Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee — Florida House of Representatives (March 31, 2025)
Summary
Meeting packet of the Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee of the Florida House of Representatives Commerce Committee for Monday, March 31, 2025, 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. The agenda lists CS/HB 369 (Provenance of Digital Content), HB 435, HB 833 (Rapid Rail Transit Compact), CS/HB 857 and CS/HB 1525 (Prearranged Transportation Services). The bill analysis for CS/HB 369 states that the bill defines provenance data and requires artificial intelligence providers to apply provenance data or make a provenance application tool available. The packet closes with the text of CS/HB 1525, whose Section 4 provides an effective date of July 1, 2025.
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Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee
Monday, March 31, 2025
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Reed Hall (102 HOB)
Daniel Perez Chip LaMarca
Speaker Chair
The Florida House of Representatives
Commerce Committee
Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee
Daniel Perez Chip LaMarca
Speaker Chair
Meeting Agenda
Monday, March 31, 2025
4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Reed Hall (102 HOB)
I. Call to Order
II. Roll Call
III. Welcome and Opening Remarks
IV. Consideration of the following bill(s):
• CS/HB 369 Provenance of Digital Content by Information Technology Budget &
Policy Subcommittee, McFarland
• HB 435 Telecommunications Access System Act of 1991 by Tant
• HB 833 Rapid Rail Transit Compact by Hinson
• CS/HB 857 Assault or Battery on a Utility Worker by Criminal Justice
Subcommittee, Kincart Jonsson
• CS/HB 1525 Prearranged Transportation Services by Criminal Justice Subcommittee,
Busatta
V. Closing Remarks
VI. Adjournment
214 House Office Building, 402 South Monroe Street, Tallahassee, Fl 32399-1300
(850) 717-4870
CS/HB 369
FLORIDA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
BILL ANALYSIS
This bill analysis was prepared by nonpartisan committee staff and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.
BILL #: CS/HB 369 COMPANION BILL: CS/SB 702 (Burgess)
TITLE: Provenance of Digital Content LINKED BILLS: None
SPONSOR(S): McFarland RELATED BILLS: None
Committee References
Information Technology Budget & Economic Infrastructure State Affairs
Policy
17 Y, 0 N, As CS
SUMMARY
Effect of the Bill:
The bill defines the term “provenance data” as information about the origin of digital content and the history of
modifications to such content that identifies whether some or all of the content has been produced or modified by
generative artificial intelligence. The bill requires artificial intelligence providers to apply provenance data to
content or make a provenance application tool that enables a user to apply provenance data, either directly or
through the use of third-party technology. It also requires an artificial intelligence provider to make available a free
provenance reader. The bill requires social media platforms to retain all available provenance data of content
uploaded to or posted on such platform and make it available in a readable format to the users of the platform. The
bill provides that certain violations constitute an unfair or deceptive act.
Fiscal or Economic Impact:
The bill does not appear to have a fiscal impact on the state or local governments.
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ANALYSIS
EFFECT OF THE BILL:
The bill creates a new section of law related to provenance data of digital content. The bill defines various terms,
including:
“Generative artificial intelligence” has the same meaning as in s. 106.145(1), F.S.1
“Generative artificial intelligence model” means an artificial intelligence system designed to generate new
data or content based on the patterns or structures of its training data. The term does not include
capabilities primarily intended for classification, predictions, or labeling.
“Generative artificial intelligence provider” means an organization that develops a generative artificial
intelligence tool that is publicly available.
“Generative artificial intelligence tool” means a product or feature that provides the outputs from a
generative artificial intelligence model to end users.
“Provenance application tool” means a tool or online service that allows users to apply provenance data.
“Provenance data” means information about the origin of digital content and the history of modifications to
such content in a format that is compliant with widely adopted guidelines or specifications promulgated by
an established standard-setting body. Provenance data must indicate whether some or all of the content is
synthetic content. If there is synthetic content, the provenance data must identify the name of the
generative artificial intelligence provider whose generative artificial intelligence tool generated the
synthetic data. Provenance data must not include any personally identifying information, unique device,
1 Section 106.145, F.S., defines “generative artificial intelligence” as a machine-based system that can, for a given set of human-
defined objectives, emulate the structure and characteristics of input data in order to generate derived synthetic content
including images, videos, audio, text, and other digital content.
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DATE: 3/27/2025
1
system, or service information that is reasonably capable of being associated with a particular user, unless
directed by the user.
“Provenance reader” means a tool or service that allows users to view the provenance data.
“Social media platform” means an online forum, a website, or an application that allows users to upload
content or view content or activity of other users. The term does not include an online service, a website, or
an application the exclusive function of which is e-mail or direct messaging consisting of text, photographs,
pictures, images, or videos shared only between the sender and the recipients without displaying or
posting publicly to other users who are not specifically identified as the recipients.
“Synthetic content” means any visual or audio content that has been produced or modified by a generative
artificial intelligence tool. (Section 1)
The bill provides that a generative artificial intelligence provider must:
Make available a provenance application tool that enables the user to apply provenance data, either
directly or through the use of third-party technology, to content that has been generated or modified to
include synthetic content; or
Apply provenance data, either directly or through the use of third-party technology, to content that has
been generated or modified to include synthetic content. (Section 1)
The bill requires a generative artificial intelligence provider to make available to the public for free, either directly
or through the use of third-party technology, a provenance reader. (Section 1)
The bill requires a social media platform to retain all available provenance data of content uploaded to or posted
on such platform, and make it available in a readable format to the users of the platform directly, through a
conspicuous indicator that allows a user to access the provenance data, or both. This requirement does not apply in
cases of the user’s removal of the data. (Section 1)
The bill provides that a violation of the law constitutes an unfair or deceptive act or practice. (Section 1)
Effective Date
The bill provides an effective date of July 1, 2026. (Section 2)
RELEVANT INFORMATION
SUBJECT OVERVIEW:
Provenance Data
The Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity (C2PA), an alliance between Adobe, Arm, Intel, Microsoft,
and Truepic, addresses the issues of misleading digital media through the development of technical standards for
certifying the source and history of media content.2 The source and history of such content is often known as
provenance. Provenance is trustworthy and tells the user about the origins of the digital content. It may include
information about who created the digital content and how, when, and where it was created or edited.3
Artificial Intelligence
While strictly describing or defining artificial intelligence (AI) can be difficult as the term encompasses a large field
of existing and emerging technologies, methodologies, and application areas, the Congressional Research Service
has recently stated that AI is “generally thought of as computerized systems that work and react in ways commonly
thought to require intelligence.”4 The application of AI extends to areas such as “natural language processing, facial
2 C2PA, Overview, available at https://c2pa.org/ (last visited March 17, 2025).
3 C2PA, FAQ, available at https://c2pa.org/faq/ (last visited March 17, 2025).
4 Artificial Intelligence: Overview, Recent Advances, and Considerations for the 118th Congress, Congressional Research Service,
available at https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R47644 (last visited March 7, 2025).
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2
recognition, and robotics.”5 A subset of AI, called generative AI, a term which refers to “machine learning models
developed through training on large volumes of data” for the purpose of generating new content, has undergone
rapid advancement over the past few years.6
Social Media Platforms
The term “social media” includes “forms of electronic communication (such as websites for social networking and
microblogging) through which users create online communities to share information, ideas, videos, personal
messages, and other content (such as videos).”7 In 2005, the year Facebook started, just five percent of American
adults used social media platforms. By 2023, over 80 percent use some type of social media.8
Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act
The Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act (FDUTPA)9 is a consumer and business protection measure
that prohibits unfair methods of competition, unconscionable acts or practices, and unfair or deceptive acts or
practices in trade or commerce.10 For a violation of the FDUTPA, the State Attorney or the Department of Legal
Affairs may bring actions when it is in the public interest on behalf of consumers or governmental entities.11 The
Office of the State Attorney may enforce the act if the violation takes place in its jurisdiction.12 The Department of
Legal Affairs has enforcement authority if the violation is multi-jurisdictional, the state attorney defers in writing,
or the state attorney fails to act within 90 days after a written complaint is filed.13 Consumers may also file suit
through private actions.14
The Department of Legal Affairs and the State Attorney, as enforcing authorities, may seek the following remedies:
Declaratory judgments.
Injunctive relief.
Actual damages on behalf of consumers and businesses.
Cease and desist orders.
Civil penalties of up to $10,000 per willful violation.15
Remedies for private parties are limited to the following:
A declaratory judgment and an injunction where a person is aggrieved by a FDUTPA violation.
Actual damages, attorney fees, and court costs, where a person has suffered a loss due to a FDUTPA
violation.16
5 Id.
6 Id.; See also Generative Artificial Intelligence: Overview, Issues, and Questions for Congress, Congressional Research Service,
available at https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF12426 (last visited Mar. 12, 2024).
7 Merriam-Webster, Dictionary, Definition, Social Media, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/social%20media (last
visited March 7, 2025).
8 Pew Research Center, Americans’ Social Media Use, (Jan.31, 2024), https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/fact-sheet/social-
media/ (last visited March 7, 2025).
9 S. 501.201, F.S.
10 See s. 501.202, F.S.
11 See ss. 501.203(2), 501.206, and 501.207, F.S.
12 S. 501.203(2), F.S.
13 Id.
14 S. 501.211, F.S.
15 Ss. 501.207(1), 501.2075, and 501.208, F.S.
16 S. 501.211(2), F.S.
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3
BILL HISTORY
STAFF
DIRECTOR/ ANALYSIS
COMMITTEE REFERENCE ACTION DATE POLICY CHIEF PREPARED BY
Information Technology Budget & 17 Y, 0 N, As CS 3/19/2025 Davila Harrington
Policy Subcommittee
THE CHANGES ADOPTED BY THE Removes provisions pertaining to disclaimers on election materials;
COMMITTEE: Removes provisions pertaining to a pilot program at the Division of
Emergency Management;
Removes provisions relating to capture devices;
Amends various definitions and requirements relating to AI;
Moves the effective date of the bill to July 1, 2026.
Economic Infrastructure Keating Bauldree
Subcommittee
State Affairs Committee
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THIS BILL ANALYSIS HAS BEEN UPDATED TO INCORPORATE ALL OF THE CHANGES DESCRIBED ABOVE.
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4
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
CS/HB 369 2025
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to provenance of digital content;
3 creating s. 501.9741, F.S.; providing definitions;
4 requiring certain artificial intelligence providers to
5 make provenance data available through specified
6 options; requiring such providers to make provenance
7 readers available in a specified manner; requiring
8 certain social media platforms to retain and make
9 available certain provenance data; providing
10 applicability; providing that a violation constitutes
11 an unfair or deceptive act or practice; providing an
12 effective date.
13
14 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
15
16 Section 1. Section 501.9741, Florida Statutes, is created
17 to read:
18 501.9741 Provenance data of digital content.—
19 (1) As used in this section, the term:
20 (a) "Generative artificial intelligence" has the same
21 meaning as in s. 106.145(1).
22 (b) "Generative artificial intelligence model" means an
23 artificial intelligence system designed to generate new data or
24 content based on the patterns or structures of its training
25 data. The term does not include capabilities primarily intended
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CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb369-01-c1
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
CS/HB 369 2025
26 for classifications, predictions, or labeling.
27 (c) "Generative artificial intelligence provider" means an
28 organization that develops a generative artificial intelligence
29 tool that is publicly available.
30 (d) "Generative artificial intelligence tool" means a
31 product or feature that provides the outputs from a generative
32 artificial intelligence model to end users.
33 (e) "Provenance application tool" means a tool or online
34 service that allows users to apply provenance data.
35 (f) "Provenance data" means information about the origin
36 of digital content and the history of modifications to such
37 content in a format that is compliant with widely adopted
38 guidelines or specifications promulgated by an established
39 standard-setting body. Provenance data must indicate whether
40 some or all of the content is synthetic content. If there is
41 synthetic content, the provenance data must identify the name of
42 the generative artificial intelligence provider whose generative
43 artificial intelligence tool generated the synthetic data.
44 Provenance data shall not include any personally identifying
45 information, unique device, system, or service information that
46 is reasonably capable of being associated with a particular
47 user, unless directed by the user.
48 (g) "Provenance reader" means a tool or service that
49 allows users to view provenance data.
50 (h) "Social media platform" means an online forum, a
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hb369-01-c1
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
CS/HB 369 2025
51 website, or an application that allows users to upload content
52 or view content or activity of other users. The term does not
53 include an online service, a website, or an application the
54 exclusive function of which is e-mail or direct messaging
55 consisting of text, photographs, pictures, images, or videos
56 shared only between the sender and the recipients without
57 displaying or posting publicly to other users who are not
58 specifically identified by the sender as the recipients.
59 (i) "Synthetic content" means any visual or audio content
60 that has been produced or modified by a generative artificial
61 intelligence tool.
62 (2) A generative artificial intelligence provider shall:
63 (a) Make available a provenance application tool that
64 enables the user to apply provenance data, either directly or
65 through the use of third-party technology, to content that has
66 been generated or modified to include synthetic content; or
67 (b) Apply provenance data, either directly or through the
68 use of third-party technology, to content that has been
69 generated or modified to include synthetic content.
70 (3) A generative artificial intelligence provider shall
71 make available to the public for free, either directly or
72 through the use of third-party technology, a provenance reader.
73 (4) A social media platform must retain all available
74 provenance data of content uploaded to or posted on such
75 platform, and make available to the users of the platform such
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hb369-01-c1
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
CS/HB 369 2025
76 provenance data in a readable format directly or through a
77 conspicuous indicator that allows a user to access the
78 provenance data or both. This requirement does not apply in
79 cases of the user's removal of provenance data.
80 (5) A violation of this section constitutes an unfair or
81 deceptive act or practice as specified in s. 501.204 and shall
82 be exclusively enforced in a civil action by the Attorney
83 General. The Department of Legal Affairs must notify the
84 generative artificial intelligence provider or the social media
85 platform of any suspected violation and allow the provider or
86 platform 30 calendar days to cure the alleged violation before
87 initiating enforcement action. This section does not create a
88 private right of action.
89 Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.
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hb369-01-c1
Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee
CS/HB 369
Provenance of Digital Content
AMENDMENT SUMMARY
March 31, 2025
Amendment 1 by McFarland (line 50):
• Revises the definition for “social media platform” for the purposes of the bill.
• Clarifies that a generative artificial intelligence provider subject to the
requirements of the bill shall make specified information available to the public.
