FDOT has provided the following summary of legislation from the 2019 session that pertains to transportation. Legislation affecting other local public works functions may not be included here.
HB 905: Department of Transportation
Effective Date: July 1, 2019
- Prohibits the use of the same entity for both design services and construction engineering and inspection services for certain projects funded wholly or in part by FDOT, and provides that the prohibition does not apply to seaports.
- Amends definition of "small county" to increase the population threshold from 170,000 to 200,000, which adds Bay, Charlotte, Hernando, Okaloosa, and Santa Rosa Counties to the SCOP eligibility list.
- Prohibits local governments from adopting standards or specifications for the permissible use of aggregates; and the permissible use of reclaimed asphalt pavement that are contrary to FDOT standards or specifications, and specifies that reclaimed asphalt pavement is not solid waste.
- Authorizes the use of certain innovative transportation projects and techniques for highways and bridges.
- Requires any contractor desiring to bid on DOT contracts in excess of $50 million to have satisfactorily completed certain projects prior to being eligible to bid.
HB 827: Engineering
- Amends s. 337.14, F.S., to prohibit an entity from performing both design services and construction engineering and inspection services for a project wholly or partially funded by the Department of Transportation and administered by a local governmental entity.
- Changes processes and some requirements to sit for PE Exam and makes other changes to requirements for engineering businesses.
SB 7068: Transportation
Effective Date: July 1, 2019.
It creates the Multi-use Corridors of Regional Economic Significance (M-CORES) Program within the Department of Transportation. The program is designed to advance construction of regional corridors that will accommodate multiple modes of transportation and multiple types of infrastructure. The specific purpose of the program is to revitalize rural communities, encourage job creation in those communities, and provide regional connectivity while leveraging technology, enhancing quality of life and public safety, and protecting the environment and natural resources.M-CORES corridors:
- Southwest-Central Florida Connector, extending from Collier County to Polk County;
- Suncoast Connector, extending from Citrus County to Jefferson County;
- Northern Turnpike Connector, extending from the north end of the Florida Turnpike northwest to the Suncoast Parkway.
It redirects motor vehicle fees to the State Transportation Trust Fund (STTF) for M-CORES, on a phased schedule:
- 2019-2020: $45M to STTF & $83.9M to GR
- 2020-2021: $90M to STTF & $40.12M to GR
- 2021-2022 and thereafter: $132.5M to STTF
It provides $2.5 million per year for Workforce Development; $10 million per year to the Small County Road Assistance Program (SCRAP) and $10 million per year to the Small County Outreach Program (SCOP) for projects in counties impacted by hurricanes (funds are in addition to current program funding); and $10 million per year to the Transportation Disadvantaged (TD) Program.
HB 311: Autonomous Vehicles
Effective Date: July 1, 2019
- Authorizes operation of a fully autonomous vehicle on Florida roads.
- Eliminates need for the physical presence of a licensed human operator. Provides that the automated driving system, rather than a person, is deemed the operator of an autonomous vehicle when operating with the automated driving system engaged.
- Authorizes the use of remote human operators that are physically the United States and are licensed to operate a vehicle by a United States jurisdiction.
HB 107: Wireless Communications While Driving
Effective Date: July 1, 2019
- Changes current enforcement of the ban on texting while driving from a secondary offense to a primary offense, which allows law enforcement to stop a vehicle solely for texting while driving.
- Creates section 316.306, F.S, School and work zones; prohibition on the use of a wireless communications device in a handheld manner,” which bans the use of a wireless communications device in a handheld manner while operating a motor vehicle in a designated school crossing, school zone, or active work zone.
HB 463: Micromobility Devices
Effective Date: Upon becoming law
- Defines term “micromobility device” as any motorized transportation device made available for private use by reservation through an online application, website, or software for point-to-point trips and that is incapable of traveling at speeds greater than 20 miles per hour on level ground. The term includes motorized scooters and bicycles.
- Amends definition of “motorized scooter” to include any vehicle or micromobility device powered by a motor with or without a seat or saddle for the use of the rider.
- Operators have all the rights and duties applicable to the rider of a bicycle.
- Devices are not required to be registered and insured like a motor vehicle.
HB 385: Transportation
Effective Date: July 1, 2019
- Dissolves the Miami-Dade County Expressway Authority and transfers the bulk of the existing provisions to the newly created Greater Miami Expressway Agency (GMX).
- Addresses other transportation-related issues relating to Miami-Dade County.
SB 1000: Communications Services
Effective Date: July 1, 2019
- Makes extensive changes to laws governing the ability of local governments to require communications service provides that use of public rights-of-way to pay permit application fees, obtain performance bonds and insurance, provide security funds, prohibit or delay permits for collocation of small wireless facilities or related poles, or require compliance with certain application requirements.
SB 2500: Appropriations
Effective Date: July 1, 2019; May include specific provisions with effective dates other than July 1.
- General Appropriations Act - Provides moneys for the annual period beginning July 1, 2019, and ending June 30, 2020, and supplemental appropriations for the period ending June 30, 2019, to pay salaries, and other expenses, capital outlay - buildings, and other improvements, and for other specified purposes of the various agencies of state government, etc.
Total FDOT Appropriations: $10,795,128,335