HB 6089 2022 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb6089-00 Page 1 of 2 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 A bill to be entitled 1 An act relating to the purchase of plant materials for 2 transportation projects; amending s. 334.044, F.S.; 3 removing provisions requiring that certain percentages 4 of funds allocated by the Department of Transportation 5 for construction projects be used for the purchase of 6 plant materials; providing an effective date. 7 8 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the S tate of Florida: 9 10 Section 1. Subsection (26) of section 334.044, Florida 11 Statutes, is amended to read: 12 334.044 Powers and duties of the department. —The 13 department shall have the following general powers and duties: 14 (26) To provide for the enhanceme nt of environmental 15 benefits, including air and water quality; to prevent roadside 16 erosion; to conserve the natural roadside growth and scenery; 17 and to provide for the implementation and maintenance of 18 roadside conservation, enhancement, and stabilization programs. 19 At least 1.5 percent of the amount contracted for construction 20 projects shall be allocated by the department on a statewide 21 basis for the purchase of plant materials. Department districts 22 may not expend funds for landscaping in connection with an y 23 project that is limited to resurfacing existing lanes unless the 24 expenditure has been approved by the department's secretary or 25 HB 6089 2022 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb6089-00 Page 2 of 2 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 the secretary's designee. To the greatest extent practical, at 26 least 50 percent of the funds allocated under this subsection 27 shall be allocated for large plant materials and the remaining 28 funds for other plant materials. Except as prohibited by 29 applicable federal law or regulation, all plant materials shall 30 be purchased from Florida commercial nursery stock in this state 31 on a uniform competitive bid basis. The department shall develop 32 grades and standards for landscaping materials purchased through 33 this process. To accomplish these activities, the department may 34 contract with nonprofit organizations having the primary purpose 35 of developing youth employment opportunities. 36 Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2022. 37