COMMITTEE/SUBCOMMITTEE AMENDMENT
Bill No. CS/HB 369 (2025)
Amendment No. 1
COMMITTEE/SUBCOMMITTEE ACTION
ADOPTED (Y/N)
ADOPTED AS AMENDED (Y/N)
ADOPTED W/O OBJECTION (Y/N)
FAILED TO ADOPT (Y/N)
WITHDRAWN (Y/N)
OTHER
1 Committee/Subcommittee hearing bill: Economic Infrastructure
2 Subcommittee
3 Representative McFarland offered the following:
4
5 Amendment
6 Remove lines 50-70 and insert:
7 (h) "Social media platform" means an online forum,
8 website, or application for which the primary function is to
9 allow users to upload content or view content or activity of
10 other users. The term does not include:
11 1. An online service, website, or application where the
12 exclusive function is e-mail or direct messaging consisting of
13 text, photographs, pictures, images, or videos shared only
14 between the sender and the recipients, without displaying or
15 posting publicly to other users not specifically identified as
16 the recipients by the sender; or
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Published On: 3/28/2025 4:24:42 PM
Page 1 of 2
COMMITTEE/SUBCOMMITTEE AMENDMENT
Bill No. CS/HB 369 (2025)
Amendment No. 1
17 2. An online service, application, or website that
18 consists primarily of news, sports, entertainment, or other
19 information or content that is not user generated or uploaded
20 but is preselected by the provider, and for which any chat,
21 comments, or interactive functionality is incidental to,
22 directly related to, or dependent on the provision of the
23 content.
24 (i) "Synthetic content" means any visual or audio content
25 that has been produced or modified by a generative artificial
26 intelligence tool.
27 (2) A generative artificial intelligence provider shall:
28 (a) Make available a provenance application tool that
29 enables the user to apply provenance data, either directly or
30 through the use of third-party technology, to content that has
31 been generated or modified to include synthetic content; or
32 (b) Apply provenance data, either directly or through the
33 use of third-party technology, to content that has been
34 generated or modified to include synthetic content.
35 (3) A generative artificial intelligence provider subject
36 to the requirements of subsection (2) shall also
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Published On: 3/28/2025 4:24:42 PM
Page 2 of 2
HB 435
FLORIDA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
BILL ANALYSIS
This bill analysis was prepared by nonpartisan committee staff and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.
BILL #: HB 435 COMPANION BILL: CS/CS/SB 344 (Rodriguez)
TITLE: Telecommunications Access System Act of 1991 LINKED BILLS: None
SPONSOR(S): Tant RELATED BILLS: None
Committee References
Economic Infrastructure Commerce
SUMMARY
Effect of the Bill:
The bill revises the Telecommunications Access System Act of 1991 (TASA) to reflect modern advances in
communications technology by expanding the types of communications equipment that may be provided to
persons with hearing loss or speech impairment or who are deafblind to allow these persons to access
telecommunications services. Additionally, the bill:
• Establishes income qualifications for recipients of specialized communications technology;
• Revises the composition of the TASA Advisory Committee; and
• Updates terminology referencing persons with specific disabilities.
Fiscal or Economic Impact:
The bill will have a negative impact on state government expenditures by expanding authorized expenditures from
the TASA reserve fund.
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ANALYSIS
EFFECT OF THE BILL:
Purchase and Distribution of Specialized Telecommunications Devices
The bill provides that the telecommunications access system administered under TASA must provide for the
purchase and distribution of “specialized communications technology,” which include:
• Mobile devices;
• Tablet computers;
• Software; and
• Other applications that can be used to provide communications services to a hearing impaired, speech
impaired, or deafblind person. (Section 3).
The bill requires the Public Service Commission (PSC), in implementing TASA, to establish eligibility requirements
for distribution of such technology based on income and participation in other state or federal programs based on
income. To qualify for this specialized communications technology under TASA, income must be no less than
double, but no more than triple, the federal poverty level. Eligibility requirements may not prohibit the
administrator from providing access to specialized communications technology if such access has a de minimis
value. The income eligibility requirements do not apply to specialized telecommunications devices 1 that use
standard telephone lines. (Section 3).
1 Under the bill, “specialized telecommunications device” is defined as a telecommunication device for the deaf (TDD), a
volume control handset, a ring signaling device, or any equipment that can be used to provide access to communications
services for a person with hearing loss or speech impairment or who is deafblind. Specialized telecommunications device is
currently defined as equipment that is designed or used to provide basic access to telecommunications services. S. 427.703,
F.S.
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1
Local Exchange Telecommunications Companies
The bill deletes a provision that the PSC shall require all local exchange telecommunications companies 2 to assess
and collect a five cent surcharge per access line per month. (Section 3).
Administration of the Telecommunications Access System
The bill requires the TASA administrator to license specialized telecommunications technology, and conforms the
types of equipment available under TASA with the bill’s earlier provisions. (Section 4).
Certification
The bill includes regional distribution center directors in the list of permissible certifiers of persons with hearing
loss or speech impairment or who are deafblind. (Section 4).
TASA Advisory Committee
The bill revises the composition of the TASA Advisory Committee to specify that committee members shall include
persons recommended by organizations representing the following groups:
• The deaf,
• Persons with hearing loss,
• The deafblind, persons with speech impairment,
• The elderly,
• Telecommunication relay service distribution centers, and
• Communications service providers. (Section 5).
Findings, Purpose, and Legislative Intent of TASA
The bill amends legislative findings and intent related to TASA to conform to the modernization provisions of the
bill.
The bill adds that it is the intent of the legislature for TASA to provide access to new, specialized communications
technology to persons with hearing loss, speech impairment, or who are deafblind. The bill also provides for access
to future technologies not yet contemplated. (Section 1).
Definitions Under TASA
The bill:
• Revises the definition of “administrator” to replace its administration to the telecommunications access
system, instead of administration to the telecommunications relay service system and the distribution of
specialized telecommunications devices.
• Adds a definition for “commercial mobile radio service” (CMRS), which are mobile radio communications
services interconnected to the public switched network available to the public or effectively available to a
substantial portion of the public. CMRS do not include services that do not provide access to 911 service,
communication channels suitable only for data transmission, wireless roaming services or other nonlocal
radio access lines, or private telecommunications systems.
• Adds a definition for “communications service” to mean service provided to subscribers through wireline
telecommunications equipment, interconnected VoIP, or CMRS.
• Revises terminology relating to persons with specific hearing or visual impairment.
• Adds a definition for “interconnected voice over Internet protocol” (interconnected VoIP) to mean a service
that does all of the following:
o Enables subscribers to have real-time, two-way voice communications.
o Requires a broadband connection.
o Requires equipment compatible with Internet protocol.
o Allows subscribers to receive and place calls to the public switched telephone network.
• Adds a definition for “telecommunications access system” to mean the system administered under TASA,
the administration of the telecommunications relay service system and distribution of specialized
2 “Local exchange telecommunications company” means a telecommunications company certificated by the commission to
provide telecommunications services within a specific geographic area. S. 427.703(7), F.S.
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2
telecommunications devices and specialized communications technologies, and the rules and regulations
established by the PSC.
• Revises the definition for “telecommunications device for the deaf” (TDD) 3 to expand the equipment
contemplated under it. (Section 2).
The bill makes additional technical changes. (Section 6).
The effective date is July 1, 2025. (Section 7).
FISCAL OR ECONOMIC IMPACT:
STATE GOVERNMENT:
The bill will have a negative impact on state government expenditures by expanding authorized expenditures from
the TASA reserve fund.
RELEVANT INFORMATION
SUBJECT OVERVIEW:
Florida Public Service Commission (PSC)
The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) is an arm of the legislative branch of government. 4 The role of the
PSC is to ensure Florida’s consumers receive utility services, including electric, natural gas, telephone, water, and
wastewater, in a safe and reliable manner and at fair prices. 5 In order to do so, the PSC exercises authority over
utilities in one or more of the following areas: rate base or economic regulation; competitive market oversight; and
monitoring of safety, reliability, and service issues. 6
Telecommunications carriers in Florida are subject to only limited PSC regulation. 7 During the 2011 legislative
session, the “Regulatory Reform Act” (Act) was passed and signed into law by the Governor, effective July 1, 2011. 8
Under the Act, the Legislature eliminated most of the PSC’s jurisdiction over telecommunications service. However,
the PSC still:
• Maintains the authority to ensure that incumbent local exchange carriers meet their obligation to provide
unbundled access, interconnection, and resale to competitive local exchange companies in a
nondiscriminatory manner;
• Administers the system to provide Telecommunications Relay Services pursuant to TASA; and
• Oversees the Federal Lifeline Assistance program for Florida. 9
Telecommunications Access System Act of 1991 (TASA)
TASA was established to comply with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) implementation of Title IV of
the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). 10 The ADA mandated the creation of services that allow individuals with
a hearing or speech disability to communicate by telephone or other telecommunications device. TASA was
3 Currently, “telecommunications device for the deaf,” or TDD, is a mechanism which is connected to a standard telephone line
and used to transmit or receive signals through telephone lines. S. 427.703(14), F.S.
4 S. 350.001, F.S.
5 Florida Public Service Commission, About the PSC, https://www.psc.state.fl.us/about#MissionAndGoals (last visited Mar. 28,
2025).
6 Florida Public Service Commission, About the PSC, supra note 5.
7 S. 364.011, F.S.
8 Ch. 2011-36, Laws of Florida.
9 Florida Public Service Commission, About the PSC, supra note 5.
10 S. 427.702, F.S.
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3
intended to provide individuals with such disabilities a means of accessing communications services using the
predominant medium at the time, the landline network. 11
The PSC is required to oversee the administration of the statewide telecommunications access system to provide
access to telecommunications relay service (relay service). 12 To fulfill its duty, the PSC selects a provider of relay
service through a competitive bidding process. The current provider of relay service is T-Mobile USA, Inc. 13
The PSC is also directed to designate an administrator of the relay service which must be a not-for-profit
corporation organized for such purposes. 14 Pursuant to this requirement, the PSC in May 1991 directed Florida’s
local exchange telecommunications companies to form Florida Telecommunications Relay, Inc. (FTRI) to
administer the distribution of the specialized telecommunications equipment and to provide outreach services. 15
As a part of the PSC’s oversight responsibilities for TASA, the PSC is required to file an annual report on the system
to be available on the PSC’s website. The report, prepared in consultation with FTRI, must, at a minimum, briefly
outline:
• The status of developments in the telecommunications access system;
• The number of persons served, call volume, revenues, and expenditures;
• The allocation of the revenues and expenditures between provision of specialized telecommunications
devices to individuals and operation of statewide relay service;
• Other major policy or operational issues; and
• Proposals for improvements or changes to the telecommunications access system. 16
Florida Telecommunications Relay
The FTRI’s relay service—branded as “Florida Relay”—provides 24-hour, 365-day per year, services to Florida
residents who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf/blind, and speech disabled to connect them to standard (i.e. voice)
telephone users. The relay services provided by Florida Relay include the following: 17
• Text telephone (TTY) and ASCII 18: Persons who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind, or speech-disabled
use a TTY to type their conversation to a relay operator. This operator then reads this conversation to the
hearing person being called.
• Voice carry over (VCO): Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing use their voice to speak directly to the
hearing person being called. When the person being called speaks back, the operator types out what is said
on a TTY or text display.
• Speech to Speech (STS): This technology allows speech-disabled persons to voice their conversation. Then,
a specially trained relay operator repeats that speech-disabled person’s dialogue to the called party.
• Relay conference capturing (RCC): Service for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing to engage in a group
conversation setting in either a video conference or conference call.
• CapTel: CapTel is a captioned telephone device that displays what the called party says using speech
recognition software. 19
• Voice: Allows standard telephone users to initiate calls to TTY users. The operator types the hearing
person’s spoken words to the TTY user and then reads back the replies.
11 Florida Public Service Commission, The Status of the Telecommunications Access System Act of 1991, pg. 1, Dec. 2024,
available at https://www.floridapsc.com/pscfiles/website-
files/PDF/Publications/Reports/Telecommunication/TelecommunicationAccess/2024.pdf (last visited Mar. 28, 2025).
12 S. 427.704, F.S.
13 Florida Public Service Commission, The Status of the Telecommunications Access System Act of 1991, supra note 11, pg. 1.
14 S. 427.704, F.S..
15 In re: Telecommunications Access System Act of 1991, Docket No. 19910496-TP, Order No. 24462 (F.P.S.C. May 1, 1991).
16 S. 427.704, F.S.
17 Florida Telecommunications Relay, Inc., Florida Relay, https://www.ftri.org/relay (last visited Mar. 28, 2025).
18 American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII) is a 7-bit character code where each individual bit represents
a unique character. ASCII codes are used to assist with text-based communication and computing to ensure compatibility and
consistency across different systems and applications. ASCII Table, ASCII – Code.com, https://www.ascii-code.com/ (last
visited Mar. 28, 2025).
19 Hamilton Relay, CapTel (Captioned Telephone), https://hamiltonrelay.com/how-it-works/captel-captioned-telephone.html
(last visited Mar. 28, 2025).
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• Hearing Carry-Over (HCO): Persons who can hear, but unable to speak directly into a phone due to speech
disabilities, can listen to the called party. Then, the HCO user types back a response which is then relayed,
via voice, by the relay operator to the called party, who then can speak back.
• Enhanced Speech to Speech: These features provide users with the ability to set up call times, contacts, and
faster call set up.
Florida Relay also provides services in Spanish and French. 20
TASA Advisory Committee
The PSC must appoint an advisory committee to provide advice regarding the operation of telecommunications
relay service in the state. The committee must be composed of no more than 10 persons and include, to the extent
practicable:
• Two deaf persons recommended by the Florida Association of the Deaf.
• One hearing impaired person recommended by Self-Help for the Hard of Hearing.
• One deaf and blind person recommended by the Coalition for Persons with Dual Sensory Disabilities.
• One speech impaired person recommended by the Florida Language Speech and Hearing Association.
• Two representatives of telecommunications companies.
• One person with experience in providing relay services recommended by the Deaf Service Center
Association.
• One person recommended by the Advocacy Center for Persons with Disabilities, Inc.
