Bill > H7027

This bill makes several changes related to transportation in Florida, including increasing the minimum annual funding for the Florida Seaport Transportation and Economic Development Program from $15 million to $25 million to support port infrastructure and economic growth. It also introduces new definitions for "driver-assistive truck platooning technology," which refers to advanced vehicle automation and safety systems, and "port of entry," a location where commercial drivers can obtain temporary registration permits. The bill authorizes the Department of Transportation (DOT) to study and potentially conduct a pilot project for driver-assistive truck platooning technology, requiring manufacturers to provide $5 million in insurance or bonds for such testing. Furthermore, it clarifies regulations regarding the operation of autonomous vehicles and vehicles with driver-assistive truck platooning technology, allowing for their use under specific conditions and modifying rules about in-vehicle displays. The bill also establishes a new Florida Department of Transportation Financing Corporation, a nonprofit entity designed to finance or refinance transportation projects through service contracts with the DOT, with its obligations secured by the State Transportation Trust Fund and subject to legislative appropriation. Additionally, it allows the DOT to assume certain federal environmental review responsibilities for highway projects and to transfer the Pinellas Bayway System to the Florida Turnpike Enterprise, repealing related prior laws. Finally, the bill directs the DOT to establish a business development program to assist small businesses in highway projects and requires metropolitan planning organizations and the DOT to consider infrastructure and technological improvements for advanced vehicle technologies like autonomous vehicles in their transportation planning.