# Florida SB 488: Transportation Florida SB 488, Transportation, is a 2026 Senate bill sponsored by Ralph E. Massullo (Republican); status signed, last action 2026-04-22 (Chapter No. 2026-39, companion bill(s) passed, see SB 490 (Ch. 2026-40)); PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-11-01). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/FL-SB488-2026 - As of: 2026-11-01 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Bill: Florida SB 488 - State: Florida - Session: 2026 - Title: Transportation - Status: signed - Chamber: Senate - Introduced: 2025-11-13 - Last action: 2026-04-22, Chapter No. 2026-39, companion bill(s) passed, see SB 490 (Ch. 2026-40) - Sponsor: Ralph E. Massullo (Republican) - Cosponsors: 0 - Subjects: Appropriation, Transportation, Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development, Fiscal Policy, House Calendar - Touches household money: yes - Roll calls: 6 (219 yes, 1 no in all) - Economic provisions PRIA read: 25 ## Summary No summary available. ## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read - Dealers get inventory buybacks when franchises end: benefit, medium. When a vehicle franchise ends voluntarily or involuntarily, the licensee must pay the dealer's net cost for qualifying new inventory. This includes franchise termination, cancellation, and nonrenewal. Non-motorcycle vehicles must have 2,000 miles or less; new motorcycles must have 100 miles or less… - Drivers can keep clear plate frames: benefit, low. A license-plate frame or decorative border does not violate the covered plate-obscuring rules when key areas remain visible. It must not cover the plate number or the registration decal or validation sticker in the upper-right corner. - Drivers face fewer immediate crash reporting duties: benefit, low. Beginning October 1, 2026, Florida raises the immediate crash notice threshold from $500 to $2,000 in apparent property damage. Drivers must immediately notify law enforcement when damage reaches $2,000 or more. Notice remains required for any injury or death, regardless of the damage amount. - Drivers gain renewal notices and relief: benefit, low. Beginning October 1, 2026, the state must send eligible drivers renewal notices by mail or email at least 30 days before their birthday. The state must first confirm renewal eligibility; notices direct drivers to in-person or convenience-service renewal. The law also removes a mandatory extra renew… - More plate options for disabled drivers: benefit, low. Florida residents qualifying for a disabled parking permit can apply for a disability plate through the state or a tax collector. Applicants can choose a wheelchair symbol or “DV” after the plate number; tax collectors may issue plates immediately on demand. The applicable vehicle license tax remai… - Communications providers face fewer permit barriers: benefit, low. Cities and counties cannot cap communications-facility permits or condition them on cash deposits, escrow, or other payments or exactions. They cannot require providers to survey right-of-way boundaries or locate facilities they do not own. Permits may require identification of at-grade communicati… - Vehicle renewals get real-time processing: benefit, low. Beginning October 1, 2026, Florida's motor vehicle agency must support real-time registration-renewal processing and bulk reporting, including applicant email addresses. The data-access and integration tools were required to be developed by July 1, 2023. Tax collectors can use the tools and data on… - Carriers get broader fuel-tax credits: benefit, low. The law extends Florida's fuel-use calculation and purchase credit beyond diesel to motor fuel used by qualified vehicles. In-state fuel use is based on Florida miles divided by total miles, with adequate supporting records. Carriers can credit eligible tax paid on Florida fuel purchases during the… - Related corporations get vehicle tax relief: benefit, low. Beginning October 1, 2026, qualifying vehicle sales, leases, and rentals between commonly owned and controlled corporations are sales-tax exempt. The qualified vehicle must be titled and registered in Florida when the transaction occurs. Florida sales tax must already have been paid when the seller… - Drivers face insurance proof deadlines: cost, low. Beginning October 1, 2026, owners or operators in covered crash or conviction cases must provide liability-insurance proof within 14 days. The clock starts when the state provides crash notice, rather than when it mails the notice. This applies to cases covered by Florida's financial-responsibility… - Businesses must disprove fuel tax warrant amounts: cost, low. Beginning October 1, 2026, a fuel tax warrant counts as initial proof of the taxes, interest, and penalties owed. This applies to disputes over seized property or the amount due. The motor carrier, retail dealer, or motor-fuel distributor must prove that the amounts or penalties are wrong. - Carriers face online fuel-tax filing rules: cost, low. Beginning October 1, 2026, carrier fuel-tax returns must be online unless the state authorizes another method. The reporting year runs January 1–December 31, with annual returns due January 31. Semiannual returns are due January 31 and July 31; quarterly returns add April 30 and October 31. Weekend… - Carriers