• One person recommended by the Florida League of Seniors. 21
The committee meets twice per year in formal meetings organized and conducted by PSC staff. According to the
PSC, not every organization listed to appoint individuals to the committee is still active in Florida. Currently, there
are only three persons who have been appointed by the specified organizations. 22
Funding TASA Services
TASA is funded through a monthly surcharge on basic telecommunications access lines (i.e. landlines). The
surcharge is imposed on all local exchange telecommunications company subscribers by their local exchange
telecommunications company as part of their regular bill and is capped at $0.25 per month, per access line, up to a
total of 25 total access lines per customer. 23 The amount, subject to these statutory limitations, is set by the PSC in
order to fund FTRI’s operations. For the year 2024-2025, the TASA surcharge per customer line is $0.08 per
month. 24
Any funding surplus is deposited in a reserve account. 25 For the year 2024-2025, the reserve account had a balance
of approximately $20 million. 26
Recommendations from the PSC’s TASA Annual Report
The PSC posted its most recent TASA annual report in December 2024 (2024 Report). The report made several
recommendations regarding the TASA program. Specifically, the report states that Florida Relay “is facing a
number of challenges in terms of technological changes that affects both the demand for equipment and the
viability of the program’s long-term funding.” Furthermore, the PSC “believes that modernization of TASA is
needed for the program to meet the evolving needs and preferences of consumers served by the program.”
20 Florida Telecommunications Relay, Inc., Florida Relay, supra note 17.
21 S. 427.706, F.S.
22 Florida Public Service Commission, Status of the Telecommunications Access System Act of 1991, pg. 10, Dec. 2024, available
at https://www.floridapsc.com/pscfiles/website-
files/PDF/Publications/Reports/Telecommunication/TelecommunicationAccess/2024.pdf (last visited Mar. 28, 2025).
23 Section 427.704(4)(a)-(b).
24 Florida Public Service Commission, The Status of the Telecommunications Access System Act of 1991, supra note 11, pg. 9.
25 Florida Public Service Commission, The Status of the Telecommunications Access System Act of 1991, supra note 11, pg. 3.
26 In re: Commission approval of Florida Telecommunications Relay, Inc.’s fiscal year 2024-2025 proposed budget, Docket
No. 20240056-TP, Order No. PSC-2024-0200-PAA-TP (F.P.S.C. June 20, 2024).
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The 2024 Report also recommends broadening the eligibility of membership on the TASA Advisory Committee to
better represent the deaf and hard of hearing community. 27
Technology Changes
In the 2024 Report, the PSC notes that the telecommunications market and technologies have changed significantly
since TASA was passed in 1991. In 2001, switched access lines 28 numbered 12,030,592 in Florida. 29 As of 2023,
that number has dropped to 763,866—a decline of approximately 94 percent—and this number is expected to
continue to decline. 30 The first voice-over-internet protocol (VoIP) was not released until 1995, 31 four years after
TASA passed. Today, wireless and VoIP comprise the majority of the communications marketplace connecting
consumers to the public switched network. However, neither of these technologies were contemplated in TASA.
The PSC also notes in its 2024 Report that participation in TASA services has continued to decline over the last
decade. The chart below shows the total equipment distributed by FTRI each fiscal year from 2013 through 2023:
32
The PSC also notes that there has been an “eighty-seven percent decline in new clients served and a seventy-seven
percent decline in customer calls over the past ten years.” 33
Funding Challenges
As stated, TASA services are funded only through a surcharge on landline telecommunications. Wireless and VoIP
users are not required to contribute. Thus, as fewer customers use landline telecommunications, potential revenue
sources for TASA services will likely decline.
27 Florida Public Service Commission, The Status of the Telecommunications Access System Act of 1991, supra note 11, pg. 11.
28 “Switched access lines” are how traditional telephones (i.e. landlines) connect to a local exchange carrier’s switch. See
Federal Communications Commission Office of Economics and Analysis, Voice Telephone Services: Status as of June 30, 2022,
pg. 16, available at https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-396138A1.pdf (last visited Mar. 28, 2025). A reduction in
these lines indicates a reduction in landline subscribers.
29 Florida Public Service Commission, The Status of the Telecommunications Access System Act of 1991, pg. 21, Jun. 2002,
available at https://www.floridapsc.com/pscfiles/website-
files/PDF/Publications/Reports/Telecommunication/TelecommunicationIndustry/2002.pdf (last visited Mar. 28, 2025).
30 Florida Public Service Commission, The Status of the Telecommunications Access System Act of 1991, supra note 11, pg. 11-12.
31 Jeremy Norman’s History of Information, VocalTec Releases "Internet Phone," the First Internet VoIP Application,
https://www.historyofinformation.com/detail.php?id=1111 (last visited Mar. 28, 2025).
32 Florida Public Service Commission, The Status of the Telecommunications Access System Act of 1991, supra note 11, pg. 4.
33 Florida Public Service Commission, The Status of the Telecommunications Access System Act of 1991, supra note 11, pg. 6.
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BILL HISTORY
STAFF
DIRECTOR/ ANALYSIS
COMMITTEE REFERENCE ACTION DATE POLICY CHIEF PREPARED BY
Economic Infrastructure Keating Garcia
Subcommittee
Commerce Committee
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7
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
HB 435 2025
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to the Telecommunications Access
3 System Act of 1991; amending s. 427.702, F.S.;
4 revising the legislative findings, purpose, and intent
5 of the Telecommunications Access System Act of 1991;
6 amending s. 427.703, F.S.; defining and redefining
7 terms; amending s. 427.704, F.S.; revising the powers
8 and duties of the Florida Public Service Commission in
9 overseeing the administration of the
10 telecommunications access system; amending s. 427.705,
11 F.S.; revising the duties of the system's
12 administrator; revising the procedures required for
13 the distribution of specialized telecommunications
14 devices; requiring the administrator to assume
15 responsibility for the distribution of specialized
16 communications technologies; amending s. 427.706,
17 F.S.; revising the composition of the advisory
18 committee appointed to assist the commission with
19 implementing the act; amending s. 427.708, F.S.;
20 authorizing the central communications office of each
21 county sheriff's department to purchase and
22 continually operate at least one telecommunications
23 device for the deaf; providing an effective date.
24
25 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
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26
27 Section 1. Present paragraphs (e) through (i) of
28 subsection (3) of section 427.702, Florida Statutes, are
29 redesignated as paragraphs (f) through (j), respectively, a new
30 paragraph (e) is added to that subsection, and subsections (1)
31 and (2) and paragraphs (a) and (d) and present paragraphs (g)
32 and (h) of subsection (3) of that section are amended, to read:
33 427.702 Findings, purpose, and legislative intent.—
34 (1) The Legislature finds and declares that:
35 (a) Telecommunications services provide a rapid and
36 essential communications link among the general public and with
37 essential offices and organizations such as police, fire, and
38 medical facilities.
39 (b) All persons should have basic telecommunications
40 services available to them at reasonable and affordable costs.
41 (c) A significant portion of Florida's hearing impaired
42 and speech impaired populations has profound disabilities,
43 including dual sensory impairments, which render normal
44 telephone equipment useless without additional specialized
45 telecommunications devices, many of which cost several hundred
46 dollars.
47 (d) The telecommunications system is intended to provide
48 access to a basic communications network between all persons,
49 and that many persons who have a hearing impairment or speech
50 impairment currently have no access to the basic
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51 telecommunications system.
52 (e) Persons who do not have a hearing impairment or speech
53 impairment are generally excluded from access to the basic
54 telecommunications system to communicate with persons who have a
55 hearing impairment or speech impairment without the use of
56 specialized telecommunications devices.
57 (f) There exists a need for a telecommunications relay
58 system whereby the cost for access to basic telecommunications
59 services for persons who have a hearing impairment or speech
60 impairment is no greater than the amount paid by other
61 telecommunications customers.
62 (g) The Federal Government, in order to carry out the
63 purposes established by Title II of the Communications Act of
64 1934, as amended, by the enactment of the Americans with
65 Disabilities Act, endeavored to ensure that interstate and
66 intrastate telecommunications relay services are available, to
67 the extent possible and in the most efficient manner, to persons
68 with hearing loss or speech impairment hearing impaired and
69 speech impaired persons in the United States.
70 (b)(h) Title IV of the Americans with Disabilities Act
71 mandates that the telecommunications companies providing
72 telephone services within the state shall provide
73 telecommunications relay services on or before July 25, 1993, to
74 persons with hearing loss or speech impairment who are hearing
75 impaired or speech impaired within their certificated
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76 territories in a manner that meets or exceeds the requirements
77 of regulations to be prescribed by the Federal Communications
78 Commission.
79 (2) It is The declared purpose of this part is to
80 establish a system whereby the residents citizens of this state
81 with hearing loss or speech impairment or who are deafblind
82 Florida who are hearing impaired, speech impaired, or dual
83 sensory impaired have access to basic telecommunications
84 services at a cost no greater than that paid by other
85 telecommunications services customers, and whereby the cost of
86 both the specialized telecommunications equipment necessary to
87 ensure that such residents citizens who are hearing impaired,
88 speech impaired, or dual sensory impaired have such access to
89 basic telecommunications services and the provision of
90 telecommunications relay service is borne by all the
91 telecommunications customers in this of the state.
92 (3) It is the intent of the Legislature:
93 (a) That a telecommunications access system be established
94 to provide equitable basic access to the telecommunications
95 network for persons with hearing loss or who are hearing
96 impaired, speech impairment impaired, or who are deafblind dual
97 sensory impaired.
98 (d) That the telecommunications access system includes the
99 distribution of specialized telecommunications devices necessary
100 for persons with hearing loss or hearing impaired, speech
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101 impairment impaired, or who are deafblind dual sensory impaired
102 persons to access basic telecommunications services.
103 (e) That the telecommunications access system provides
104 access to specialized communications technology capable of using
105 existing or future devices or equipment necessary for persons
106 with hearing loss or speech impairment or who are deafblind to
107 access telecommunications services.
108 (h)(g) That the telecommunications access system uses
109 state-of-the-art technology for specialized telecommunications
110 devices, specialized communications technology, and the
111 telecommunications relay service and encourages the
112 incorporation of new developments in technology, to the extent
113 that it has demonstrated benefits consistent with the intent of
114 this act and is in the best interest of the residents citizens
115 of this state.
116 (i)(h) That the value of the involvement of persons with
117 hearing loss who have hearing or speech impairment, or who are
118 deafblind impairments, and organizations representing or serving
119 those persons, be recognized and such persons and organizations
120 be involved throughout the development, establishment, and
121 implementation of the telecommunications access system through
122 participation on the advisory committee as provided in s.
123 427.706.
124 Section 2. Present subsections (2), (3) through (6), (7),
125 (8), and (9), (10), (11), (12), and (13) through (17) of section
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126 427.703, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as subsections (3),
127 (5) through (8), (10), (11), and (12), (15), (14), (16), and
128 (18) through (22), respectively, new subsections (2), (4), (9),
129 (13), and (17) are added to that section, and subsection (1) and
130 present subsections (4), (6), (10), (11), (12), (14), and (16)
131 of that section are amended, to read:
132 427.703 Definitions.—As used in this part:
133 (1) "Administrator" means a corporation not for profit
134 incorporated pursuant to the provisions of chapter 617 and
135 designated by the Florida Public Service Commission to
136 administer the telecommunications access system relay service
137 system and the distribution of specialized telecommunications
138 devices pursuant to the provisions of this act and rules and
139 regulations established by the commission.
140 (2) "Commercial mobile radio service" or "CMRS" means a
141 mobile radio communications service, provided for profit, which
142 is interconnected to the public switched network and is
143 available to the public or to such classes of eligible users as
144 to be effectively available to a substantial portion of the
145 public. The term does not include services that do not provide
146 access to 911 service, communication channels suitable only for
147 data transmission, wireless roaming services or other nonlocal
148 radio access line services, or private telecommunications
149 systems.
150 (4) "Communications service" means a service provided to
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151 subscribers through wireline telecommunications equipment,
152 interconnected VoIP, or CMRS.
153 (6)(4) "Deafblind" "Dual sensory impaired" means having
154 both a permanent hearing impairment and a permanent visual
155 impairment and includes dual sensory impairment deaf/blindness.
156 (8)(6) "Hearing loss impaired" or "having a hearing
157 impairment" means deaf, late-deafened, or hard of hearing and,
158 for purposes of this part, includes being dual sensory impaired.
159 (9) "Interconnected voice over Internet protocol" or
160 "interconnected VoIP" means a service that does all of the
161 following:
162 (a) Enables subscribers to have real-time, two-way voice
163 communications.
164 (b) Requires a broadband connection.
165 (c) Requires customer equipment compatible with Internet
166 protocol.
167 (d) Allows subscribers to receive calls from and place
168 calls to the public switched telephone network. The term does
169 not include services that do not provide access to 911 service
170 or private telecommunications systems.
171 (13) "Specialized communications technology" means mobile
172 devices, tablet computers, software, or applications that can be
173 used to provide communications services to a hearing impaired,
174 speech impaired, or deafblind person.
175 (15)(10)"Speech impaired" or "having a speech impairment"
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176 means having a permanent loss of verbal communication ability
177 which prohibits normal usage of a standard telephone handset.
178 (14)(11) "Specialized telecommunications device" means a
179 TDD, a volume control handset, a ring signaling device, or any
180 other customer premises telecommunications equipment that can be
181 specifically designed or used to provide basic access to
182 communications telecommunications services for a person with
183 hearing loss or speech impairment or who is deafblind hearing
184 impaired, speech impaired, or dual sensory impaired person.
185 (16)(12) "Surcharge" means an additional charge which is
186 to be paid by local exchange telecommunications company
187 subscribers pursuant to the cost recovery mechanism established
188 under s. 427.704(4) in order to implement the system described
189 herein.
190 (17) "Telecommunications access system" means the system
191 administered, as defined in this section, and includes the
192 administration of the telecommunications relay service system
193 and the distribution of specialized telecommunications devices
194 and specialized communications technologies pursuant to this act
195 and rules and regulations established by the commission.
196 (19)(14) "Telecommunications device for the deaf," or
197 "TDD," or "text device" means a mechanism that which is
198 connected to a communications network standard telephone line,
199 operated by means of a keyboard, and used to transmit or receive
200 signals through telephone lines or other communications service
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201 facilities.
202 (21)(16) "Telecommunications relay service" means any
203 telecommunications transmission service that allows a person
204 with hearing loss who is hearing impaired or speech impairment
205 speech impaired to communicate by wire or radio in a manner that
206 is functionally equivalent to the ability of a person who does
207 not have hearing loss or speech impairment is not hearing
208 impaired or speech impaired. Such term includes any service that
209 enables two-way communication between a person who uses a
210 telecommunications device or other nonvoice terminal device and
211 a person who does not use such a device.
