FL H0599

Establishes new seaport investment programs: the Strategic Port Investment Initiative (minimum $35 million annually) and the Intermodal Logistics Center Infrastructure Support Program (up to $5 million annually), both funded from the State Transportation Trust Fund beginning FY 2012-2013; increases minimum annual Florida Seaport Transportation and Economic Development Program funding from $8 million to $15 million and removes per-port distribution caps.

Expands DOT's rail corridor liability framework to cover Amtrak in addition to freight rail operators, with an indemnification and liability insurance cap of $200 million and a self-insurance retention/deductible cap of $10 million, with liability shared equally between the department and Amtrak for third-party claims in multi-train incidents.

Overhauls environmental mitigation for transportation projects by making DOT participation in water management district mitigation programs optional rather than mandatory, requiring investigation of mitigation bank credits before other options, capping mitigation costs at $75,000 per acre (CPI-adjusted), and restricting governmental entities from providing mitigation for projects other than their own unless specific financial assurance and conservation-land conditions are met.

Restructures the Strategic Intermodal System (SIS) by adding military access facilities as a fifth system component, abolishing the Statewide Intermodal Transportation Advisory Council, requiring a Freight Mobility and Trade Plan by July 1, 2013, and maintaining a minimum annual SIS highway corridor allocation based on a $450 million FY 2003-2004 baseline adjusted by CPI.

Reforms the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority by expanding its governing board from 9 to 10 voting members, authorizing privatization of administrative functions by two-thirds board vote, capping state operational funding at $15 million (or $13.3 million if not dispatching the South Florida Rail Corridor), requiring department approval for state fund commitments, and mandating identification of an alternate dedicated local funding source before July 1, 2019.

Modernizes toll enforcement and transportation finance provisions by allowing toll violation citations via first-class mail (replacing certified mail with return receipt), presuming prepaid toll accounts unclaimed after 3 years of inactivity, and increasing work program budget amendment thresholds—including raising the threshold for adding projects from $150,000 to $500,000—with CPI indexing beginning July 1, 2013.

Creates a 2-year DOT pilot program in three urban areas for bicycle access on limited access highway bridges crossing water bodies where no alternative crossing exists within 2 miles, with locations established by October 1, 2012, operations beginning by March 1, 2013, and a report due by September 1, 2015; also authorizes shoulder use for vehicular traffic on limited access facilities.

Revises local option fuel tax provisions by changing the levy deadline from July 1 to October 1 and expanding eligible "transportation expenditures" to include installation of street lighting, traffic signs, and pavement markings; extends motor fuel tax refund eligibility to citrus harvesting equipment and citrus fruit loaders moving between farms.

Strengthens bridge safety enforcement by requiring governmental entities to act within 30 days of an inspection report or DOT will post or close the bridge, with all costs assessed against the responsible entity; limits highway noise abatement to new location or capacity expansion projects under updated federal standards (23 C.F.R. 772 as of July 13, 2011).

Streamlines stormwater and environmental permitting by directing rulemaking for a general stormwater permit for airside airport activities by July 1, 2012, authorizing seaports to provide onsite or offsite stormwater treatment within the same drainage basin, requiring summary hearings for challenges to deepwater port environmental permits with DEP final orders due within 45 working days, and providing DOT flexibility for linear facility stormwater treatment alternatives.