The bill establishes the Utility Relocation Reimbursement Grant Program within the Department of Commerce, funded by a portion of communications services tax remittances, with the Department of Revenue tasked to allocate $50 million annually to this program through nonoperating transfers to the Grants and Donations Trust Fund. It also revises the percentage reduction of funds transferred into the Local Government Half-cent Sales Tax Clearing Trust Fund, increasing the reduction from 0.1 percent to 0.1018 percent, effective October 1, 2025. The legislation outlines the responsibilities of utility service providers to relocate their facilities when they interfere with public roadways or rail corridors, mandating that they initiate relocation work within 30 days of receiving notice from the authority, with certain exceptions.

Additionally, the bill clarifies the financial responsibilities of counties and municipalities regarding utility work costs, particularly when utilities are relocated for public projects. It allows service providers to apply for reimbursement of relocation expenses through the newly created grant program, which will reimburse eligible costs incurred by service providers. The bill also includes provisions for emergency rulemaking, joint participation in relocation costs under specific conditions, and aligns cross-references in other statutes with these changes. The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2025, and appropriates $50 million in nonrecurring funds for the program for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.

Statutes affected:
S 818 Filed: 337.403, 125.42
S 818 c1: 337.403, 125.42
S 818 c2: 337.403, 125.42
S 818 c3: 212.20, 337.403, 125.42, 202.18, 212.181, 218.65