summary
Introduced
02/18/2025
02/18/2025
In Committee
02/28/2025
02/28/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
06/16/2025
06/16/2025
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 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 creates the Utility Relocation Reimbursement Grant Program within the Department of Commerce to help communications service providers cover the costs of relocating their infrastructure when requested by county or municipal authorities. Starting October 1, 2025, $50 million in communications services tax revenue will be redirected annually to a dedicated trust fund to support this program. The bill requires departments to notify communications service providers at least 90 days before a project that might require infrastructure relocation, and providers must respond with estimated relocation timelines and costs. For infrastructure installed within the past 7 fiscal years that needs to be moved due to safety or congestion improvements, the department must cover at least 50% of relocation costs. The program will reimburse providers only for direct physical relocation expenses, not administrative costs, and the Department of Commerce will establish rules for application and reimbursement. This legislation aims to provide a structured and financially supportive approach to utility infrastructure relocation, particularly for communications service providers, by creating a formal grant mechanism to offset relocation expenses.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance, Transportation and Infrastructure
Sponsors (1)
Other Sponsors (3)
Appropriations (Senate), Rules (Senate), Transportation (Senate)
Last Action
Laid on Table, companion bill(s) passed, see CS/HB 703 (Ch. 2025-122) (on 04/30/2025)
Bill Topics
Space, Science, Technology, and Communications
- ‐ Telephone and Telecommunications
Transportation
- ‐ Highway Construction, Maintenance, and Safety
- ‐ Infrastructure
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
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