HB 915 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb0915-00 Page 1 of 25 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 Florida Shared -Use Nonmotorized 2 Trail Network; amending s. 260.014, F.S.; authorizing 3 the Department of Environmental Protection to 4 establish a program to recognize specified local 5 communities as trail towns; amending s. 260.0142, 6 F.S.; increasing the membership of the Florida 7 Greenways and Trails Council; revising the duties of 8 the council; defining the term "regionally significant 9 trails"; amending s. 260.016, F.S.; revising the 10 general powers of the department to include 11 development and dissemination of criteria for 12 prioritization of regionally significant trails within 13 or connected to the Florida wildlife corridor; 14 amending s. 288.1226, F.S.; revising the membership of 15 the Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation; 16 amending s. 288.923, F.S.; specifying additional 17 requirements for the marketing plan of the Division of 18 Tourism Marketing; amending s. 320.072, F.S.; 19 increasing the amount of funding the Department of 20 Transportation is required to use for the Florida 21 Shared-Use Nonmotorized Trail Network; amending s. 22 335.065, F.S.; revising the funding priorities for the 23 Department of Transportation's trail projects; 24 amending s. 339.175, F.S.; revising required 25 HB 915 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb0915-00 Page 2 of 25 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 components of long-range transportation plans 26 developed by metropolitan pl anning organizations; 27 amending s. 339.81, F.S.; revising legislative 28 findings and intent; clarifying the components that 29 make up Florida Shared -Use Nonmotorized Trail Network; 30 extending the Florida Shared -Use Nonmotorized Trail 31 Network to lands of the Flor ida wildlife corridor; 32 including certain connecting components as parts of 33 the statewide network; increasing the amount the 34 Department of Transportation is required to allocate 35 for purposes of funding and maintaining projects 36 within the Florida Shared -Use Nonmotorized Trail 37 Network; requiring the department to give funding 38 priority to specified trail projects; requiring the 39 department to construct projects within the Florida 40 wildlife corridor or on other specified lands using 41 previously disturbed lands; req uiring the department 42 to coordinate with other state agencies to ensure 43 recreation and public access in developing the 44 planning and design of trails; requiring the 45 department to program projects in the work program for 46 development of the entire trail and t o minimize 47 creation of gaps between trail segments; requiring the 48 department to ensure that local support exists for 49 projects and trail segments; requiring metropolitan 50 HB 915 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb0915-00 Page 3 of 25 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 planning organizations or boards of county 51 commissioners to include trails in project p riorities; 52 requiring the department to create and erect certain 53 signage; authorizing the department and local 54 governments to enter into a sponsorship agreement with 55 certain entities for commercial sponsorship displays 56 on multiuse trails and related facilit ies; requiring 57 the department or local government to administer a 58 sponsorship agreement and ensure that a sponsorship 59 agreement complies with specified requirements; 60 subjecting sponsorship agreements to specified federal 61 laws and agreements; providing that no proprietary or 62 compensable interest in any sign, display site, or 63 location is created; requiring the Department of 64 Transportation, in coordination with the Department of 65 Environmental Protection, to submit a report by a 66 certain date, and at specified i ntervals thereafter, 67 to the Governor and the Legislature summarizing the 68 status of the Florida Shared -Use Nonmotorized Trail 69 Network; authorizing the Department of Transportation 70 to include in the report its recommendations for 71 legislative revisions that w ould facilitate 72 connectivity of the statewide network; requiring that 73 specified items be included in the report; requiring 74 the department to coordinate with certain entities 75 HB 915 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb0915-00 Page 4 of 25 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 regarding certain items in the report; providing an 76 appropriation; providing for c onstruction; authorizing 77 the department to take certain action regarding 78 funding for the trail network projects in response to 79 appropriations made by the act; providing an effective 80 date. 81 82 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 83 84 Section 1. Section 260.014, Florida Statutes, is amended 85 to read: 86 260.014 Florida Greenways and Trails System. —The Florida 87 Greenways and Trails System shall be a statewide system of 88 greenways and trails which shall consist of individual greenways 89 and trails and networks of greenways and trails which may be 90 designated as a part of the statewide system by the department. 