The "Coastal Link Commuter Rail Service Act," proposed as part III of chapter 343 of the Florida Statutes, introduces section 343.811, which defines the roles and responsibilities of various agencies, Brightline, and Florida East Coast Railway (FECR) regarding indemnification and insurance obligations for commuter rail services on the Coastal Link corridor. The bill allows agencies to indemnify and hold harmless FECR and Brightline from liabilities related to accidents involving multiple operators, while also establishing a self-insurance retention amount of $5 million. It ensures that liability is shared proportionately among operators based on the circumstances of incidents involving their trains.

Additionally, House Bill 867 requires agencies to assume responsibility for their passengers and rail corridor invitees, necessitating the purchase of liability insurance capped at $323 million per occurrence, which will be adjusted for claims arising from single incidents. The bill also mandates the creation of a self-insurance retention fund for deductibles and clarifies that the assumption of these obligations does not waive sovereign immunity or increase liability limits for agencies. The act aims to enhance the safety and management of rail systems while preserving legal protections for governmental entities, with an effective date set for July 1, 2025.