face stronger fuel-tax enforcement: cost, low. Unauthorized counterfeiting, altering, making, or selling fuel-tax credentials is a third-degree felony; specified licensing and audit falsehoods are also covered. Each day or part-day of operation without required decals or a valid permit is a separate offense. Willfully false exemption or credit… - Carriers lose some temporary permit options: cost, low. Only carriers with a valid license can obtain a temporary fuel-use permit. Each permit costs $45, covers the named vehicle, and expires 10 days after issuance. It does not remove fuel tax paid at the pump. The law also removes the driveaway permit option for registered carriers hauling vehicles the… - Carriers must destroy unused fuel decals: cost, low. Florida-licensed carriers must destroy a vehicle's decal when they stop operating or arranging its operation in Florida. They must immediately notify the state by letter and give the decal number. A business closing, sale, or transfer requires written notice at least 10 days before the change. The… - Carriers must keep tax records longer: cost, low. Licensed carriers must keep required records supporting each return for four years after its due date or filing date, whichever is later. State tax officials can examine records, books, papers, and equipment held by carriers, retail fuel dealers, and wholesale distributors. Inspections must be need… - Carriers need licenses and paid decals: cost, low. Most carriers need an International Fuel Tax Agreement license and displayed decals before operating qualified vehicles in Florida. Florida-based vehicles traveling only within Florida are exempt from this license-and-decal requirement. Decals cost $4 per set for each calendar year or part-year and… - Late carrier taxes trigger escalating penalties: cost, low. Late carrier returns or payments can trigger a penalty of $50 or 10% of unpaid tax, whichever is greater. That applies for the first 30 days, with another 10% for each additional 30 days or part-period. The percentage penalty caps at 100%, subject to the $50 minimum. Interest follows the Internatio… - More fuels covered by carrier taxes: cost, low. Beginning October 1, 2026, Florida's carrier fuel-use tax covers propulsion energy, including electricity, hydrogen, natural gas, propane, and biodiesel. Covered vehicles include two-axle vehicles over 26,000 pounds and vehicles with three or more axles, regardless of weight. Recreational vehicles… - Drivers face email and notice requirements: mixed, low. Applicants must provide email addresses for Florida identification cards and replacement driver licenses or instruction permits. Lost or destroyed replacements still carry a fee; stolen replacements remain free with satisfactory proof of theft. With authorization, the state can email license cancel… - Vehicle registration requires specified identity documents: mixed, low. Individual vehicle-registration applicants must provide satisfactory address proof and a valid REAL ID license or identification card, or an unexpired passport. An unexpired foreign passport must come with an unexpired Form I-94. Florida-resident active-duty service members do not need a permanent… - Dealers gain transfer and succession protections: mixed, low. A proposed dealership transfer is approved unless the licensee rejects it within 60 days after notice. Franchise rejection grounds include bad character, failure to meet reasonable written financial or experience standards applied equally, or prohibited ownership concentration. Equity-transfer reje… - Truck operators get clearer tank classifications: mixed, low. A tank vehicle is a commercial vehicle designed to carry liquids or gases in permanently or temporarily attached tanks. Each tank must exceed 119 gallons, and combined rated capacity must reach at least 1,000 gallons. An empty storage tank temporarily attached to a flatbed is excluded when the tank… - Heavy vehicles face coverage and licensing rules: mixed, low. Beginning October 1, 2026, covered vehicles need combined injury and property-damage coverage based on gross vehicle weight. Minimums per occurrence are $50,000 at 26,000–34,999 pounds, $100,000 at 35,000–43,999 pounds, and $300,000 at 44,000 pounds or more. Vehicles subject to the named federal in… - Distributors face limits on concentrated deliveries: mixed, low. Distributors face license denial, suspension, or revocation for concentrating deliveries after sending at least 1,000 same-brand vehicles to Florida dealers within 12 months. The trigger is more than 33.33% going to one dealer or dealers under common ownership or control. That test includes the spe… ## Sponsors and cosponsors - Sponsor: Ralph E. Massullo (Republican), Senate ## Roll call votes | Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2026-03-11 | Senate | Senate Floor Vote | pass | 36 | 0 | | | 2026-03-09 | House | House Floor Vote | pass | 108 | 1 | | | 2026-02-19 | Senate | Senate Floor Vote | pass | 38 | 0 | | | 2026-02-05 | Senate | Fiscal Policy Vote | pass | 15 | 0 | | | 2026-01-21 | Senate | Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development Vote | pass | 14 | 0 | | | 2026-01-12 | Senate | Transportation Vote | pass | 8 | 0 | | ## Actions (38) - 2026-04-22: Chapter No. 2026-39, companion bill(s) passed, see