91 The department may establish a program to recognize local 92 communities located along or in proximity to one or more long -93 distance nonmotorized recreational trails as trail towns. 94 Mapping or other forms of identification of lands and waterways 95 as suitable for inclusion in the system of greenways and trails, 96 mapping of ecological characteristics for any purpose, or 97 development of information for planning purposes shall not 98 constitute designation. No lands or waterways may be designated 99 as a part of the statewide system of greenways and trails 100 HB 915 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb0915-00 Page 5 of 25 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 without the specific written consent of the landowner. 101 Section 2. Subsections (1) and (4) of secti on 260.0142, 102 Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 103 260.0142 Florida Greenways and Trails Council; 104 composition; powers and duties. — 105 (1) There is created within the department the Florida 106 Greenways and Trails Council which shall advise the department 107 in the execution of the department's powers and duties under 108 this chapter. The council shall be composed of 21 20 members, 109 consisting of: 110 (a)1. Six Five members appointed by the Governor, with two 111 members representing the trail user community, two members 112 representing the greenway user community, one member from the 113 board of the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation, and one 114 member representing private landowners. 115 2. Three members appointed by the President of the Senate, 116 with one member representing the t rail user community and two 117 members representing the greenway user community. 118 3. Three members appointed by the Speaker of the House of 119 Representatives, with two members representing the trail user 120 community and one member representing the greenway user 121 community. 122 123 Those eligible to represent the trail user community shall be 124 chosen from, but not be limited to, paved trail users, hikers, 125 HB 915 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb0915-00 Page 6 of 25 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 off-road bicyclists, users of off -highway vehicles, paddlers, 126 equestrians, disabled outdoor recreational users, and com mercial 127 recreational interests. Those eligible to represent the greenway 128 user community must shall be chosen from, but not be limited to, 129 conservation organizations, nature study organizations, and 130 scientists and university experts. 131 (b) The 9 remaining m embers shall include: 132 1. The Secretary of Environmental Protection or a 133 designee. 134 2. The executive director of the Fish and Wildlife 135 Conservation Commission or a designee. 136 3. The Secretary of Transportation or a designee. 137 4. The Director of the Florida Forest Service of the 138 Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services or a designee. 139 5. The director of the Division of Historical Resources of 140 the Department of State or a designee. 141 6. A representative of the water management districts. 142 Membership on the council must shall rotate among the five 143 districts. The districts shall determine the order of rotation. 144 7. A representative of a federal land management agency. 145 The Secretary of Environmental Protection shall identify the 146 appropriate federal agency and request designation of a 147 representative from the agency to serve on the council. 148 8. A representative of the regional planning councils to 149 be appointed by the Secretary of Environmental Protection. 150 HB 915 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb0915-00 Page 7 of 25 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 Membership on the council must shall rotate among the seven 151 regional planning councils. The regional planning councils shall 152 determine the order of rotation. 153 9. A representative of local governments to be appointed 154 by the Secretary of Environmental Protection. Membership must 155 shall alternate between a county representative and a municipal 156 representative. 157 (4) The duties of the council shall include the following: 158 (a) Facilitate a statewide system of interconnected 159 landscape linkages, conservation corridors, lands and waters of 160 the Florida wildlife corridor, greenbelts, recreational 161 corridors and trails, scenic corridors, utilitarian corridors, 162 reserves, regional parks and preserves, ecological sites, and 163 cultural/historic/recreational sites using land -based trails 164 that connect urban, suburban, and rural areas of the state and 165 facilitate expansion of the statewide system of freshwater and 166 saltwater paddling trails. 