SB 818 Florida Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Utility Relocation

Summary

Utility Relocation; Requiring that a specified amount of communications services tax remittances be distributed by the Department of Revenue by a nonoperating transfer to the Department of Commerce in monthly installments to the Grants and Donations Trust Fund within the Department of Commerce for the Utility Relocation Reimbursement Grant Program; revising the percentage by which a certain amount transferred into the Local Government Half-cent Sales Tax Clearing Trust Fund must be reduced, beginning on a certain date; specifying that a county or municipal authority is not responsible for paying the expense properly attributable to such work except as otherwise provided; creating the Utility Relocation Reimbursement Grant Program within the Department of Commerce; providing the purpose of the program, etc. APPROPRIATION: $50,000,000

Issues: ✓ Budget & Taxes

Bill status in committee 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Mar 4, 2025 Last action Apr 30, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

S 818 c2 → S 818 c3 · 8 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates the Utility Relocation Reimbursement Grant Program by changing the funding source from a percentage-based tax distribution to a fixed $50 million annual allocation, adjusting the percentage reduction for the Local Government Half-cent Sales Tax Clearing Trust Fund from 0.1018% to 0.1%, and adding emergency rulemaking authority to the Department of Commerce. The bill also clarifies that county and municipal authorities are not responsible for utility relocation costs except as otherwise provided, and establishes new notification requirements between the Department of Transportation and communications service providers.

Scope change

The bill expands the program's scope by creating a new section 337.4031 specifically for the Utility Relocation Reimbursement Grant Program and modifies the applicability of utility relocation cost responsibilities for county and municipal authorities.

FISCAL

Changed the funding mechanism from a 7.5% distribution of tax proceeds to a fixed $50 million annual allocation distributed through the Grants and Donations Trust Fund, beginning October 1, 2025.

Adjusted the percentage reduction for the Local Government Half-cent Sales Tax Clearing Trust Fund from 0.1018% to 0.1%, effective July 1, 2003 (likely a drafting error, should be 2025 based on context).

REQUIREMENT

Added new notification requirements where the Department of Transportation must notify communications service providers within 90 days when projects may require infrastructure relocation.

Added new section 337.4031 creating the Utility Relocation Reimbursement Grant Program within the Department of Commerce with specific rules for application, documentation, and reimbursement timelines.

ENFORCEMENT

Authorized the Department of Commerce to adopt emergency rules to administer and enforce the Utility Relocation Reimbursement Grant Program.

ELIGIBILITY

Clarified that county and municipal authorities are not responsible for paying utility relocation expenses unless otherwise provided in the statute, with service providers able to apply for reimbursement through the grant program.

TIMELINE

Set the program's effective date as October 1, 2025, and established specific distribution timelines for various trust funds and programs.

TECHNICAL

Added appropriation of $50 million in nonrecurring funds for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to fund the Utility Relocation Reimbursement Grant Program.

S 818 c1 → S 818 c2 · 8 edits

MODERATE

SB 818 was amended to create a new Utility Relocation Reimbursement Grant Program funded by a 7.5% portion of local communications services taxes, and to expand utility relocation responsibilities and cost-sharing rules for various scenarios including electric facilities, commuter rail, and rural utilities. The bill also adds new notification requirements for service providers and establishes joint participation options for relocation costs under specific conditions.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from general utility relocation to specifically include communications services providers and created a new grant program to reimburse them for relocation expenses when local authorities require work.

FISCAL

Created a new Utility Relocation Reimbursement Grant Program within the Department of Commerce, funded by 7.5% of local communications services taxes starting October 1, 2025.

ELIGIBILITY

Added eligibility for communications services providers to apply for reimbursement of relocation expenses from the new grant program when local authorities require facility relocation.

Added new exceptions requiring the state to pay for relocation costs for electric facilities being moved underground for safety and for certain rural municipally owned utilities.

REQUIREMENT

Added new requirement for the Department of Transportation to notify communications service providers of planned projects within 90 days that may require infrastructure relocation.

Modified utility relocation timelines, changing from 30 days to provide a schedule to 30 days to initiate work, and added new exceptions for various utility types and situations.

Added joint participation requirements where the state must offer to share relocation costs at least 50% for infrastructure installed within the past 7 fiscal years for safety or congestion improvements.

DEFINITION

Added new subsections to section 337.403 covering commuter rail, intercity passenger rail, and utility easements, plus a new subsection 337.403(4) for communications service provider notifications.

SCOPE

Changed the referenced statute from s. 337.403 to also include amendments to s. 202.18 regarding communications services tax distribution.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 16, 2025

How they voted

23–0

Passed · 2 other

Total votes 25

Apr 16, 2025

D Democratic5

4 Yea 1

80% Yea

I Independent1

1 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican19

18 Yea 1

94% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 23, 2025

Upper · Passed

Pending reference review -under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)

upper

Apr 17, 2025

Upper · Passed

On Committee agenda-- Appropriations, 04/22/25, 11:00 am, 110 Senate Building

upper

Apr 17, 2025

Upper · Passed

Pending reference review -under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)

upper

Apr 16, 2025

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (23-0-2)

senate

Apr 11, 2025

Upper · Passed

On Committee agenda-- Rules, 04/16/25, 8:30 am, 412 Knott Building

upper

Apr 1, 2025

Upper · Passed

Pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)

upper

Mar 27, 2025

Upper · Passed

On Committee agenda-- Transportation, 04/01/25, 4:00 pm, 37 Senate Building

upper

Mar 25, 2025

Upper · Passed

Favorable by Regulated Industries; YEAS 8 NAYS 0

upper

Mar 20, 2025

Upper · Passed

On Committee agenda-- Regulated Industries, 03/25/25, 4:00 pm, 412 Knott Building

upper

Mar 4, 2025

Introduced

upper

Feb 28, 2025

Committee

Referred to Regulated Industries; Transportation; Rules

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors