CS for SB 1554 - Transportation

• Creates the Florida Shared-Use Nonmotorized Trail Network as a component of the Florida Greenways and Trails System, with associated planning, development, and sponsorship provisions for multiuse trails.

• Establishes the Northwest Florida Regional Transportation Finance Authority for Escambia County (and potentially contiguous counties) to construct, maintain, and operate regional transportation projects through bond issuance and toll revenue.

• Increases minimum annual State Transportation Fund allocation to the Florida Seaport Transportation and Economic Development Program from $15 million to $25 million and reduces council membership by removing Port Citrus.

• Directs the Center for Urban Transportation Research to study vehicle-miles-traveled charging systems as an alternative to fuel taxes for transportation funding, with pilot project design due by December 31, 2016.

• Revises airport zoning regulations to replace variance procedures with permit processes administered by local governments, streamlines Federal Aviation Administration coordination, and extends semitrailer length limits to 57 feet and truck platooning exemptions.