167 (b) Recommend priorities for critical links in the Florida 168 Greenways and Trails System. 169 (c) Recommend priorities for regionally sign ificant trails 170 within the Florida Greenways and Trails System for inclusion by 171 the Department of Transportation in the Florida Shared -Use 172 Nonmotorized Trail Network as defined by s. 339.81. For purposes 173 of this section, the term "regionally significant tra ils" means 174 trails that cross multiple counties, attract national and 175 HB 915 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb0915-00 Page 8 of 25 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 international visitors, and serve as an opportunity for economic 176 and ecotourism development; showcase the natural value of this 177 state's wildlife areas, ecology, and natural resources; and 178 serve as main corridors for critical links and trail 179 connectedness across this state. 180 (d) Review recommendations of the office for acquisition 181 funding under the Florida Greenways and Trails Program and 182 recommend to the Secretary of Environmental Protect ion which 183 projects should be acquired. 184 (e)(d) Review designation proposals for inclusion in the 185 Florida Greenways and Trails System. 186 (f)(e) Encourage public-private partnerships to develop 187 and manage greenways and trails. 188 (g)(f) Review progress towar d meeting established 189 benchmarks and recommend appropriate action. 190 (h)(g) Make recommendations for updating and revising the 191 implementation plan for the Florida Greenways and Trails System , 192 including, but not limited to, recommendations for 193 prioritization of regionally significant trails within the 194 Florida Shared-Use Nonmotorized Trail Network . 195 (i) Coordinate and facilitate land acquisition efforts for 196 lands to be used, in whole or in part, for regionally 197 significant trails on the Florida Shared -Use Nonmotorized Trail 198 Network with the Department of Transportation, the Florida 199 Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer 200 HB 915 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb0915-00 Page 9 of 25 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 Services, and other appropriate entities. 201 (j)(h) Promote greenways and trails support organizations. 202 (k)(i) Support the Florida Greenways and Trails System 203 through intergovernmental coordination, budget recommendations, 204 advocacy, education, and any other appropriate way. 205 Section 3. Paragraph (d) of subsection (2) of section 206 260.016, Florida Statutes, is amended to r ead: 207 260.016 General powers of the department. — 208 (2) The department shall: 209 (d) Develop and implement a process for designation of 210 lands and waterways as a part of the statewide system of 211 greenways and trails, which shall include: 212 1. Development and dissemination of criteria for 213 designation, including, but not limited to, criteria for 214 prioritization of regionally significant trails within or 215 connected to the Florida wildlife corridor as described in s. 216 259.1055. 217 2. Development and dissemination of c riteria for changes 218 in the terms or conditions of designation, including withdrawal 219 or termination of designation. A landowner may have his or her 220 lands removed from designation by providing the department with 221 a written request that contains an adequate d escription of such 222 lands to be removed. Provisions shall be made in the designation 223 agreement for disposition of any future improvements made to the 224 land by the department. 225 HB 915 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb0915-00 Page 10 of 25 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 3. Public notice pursuant to s. 120.525 in all phases of 226 the process. 227 4. Written authorization from the landowner in the form of 228 a lease or other instrument for the designation and granting of 229 public access, if appropriate, to a landowner's property. 230 5. A greenway or trail use plan as a part of the 231 designation agreement which shall , at a minimum, describe the 232 types and intensities of uses of the property. 233 Section 4. Paragraph (b) of subsection (4) of section 234 288.1226, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 235 288.1226 Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation; 236 use of property; board of directors; duties; audit. — 237 (4) BOARD OF DIRECTORS. —The board of directors of the 238 corporation shall be composed of 31 tourism -industry-related 239 members, appointed by Enterprise Florida, Inc., in conjunction 240 with the department. Board mem bers shall serve without 241 compensation, but are entitled to receive reimbursement for per 242 diem and travel expenses pursuant to s. 112.061. Such expenses 243 must be paid out of funds of the corporation. 