This bill amends section 334.044 of the Florida Statutes, which outlines the powers and duties of the Department of Transportation (DOT) regarding construction projects. The bill revises the percentage of the contracted amount that the DOT must allocate for the purchase of plant materials. Specifically, it establishes a tiered allocation system based on the total project cost, replacing the previous requirement of at least 1.5 percent. The new allocations are set at 1.5 percent for projects up to $50 million, decreasing to 0.1 percent for projects of $500 million or more. Additionally, the bill stipulates that at least 50 percent of the allocated funds should be used for large plant materials, and all plant materials must be sourced from Florida commercial nurseries.

Furthermore, the bill allows the DOT to contract with nonprofit organizations focused on developing youth employment opportunities to assist in fulfilling its environmental and landscaping duties. It also includes a provision that prohibits department districts from spending landscaping funds on projects limited to resurfacing existing lanes unless approved by the department's secretary or their designee. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
S 504 Filed: 334.044