212 Section 3. Subsection (1), paragraph (a) of subsection
213 (3), paragraph (a) of subsection (4), and subsections (5)
214 through (9) of section 427.704, Florida Statutes, are amended to
215 read:
216 427.704 Powers and duties of the commission.—
217 (1) The commission shall establish, implement, promote,
218 and oversee the administration of a statewide telecommunications
219 access system to provide access to telecommunications relay
220 services by persons with hearing loss or speech impairment or
221 who are deafblind who are hearing impaired or speech impaired,
222 or others who communicate with them. The telecommunications
223 access system must shall provide for the purchase and
224 distribution of specialized telecommunications devices,
225 equipment, specialized communications technology, and the
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226 establishment of a statewide single provider telecommunications
227 relay service system that which operates continuously. To
228 provide telecommunications relay services and distribute
229 specialized telecommunication devices, equipment, and
230 specialized communications technology to persons with hearing
231 loss or speech impairment or who are deafblind who are hearing
232 impaired or speech impaired, at a reasonable cost the commission
233 shall:
234 (a) Investigate, conduct public hearings, and solicit the
235 advice and counsel of the advisory committee established
236 pursuant to s. 427.706 to determine the most cost-effective
237 method for providing telecommunications relay service and
238 distributing specialized telecommunications devices, equipment,
239 and specialized communications technology.
240 (b) Ensure that users of the telecommunications relay
241 service system pay rates no greater than the rates paid for
242 functionally equivalent voice communication services with
243 respect to such factors as duration of the call, time of day,
244 and distance from the point of origination to the point of
245 termination.
246 (c) Ensure that the telecommunications access system
247 protects the privacy of persons to whom services are provided
248 and that all operators maintain the confidentiality of all relay
249 service messages.
250 (d) Ensure that the telecommunications relay service
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251 system complies with regulations adopted by the Federal
252 Communications Commission to implement Title IV of the Americans
253 with Disabilities Act.
254 (e) Set eligibility requirements for the distribution of
255 specialized communications technology based on income
256 qualifications or participation in other state or federal
257 programs based on income, which requirements must be set at no
258 less than double but no more than triple the federal poverty
259 level. Eligibility requirements may not prohibit the
260 administrator from providing access to specialized
261 communications technologies if such access has a de minimis
262 value. This section does not apply to specialized
263 telecommunications devices using standard telephone lines.
264 (3)(a) The commission shall select a the provider of the
265 telecommunications relay service pursuant to procedures
266 established by the commission. In selecting a the service
267 provider, the commission shall take into consideration the cost
268 of providing the relay service and the interests of the hearing
269 loss, speech impairment, and deafblind impaired and speech
270 impaired community in having access to a high-quality and
271 technologically advanced telecommunications system. The
272 commission shall award the contract to the bidder whose proposal
273 is the most advantageous to the state, taking into consideration
274 the following:
275 1. The appropriateness and accessibility of the proposed
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276 telecommunications relay service for the residents citizens of
277 this the state, including persons with hearing loss or speech
278 impairment or who are deafblind who are hearing impaired or
279 speech impaired.
280 2. The overall quality of the proposed telecommunications
281 relay service.
282 3. The charges for the proposed telecommunications relay
283 service system.
284 4. The ability and qualifications of the bidder to provide
285 the proposed telecommunications relay service as outlined in the
286 request for proposals.
287 5. Any proposed service enhancements and technological
288 enhancements which improve service without significantly
289 increasing cost.
290 6. Any proposed inclusion of provision of assistance to
291 deaf persons with special needs to access the basic
292 telecommunications system.
293 7. The ability to meet the proposed commencement date for
294 the telecommunications relay service.
295 8. All other factors listed in the request for proposals.
296 (4)(a) The commission shall establish a mechanism to
297 recover the costs of implementing and maintaining the services
298 required pursuant to this part which must shall be applied to
299 each basic telecommunications access line. In establishing the
300 recovery mechanism, the commission shall:
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301 1. Require all local exchange telecommunications companies
302 to impose a monthly surcharge on all local exchange
303 telecommunications company subscribers on an individual access
304 line basis, except that such surcharge may shall not be imposed
305 upon more than 25 basic telecommunications access lines per
306 account bill rendered.
307 2. Require all local exchange telecommunications companies
308 to include the surcharge as a part of the local service charge
309 that appears on the customer's bill, except that the local
310 exchange telecommunications company shall specify the surcharge
311 on the initial bill to the subscriber and itemize it at least
312 once annually.
313 3. Allow the local exchange telecommunications company to
314 deduct and retain 1 percent of the total surcharge amount
315 collected each month to recover the billing, collecting,
316 remitting, and administrative costs attributed to the surcharge.
317 (5) The commission shall require each local exchange
318 telecommunications company to begin assessing and collecting the
319 surcharge in the amount of 5 cents per access line per month on
320 bills rendered on or after July 1, 1991, for remission to the
321 administrator for deposit in the operational fund. Each local
322 exchange telecommunications company shall remit moneys collected
323 to the administrator. On August 15, 1991, each local exchange
324 telecommunications company shall begin remitting the moneys
325 collected to the administrator on a monthly basis and in a
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326 manner as prescribed by the commission. The administrator shall
327 use such moneys to administer the telecommunications access to
328 cover costs incurred during the development of the
329 telecommunications relay services and to establish and
330 administer the specialized telecommunications devices system.
331 (6) The commission shall establish a schedule for
332 completion of specific stages of the telecommunications relay
333 service development and implementation except that the statewide
334 telecommunications relay service shall commence on or before
335 June 1, 1992.
336 (7) The commission shall require the administrator to
337 submit financial statements for the distribution of specialized
338 telecommunications devices and for specialized communications
339 technology and for the telecommunications relay service to the
340 commission quarterly, in the manner prescribed by the
341 commission.
342 (7)(8) The commission shall adopt rules and may take any
343 other action necessary to implement the provisions of this act.
344 (8)(9) The commission shall prepare an annual report on
345 the operation of the telecommunications access system and, which
346 shall make such report be available on the commission's Internet
347 website. Reports must be prepared in consultation with the
348 administrator and the advisory committee appointed pursuant to
349 s. 427.706. The reports must, at a minimum, briefly outline the
350 status of developments in the telecommunications access system,
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351 the number of persons served, the call volume, revenues and
352 expenditures, the allocation of the revenues and expenditures
353 between provision of specialized telecommunications devices and
354 specialized communications technologies to individuals and
355 operation of statewide relay service, other major policy or
356 operational issues, and proposals for improvements or changes to
357 the telecommunications access system.
358 Section 4. Paragraphs (a) and (c) of subsection (1),
359 subsection (4), paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (5), and
360 subsection (7) of section 427.705, Florida Statutes, are amended
361 to read:
362 427.705 Administration of the telecommunications access
363 system.—
364 (1) Consistent with the provisions of this act and rules
365 and regulations established by the commission, the administrator
366 shall:
367 (a) Purchase, license, store, distribute, and maintain
368 specialized telecommunications devices, equipment, and
369 specialized communications technology, either directly or
370 through contract with third parties, or a combination thereof.
371 (c) Administer training services for recipients of
372 specialized telecommunications devices, equipment, and
373 specialized communications technology and for telecommunications
374 relay service users as directed by the commission through
375 contract with third parties.
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376 (4) In contracting for the provision of distribution of
377 specialized telecommunications devices, outreach services, and
378 training of recipients, the administrator shall consider
379 contracting with organizations that provide services to persons
380 with hearing loss or speech impairment or who are deafblind who
381 are hearing impaired or speech impaired.
382 (5) The administrator shall provide for the distribution
383 of specialized telecommunications devices to persons qualified
384 to receive such equipment in accordance with the provisions of
385 this act. The administrator shall establish procedures for the
386 distribution of specialized telecommunications devices and shall
387 solicit the advice and counsel and consider the recommendations
388 of the advisory committee in establishing such procedures. The
389 procedures shall:
390 (a) Provide for certification of persons with hearing loss
391 or speech impairment or who are deafblind as hearing impaired,
392 speech impaired, or dual sensory impaired. Such certification
393 process must shall include a statement attesting to such
394 impairment by a licensed physician, audiologist, speech-language
395 pathologist, hearing aid specialist, or deaf service center
396 director, or regional distribution center director; by a state-
397 certified teacher of the hearing impaired; by a state-certified
398 teacher of the visually impaired; or by an appropriate state or
399 federal agency. The licensed physician, audiologist, speech-
400 language pathologist, hearing aid specialist, state-certified
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401 teacher of the hearing impaired, or state-certified teacher of
402 the visually impaired providing statements which attest to such
403 impairments shall work within their individual scopes of
404 practice according to their education and training. The deaf
405 service center directors, regional distribution center
406 directors, and appropriate state and federal agencies shall
407 attest to such impairments as provided for in the procedures
408 developed by the administrator.
409 (b) Establish characteristics and performance standards
410 for specialized telecommunications devices and specialized
411 communications technologies determined to be necessary, and for
412 the selection of equipment to be purchased for distribution to
413 qualified recipients. The characteristics and standards must
414 shall be modified as advances in equipment technology render
415 such standards inapplicable.
416 (7) The administrator shall assume responsibility for
417 distribution of specialized telecommunications devices and
418 specialized communications technologies.
419 Section 5. Subsections (1) and (2) of section 427.706,
420 Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
421 427.706 Advisory committee.—
422 (1) The commission shall appoint an advisory committee to
423 assist the commission with implementing the implementation of
424 the provisions of this part. The committee shall be composed of
425 no more than 10 persons and shall include, to the extent
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426 practicable, persons recommended by organizations representing,
427 the following groups:
428 (a) The Two deaf persons recommended by the Florida
429 Association of the Deaf.
430 (b) Persons with hearing loss One hearing impaired person
431 recommended by Self-Help for the Hard of Hearing.
432 (c) The deafblind One deaf and blind person recommended by
433 the Coalition for Persons with Dual Sensory Disabilities.
434 (d) Persons with speech impairment One speech impaired
435 person recommended by the Florida Language Speech and Hearing
436 Association.
437 (e) The elderly Two representatives of telecommunications
438 companies.
439 (f) One person with experience in providing
440 Telecommunication relay service distribution centers services
441 recommended by the Deaf Service Center Association.
442 (g) Communications service providers One person
443 recommended by the Advocacy Center for Persons with
444 Disabilities, Inc.
445 (h) One person recommended by the Florida League of
446 Seniors.
447 (2) The advisory committee shall provide the expertise,
448 experience, and perspective of persons with hearing loss or
449 speech impairment or who are deafblind who are hearing impaired
450 or speech impaired to the commission and to the administrator
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451 during all phases of the development and operation of the
452 telecommunications access system. The advisory committee shall
453 advise the commission and the administrator on the quality and
454 cost-effectiveness of the telecommunications relay service and
455 the specialized telecommunications devices, equipment, and
456 specialized communications technologies distribution system. The
457 advisory committee may submit material for inclusion in the
458 annual report prepared pursuant to s. 427.704.
459 Section 6. Subsection (1) of section 427.708, Florida
460 Statutes, is amended to read:
461 427.708 Certain public safety and health care providers
462 required to purchase and operate TDD's.—
463 (1) The central communications office of each county
464 sheriff's department shall purchase and continually operate at
465 least one telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) TDD.
466 Section 7. This act shall take effect July 1, 2025.
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Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee
HB 435
Telecommunications Access System Act of 1991
AMENDMENT SUMMARY
March 31, 2025
Amendment 1 by Rep. Tant (line 124):
• Decreases the maximum surcharge that the PSC may set for local exchange
telecommunication customers from $0.25 per line per month to $0.15 per line per
month for purposes of funding services required by the Telecommunications
Access System Act of 1991 (TASA).
• Freezes the current surcharge, set at $0.08 per line per month, until reserve
funds are depleted.
• Provides definitions for previously undefined terms used in TASA.
• Deletes an unnecessary provision.
COMMITTEE/SUBCOMMITTEE AMENDMENT
Bill No. HB 435 (2025)
Amendment No. 1
COMMITTEE/SUBCOMMITTEE ACTION
ADOPTED (Y/N)
ADOPTED AS AMENDED (Y/N)
ADOPTED W/O OBJECTION (Y/N)
FAILED TO ADOPT (Y/N)
WITHDRAWN (Y/N)
OTHER
1 Committee/Subcommittee hearing bill: Economic Infrastructure
2 Subcommittee
3 Representative Tant offered the following:
4
5 Amendment (with title amendment)
6 Remove lines 124-466 and insert:
7 Section 2. Present subsections (2), (3) and (4), (5) and
8 (6), (7) and (8), (9), (10), (11), (12), and (13) through (17)
9 of section 427.703, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as
10 subsections (3), (5) and (6), (9) and (10), (12) and (13), (16),
11 (19), (18), (20), and (22) through (26), respectively, new
12 subsections (2), (4), (7), (8), (11), (14), (15), (17), and (21)
13 are added to that section, and subsection (1) and present
14 subsections (4), (6), (10), (11), (12), (14), and (16) of that
15 section are amended, to read:
16 427.703 Definitions.—As used in this part:
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Amendment No. 1
17 (1) "Administrator" means a corporation not for profit
18 incorporated pursuant to the provisions of chapter 617 and
19 designated by the Florida Public Service Commission to
20 administer the telecommunications access system relay service
21 system and the distribution of specialized telecommunications
22 devices pursuant to the provisions of this act and rules and
23 regulations established by the commission.
24 (2) "Commercial mobile radio service" or "CMRS" means a
25 mobile radio communications service, provided for profit, which
26 is interconnected to the public switched network and is
27 available to the public or to such classes of eligible users as
28 to be effectively available to a substantial portion of the
29 public. The term does not include services that do not provide
30 access to 911 service, communication channels suitable only for
31 data transmission, wireless roaming services or other nonlocal
32 radio access line services, or private telecommunications
33 systems.
34 (4) "Communications service" means a service provided to
35 subscribers through wireline telecommunications equipment,
36 interconnected VoIP, or CMRS.
37 (6)(4) "Deafblind" "Dual sensory impaired" means having
38 both a permanent hearing impairment and a permanent visual
39 impairment and includes dual sensory impairment deaf/blindness.
40 (7) "Deaf service center" means a center that serves,
41 within a defined region, individuals with hearing loss or speech
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Bill No. HB 435 (2025)
Amendment No. 1
42 impairment or who are deafblind, by distributing equipment and
43 providing services on behalf of the administrator.
44 (8) "Deaf service center director" means an individual who
45 serves as the director for a deaf service center and is
46 responsible for ensuring that individuals with hearing loss or
47 speech impairment or who are deafblind are qualified to receive
48 equipment or services in accordance with ss. 427.701-427.708,
49 based on their impairment by attesting to such impairment as
50 provided for in the procedures developed by the administrator.