244 (b) The 15 additional tourism -industry-related members 245 shall include 1 representative from the statewide rental car 246 industry; 6 7 representatives from tourist -related statewide 247 associations, including those that represent hotels, 248 campgrounds, county destination marketing organizations, 249 museums, restaurants, ret ail, and attractions; 3 representatives 250 HB 915 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb0915-00 Page 11 of 25 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 from county destination marketing organizations; 1 251 representative from the cruise industry; 1 representative from 252 an automobile and travel services membership organization that 253 has at least 2.8 million members in Flo rida; 1 representative 254 from the airline industry; 1 representative from the nature -255 based tourism industry; and 1 representative from the space 256 tourism industry, who will each serve for a term of 2 years. 257 Section 5. Paragraph (c) of subsection (4) of se ction 258 288.923, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 259 288.923 Division of Tourism Marketing; definitions; 260 responsibilities.— 261 (4) The division's responsibilities and duties include, 262 but are not limited to: 263 (c) Developing a 4-year marketing plan. 264 1. At a minimum, the marketing plan shall discuss the 265 following: 266 a. Continuation of overall tourism growth in this state. 267 b. Expansion to new or under -represented tourist markets. 268 c. Maintenance of traditional and loyal tourist markets. 269 d. Coordination of efforts with county destination 270 marketing organizations, other local government marketing 271 groups, privately owned attractions and destinations, and other 272 private sector partners to create a seamless, four -season 273 advertising campaign for the state and i ts regions. 274 e. Development of innovative techniques or promotions to 275 HB 915 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb0915-00 Page 12 of 25 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 build repeat visitation by targeted segments of the tourist 276 population. 277 f. Consideration of innovative sources of state funding 278 for tourism marketing. 279 g. Promotion of nature -based tourism, including, but not 280 limited to, promotion of the Florida Greenways and Trails System 281 as described under s. 260.014 and the Florida Shared -Use 282 Nonmotorized Trail Network as described under s. 339.81 and 283 heritage tourism. 284 h. Coordination of efforts with the Office of Greenways 285 and Trails of the Department of Environmental Protection and the 286 department to promote and assist local communities, including, 287 but not limited to, communities designated as trail towns by the 288 Office of Greenways and Trails, to maximize use of nearby trails 289 as economic assets, including specific promotion of trail -based 290 tourism. 291 i. Promotion of heritage tourism. 292 j. Development of a component to address emergency 293 response to natural and manmade disasters from a marketing 294 standpoint. 295 2. The plan must shall be annual in construction and 296 ongoing in nature. Any annual revisions of the plan must shall 297 carry forward the concepts of the remaining 3 -year portion of 298 the plan and consider a continuum portion to preserve the 4 -year 299 timeframe of the plan. The plan also must shall include 300 HB 915 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb0915-00 Page 13 of 25 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 recommendations for specific performance standards and 301 measurable outcomes for the division and direct -support 302 organization. The department, in consultation with the board of 303 directors of Enterprise Flor ida, Inc., shall base the actual 304 performance metrics on these recommendations. 305 3. The 4-year marketing plan must shall be developed in 306 collaboration with the Florida Tourism Industry Marketing 307 Corporation. The plan must shall be annually reviewed and 308 approved by the board of directors of Enterprise Florida, Inc. 309 Section 6. Paragraph (a) of subsection (4) of section 310 320.072, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 311 320.072 Additional fee imposed on certain motor vehicle 312 registration transactions. — 313 (4) A tax collector or other authorized agent of the 314 department shall promptly remit all moneys collected pursuant to 315 this section, less any refunds granted pursuant to subsection 316 (3), to the department. The department shall deposit 85.7 317 percent of such money s into the State Transportation Trust Fund 318 and 14.3 percent into the Highway Safety Operating Trust Fund. 319 Notwithstanding any other law, the moneys deposited into the 320 State Transportation Trust Fund pursuant to this subsection 321 shall be used by the Departme nt of Transportation for the 322 following: 323 (a) The Florida Shared -Use Nonmotorized Trail Network 324 established in s. 339.81, $50 million $25 million. 