CS/CS/CS/HB 399 Summary

• Creates an assistant secretary position within the Department of Transportation responsible for economic development, trade corridor investment opportunities, and coordination with the Governor's office to expand Florida's role as a global trade hub.

• Requires Florida seaports to develop 10-year strategic plans addressing economic development, infrastructure improvements, intermodal transportation, regulatory barriers, and intergovernmental coordination, with plans submitted to the Florida Seaport Transportation and Economic Development Council.

• Adds "expanding the state's role as a hub for trade and investment" as a principle for the Florida Transportation Plan and designates a fourth type of facility for the Strategic Intermodal System focusing on goods movement competitiveness.

• Streamlines port permitting by establishing a 60-day approval/denial timeline for port conceptual permits, limiting department information requests to twice unless waived, and shifting burden of proof to third parties challenging permit issuance.

• Exempts specified seaports and inland navigation districts from maintenance dredging permits if dredging restores original specifications without impacting undisturbed areas, and allows spoil disposal at self-contained upland sites meeting engineering standards without additional permitting.