CS/HB 567 Summary

• Creates the Small Business Road Construction Mitigation Grant Program requiring the Department of Transportation to provide grants to small businesses negatively impacted by state road construction projects.

• Defines "qualified businesses" as for-profit enterprises with up to 40 employees located in a designated construction mitigation zone, limited to projects lasting 90 days or more.

• Caps grants at $15,000 per calendar year or the demonstrated decline in revenue, whichever is less, with the Department of Economic Opportunity assisting applicants in documenting revenue losses at no cost.

• Prioritizes grant awards based on revenue decline rate, construction duration, proximity to work, traffic disruption severity, and parking and pedestrian access impacts.

• Requires the Department of Transportation to submit a report to the Legislature by January 31, 2019 with best practices recommendations and initiate rulemaking by August 31, 2018; takes effect July 1, 2018.