325 HB 915 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb0915-00 Page 14 of 25 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 Section 7. Paragraph (a) of subsection (4) of section 326 335.065, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 327 335.065 Bicycle and pedestrian ways along state roads and 328 transportation facilities. — 329 (4)(a) The department may use appropriated funds to 330 support the establishment of a statewide system of 331 interconnected multiuse trails and to pay the costs of planning, 332 land acquisition, design, and construction of such trails and 333 related facilities. The department shall give funding priority 334 to projects that: 335 1. Are recommended priorities by the Florida Greenways and 336 Trails Council as regionally significant trails pursua nt to s. 337 260.0142(4)(c). 338 3. Are otherwise identified by the Florida Greenways and 339 Trails Council as a priority for critical linkage and trail 340 connectedness within the Florida Greenways and Trails System 341 under chapter 260. 342 5.2. Support the transportation needs of bicyclists and 343 pedestrians. 344 2.3. Have national, statewide, or regional importance. 345 4. Facilitate an interconnected system of trails by 346 completing gaps between existing trails. 347 Section 8. Paragraph (d) of subsec tion (7) of section 348 339.175, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 349 339.175 Metropolitan planning organization. — 350 HB 915 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb0915-00 Page 15 of 25 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 (7) LONG-RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLAN. —Each M.P.O. must 351 develop a long-range transportation plan that addresses at least 352 a 20-year planning horizon. The plan must include both long -353 range and short-range strategies and must comply with all other 354 state and federal requirements. The prevailing principles to be 355 considered in the long -range transportation plan are: preserving 356 the existing transportati on infrastructure; enhancing Florida's 357 economic competitiveness; and improving travel choices to ensure 358 mobility. The long-range transportation plan must be consistent, 359 to the maximum extent feasible, with future land use elements 360 and the goals, objectives , and policies of the approved local 361 government comprehensive plans of the units of local government 362 located within the jurisdiction of the M.P.O. Each M.P.O. is 363 encouraged to consider strategies that integrate transportation 364 and land use planning to provi de for sustainable development and 365 reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The approved long -range 366 transportation plan must be considered by local governments in 367 the development of the transportation elements in local 368 government comprehensive plans and any amendm ents thereto. The 369 long-range transportation plan must, at a minimum: 370 (d) Indicate, as appropriate, proposed transportation 371 enhancement activities, including, but not limited to, 372 pedestrian and bicycle facilities, trails or facilities that are 373 regionally significant or critical linkages for the Florida 374 Shared-Use Nonmotorized Trail Network, scenic easements, 375 HB 915 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb0915-00 Page 16 of 25 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 landscaping, historic preservation, mitigation of water 376 pollution due to highway runoff, and control of outdoor 377 advertising. 378 379 In the development of it s long-range transportation plan, each 380 M.P.O. must provide the public, affected public agencies, 381 representatives of transportation agency employees, freight 382 shippers, providers of freight transportation services, private 383 providers of transportation, repres entatives of users of public 384 transit, and other interested parties with a reasonable 385 opportunity to comment on the long -range transportation plan. 386 The long-range transportation plan must be approved by the 387 M.P.O. 388 Section 9. Section 339.81, Florida Stat utes, is amended to 389 read: 390 339.81 Florida Shared -Use Nonmotorized Trail Network. — 391 (1) The Legislature finds that increasing demands continue 392 to be placed on the state's transportation system by a growing 393 economy, continued population growth, and increas ing tourism. 