CS/CS/HB 633 Summary

• Creates the Florida Smart City Challenge Grant Program within the Department of Transportation to fund innovative smart mobility projects in municipalities and regions across the state.

• Establishes grant eligibility for state agencies, counties, municipalities, metropolitan planning organizations, transportation planning organizations, and state universities proposing projects in autonomous vehicles, connected vehicle technology, shared mobility services, or electric vehicle acceleration.

• Grants may fund up to 50 percent of project costs with recipients required to fund at least 10 percent; matching funds from private-sector or local public sources are prioritized and may be used for operation, maintenance, and evaluation costs.

• Requires applicants to certify 2-year project implementation timelines, submit quarterly reports on development and operations, and provide final reports to the Governor and Legislature detailing project impact and recommendations for future deployment.

• Takes effect July 1, 2018, with the Department authorized to select an independent nongovernmental entity to assist with project management, construction, evaluation, and documentation of lessons learned.