51 (10)(6) "Hearing loss impaired" or "having a hearing
52 impairment" means deaf, late-deafened, or hard of hearing and,
53 for purposes of this part, includes being dual sensory impaired.
54 (11) "Interconnected voice-over-Internet protocol" or
55 "interconnected VoIP" means a service that does all of the
56 following:
57 (a) Enables subscribers to have real-time, two-way voice
58 communications.
59 (b) Requires a broadband connection.
60 (c) Requires customer equipment compatible with Internet
61 protocol.
62 (d) Allows subscribers to receive calls from and place
63 calls to a public switched telephone network. The term does not
64 include services that do not provide access to 911 service or
65 private telecommunications systems.
66 (14) "Regional distribution center" means an entity,
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Bill No. HB 435 (2025)
Amendment No. 1
67 including, but not limited to, a deaf service center or a
68 provider of audiology services, which has contracted with the
69 administrator to distribute equipment and provide services to
70 qualified individuals with hearing loss or speech impairment or
71 who are deafblind.
72 (15) "Regional distribution center director" means an
73 individual qualified by the administrator who serves as the
74 director for a regional distribution center and meets the
75 standards for ensuring that individuals with hearing loss or
76 speech impairment or who are deafblind are qualified to receive
77 equipment or services in accordance ss. 427.701-427.708 on their
78 impairment by attesting to such impairment as provided for in
79 the procedures developed by the administrator.
80 (17) "Specialized communications technology" means mobile
81 devices, tablet computers, software, or applications that can be
82 used to provide communications services to a hearing impaired,
83 speech impaired, or deafblind person.
84 (19)(10) "Speech impaired" or "having a speech impairment"
85 means having a permanent loss of verbal communication ability
86 that which prohibits normal usage of a standard telephone
87 handset.
88 (18)(11) "Specialized telecommunications device" means a
89 TDD, a volume control handset, a ring signaling device, or any
90 other customer premises telecommunications equipment that can be
91 specifically designed or used to provide basic access to
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Amendment No. 1
92 communications telecommunications services for a person with
93 hearing loss or speech impairment or who is deafblind hearing
94 impaired, speech impaired, or dual sensory impaired person.
95 (20)(12) "Surcharge" means an additional charge which is
96 to be paid by local exchange telecommunications company
97 subscribers pursuant to the cost recovery mechanism established
98 under s. 427.704(4) in order to implement the system described
99 herein.
100 (21) "Telecommunications access system" means the system
101 administered pursuant to this section, and includes the
102 administration of the telecommunications relay service system
103 and the distribution of specialized telecommunications devices
104 and specialized communications technologies pursuant to ss.
105 427.701-427.708 and rules and regulations established by the
106 commission.
107 (23)(14) "Telecommunications device for the deaf," or
108 "TDD," or "text device" means a mechanism that which is
109 connected to a communications network standard telephone line,
110 operated by means of a keyboard, and used to transmit or receive
111 signals through telephone lines or other communications service
112 facilities.
113 (25)(16) "Telecommunications relay service" means any
114 telecommunications transmission service that allows a person
115 with hearing loss who is hearing impaired or speech impairment
116 speech impaired to communicate by wire or radio in a manner that
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Bill No. HB 435 (2025)
Amendment No. 1
117 is functionally equivalent to the ability of a person who does
118 not have hearing loss or speech impairment is not hearing
119 impaired or speech impaired. Such term includes any service that
120 enables two-way communication between a person who uses a
121 telecommunications device or other nonvoice terminal device and
122 a person who does not use such a device.
123 Section 3. Subsection (1), paragraph (a) of subsection
124 (3), paragraphs (a), (b), and (e) of subsection (4), and
125 subsections (5) through (9) of section 427.704, Florida
126 Statutes, are amended to read:
127 427.704 Powers and duties of the commission.—
128 (1) The commission shall establish, implement, promote,
129 and oversee the administration of a statewide telecommunications
130 access system to provide access to telecommunications relay
131 services by persons with hearing loss or speech impairment or
132 who are deafblind who are hearing impaired or speech impaired,
133 or others who communicate with them. The telecommunications
134 access system must shall provide for the purchase and
135 distribution of specialized telecommunications devices,
136 equipment, specialized communications technology, and the
137 establishment of a statewide single provider telecommunications
138 relay service system that which operates continuously. To
139 provide telecommunications relay services and distribute
140 specialized telecommunication devices, equipment, and
141 specialized communications technology to persons with hearing
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Bill No. HB 435 (2025)
Amendment No. 1
142 loss or speech impairment or who are deafblind who are hearing
143 impaired or speech impaired, at a reasonable cost the commission
144 shall:
145 (a) Investigate, conduct public hearings, and solicit the
146 advice and counsel of the advisory committee established
147 pursuant to s. 427.706 to determine the most cost-effective
148 method for providing telecommunications relay service and
149 distributing specialized telecommunications devices, equipment,
150 and specialized communications technology.
151 (b) Ensure that users of the telecommunications relay
152 service system pay rates no greater than the rates paid for
153 functionally equivalent voice communication services with
154 respect to such factors as duration of the call, time of day,
155 and distance from the point of origination to the point of
156 termination.
157 (c) Ensure that the telecommunications access system
158 protects the privacy of persons to whom services are provided
159 and that all operators maintain the confidentiality of all relay
160 service messages.
161 (d) Ensure that the telecommunications relay service
162 system complies with regulations adopted by the Federal
163 Communications Commission to implement Title IV of the Americans
164 with Disabilities Act.
165 (e) Set eligibility requirements for the distribution of
166 specialized communications technology based on income
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Bill No. HB 435 (2025)
Amendment No. 1
167 qualifications or participation in other state or federal
168 programs based on income, which requirements must be set at no
169 less than double but no more than triple the federal poverty
170 level. Eligibility requirements may not prohibit the
171 administrator from providing access to specialized
172 communications technologies if such access has a de minimis
173 value. This paragraph does not apply to specialized
174 telecommunications devices using standard telephone lines.
175 (3)(a) The commission shall select a the provider of the
176 telecommunications relay service pursuant to procedures
177 established by the commission. In selecting a the service
178 provider, the commission shall take into consideration the cost
179 of providing the relay service and the interests of the hearing
180 loss, speech impairment, and deafblind impaired and speech
181 impaired community in having access to a high-quality and
182 technologically advanced telecommunications system. The
183 commission shall award the contract to the bidder whose proposal
184 is the most advantageous to the state, taking into consideration
185 the following:
186 1. The appropriateness and accessibility of the proposed
187 telecommunications relay service for the residents citizens of
188 this the state, including persons with hearing loss or speech
189 impairment or who are deafblind who are hearing impaired or
190 speech impaired.
191 2. The overall quality of the proposed telecommunications
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Amendment No. 1
192 relay service.
193 3. The charges for the proposed telecommunications relay
194 service system.
195 4. The ability and qualifications of the bidder to provide
196 the proposed telecommunications relay service as outlined in the
197 request for proposals.
198 5. Any proposed service enhancements and technological
199 enhancements which improve service without significantly
200 increasing cost.
201 6. Any proposed inclusion of provision of assistance to
202 deaf persons with special needs to access the basic
203 telecommunications system.
204 7. The ability to meet the proposed commencement date for
205 the telecommunications relay service.
206 8. All other factors listed in the request for proposals.
207 (4)(a) The commission shall establish a mechanism to
208 recover the costs of implementing and maintaining the services
209 required pursuant to this part which must shall be applied to
210 each basic telecommunications access line. In establishing the
211 recovery mechanism, the commission shall:
212 1. Require all local exchange telecommunications companies
213 to impose a monthly surcharge on all local exchange
214 telecommunications company subscribers on an individual access
215 line basis, except that such surcharge may shall not be imposed
216 upon more than 25 basic telecommunications access lines per
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COMMITTEE/SUBCOMMITTEE AMENDMENT
Bill No. HB 435 (2025)
Amendment No. 1
217 account bill rendered.
218 2. Require all local exchange telecommunications companies
219 to include the surcharge as a part of the local service charge
220 that appears on the customer's bill, except that the local
221 exchange telecommunications company shall specify the surcharge
222 on the initial bill to the subscriber and itemize it at least
223 once annually.
224 3. Allow the local exchange telecommunications company to
225 deduct and retain 1 percent of the total surcharge amount
226 collected each month to recover the billing, collecting,
227 remitting, and administrative costs attributed to the surcharge.
228 (b) The commission shall determine the amount of the
229 surcharge based upon the amount of funding necessary to
230 accomplish the purposes of this act and provide the services on
231 an ongoing basis; however, in no case shall the amount exceed 15
232 25 cents per line per month.
233 (e) From the date of implementing the surcharge, the
234 commission shall review the amount of the surcharge at least
235 annually and shall order changes in the amount of the surcharge
236 as necessary to assure available funds for the provision of the
237 telecommunications access system established herein. Where the
238 review of the surcharge determines that excess funds are
239 available, the commission may order the suspension of the
240 surcharge for a period that which the commission deems
241 appropriate. The commission may not increase the surcharge when
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COMMITTEE/SUBCOMMITTEE AMENDMENT
Bill No. HB 435 (2025)
Amendment No. 1
242 excess funds are available.
243 (5) The commission shall require each local exchange
244 telecommunications company to begin assessing and collecting the
245 surcharge in the amount of 5 cents per access line per month on
246 bills rendered on or after July 1, 1991, for remission to the
247 administrator for deposit in the operational fund. Each local
248 exchange telecommunications company shall remit moneys collected
249 to the administrator. On August 15, 1991, each local exchange
250 telecommunications company shall begin remitting the moneys
251 collected to the administrator on a monthly basis and in a
252 manner as prescribed by the commission. The administrator shall
253 use such moneys to administer the telecommunications access to
254 cover costs incurred during the development of the
255 telecommunications relay services and to establish and
256 administer the specialized telecommunications devices system.
257 (6) The commission shall establish a schedule for
258 completion of specific stages of the telecommunications relay
259 service development and implementation except that the statewide
260 telecommunications relay service shall commence on or before
261 June 1, 1992.
262 (7) The commission shall require the administrator to
263 submit financial statements for the distribution of specialized
264 telecommunications devices and for specialized communications
265 technology and for the telecommunications relay service to the
266 commission quarterly, in the manner prescribed by the
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COMMITTEE/SUBCOMMITTEE AMENDMENT
Bill No. HB 435 (2025)
Amendment No. 1
267 commission.
268 (7)(8) The commission shall adopt rules and may take any
269 other action necessary to implement the provisions of this act.
270 (8)(9) The commission shall prepare an annual report on
271 the operation of the telecommunications access system and, which
272 shall make such report be available on the commission's Internet
273 website. Reports must be prepared in consultation with the
274 administrator and the advisory committee appointed pursuant to
275 s. 427.706. The reports must, at a minimum, briefly outline the
276 status of developments in the telecommunications access system,
277 the number of persons served, the call volume, revenues and
278 expenditures, the allocation of the revenues and expenditures
279 between provision of specialized telecommunications devices and
280 specialized communications technologies to individuals and
281 operation of statewide relay service, other major policy or
282 operational issues, and proposals for improvements or changes to
283 the telecommunications access system.
284 Section 4. Paragraphs (a) and (c) of subsection (1),
285 subsection (4), paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (5), and
286 subsection (7) of section 427.705, Florida Statutes, are amended
287 to read:
288 427.705 Administration of the telecommunications access
289 system.—
290 (1) Consistent with the provisions of this act and rules
291 and regulations established by the commission, the administrator
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Bill No. HB 435 (2025)
Amendment No. 1
292 shall:
293 (a) Purchase, license, store, distribute, and maintain
294 specialized telecommunications devices, equipment, and
295 specialized communications technology, either directly or
296 through contract with third parties, or a combination thereof.
297 (c) Administer training services for recipients of
298 specialized telecommunications devices, equipment, and
299 specialized communications technology and for telecommunications
300 relay service users as directed by the commission through
301 contract with third parties.
302 (4) In contracting for the provision of distribution of
303 specialized telecommunications devices, outreach services, and
304 training of recipients, the administrator shall consider
305 contracting with organizations that provide services to persons
306 with hearing loss or speech impairment or who are deafblind who
307 are hearing impaired or speech impaired.
308 (5) The administrator shall provide for the distribution
309 of specialized telecommunications devices to persons qualified
310 to receive such equipment in accordance with the provisions of
311 this act. The administrator shall establish procedures for the
312 distribution of specialized telecommunications devices and shall
313 solicit the advice and counsel and consider the recommendations
314 of the advisory committee in establishing such procedures. The
315 procedures shall:
316 (a) Provide for certification of persons with hearing loss
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COMMITTEE/SUBCOMMITTEE AMENDMENT
Bill No. HB 435 (2025)
Amendment No. 1
317 or speech impairment or who are deafblind as hearing impaired,
318 speech impaired, or dual sensory impaired. Such certification
319 process must shall include a statement attesting to such
320 impairment by a licensed physician, audiologist, speech-language
321 pathologist, hearing aid specialist, or deaf service center
322 director, or regional distribution center director; by a state-
323 certified teacher of the hearing impaired; by a state-certified
324 teacher of the visually impaired; or by an appropriate state or
325 federal agency. The licensed physician, audiologist, speech-
326 language pathologist, hearing aid specialist, state-certified
327 teacher of the hearing impaired, or state-certified teacher of
328 the visually impaired providing statements which attest to such
329 impairments shall work within their individual scopes of
330 practice according to their education and training. The deaf
331 service center directors, regional distribution center
332 directors, and appropriate state and federal agencies shall
333 attest to such impairments as provided for in the procedures
334 developed by the administrator.
335 (b) Establish characteristics and performance standards
336 for specialized telecommunications devices and specialized
337 communications technologies determined to be necessary, and for
338 the selection of equipment to be purchased for distribution to
339 qualified recipients. The characteristics and standards must
340 shall be modified as advances in equipment technology render
341 such standards inapplicable.
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Bill No. HB 435 (2025)
Amendment No. 1
342 (7) The administrator shall assume responsibility for
343 distribution of specialized telecommunications devices and
344 specialized communications technologies.
345 Section 5. Subsections (1) and (2) of section 427.706,
346 Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
347 427.706 Advisory committee.—
348 (1) The commission shall appoint an advisory committee to
349 assist the commission with implementing the implementation of
350 the provisions of this part. The committee shall be composed of
351 no more than 10 persons and shall include, to the extent
352 practicable, persons recommended by organizations representing,
353 the following groups:
354 (a) The Two deaf persons recommended by the Florida
355 Association of the Deaf.
356 (b) Persons with hearing loss One hearing impaired person
357 recommended by Self-Help for the Hard of Hearing.