394 The Legislature also finds that accommodating significant 395 challenges to providing additional capacity to the conventional 396 transportation system exist and will require enhanced 397 accommodation of alternative travel modes to meet the needs of 398 residents and visitors and providing trails for bicyclist and 399 pedestrian travel that allows for the appreciation of the 400 HB 915 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb0915-00 Page 17 of 25 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 conservation and stewardship of environmentally important lands 401 in Florida are of significant importance. The Legislature finds 402 that the investment of the state in the Florida wildlife 403 corridor as defined in s. 259.1055 is of significant interest to 404 the public and that the provision of paved multiuse trails 405 within or between areas of the Florida wildlife corridor would 406 provide the public the a bility to enjoy Florida's natural 407 resources and bring ecotourism and economic opportunities to 408 local trail town communities . The Legislature further finds that 409 improving bicyclist and pedestrian safety for both residents and 410 visitors is remains a high priority. Therefore, the Legislature 411 declares that the development of a nonmotorized trail network 412 will increase mobility and recreational alternatives for 413 Florida's residents and visitors ;, enhance economic prosperity ;, 414 enrich quality of life ;, enhance safety;, and reflect 415 responsible environmental stewardship ; and facilitate support 416 for the protection, preservation, and enhancement of the natural 417 and recreational value of the Florida wildlife corridor by 418 providing minimally invasive public access to it when f easible 419 and compatible with the lands . To that end, it is the intent of 420 the Legislature that the department make use of its expertise in 421 efficiently providing transportation projects to develop and 422 construct the Florida Shared-Use Nonmotorized Trail Networ k, 423 consisting of a statewide network of nonmotorized trails which 424 allows nonmotorized vehicles and pedestrians to access a variety 425 HB 915 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb0915-00 Page 18 of 25 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 of origins and destinations with limited exposure to motorized 426 vehicles. 427 (2)(a) The Florida Shared-Use Nonmotorized Trail N etwork 428 is created as a component of the Florida Greenways and Trails 429 System established in chapter 260. The Florida Shared-Use 430 Nonmotorized Trail Network consists of a statewide network of 431 nonmotorized trails that allow bicyclists and pedestrians to 432 access a variety of points of origin and destinations with 433 limited exposure to motorized vehicles. 434 (b) The multiuse trails or shared -use paths of the 435 statewide network must be consists of multiuse trails or shared -436 use paths physically separated from motor vehicle traffic and 437 constructed with asphalt, concrete, or another hard surface . 438 (c) The statewide network which, by virtue of design, 439 location, extent of connectivity or potential connectivity, and 440 allowable uses, provides nonmotorized transportation 441 opportunities for bicyclists and pedestrians statewide between 442 and within a wide range of points of origin and destinations, 443 including, but not limited to, communities, conservation areas, 444 lands of the Florida wildlife corrid or, state parks, beaches, 445 and other natural or cultural attractions for a variety of trip 446 purposes, including work, school, shopping, and other personal 447 business, as well as social, recreational, and personal fitness 448 purposes. 449 (3) Network components do n ot include sidewalks, nature 450 HB 915 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb0915-00 Page 19 of 25 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 trails, loop trails wholly within a single park or natural area, 451 or on-road facilities, such as bicycle lanes or routes . However, 452 components that connect to nature trails, loop trails, or other 453 points of public access wholly wi thin a single park or natural 454 area may be included in the network, as well as any of the 455 following other than: 456 (a) On-road facilities that are no longer than one -half 457 mile connecting two or more nonmotorized trails, if the 458 provision of non-road facilities is infeasible and if such on -459 road facilities are signed and marked for nonmotorized use .; or 460 (b) On-road components of the Florida Keys Overseas 461 Heritage Trail. 462 (4) The planning, development, operation, and maintenance 463 of the Florida Shared -Use Nonmotorized Trail Network is declared 464 to be a public purpose, and the department, together with other 465 agencies of this state and all counties, municipalities, and 466 special districts of this state, may spend public funds for such 467 purposes and accept gifts and gr ants of funds, property, or 468 property rights from public or private sources to be used for 469 such purposes. 