FloridaSB 16622025SenateWALLET

Transportation

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

23 provisions identified: 12 benefits, 1 costs, 10 mixed.

Small businesses face broader contract rules

A business can qualify for transportation programs with average annual receipts under $25 million for road and bridge contracts or under $10 million for service contracts. The average covers the prior 3 years and includes affiliate receipts; the former limits were $15 million and $6.5 million. The department must consider small businesses for certain unadvertised construction or maintenance contracts of $500,000 or less when rapid completion serves the public interest, and it may consider small-business involvement in public-private proposals. The law removes specific references to minority businesses, women-owned businesses, and equal access; the transportation secretary can also set a surety bond below the contract price but cannot use successive bonds for phases of certain design-build contracts.

Transit grants shift between providers and projects

The law directs 85% of transit block grant funds to certain federally designated providers, using equal shares for county population, miles traveled, and passengers served. An eligible provider receives at least $20,000 when the formula gives less. Providers must coordinate plans with local workforce boards and share information about services for welfare-transition participants. Funds for a New Starts project that is not ready for production by June 30 move to the Strategic Intermodal System for the next fiscal year.

Disabled veterans can choose specialty plates

A disabled veteran who qualifies for a free plate under Florida law may choose a military or specialty plate marked “DV.” Applicable fees still apply unless another rule waives them. The elected plate cannot display the international symbol of accessibility.

More training for transportation jobs

The Florida Transportation Academy supports training and certification for transportation jobs. It may coordinate opportunities for eligible youth, nonviolent inmates with scheduled release, and veterans with honorable discharges. The transportation department may also fund postsecondary projects that train pilots, air traffic controllers, or aircraft mechanics. A nonprofit representing most of Florida’s public airports must represent those projects; the department may match funding for eligible projects funded by the Department of Commerce.

More small-business contract outreach

The transportation and management departments must create outreach programs to increase small-business participation in contracts tied to financing transportation projects. Covered work includes bond advice and bond underwriting. The programs do not guarantee a contract or payment.

Commercial airports must post more records

Commercial airport governing bodies must post current and previous master plans online. Documents must remain online for 5 years or while in use, whichever is longer; budgets must stay online for 5 years after the fiscal year. Employee position and pay information must be updated every three months.

Fewer local permits for sewer conversion

For a septic-to-sewer project, a municipality cannot require a local permit for a public sewer transmission line under a publicly dedicated right-of-way. The project still needs permits from the transportation and environmental agencies.

Parking authorities can cross local borders

A parking authority created by special act can manage parking facilities in contiguous counties, municipalities, or other local governments. It must first make agreements with the affected governments. The law does not require a new facility or set parking prices.

Faster local reviews for wireless facilities

Local governments must limit review of qualifying wireless facility placements, usually to administrative and building-permit review without a public hearing. A qualifying compound expansion of up to 400 square feet or 50% of the original compound size, whichever is greater, receives no more than those reviews. Local rules cannot effectively block service in residential areas, and fees are allowed only when similar reviews carry similar fees.

Florida expands transport research and planning

The law creates a transportation research institute that may receive state transportation trust fund money and award grants for Florida transportation needs. The department must plan for vertiports and advanced air mobility, name an expert, and work with the commerce department on a statewide plan. Beginning July 1, 2025, the department may seek bids for statewide mapping and data collection using tools such as LiDAR; it is not required to do so.

Mobile cranes get special road permits

Florida traffic law classifies mobile cranes, accessory support vehicles, and earthmoving equipment as special mobile equipment. The transportation department may issue blanket permits for covered cranes and support vehicles. A towed vehicle can weigh up to 5,000 pounds, combined weight can reach 95,000 pounds, and covered dimensions can reach 12 feet wide, 14 feet 6 inches high, and 100 feet long. Special-use cranes may receive permits above statutory weight limits, but local travel curfews still apply.