358 (c) The deafblind One deaf and blind person recommended by
359 the Coalition for Persons with Dual Sensory Disabilities.
360 (d) Persons with speech impairment One speech impaired
361 person recommended by the Florida Language Speech and Hearing
362 Association.
363 (e) The elderly Two representatives of telecommunications
364 companies.
365 (f) One person with experience in providing
366 Telecommunication relay service distribution centers services
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Bill No. HB 435 (2025)
Amendment No. 1
367 recommended by the Deaf Service Center Association.
368 (g) Communications service providers One person
369 recommended by the Advocacy Center for Persons with
370 Disabilities, Inc.
371 (h) One person recommended by the Florida League of
372 Seniors.
373 (2) The advisory committee shall provide the expertise,
374 experience, and perspective of persons with hearing loss or
375 speech impairment or who are deafblind who are hearing impaired
376 or speech impaired to the commission and to the administrator
377 during all phases of the development and operation of the
378 telecommunications access system. The advisory committee shall
379 advise the commission and the administrator on the quality and
380 cost-effectiveness of the telecommunications relay service and
381 the specialized telecommunications devices, equipment, and
382 specialized communications technologies distribution system. The
383 advisory committee may submit material for inclusion in the
384 annual report prepared pursuant to s. 427.704.
385 Section 6. This act shall take effect July 1, 2025.
386
387 -----------------------------------------------------
388 T I T L E A M E N D M E N T
389 Remove lines 19-23 and insert:
390 implementing the act; providing an effective date.
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HB 833
FLORIDA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
BILL ANALYSIS
This bill analysis was prepared by nonpartisan committee staff and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.
BILL #: HB 833 COMPANION BILL: SB 966 (Davis)
TITLE: Rapid Rail Transit Compact LINKED BILLS: None
SPONSOR(S): Hinson, Campbell RELATED BILLS: None
Committee References
Economic Infrastructure Commerce
SUMMARY
Effect of the Bill:
The bill authorizes the Governor to enter into a Rapid Rail Transit Compact with Alabama, Louisiana, and
Mississippi.
Fiscal or Economic Impact:
None.
JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
ANALYSIS
EFFECT OF THE BILL:
The bill authorizes the Governor to enter into a Rapid Rail Transit Compact (Compact) with Alabama, Louisiana,
and Mississippi. The bill establishes the following terms of the Compact: (Section 1).
• The Compact’s purpose is to study the feasibility of rapid rail transit service between Alabama, Florida,
Louisiana, and Mississippi and to establish a joint interstate commission to assist in this effort.
• The Compact takes effect when a state has ratified it and Congress has consented. States outside of
Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi may become a party to the Compact if it is contiguous to
another party state and the legislature of the contiguous state becoming a party approves.
• The Southern Rail Commission (SRC) is the joint agency created by the parties under the Compact. SRC’s
membership consists of:
o The Governor of each party state;
o One representative from each party state’s department of transportation; and
o Five other citizens of each party state which are appointed by the respective Governor.
• Terms of membership in the SRC and quorum meeting requirements.
• The powers of SRC include the power to:
o Hold hearings;
o Conduct studies and surveys of all problems, benefits, and other associated matters;
o Make reports;
o Acquire moneys or property from local, state, federal, or private sources for its proper functioning;
o Cooperate with public or private groups;
o Formulate and execute plans and policies to carry out the purpose of the Compact to the U.S.
Congress; and
o Exercise other powers as it deems appropriate.
• Each party state agrees that its legislature may expend funds for the establishment and operation of SRC. If
possible, each party state’s contribution must be in equal amounts. The bill also specifies that each
legislature is not bound to set any appropriation of funds.
• Terms for withdrawal from SRC and authority and direction for SRC members to carry out the purpose of
the Compact.
STORAGE NAME: h0833.EIS
DATE: 3/28/2025
1
The bill has an effective date of July 1, 2025. (Section 2).
RELEVANT INFORMATION
SUBJECT OVERVIEW:
Southern Rail Commission (SRC)
Regional Rail Commissions (RRCs) are interstate compacts established by federal law that enable two or more
contiguous states to jointly study and develop rail projects for their mutual, regional benefit. 1 The Southern Rail
Commission (SRC) is an RRC created in 1982 to promote the safe, reliable and efficient movement of people and
goods to enhance economic development within party states. It is also SRC’s objective to:
• Provide transportation choices;
• Engage local decision makers;
• Facilitate emergency evacuation routes;
• Pursue funding for planning and implementation; and
• Support state departments of transportation. 2
Current members of SRC are Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi. In September 2023, the efforts of SRC and the
Rail Passengers Association, among others, resulted in a $178 million federal grant for the restoration of passenger
rail service from New Orleans, Louisiana, to Mobile, Alabama. The funding will help build a platform for the Mobile
end of the service and additional track upgrades. 3 Amtrak rail service between the two cities is anticipated to leave
the station in the Summer of 2025 with two daily roundtrips. 4
Other SRC passenger rail service projects include a route from Baton Rouge to New Orleans and a proposed I-20
Rail Corridor service that connects Dallas-Fort Worth, Northern Louisiana, and Atlanta. 5
Florida Passenger Rail Service
In 1993, SRC successfully negotiated the extension of the “Sunset Limited” Amtrak line from Los Angeles,
California, to Jacksonville, Florida. 6 Sunset Limited was extended into Florida, with major stops in Orlando and
Hialeah. However, Hurricane Katrina in 2005 permanently closed the line east of New Orleans, derailing passenger
rail service which has not been restored since. 7
Economic Impact
Proponents of a Gulf Coast passenger rail service restoration claim there are many economic benefits, such as:
• Improved accessibility for more than two million residents between New Orleans and Orlando.
• Growth in tourism, the job market, health care, and higher education.
• Development of an evacuation route for Gulf Coast cities.
• Additional sales tax revenue from casino patrons, visitors, and tourists. 8
1 Regional Rail Commissions, What are RRCs?, https://www.aawa.us/impact/current-projects/regional-rail-commissions/
(last visited Mar. 26, 2025).
2 Southern Rail Commission, Our Mission, https://www.southernrailcommission.org/mission (last visited Mar. 26, 2025).
3 Rail Passengers Association, $178 Million in CRISI Grant Funding Awarded for Gulf Coast Rail,
https://www.railpassengers.org/happening-now/news/releases/178-million-in-crisi-grant-funding-awarded-for-gulf-coast-
rail-restoration/ (last visited Mar. 27, 2025).
4 Christian Oliver, Train from New Orleans to Mobile starting service in summer 2025, WGNO News (Mar. 26, 2025),
https://wgno.com/news/louisiana/orleans-parish/train-from-new-orleans-to-mobile-starting-service-in-summer-2025/
(last visited Mar. 27, 2025).
5 Southern Rail Commission, Project Overview: I-20 Corridor, https://www.southernrailcommission.org/i20-corridor (last
visited Mar. 28, 2025).
6 Sunset Limited became the first transcontinental rail line in American history. Southern Rail Commission, History,
https://www.southernrailcommission.org/history (last visited Mar. 27, 2025).
7 Amtrak Routes, Amtrak Sunset Limited Train: Stops, Stations, Route, Schedule, & Booking Tips!,
https://amtrakroutes.com/sunset-limited-train/ (last visited Mar. 27, 2025).
8 Southern Rail Commission, Connecting the entire Gulf Coast with comprehensive passenger rail,
https://www.southernrailcommission.org/gulf-coast-rail (last visited Mar. 27, 2025).
JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
2
BILL HISTORY
STAFF
DIRECTOR/ ANALYSIS
COMMITTEE REFERENCE ACTION DATE POLICY CHIEF PREPARED BY
Economic Infrastructure Keating Garcia
Subcommittee
Commerce Committee
JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
3
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
HB 833 2025
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to a rapid rail transit compact;
3 creating s. 351.41, F.S.; authorizing the Governor to
4 execute a rapid rail transit compact with specified
5 states, to join the Southern Rail Commission;
6 providing the form of the compact; providing an
7 effective date.
8
9 WHEREAS, North Florida has lacked passenger rail service
10 since September 2005, when track damage from Hurricane Katrina
11 led to the termination of Amtrak's Sunset Limited route, which
12 ran from New Orleans to Pensacola, Tallahassee, Jacksonville,
13 and Orlando, and
14 WHEREAS, the Southern Rail Commission (SRC), formed by the
15 United States Congress in 1982, has evolved over time with a
16 vision to "promote the safe, reliable, and efficient movement of
17 people and goods to enhance economic development along rail
18 corridors; provide transportation choices; and facilitate
19 emergency evacuation routes," and
20 WHEREAS, the States of Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi
21 are members of the SRC, and
22 WHEREAS, the SRC has been highly successful in
23 collaborating with Amtrak and other partners to obtain federal
24 funding for the restoration of passenger rail service in its
25 member states, including $178 million in federal grant funding
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HB 833 2025
26 in September 2023 to restore passenger rail service from New
27 Orleans, Louisiana, to Mobile, Alabama, and
28 WHEREAS, the new route between New Orleans and Mobile,
29 referred to as the "Mardi Gras service," is expected to be
30 operational by the summer of 2025 and will run twice daily
31 between New Orleans and Mobile, with stops in Bay St. Louis,
32 Gulfport, Biloxi, and Pascagoula, Mississippi, and
33 WHEREAS, the SRC has also identified a project connecting
34 the entire Gulf Coast with services from Baton Rouge to Orlando,
35 called the Gulf Coast Passenger Rail route, and
36 WHEREAS, states such as Florida, which are contiguous to
37 existing SRC member states, are eligible to become SRC members,
38 and
39 WHEREAS, by joining the SRC, Florida can leverage the power
40 of a multistate coalition to study, plan, and obtain federal
41 funding for passenger rail initiatives that benefit its
42 residents and businesses, without obligating this state to spend
43 state funds on rail infrastructure, and
44 WHEREAS, passenger rail stimulates economic development by
45 fostering tourism, attracting businesses, improving access to
46 markets, promoting job creation, and spurring investment in
47 local communities, and
48 WHEREAS, passenger rail enhances connectivity between
49 communities, businesses, military bases, health care facilities,
50 educational institutions, sports venues, and tourist
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HB 833 2025
51 attractions, fostering regional cooperation and cohesion among
52 diverse populations, and
53 WHEREAS, passenger rail can expand this state's capacity
54 for emergency evacuation and disaster response during
55 emergencies and provide another option for mobilizing emergency
56 response personnel, particularly when roadways have reached
57 capacity or have been damaged, and
58 WHEREAS, passenger rail provides an alternative mode of
59 transportation, reducing traffic congestion on highways by
60 alleviating the strain on existing road infrastructure, which
61 increases safety and efficiency for all travelers, and
62 WHEREAS, accessible and convenient transportation options
63 increase quality of life for residents by providing greater
64 mobility, reducing travel times, and offering an alternative to
65 driving, NOW, THEREFORE,
66
67 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
68
69 Section 1. Section 351.41, Florida Statutes, is created to
70 read:
71 351.41 Rapid Rail Transit Compact.—The Governor, on behalf
72 of this state, is hereby authorized to execute a compact, in
73 substantially the following form, with the States of Alabama,
74 Louisiana, and Mississippi, and the Legislature hereby signifies
75 in advance its approval and ratification of such compact:
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HB 833 2025
76
77 RAPID RAIL TRANSIT COMPACT
78 ARTICLE I
79 The purpose of this compact is to study the feasibility of
80 rapid rail transit service between the states of Alabama,
81 Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi and to establish a joint
82 interstate commission to assist in this effort.
83
84 ARTICLE II
85 This compact shall become effective immediately as to the
86 states ratifying it whenever the states of Alabama, Florida,
87 Louisiana, and Mississippi have ratified it and Congress has
88 given consent thereto. Any state not mentioned in this article
89 which is contiguous with any member state may become a party to
90 this compact, subject to approval by the legislature of each of
91 the member states.
92
93 ARTICLE III
94 The states which are parties to this compact, hereinafter
95 referred to as party states, do hereby establish and create a
96 joint agency which shall be known as the Southern Rail
97 Commission, hereinafter referred to as the commission, or any
98 successor name adopted by all members of the commission. The
99 membership of such commission shall consist of the Governor of
100 each party state, one representative each from the Mississippi
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HB 833 2025
101 Energy and Transportation Board, or its successor, the Office of
102 Aviation and Public Transportation of the Louisiana Department
103 of Transportation and Development, or its successor, the Alabama
104 Department of Energy, or its successor, and the Florida
105 Department of Transportation, or its successor, and five other
106 citizens of each party state, to be appointed by the Governor
107 thereof. The appointed members of the commission shall serve for
108 terms of 4 years each. Vacancies on the commission shall be
109 filled by appointment by the Governor for the unexpired portion
110 of the term. The members of the commission shall not be
111 compensated for service on the commission, but each of the
112 appointed members shall be entitled to actual and reasonable
113 expenses incurred in attending meetings, or incurred otherwise
114 in the performance of his or her duties as a member of the
115 commission. The members of the commission shall hold regular
116 quarterly meetings and such special meetings as its business may
117 require. They shall choose annually a chairman and vice chairman
118 from among their members, and the chairmanship shall rotate each
119 year among the party states in order of their acceptance of this
120 compact. The commission shall adopt rules and regulations for
121 the transaction of its business and a record shall be kept of
122 all its business. It shall be the duty of the commission to
123 study the feasibility of providing interstate rapid rail transit
124 service between the party states. Toward this end, the
125 commission shall have power to hold hearings; to conduct studies
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126 and surveys of all problems, benefits, and other matters
127 associated with such service, and to make reports thereon; to
128 acquire, by gift, grant, or otherwise, from local, state,
129 federal, or private sources, such money or property as may be
130 provided for the proper performance of its functions, and to
131 hold and dispose of same; to cooperate with other public or
132 private groups, whether local, state, regional, or national,
133 having an interest in such service; to formulate and execute
134 plans and policies for emphasizing the purpose of this compact
135 before the Congress of the United States and other appropriate
136 officers and agencies of the United States; and to exercise such
137 other powers as may be appropriate to enable it to accomplish
138 its functions and duties and to carry out the purposes of this
139 compact.
140
141 ARTICLE IV
142 Each party state agrees that its Legislature may, in its
143 discretion, from time to time make available and pay over to the
144 commission funds for the establishment and operation of the
145 commission. The contribution of each party state shall be in
146 equal amounts, if possible, but nothing in this article shall be
147 construed as binding the Legislature of any state to make an
148 appropriation of a set amount of funds at any particular time.
