the department shall consider, but is not limited to, the following:

(a)  The qualifications of the applicant in terms of experience and overall ability to implement the proposal, including compliance with state requirements for the participation of women, minorities, and socially and economically disadvantaged individuals;

(b)  The validity, clarity, and viability of the applicant's financing plan, including an analysis of the sources of revenue and the ability of those revenue sources to meet the funding requirements of the high-speed rail transportation system;

(c)  The legislative changes necessary to implement the applicant's proposal, including any legislation providing for the financing of the high-speed rail transportation system, through bonds, foreign loans, or other means;

(d)  The manner in which the applicant will meet the performance criteria specified in the request for proposals including, but not limited to, an examination of the proposed technology, system capacity, trip times, frequency of trains, and locations of transit stations;

(e)  The construction, operation, maintenance, and management plan for the high-speed rail transportation system, including the ability of the proposed system to meet state and federal safety requirements and to guarantee the safe operation of the system;

(f)  The extent to which the high-speed rail transportation system impacts on, connects with, and complements other transportation facilities and services, including airports, commuter rail systems, and other public transit systems, and the type, location, and financing of any transit connections with associated developments or joint developments in which the franchisee has an interest;

(g)  The positive or negative fiscal impacts on local governments and the demand for additional local infrastructure as a result of the high-speed rail transportation system;

(h)  The extent to which a proposed high-speed rail line, guideway, or transit station is consistent with the goals and policies of the state comprehensive plan, affected strategic regional policy plans, and affected local government comprehensive plans; and, if not consistent, how the applicant proposes that the high-speed rail line, guideway, or transit stations and such plans will be made consistent, to the maximum extent feasible, with each other and how any inconsistency with a proposed associated development will be resolved; and

(i)  The impact that the high-speed rail transportation system or associated development will have on the unique environmental or cultural qualities of particular areas of the state and on the natural resources of the state, including measures proposed to mitigate any adverse effects.

(2)  Within 60 days after receipt of an application, each agency that may be affected by an application shall file with the department any comments on the application in relation to the criteria contained in subsection (1) on matters within its jurisdiction.

(3)  Within 90 days after the deadline for the receipt of applications, the department shall hold at least four public meetings on the applications in accordance with s. 341.3336.

(4)  Within 120 days after the deadline for the receipt of applications, the department shall issue a notice of proposed agency action on the applications, in accordance with s. 341.3337.

History.--s. 23, ch. 92-152; s. 5, ch. 95-149; s. 57, ch. 96-323.