More state funding for airport improvements

Florida may prioritize airport projects that improve safety, efficiency, workforce development, technology, and transportation connections. Terminal and parking expansions qualify for priority when they add capacity at commercial-service airports in counties with 500,000 or fewer people. Strategic airport projects can also count tourism opportunities alongside trade, logistics, and aviation. Funding depends on available appropriations and aviation fuel tax revenues; the law sets no award amount.

More support for aggregate transport

The transportation department may make up to $20 million each year available for projects that improve the movement or storage of construction aggregate. Eligible applicants include listed seaports, rail lines, and rail facilities. The funding is discretionary and is not guaranteed each year.

Lower airport fees for pilot training

A publicly owned Florida airport cannot charge a landing fee established on or after January 1, 2025, for qualifying pilot training. The training must be necessary for pilot certification or proficiency at an accredited Florida nonprofit with a four-year aviation program. The law does not require the school to pass any savings on to students. The transportation department’s education services also include growing and retaining the aviation workforce.

More points for some drivers

Some moving violations that were previously exempt can now receive three points on a driver’s record. The exception for another covered violation remains. Drivers may face consequences from added points, but the law does not set an insurance-cost amount.

Camping banned along all state highways

Camping is prohibited on any portion of a State Highway System right-of-way. A person with the required permits may camp while actively traveling the federally designated Florida National Scenic Trail.

Florida changes transportation campaign topics

The transportation department can use campaign materials for environmental management and workforce development, including topics involving electric and self-driving vehicles. The law removes language about promoting alternatives to driving alone. It does not create a direct household payment or service entitlement.

New safety and emergency rules for airports

Commercial airports must maintain programs to inspect and repair infrastructure, certify compliance each year starting November 1, 2025, and keep program records for at least 5 years. Certain private airports must get state certificates before aircraft operations; airports already conducting covered operations by July 1, 2025, have until July 1, 2030. During a declared natural-disaster emergency, airports must offer eligible property to the state at no cost; use beyond 60 days needs a written agreement. Commercial airports must also report specified federal notices and safety or cyber events within 48 hours.

State can withhold funds after repeat violations

After an additional traffic-control device violation by a public body or official, the transportation department may withhold state funds deposited in the State Transportation Trust Fund. The funds remain withheld until the department receives proof of compliance. The law sets no amount.

Highway access rules affect property owners

The transportation department can modify or revoke access permits issued after July 1, 1988, when a connection’s use, design, or traffic changes significantly, or it harms safety or highway operations. A property-use change counts as significant; an expansion also counts when it raises trip generation by more than 25% and more than 100 vehicles per day. Permit holders must receive written notice and a chance for a hearing.

More funding for roadside plants

The transportation department must set aside statewide funding for plants along state highways and arterial roads. The amount must equal at least 1.5% of the average construction contract amount from the previous three completed fiscal years. When practical, at least half must go to large plants. This supports roadside planting but limits how those funds can be used for other transportation needs.

New purchasing rules for Florida transportation

The transportation department must buy Florida nursery stock through competitive bidding unless federal law or regulations prevent it. The department can directly contract for insurance it is legally and contractually required to provide. It can also buy heavy equipment and vehicles for roadway operations or emergency response without exchanging or retiring existing equipment first.

Ports gain new freight and space projects

More projects on seaport property can qualify for grants, including qualifying space-industry projects and shipbuilding or manufacturing facilities that benefit the state or port community. The seaport plan must recommend transportation links to space and aerospace industries, and airport-linked freight centers can qualify under the intermodal logistics center definition. Florida may fund infrastructure that supports aerospace or launch facilities near a spaceport. A qualifying seaport receiving covered funds must protect cargo-use land and facilities; changing that use requires a public board vote and express legislative approval of state funding.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Collins
Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

Appropriations
Affiliation unavailable
Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development
Affiliation unavailable
Transportation
Affiliation unavailable

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 214 • No: 7

Senate vote • 4/30/2025

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 37 • No: 0

House vote • 4/29/2025

House Floor Vote

Yes: 103 • No: 7

Senate vote • 4/23/2025