149
150 ARTICLE V
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151 Nothing in this compact shall be construed so as to
152 conflict with any existing statute, or to limit the powers of
153 any party state, or to repeal or prevent legislation, or to
154 affect any existing or future cooperative arrangement or
155 relationship between any federal agency and a party state.
156
157 ARTICLE VI
158 (1) This compact shall continue in force and remain
159 binding upon each party state until the Legislature or Governor
160 of each or any state takes action to withdraw therefrom.
161 However, any such withdrawal does not become effective until 6
162 months after the date of the action taken by the Legislature or
163 Governor. Notice of such action shall be given to the other
164 party state or states by the Secretary of State of the party
165 state which takes such action.
166 (2) There is hereby granted to the Governor, to the
167 members of the commission for Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and
168 Mississippi, and to the compact administrator all the powers
169 provided for in the compact and in this section. All officers of
170 this state are hereby authorized and directed to do all things
171 falling within their respective jurisdictions which are
172 necessary or incidental to carrying out the purpose of the
173 compact.
174 Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2025.
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hb833-00
CS/HB 857
FLORIDA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
BILL ANALYSIS
This bill analysis was prepared by nonpartisan committee staff and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.
BILL #: CS/HB 857 COMPANION BILL: CS/SB 1386 (Yarborough)
TITLE: Assault or Battery on a Utility Worker LINKED BILLS: None
SPONSOR(S): Kincart Jonsson RELATED BILLS: None
Committee References
Criminal Justice Economic Infrastructure Judiciary
18 Y, 0 N, As CS
SUMMARY
Effect of the Bill:
CS/HB 857 includes utility workers as a specified type of personnel for which an assault or battery offense is
reclassified to the next highest penalty when such an offense is knowingly committed against a utility worker while
he or she is engaged in work on critical infrastructure.
Fiscal or Economic Impact:
The bill may have a positive indeterminate impact on jail and prison beds. To the extent the bill results in penalties
for more assault and battery offenses being reclassified, offenders convicted of such offenses will be subject to
longer terms of incarceration.
JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
ANALYSIS
EFFECT OF THE BILL:
CS/HB 857 includes utility workers as a specified type of personnel for which an assault or battery offense is
reclassified to the next highest penalty when such an offense is knowingly committed against a utility worker while
he or she is engaged in work on critical infrastructure as defined in s. 812.141(1), F.S.
The bill defines “utility worker” as a person who bears at least one patch, emblem, organizational identification, or
other clear marking intended to be plainly visible and that identifies the employing or contracting utility and that
clearly identifies the person as a utility worker under contract with or employed by an entity that owns, operates,
leases, or controls a plant, property, or facility for the generation, transmission, distribution of, or furnishing to or
for the public of electricity, natural or manufactured gas or propane, water, wastewater, telephone, or
communications service, including two or more utilities rendering joint service. (Section 1)
Under the bill, the reclassification of assault and battery offenses knowingly committed on a utility worker is as
follows:
In the case of an assault, from a second-degree misdemeanor to a first-degree misdemeanor.
In the case of a battery, from a first-degree misdemeanor to a third-degree felony.
In the case of an aggravated assault, from a third-degree felony to a second-degree felony.
In the case of aggravated battery, from a second-degree felony to a first-degree felony. (Section 1)
The bill makes additional conforming changes. (Section 2, 3, 4, and 5)
This bill has an effective date of October 1, 2025. (Section 6)
FISCAL OR ECONOMIC IMPACT:
STORAGE NAME: h0857b.EIS
DATE: 3/27/2025
1
STATE GOVERNMENT:
The bill may have a positive indeterminate impact on prison beds. To the extent the bill results in penalties for
more assaults and battery offenses being reclassified as felony offenses, offenders convicted of such offenses will
be subject to longer terms of incarceration.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT:
The bill may have a positive indeterminate impact on jail beds. To the extent the bill results in penalties for more
assaults being reclassified as first degree misdemeanor offenses, offenders convicted of such offenses will be
subject to longer terms of incarceration.
RELEVANT INFORMATION
SUBJECT OVERVIEW:
Reclassification of Assault and Battery Offenses
Section 784.07, F.S., reclassifies the misdemeanor or felony degree of assault1, aggravated assault2, battery3, and
aggravated battery4 when a person is charged with knowingly committing any such offense upon the following
specified type of personnel while engaged in the lawful performance of his or her duties:
A law enforcement officer;
A firefighter;
An emergency medical care provider;
A railroad special officer;
A traffic accident investigation officer;
A nonsworn law enforcement agency employee who is certified as an agency inspector, a blood alcohol
analyst, or a breath test operator while such employee is in uniform and engaged in processing testing,
evaluating, analyzing or transporting a person who is detained or under arrest for a DUI;
A law enforcement explorer;
A traffic infraction enforcement officer;
A parking enforcement specialist;
A person licensed as a security officer and wearing a uniform bearing at least one patch or emblem that is
visible at all times and clearly identifies the person’s employing agency and that the person is a licensed
security officer; and
A security officer employed by the board of trustees of a community college.
Reclassifying an offense has the effect of increasing the maximum sentence that can be imposed for that offense.
Under s. 784.07, F.S., the reclassification of the degree of the offense is as follows:
In the case of assault, from a second-degree misdemeanor5 to a first-degree misdemeanor.6
In the case of battery, from a first-degree misdemeanor to a third-degree felony.7
1 Assault, which is a second-degree misdemeanor, is an intentional, unlawful threat by word or act to do violence to the person
of another, coupled with an apparent ability to do so, and doing some act which creates a well-founded fear in such other
person that such violence is imminent. S. 784.011(1), F.S.
2 Aggravated assault, which is a third-degree felony, is the commission of an assault using a deadly weapon without intent to
kill or the commission of an assault with the intent to commit a felony. S. 784.021, F.S.
3 Battery, which is a first-degree misdemeanor, is actually and intentionally touching or striking another person against the
will of that person or intentionally causing bodily harm to another person. S. 784.03(1)(a), F.S.
4 A person commits aggravated battery, a second-degree felony, if the person, in committing a battery: intentionally or
knowingly causes great bodily harm, permanent disability, or permanent disfigurement; uses a deadly weapon; or the person
who was the victim of the battery was pregnant at the time of the offense and the offender knew or should have known that
the victim was pregnant. S. 784.045, F.S.
5 A misdemeanor of the second degree is punishable by up to 60 days in county jail and a fine not exceeding $500. Ss.
775.082(4)(b) and 775.083(1)(e).
6 A misdemeanor of the first degree is punishable by up to 1 year in county jail and a fine not exceeding $1,000. Ss.
775.082(4)(a)and 775.083(1)(d), F.S.
JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
2
In the case of aggravated assault, from a third-degree felony to a second-degree felony.8
In the case of aggravated battery, from a second-degree felony to a first-degree felony.9
Further, if, during the commission of a battery subject to reclassification as a third-degree felony, the person
possessed:
A firearm or destructive device, the person is subject to a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of
three years; or
A semiautomatic firearm, its high-capacity detachable box magazine, or a machine gun, the person is
subject to a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of eight years.10
OTHER RESOURCES:
Gainesville Man Arrested After Allegedly Shooting at GRU Employees, 7-Hour Stand-Off
BILL HISTORY
STAFF
DIRECTOR/ ANALYSIS
COMMITTEE REFERENCE ACTION DATE POLICY CHIEF PREPARED BY
Criminal Justice Subcommittee 18 Y, 0 N, As CS 3/26/2025 Hall Saunders
THE CHANGES ADOPTED BY THE Revised the definition of utility worker.
COMMITTEE: Narrowed the reclassification of assault or battery on a utility worker
to only apply when a utility worker is engaged in work on critical
infrastructure as defined in s. 812.141(1), F.S.
Removed the offense severity ranking chart.
Economic Infrastructure Keating Bauldree
Subcommittee
Judiciary Committee
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THIS BILL ANALYSIS HAS BEEN UPDATED TO INCORPORATE ALL OF THE CHANGES DESCRIBED ABOVE.
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7 A felony of the third degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment not exceeding 5 years and a fine not exceeding $5,000.
Ss. 775.082(3)(e), 775.083(1)(c), or s. 775.084, F.S.
8 A felony of the second degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment not exceeding 15 years and a fine not exceeding
$10,000. Ss. 775.082(3)(d), 775.083(1)(b), or s. 775.084, F.S.
9 A felony of the first degree is punishable by term of imprisonment not exceeding 30 years and a fine not exceeding $10,000.
Ss. 775.082(3)(b), 775.083(1)(b), or s. 775.084, F.S.
10 S. 784.07(3), F.S.
JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
3
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
CS/HB 857 2025
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to assault or battery on a utility
3 worker; amending s. 784.07, F.S.; defining the term
4 "utility worker"; providing for reclassification of
5 certain offenses committed against a utility worker;
6 amending ss. 901.15, 943.051, 985.11, and 985.644,
7 F.S.; conforming provisions to changes made by the
8 act; providing an effective date.
9
10 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
11
12 Section 1. Subsection (2) of section 784.07, Florida
13 Statutes, is amended, and paragraph (h) is added to subsection
14 (1) of that section, to read:
15 784.07 Assault or battery of law enforcement officers and
16 other specified personnel; reclassification of offenses; minimum
17 sentences.—
18 (1) As used in this section, the term:
19 (h) "Utility worker" means a person who bears at least one
20 patch, emblem, organizational identification, or other clear
21 marking intended to be plainly visible and that identifies the
22 employing or contracting utility and that clearly identifies the
23 person as a utility worker under contract with or employed by an
24 entity that owns, operates, leases, or controls a plant,
25 property, or facility for the generation, transmission,
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26 distribution of, or furnishing to or for the public of
27 electricity, natural or manufactured gas or propane, water,
28 wastewater, telephone, or communications service, including two
29 or more utilities rendering joint service.
30 (2) Whenever any person is charged with knowingly
31 committing an assault or battery upon a law enforcement officer,
32 a firefighter, an emergency medical care provider, hospital
33 personnel, a railroad special officer, a traffic accident
34 investigation officer as described in s. 316.640, a nonsworn law
35 enforcement agency employee who is certified as an agency
36 inspector, a blood alcohol analyst, or a breath test operator
37 while such employee is in uniform and engaged in processing,
38 testing, evaluating, analyzing, or transporting a person who is
39 detained or under arrest for DUI, a law enforcement explorer, a
40 traffic infraction enforcement officer as described in s.
41 316.640, a parking enforcement specialist as defined in s.
42 316.640, a person licensed as a security officer as defined in
43 s. 493.6101 and wearing a uniform that bears at least one patch
44 or emblem that is visible at all times that clearly identifies
45 the employing agency and that clearly identifies the person as a
46 licensed security officer, or a security officer employed by the
47 board of trustees of a community college, or a utility worker
48 engaged in work on critical infrastructure as defined in s.
49 812.141(1) while the officer, firefighter, emergency medical
50 care provider, hospital personnel, railroad special officer,
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51 traffic accident investigation officer, traffic infraction
52 enforcement officer, inspector, analyst, operator, law
53 enforcement explorer, parking enforcement specialist, public
54 transit employee or agent, or security officer, or utility
55 worker is engaged in the lawful performance of his or her
56 duties, the offense for which the person is charged shall be
57 reclassified as follows:
58 (a) In the case of assault, from a misdemeanor of the
59 second degree to a misdemeanor of the first degree.
60 (b) In the case of battery, from a misdemeanor of the
61 first degree to a felony of the third degree. Notwithstanding
62 any other provision of law, a person convicted of battery upon a
63 law enforcement officer committed in furtherance of a riot or an
64 aggravated riot prohibited under s. 870.01 shall be sentenced to
65 a minimum term of imprisonment of 6 months.
66 (c) In the case of aggravated assault, from a felony of
67 the third degree to a felony of the second degree.
68 Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any person convicted
69 of aggravated assault upon a law enforcement officer shall be
70 sentenced to a minimum term of imprisonment of 3 years.
71 (d) In the case of aggravated battery, from a felony of
72 the second degree to a felony of the first degree.
73 Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any person convicted
74 of aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer shall be
75 sentenced to a minimum term of imprisonment of 5 years.
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76 Section 2. Subsection (15) of section 901.15, Florida
77 Statutes, is amended to read:
78 901.15 When arrest by officer without warrant is lawful.—A
79 law enforcement officer may arrest a person without a warrant
80 when:
81 (15) There is probable cause to believe that the person
82 has committed assault upon a law enforcement officer, a
83 firefighter, an emergency medical care provider, public transit
84 employees or agents, or other specified persons officers as set
85 forth in s. 784.07 or has committed assault or battery upon any
86 employee of a receiving facility as defined in s. 394.455 who is
87 engaged in the lawful performance of his or her duties.
88 Section 3. Paragraph (b) of subsection (3) of section
89 943.051, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
90 943.051 Criminal justice information; collection and
91 storage; fingerprinting.—
92 (3)
93 (b) A minor who is charged with or found to have committed
94 the following offenses shall be fingerprinted and the
95 fingerprints shall be submitted electronically to the
96 department, unless the minor is issued a prearrest delinquency
97 citation pursuant to s. 985.12:
98 1. Assault, as defined in s. 784.011.
99 2. Battery, as defined in s. 784.03.
100 3. Carrying a concealed weapon, as defined in s.
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CS/HB 857 2025
101 790.01(2).
102 4. Unlawful use of destructive devices or bombs, as
103 defined in s. 790.1615(1).
104 5. Neglect of a child, as defined in s. 827.03(1)(e).
105 6. Assault or battery on a law enforcement officer, a
106 firefighter, or other specified persons officers, as provided
107 defined in s. 784.07 784.07(2)(a) and (b).
108 7. Open carrying of a weapon, as defined in s. 790.053.
109 8. Exposure of sexual organs, as defined in s. 800.03.
110 9. Unlawful possession of a firearm, as defined in s.
111 790.22(5).
112 10. Petit theft, as defined in s. 812.014(3).
113 11. Cruelty to animals, as defined in s. 828.12(1).
114 12. Arson, as defined in s. 806.031(1).
115 13. Unlawful possession or discharge of a weapon or
116 firearm at a school-sponsored event or on school property, as
117 provided in s. 790.115.
118 Section 4. Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section
119 985.11, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
120 985.11 Fingerprinting and photographing.—
121 (1)
122 (b) Unless the child is issued a prearrest delinquency
123 citation pursuant to s. 985.12, a child who is charged with or
124 found to have committed one of the following offenses shall be
125 fingerprinted, and the fingerprints shall be submitted to the
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126 Department of Law Enforcement as provided in s. 943.051(3)(b):
127 1. Assault, as defined in s. 784.011.
