FL H1399

Major seaport investment expansion: Increases minimum annual funding for the Florida Seaport Transportation and Economic Development Program from $8 million to $15 million, creates a new Strategic Port Investment Initiative with at least $35 million annually, and establishes an Intermodal Logistics Center Infrastructure Support Program funded at up to $5 million per year, all from the State Transportation Trust Fund beginning FY 2012-2013.

New tolling authority and toll enforcement reforms: Authorizes FDOT to establish tolls on new limited access facilities, added lanes, and new or replacement major bridges, while prohibiting tolls on existing lanes as of July 1, 2012; allows toll citations via first-class mail (removing return receipt requirements); permits contracting with private attorneys or collection agents for unpaid tolls; and treats prepaid toll accounts inactive for 3 years as unclaimed property.

Strategic Intermodal System (SIS) overhaul: Abolishes the Statewide Intermodal Transportation Advisory Council, replaces Florida Intrastate Highway System references with SIS highway corridors, adds spaceports and military access facilities as SIS facility types, establishes a minimum annual funding baseline of $450 million (adjusted by CPI), and requires FDOT to develop a Freight Mobility and Trade Plan by July 1, 2013.

South Florida Regional Transportation Authority restructuring: Expands the governing board from 9 to 10 voting members, establishes annual state funding of $15 million for operations plus $27.1 million in work program commitments, requires department approval before committing state funds, mandates identification of an alternate dedicated local funding source before July 1, 2019, and authorizes privatization of administrative functions by two-thirds board vote.

Limited access facility and bicycle pilot provisions: Authorizes FDOT and expressway authorities to designate shoulders of limited access facilities for vehicular traffic, and creates a 2-year pilot program in three urban areas opening limited access highway approaches and bridge segments to bicycles where no alternative crossing exists within 2 miles, with locations established by October 1, 2012 and a report due September 1, 2015.

Bridge safety and highway standards updates: Requires governmental entities to reduce load limits or close bridges within 30 days of receiving inspection reports, with FDOT authorized to act and assess costs if entities fail to comply; limits noise abatement to new-location or capacity-expansion projects; and increases maximum straight truck-trailer combination length to 68 feet.

Work program and project funding threshold changes: Raises budget amendment thresholds requiring legislative oversight—from $150,000 to $500,000 for adding projects, and from $500,000 to $1.5 million for advancing or deferring right-of-way, construction, or public transportation phases—with indexing beginning July 1, 2013.

Rail program liability and insurance framework: Authorizes FDOT to assume indemnification obligations for freight rail operators and Amtrak, caps contractual liability at $200 million without prior legislative approval, requires purchase of up to $200 million in liability insurance and a $10 million self-insurance retention fund, and establishes cost-sharing formulas for single-train and multi-train incidents.

Environmental permitting and mitigation streamlining: Authorizes regional stormwater treatment for seaports and state transportation projects, requires rulemaking by July 1, 2012 for general stormwater permits for airside airport activities, expands mitigation bank eligibility to seaports, sets escrow funding at $75,000 per acre adjusted by CPI, and directs deepwater port environmental permit challenges through expedited summary hearings with decisions within 45 working days.

Disadvantaged Business Enterprise and contractor reforms: Updates federal program references to SAFETEA-LU, extends DBE reapplication waiting periods from 6 to 12 months after denial, removes the mandatory periodic disparity study, allows contractors bidding exclusively on projects under $1 million to submit reviewed rather than audited financial statements, and repeals s. 337.137 governing DBE subcontracting.