SB 490 (Ch. 2026-40) - 2026-04-21: Approved by Governor - 2026-04-21: Signed by Officers and presented to Governor - 2026-03-11: Ordered engrossed, then enrolled (Senate) - 2026-03-11: Passed as amended; YEAS 36 NAYS 0 -SJ 813 (Senate) - 2026-03-11: Concurred in 1 amendment(s) (078509) -SJ 813 (Senate) - 2026-03-09: In returning messages (Senate) - 2026-03-09: Amendment 078509 engrossed amendment (replaces 073989, 106271, 520293, 312799) (House) - 2026-03-09: Passed as amended; YEAS 108, NAYS 1 (House) - 2026-03-09: Read 3rd time (House) - 2026-03-09: Added to Third Reading Calendar (House) - 2026-03-09: Amendment 073989 adopted as amended (House) - 2026-03-09: Amendment 106271 adopted (House) - 2026-03-09: Amendment 520293 adopted (House) - 2026-03-09: Amendment 312799 adopted (House) - 2026-03-09: Read 2nd time (House) - 2026-03-05: 1st Reading (Engrossed 1) (House) - 2026-03-05: Bill added to Special Order Calendar (3/9/2026) (House) - 2026-03-05: Bill referred to House Calendar (House) - 2026-02-19: In Messages (House) - 2026-02-19: Immediately certified -SJ 356 (Senate) - 2026-02-19: Passed as amended; YEAS 38 NAYS 0 -SJ 350 (Senate) - 2026-02-19: Read 3rd time -SJ 350 (Senate) - 2026-02-19: Amendment(s) adopted (458674) -SJ 350 (Senate) - 2026-02-19: Read 2nd time -SJ 350 (Senate) - 2026-02-17: Placed on Special Order Calendar, 02/19/26 (Senate) - 2026-02-05: Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading (Senate) - 2026-02-05: Favorable by- Fiscal Policy; YEAS 15 NAYS 0 (Senate) - 2026-02-02: On Committee agenda-- Fiscal Policy, 02/05/26, 9:00 am, 412 Knott Building (Senate) - 2026-01-21: Now in Fiscal Policy (Senate) - 2026-01-21: Favorable by Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development; YEAS 14 NAYS 0 (Senate) - 2026-01-16: On Committee agenda-- Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development, 01/21/26, 11:00 am, 110 Senate Building (Senate) - 2026-01-13: Introduced (Senate) - 2026-01-12: Now in Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development (Senate) - 2026-01-12: Favorable by Transportation; YEAS 8 NAYS 0 (Senate) - 2026-01-05: On Committee agenda-- Transportation, 01/12/26, 4:00 pm, 37 Senate Building (Senate) - 2025-12-01: Referred to Transportation; Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development; Fiscal Policy (Senate) - 2025-11-13: Filed (Senate) ## Bill text - er, 2026-10-01: [HTML](https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/488/BillText/er/HTML), [PDF](https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/488/BillText/er/PDF) - e2, 2026-03-12: [HTML](https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/488/BillText/e2/HTML), [PDF](https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/488/BillText/e2/PDF) - e1, 2026-02-19: [HTML](https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/488/BillText/e1/HTML), [PDF](https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/488/BillText/e1/PDF) - Filed, 2026-01-09: [HTML](https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/488/BillText/Filed/HTML), [PDF](https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/488/BillText/Filed/PDF) ## Related bills - SB 688: Naturopathic Medicine (vetoed) - HB 145: Claims Against the Government (vetoed) - HB 325: Education and Workforce Development for Inmates (vetoed) - SB 14: Relief of Jose Correa by Miami-Dade County (signed) - HB 6515: Relief/Lourdes Latour and Edward Latour/Miami-Dade County (signed) - HB 6507: Relief/L.E./Department of Children and Families (signed) ## Sources - [er (HTML)](https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/488/BillText/er/HTML) - [er (PDF)](https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/488/BillText/er/PDF) - [e2 (HTML)](https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/488/BillText/e2/HTML) - [e2 (PDF)](https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/488/BillText/e2/PDF) - [e1 (HTML)](https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/488/BillText/e1/HTML) - [e1 (PDF)](https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/488/BillText/e1/PDF) - [Filed (HTML)](https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/488/BillText/Filed/HTML) - [Filed (PDF)](https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/488/BillText/Filed/PDF) ## Related - [SB 688: Naturopathic Medicine](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/FL-SB688-2026) - [HB 145: Claims Against the Government](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/FL-HB145-2026) - [HB 325: Education and Workforce Development for Inmates](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/FL-HB325-2026) - [SB 14: Relief of Jose Correa by Miami-Dade County](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/FL-SB14-2026) - [HB 6515: Relief/Lourdes Latour and Edward Latour/Miami-Dade County](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/FL-HB6515-2026) - [HB 6507: Relief/L.E./Department of Children and Families](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/FL-HB6507-2026) - [Florida bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/florida/bills) - [Florida state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/florida) - [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/FL-SB488-2026 (as of 2026-11-01).