128 2. Battery, as defined in s. 784.03.
129 3. Carrying a concealed weapon, as defined in s.
130 790.01(2).
131 4. Unlawful use of destructive devices or bombs, as
132 defined in s. 790.1615(1).
133 5. Neglect of a child, as defined in s. 827.03(1)(e).
134 6. Assault on a law enforcement officer, a firefighter, or
135 other specified persons officers, as defined in s. 784.07
136 784.07(2)(a).
137 7. Open carrying of a weapon, as defined in s. 790.053.
138 8. Exposure of sexual organs, as defined in s. 800.03.
139 9. Unlawful possession of a firearm, as defined in s.
140 790.22(5).
141 10. Petit theft, as defined in s. 812.014.
142 11. Cruelty to animals, as defined in s. 828.12(1).
143 12. Arson, resulting in bodily harm to a firefighter, as
144 defined in s. 806.031(1).
145 13. Unlawful possession or discharge of a weapon or
146 firearm at a school-sponsored event or on school property as
147 defined in s. 790.115.
148
149 A law enforcement agency may fingerprint and photograph a child
150 taken into custody upon probable cause that such child has
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151 committed any other violation of law, as the agency deems
152 appropriate. Such fingerprint records and photographs shall be
153 retained by the law enforcement agency in a separate file, and
154 these records and all copies thereof must be marked "Juvenile
155 Confidential." These records are not available for public
156 disclosure and inspection under s. 119.07(1) except as provided
157 in ss. 943.053 and 985.04(2), but shall be available to other
158 law enforcement agencies, criminal justice agencies, state
159 attorneys, the courts, the child, the parents or legal
160 custodians of the child, their attorneys, and any other person
161 authorized by the court to have access to such records. In
162 addition, such records may be submitted to the Department of Law
163 Enforcement for inclusion in the state criminal history records
164 and used by criminal justice agencies for criminal justice
165 purposes. These records may, in the discretion of the court, be
166 open to inspection by anyone upon a showing of cause. The
167 fingerprint and photograph records shall be produced in the
168 court whenever directed by the court. Any photograph taken
169 pursuant to this section may be shown by a law enforcement
170 officer to any victim or witness of a crime for the purpose of
171 identifying the person who committed such crime.
172 Section 5. Paragraph (a) of subsection (3) of section
173 985.644, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
174 985.644 Departmental contracting powers; personnel
175 standards and investigation.—
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176 (3)(a) All employees of the department and all personnel
177 of contract providers for any program for children, including
178 all owners, operators, employees, persons who have access to
179 confidential juvenile records, and volunteers, must complete:
180 1. A level 2 employment screening pursuant to chapter 435
181 before employment. The security background investigation
182 conducted under this section must ensure that, in addition to
183 the disqualifying offenses listed in s. 435.04, no person
184 subject to the background screening provisions of this section
185 has an arrest awaiting final disposition for, been found guilty
186 of, regardless of adjudication, or entered a plea of nolo
187 contendere or guilty to, or been adjudicated delinquent and the
188 record has not been sealed or expunged for, any offense
189 prohibited under the following provisions of state law or
190 similar laws of another jurisdiction:
191 a. Section 784.07, relating to assault or battery of law
192 enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical care
193 providers, public transit employees or agents, or other
194 specified persons officers.
195 b. Section 817.568, relating to criminal use of personal
196 identification information.
197 2. A national criminal records check by the Federal Bureau
198 of Investigation every 5 years following the date of the
199 person's employment.
200 Section 6. This act shall take effect October 1, 2025.
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CS/HB 1525
FLORIDA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
BILL ANALYSIS
This bill analysis was prepared by nonpartisan committee staff and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.
BILL #: CS/HB 1525 COMPANION BILL: SB 1696 (Calatayud)
TITLE: Prearranged Transportation Services LINKED BILLS: None
SPONSOR(S): Busatta RELATED BILLS: None
Committee References
Criminal Justice Economic Infrastructure Judiciary
16 Y, 0 N, As CS
SUMMARY
Effect of the Bill:
The bill prohibits a person from willfully impersonating a transportation network company (TNC) driver by
engaging in specified conduct. Under the bill, a violation of the prohibition is a generally a second degree
misdemeanor, however, a person commits a third degree felony if he or she willfully impersonates a TNC driver
during the commission of, or to facilitate the commission of, a separate felony offense.
Additionally, the bill clarifies that services purchased from a TNC do not qualify as privately owned or operated bus
transit systems and that a TNC is not a transportation service provider, and thus TNCs are not subject to specified
regulations.
Fiscal or Economic Impact:
The bill may have an indeterminate positive impact on jail and prison beds by creating a new misdemeanor and
felony offense for impersonating a TNC driver, which may result in increased jail and prison admissions. The bill
may have an indeterminate positive impact on the private sector by exempting TNCs from specified requirements
related to safety inspections and driver training.
JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
ANALYSIS
EFFECT OF THE BILL:
The bill creates a criminal offense related to the impersonation of a transportation network company (TNC) driver.
Under the bill, a person commits a second degree misdemeanor1 if he or she willfully impersonates a TNC driver
by:
Making a false statement;
Displaying counterfeit signage or emblems of a trade dress, trademark, brand, or logo of a TNC; or
Engaging in any other act that falsely represents that he or she represents a TNC or is responding to a
passenger ride request for a TNC. (Section 1)
Additionally, a person who willfully impersonates a TNC driver during the commission of, or to facilitate the
commission of, a separate felony offense commits a third degree felony.2 (Section 1)
The bill clarifies that services purchased from a TNC do not qualify as “privately owned or operated bus transit
systems,” and thus are not subject to specified regulations related to transit safety standards, inspections, and
system safety reviews. (Section 2)
The bill amends the definition of “transportation service provider” to specify that such service providers:
1 A second degree misdemeanor is punishable by up to 60 days in county jail and a $500 fine. Ss. 775.082 and 775.083, F.S.
2 A third degree felony is punishable by up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine. Ss. 775.082, F.S., 775.083, F.S., or 775.084,
F.S.
STORAGE NAME: h1525b.EIS
DATE: 3/27/2025
1
Are organizations or entities that contract with local governments to provide paratransit service to
persons with disabilities using a dedicated fleet of vehicles operated by its employees or directly
contracted drivers who meet paratransit service standards; and
Do not include TNCs as defined in s. 627.748(1), F.S. (Section 3)
Finally, the bill changes the current requirement for transportation service providers to provide training to each
driver of a motor vehicle used to provide paratransit service to persons with disabilities, which must meet
requirements established by the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, to instead require such transportation
service providers to provide each driver with access to third-party training materials that meet such requirements.
(Section 3)
The effective date of the bill is July 1, 2025. (Section 4)
FISCAL OR ECONOMIC IMPACT:
STATE GOVERNMENT:
The bill may have an indeterminate positive impact on prison beds by creating a felony offense related to
impersonating a TNC driver, which may result in more offenders being sentenced to prison.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT:
The bill may have an indeterminate positive impact on jail beds by creating a misdemeanor offense related to
impersonating a TNC driver, which may result in more offenders being sentenced to jail.
PRIVATE SECTOR:
The bill may have an indeterminate positive impact on the private sector by exempting TNCs from specified
requirements related to safety inspections and driver training, which may reduce expenses incurred by TNCs that
are currently complying with such requirements.
RELEVANT INFORMATION
SUBJECT OVERVIEW:
Transportation Network Companies
In 2017, the Legislature established a regulatory framework for transportation network companies.3 A
“transportation network company” or “TNC” is an entity operating in this state using a digital network to connect a
rider to a TNC driver, who provides prearranged rides. Specifically, a TNC:
Does not own, control, operate, direct, or manage the TNC vehicles or TNC drivers that connect to its digital
network, except where agreed to by written contract.
Is not a taxicab association.
Is not an individual, corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship, or other entity that arranges medical
transportation for individuals qualifying for Medicaid or Medicare pursuant to a contract with the state or a
managed care organization.4
A TNC driver receives connections to potential riders and related services from a TNC and in return for
compensation, uses a TNC vehicle to offer or provide a prearranged ride to a rider after being connected through a
digital network.5 A TNC or TNC driver is not a common carrier, contract carrier, or motor carrier and does not
provide taxicab service, and is not required to register a TNC vehicle as a commercial motor vehicle or a for-hire
3 S. 627.748, F.S.
4 However, a TNC may provide prearranged rides to individuals who qualify for Medicaid or Medicare if it meets specified
requirements under s. 627.748, F.S.
5 S. 627.748(1)(g), F.S.
JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
2
vehicle.6 A TNC’s digital network must display the TNC driver’s photograph and the TNC vehicle’s license plate
number before the rider enters the TNC vehicle.7
Transit Safety Standards
Section 341.061, F.S., requires the Department of Transportation (Department) to adopt rules establishing
minimum equipment and operational safety standards for the following entities:
Governmentally owned bus transit systems and privately owned or operated bus transit systems operating
in this state that are financed wholly or partly by state funds;
Bus transit systems created pursuant to chapter 427, F.S., including school buses and other forms of public
transportation; and
Privately owned or operated bus transit systems under contract with any of the above systems.
Such bus transit system standards must be developed jointly by the Department and representatives of the transit
systems. Accordingly, each bus transit system must:
Develop a transit safety program plan that complies with established standards;
Certify to the Department that such plan complies with established standards; and
Implement and comply with the plan during the operation of the transit system.8
Additionally, as part of the safety plan, each bus transit system must:
Require all transit buses operated by the system to be inspected at least annually in accordance with
established standards;
Ensure that qualified personnel of the bus transit system, or public or private entities qualified by the bus
transit system, perform safety inspections; and
Annually certify in writing to the department that it has complied with the adopted safety program plan
and safety inspections.9,10
Transportation Service Providers
A “transportation service provider” is an organization or entity that contracts with a local government to provide
paratransit service to persons with disabilities.11 In part, for contracts entered into or renewed on or after October
1, 2024, a transportation service provider must agree to provide training to each driver of a motor vehicle used to
provide paratransit service to persons with disabilities which, at a minimum, meets requirements established by
the Agency for Persons with Disabilities12 for training and professional development of staff providing direct
services to clients of the agency.13
6 S. 627.748(2), F.S.
7 S. 627.748(5), F.S.
8 S. 341.061(2)(a), F.S.
9 S. 341.061(2)(b), F.S.
10 The Department may conduct a review of any bus transit system that does not comply with specified safety program plan
regulations, which may result in adverse findings and required corrective actions. The system operator must suspend an
affected system service until corrective action is taken if continued operation of the system, or a portion thereof, poses an
immediate danger to public safety, and the Department itself may require such affected system service to be suspended if the
system operator fails to take corrective action or fails to suspend service when immediate danger to the public exists. S.
341.061(2)(c), F.S.
11 S. 427.02(1), F.S.
12 State of Florida, APD - Agency for Persons with Disabilities (last visited Mar. 19, 2025).
13 S. 427.02(2)(a), F.S.
JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
3
BILL HISTORY
STAFF
DIRECTOR/ ANALYSIS
COMMITTEE REFERENCE ACTION DATE POLICY CHIEF PREPARED BY
Criminal Justice Subcommittee 16 Y, 0 N, As CS 3/19/2025 Hall Butcher
THE CHANGES ADOPTED BY THE Clarified that a person commits a third degree felony if he or she
COMMITTEE: impersonates a transportation network company driver during the
commission of, or to facilitate the commission of, a separate felony offense.
Made technical changes.
Economic Infrastructure Bauldree Keating
Subcommittee
Judiciary Committee
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THIS BILL ANALYSIS HAS BEEN UPDATED TO INCORPORATE ALL OF THE CHANGES DESCRIBED ABOVE.
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4
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
CS/HB 1525 2025
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to prearranged transportation
3 services; creating s. 316.2021, F.S.; prohibiting the
4 impersonation of a transportation network company
5 driver; providing criminal penalties; amending s.
6 341.061, F.S.; providing that services purchased from
7 a transportation network company are not considered
8 privately owned or operated bus transit systems;
9 amending s. 427.02, F.S.; revising the definition of
10 the term "transportation service provider"; requiring
11 transportation service providers to provide certain
12 drivers with access to certain training materials;
13 providing an effective date.
14
15 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
16
17 Section 1. Section 316.2021, Florida Statutes, is created
18 to read:
19 316.2021 Unlawful impersonation of transportation network
20 company driver.—
21 (1) A person may not impersonate a transportation network
22 company driver, as defined in s. 627.748(1), by making a false
23 statement; displaying counterfeit signage or emblems of a trade
24 dress, trademark, brand, or logo of a transportation network
25 company; or engaging in any other act that falsely represents
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26 that the person represents a transportation network company or
27 is responding to a passenger ride request for a transportation
28 network company.
29 (2)(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b), a person who
30 willfully violates subsection (1) commits a misdemeanor of the
31 second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s.
32 775.083.
33 (b) A person who willfully violates subsection (1) during
34 the commission of, or to facilitate the commission of, a
35 separate felony offense commits a felony of the third degree,
36 punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
37 Section 2. Paragraph (d) is added to subsection (2) of
38 section 341.061, Florida Statutes, to read:
39 341.061 Transit safety standards; inspections and system
40 safety reviews.—
41 (2)
42 (d) Services purchased from a transportation network
43 company as defined in s. 627.748(1) which otherwise comply with
44 the provisions of s. 627.748 are not privately owned or operated
45 bus transit systems.
46 Section 3. Subsection (1) and paragraph (a) of subsection
47 (2) of section 427.02, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
48 427.02 Paratransit service contracts for transportation
49 service providers.—
50 (1) For purposes of this section, the term "transportation
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51 service provider" means an organization or entity that contracts
52 with a local government to provide paratransit service to
53 persons with disabilities using a dedicated fleet of vehicles
54 operated by its employees or directly contracted drivers who
55 meet paratransit service standards. The term does not include a
56 transportation network company as defined in s. 627.748(1).
57 (2) For contracts entered into or renewed on or after
58 October 1, 2024, a transportation service provider must agree
59 to:
60 (a) Provide training to each driver of a motor vehicle
61 used to provide paratransit service to persons with disabilities
62 with access to third-party training materials which, at a
63 minimum, meet meets requirements established by the Agency for
64 Persons with Disabilities for training and professional
65 development of staff providing direct services to clients of the
66 agency.
67 Section 4. This act shall take effect July 1, 2025.
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