The bill amends various sections of Florida Statutes to improve the operations and funding of the Department of Transportation (DOT). It requires the Department of Revenue to distribute 6 cents per kWh from public electric vehicle charging stations to the State Transportation Trust Fund starting in October 2025, with a repeal set for June 30, 2030. Additionally, counties are mandated to provide uniform project data to the DOT for publication on its website. The DOT is authorized to acquire property in advance for future improvements and allocate up to $5 million annually for construction workforce development programs, particularly in rural institutions. The bill also clarifies the DOT's contracting authority, revises contractor certification requirements, and establishes mediation boards for utility disputes.

Further amendments focus on the procurement and contracting processes for construction projects, introducing criteria for awarding contracts based on bid amounts relative to the department's estimates. It requires contracts for bridge construction over navigable waters to include specific marine general liability insurance starting July 1, 2025. The bill mandates utility owners to submit as-built plans within 20 business days of completing utility work and outlines reimbursement conditions for utility relocations, especially for rural municipally or county-owned utilities. It emphasizes mediation in disputes regarding utility relocation and requires the DOT to develop a report on the widening of Interstate 4, including cost projections and funding strategies, to be submitted by December 31, 2025. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
S 462 Filed: 212.20, 337.19, 339.65, 443.191, 571.26, 571.265