470 (5)(a) The department shall include the Florida Shared -Use 471 Nonmotorized Trail Network in its work program developed 472 pursuant to s. 339.135. For purpo ses of funding and maintaining 473 projects within the network, the department shall allocate in 474 its program and resource plan a minimum of $50 million $25 475 HB 915 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb0915-00 Page 20 of 25 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 million annually, beginning with in the 2023-2024 2015-2016 476 fiscal year. 477 (b) The department shall give funding priority to projects 478 that: 479 1. Are recommended priorities by the Florida Greenways and 480 Trails Council as regionally significant trails pursuant to s. 481 260.0142(4)(c). 482 2. Have national, statewide, or regional importance. 483 3. Are otherwise identi fied by the Florida Greenways and 484 Trails Council as a priority for critical linkage and trail 485 connectedness within the Florida Greenways and Trails System 486 under chapter 260. 487 4. Facilitate an interconnected system of trails by 488 completing gaps between exis ting trails. 489 5. Support the transportation needs of bicyclists and 490 pedestrians. 491 (c) For trail projects to be constructed within the 492 Florida wildlife corridor as defined in s. 259.1055 or on 493 conservation lands or other lands subject to conservation 494 easements, land management plans, or agreements, to the greatest 495 extent possible, the department shall ensure projects are 496 constructed using previously disturbed lands, such as abandoned 497 roads and railroads, utility rights -of-way, canal corridors and 498 drainage berms, permanent fire lines, and other lands having 499 appropriate potential to serve the purposes specified by law of 500 HB 915 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb0915-00 Page 21 of 25 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 both the trail network and the Florida wildlife corridor. In 501 developing the planning and design of trails, the department 502 shall coordinate with other state agencies to ensure that 503 appropriate recreation or public access is available for such 504 projects. 505 (d) To the greatest extent practicable, the department 506 shall program projects in the work program to plan for 507 development of the entire trail and to minimize the creation of 508 gaps between trail segments. The department shall, at a minimum, 509 ensure that local support exists for projects and trail 510 segments, including the availability or dedication of local 511 funding sources and of contributions by pri vate landowners who 512 agree to make their land, or property interests in such land, 513 available for public use as a trail. 514 (e) Each metropolitan planning organization or board of 515 county commissioners, as appropriate, shall include in its list 516 of project priorities required under ss. 339.135(4)(c)1. and 517 339.175(8) one or more projects that are a priority under 518 paragraph (b) and meet the requirements of this section. When 519 developing the district work program under s. 339.135(4), each 520 district must ensure that p rojects are included in the work 521 program which are a priority under paragraph (b) and meet the 522 requirements of this section. 523 (6)(a) The department shall create uniform signage to 524 identify trails that are part of the statewide network and 525 HB 915 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb0915-00 Page 22 of 25 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 shall, when feasible and permissible, erect signage on all such 526 trails open to public use, regardless of when the trail was 527 first opened. The department is not otherwise obligated to 528 provide funds for the operation and maintenance of any trail on 529 the statewide network . 530 (b) The department may enter into a memorandum of 531 agreement with a local government or other agency of the state 532 to transfer maintenance responsibilities of an individual 533 network component. The department may contract with a not -for-534 profit entity or private sector business or entity to provide 535 maintenance services on an individual network component. 536 (7)(a) The department may enter into a sponsorship 537 agreement with a not -for-profit entity or private sector 538 business or entity for commercial sponsorship displays on 539 multiuse trails and related facilities. The department shall 540 deposit any sponsorship agreement revenues into the State 541 Transportation Trust Fund to be used for maintenance, signage, 542 and provision of amenities on the multiuse trails and related 543 facilities. Local governments may also enter into sponsorship 544 agreements and likewise use the revenues for maintenance, 545 signage, and provision of amenities on the multiuse trails and 546 related facilities. A sponsorship agreement shall be 547 administered by the department or the local government, as 548 appropriate, and the department or the local government shall 549 ensure that the sponsorship agreement complies with the 550 HB 915 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb0915-00 Page 23 of 25 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 requirements of s. 335.065(3)(b) and (c). 