summary
Introduced
02/18/2025
02/18/2025
In Committee
04/28/2025
04/28/2025
Crossed Over
04/30/2025
04/30/2025
Passed
06/05/2025
06/05/2025
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
06/06/2025
06/06/2025
Introduced Session
2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An act relating to utility relocation; amending s. 212.20, F.S.; requiring that a specified amount of communications services tax remittances be distributed by the Department of Revenue by a nonoperating transfer to the Department of Commerce in monthly installments to the Grants and Donations Trust Fund within the Department of Commerce for the Utility Relocation Reimbursement Grant Program; revising the percentage by which a certain amount transferred into the Local Government Half-cent Sales Tax Clearing Trust Fund must be reduced, beginning on a certain date; amending s. 337.403, F.S.; requiring a service provider to initiate communications services facility relocation work under certain circumstances; specifying that a county or municipal authority is not responsible for paying the expense properly attributable to such work except as otherwise provided; authorizing a service provider to apply to the Utility Relocation Reimbursement Grant Program for reimbursement of relocation expenses; requiring a department to notify certain providers of communications services of certain projects within a specified timeframe; defining the term "department"; providing notification requirements; requiring a hb703 -02-er2025 Legislature provider to respond to the notification with certain information within a specified timeframe; requiring the department to provide a reasonable offer for joint participation in certain relocation costs under certain conditions; providing construction; creating s. 337.4031, F.S.; creating the Utility Relocation Reimbursement Grant Program within the Department of Commerce; providing the purpose of the program; requiring the Department of Revenue to deposit certain proceeds into a specified trust fund to fund the program beginning on a certain date; requiring the Department of Commerce to establish program requirements by rule; authorizing only certain uses of program funds; exempting program funds from a certain service charge; providing that interest earned on program funds accrues to the program's fund; authorizing emergency rulemaking; amending ss. 125.42, 202.18, 212.181, and 218.65, F.S.; conforming cross- references; providing a finding and declaration of important state interest; providing an appropriation; providing an effective date.
AI Summary
This bill establishes a new Utility Relocation Reimbursement Grant Program within the Department of Commerce to help communications service providers cover the costs of relocating their facilities when required by county or municipal authorities. Beginning October 1, 2025, $50 million from communications services tax revenues will be deposited into a dedicated trust fund to support the program. The bill requires the Department of Commerce to create rules for how service providers can apply for reimbursement, including establishing criteria for eligible expenses, documentation requirements, and a 90-day review timeline. Communications service providers will be able to seek reimbursement for actual, documented physical relocation costs, but not for indirect or administrative expenses. The legislation also modifies existing statutes to specify that when a county or municipal authority requires a communications service provider to relocate its infrastructure, the provider must initiate the work, and the authority is generally not responsible for paying the relocation expenses. Additionally, the bill requires transportation departments to provide advance notification to communications service providers about projects that might necessitate infrastructure relocation and offers potential cost-sharing for recent infrastructure relocations related to safety or congestion improvements. The bill aims to provide a systematic approach to utility relocation costs and support for communications service providers.
Committee Categories
Business and Industry
Sponsors (2)
Other Sponsors (1)
Commerce Committee (House)
Last Action
Chapter No. 2025-122 (on 06/06/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
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