The bill, HB 1199, proposes a transfer of the duties and functions of the Division of the Florida Highway Patrol and the Office of Commercial Vehicle Enforcement from the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to the Department of Law Enforcement. This transfer encompasses all associated powers, duties, functions, rules, records, personnel, property, and unexpended balances of appropriations. The bill amends several sections of Florida Statutes to reflect this change, including the appointment process for the executive director of the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, who will now be appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. It also establishes the Division of the Florida Highway Patrol and the Office of Commercial Vehicle Enforcement within the Department of Law Enforcement, while modifying the roles of various officials and agencies.

Key changes include the removal of references to the "Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles" in favor of "the department," and the introduction of new provisions allowing the division to adopt rules and establish a wrecker operator system. The bill specifies that the division may limit the number of wrecker operators and sets conditions for exclusion based on prior felony convictions. Additionally, it transitions training responsibilities to the Department of Law Enforcement, effective July 1, 2026, and allows for the charging of fees for training services. The bill also clarifies the financial responsibilities related to vehicle towing and storage, ensuring that fees charged by towing-storage operators are reasonable and authorized by local ordinances or agreements. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
H 1199 Filed: 20.24, 23.1231, 282.709, 110.205, 316.003, 316.640, 321.02, 321.03, 321.04, 321.05, 321.051, 321.245, 321.25, 338.239, 713.78