551 (b) Commercial sponsorship displays are subject to the 552 requirements of the Highway Beautification Act of 1965 and all 553 federal laws and agreements, when applicable. This subsection 554 does not create a proprietary or compensable interest in any 555 sign, display site, or location. 556 (8) By June 30, 2026, and every thi rd year on June 30 557 thereafter, the department, in coordination with the Department 558 of Environmental Protection, shall submit a report to the 559 Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the 560 House of Representatives summarizing the status of th e Florida 561 Shared-Use Nonmotorized Trail Network. The report may include 562 recommendations for any legislative revisions deemed appropriate 563 to facilitate connectivity of the statewide network. 564 (a) At a minimum, the report must include all of the 565 following: 566 1. The total number of completed miles of nonmotorized 567 trails on the network. 568 2. The total number of completed miles of nonmotorized 569 trails on the network not adjacent to a roadway facility. 570 3. The total number of completed miles of nonmotorized 571 trails on the network adjacent to a roadway facility. 572 4. The total number of completed miles of nonmotorized 573 trails on the network which are within or between areas of the 574 Florida wildlife corridor as defined in s. 259.1055. 575 HB 915 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb0915-00 Page 24 of 25 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 5. The total remaining miles of nonmotorized trails on the 576 network which are planned for acquisition and construction. 577 6. The total expenditures, by funding source, associated 578 with implementing the network. 579 7. The total expenditures, by project phase, including 580 preliminary and envir onmental planning, design, acquisition of 581 right-of-way, and new construction of trail surfaces and bridges 582 on the network. 583 (b) The department shall also coordinate with the Florida 584 Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation, local governments, or 585 other entities who have related information to include in the 586 report. For each existing trail on the network which is open to 587 public use, identified by the department's trailway 588 identification number, segment name, segment length, and county 589 of location, the departme nt's report must provide nonmotorized 590 trail operational and performance measures that include, but are 591 not limited to: 592 1. The total number of trail visits. 593 2. The primary travel modes used on the trail. 594 3. The frequency of trail usage. 595 4. The average duration of trail usage. 596 5. The distance traveled during a trail visit. 597 6. The average amount spent by a user during a typical 598 trail visit. 599 7. The total amount of user expenditures. 600 HB 915 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb0915-00 Page 25 of 25 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 8. Any other measure deemed appropriate. 601 Section 10. For the 2023-2024 fiscal year, the sum of $200 602 million in nonrecurring funds from the General Revenue Fund is 603 appropriated to the Department of Transportation as fixed 604 capital outlay to plan, design, and construct projects on the 605 Florida Shared-Use Nonmotorized Trail Network as provided by 606 this act. 607 Section 11. The amendments made to s. 339.81, Florida 608 Statutes, by this act, are not intended to delete, defer, delay, 609 or otherwise revise Florida Shared -Use Nonmotorized Trail 610 Network projects programmed in the Department of 611 Transportation's tentative 5 -Year work program for Fiscal Year 612 2023-2024 through 2027-2028. The department may maintain such 613 projects in development of the adopted work program. For 614 additional funding allocated to the network in section 9 of this 615 act or appropriated in section 10 of this act, the department 616 shall work with the metropolitan planning organizations, boards 617 of county commissioners, and districts, where appropriate, to 618 revise any year of the 5 -year work program pursuant to s. 619 339.135(5), Florida Statutes, to identify new Florida Shared -Use 620 Nonmotorized Trail Network projects to be added or projects or 621 phases thereof that may be moved up from the portion of the 622 tentative work program for the following 4 fiscal years. 623 Section 12. This act shall take effect July 1, 2023. 624