Florida 2025 2025 Regular Session

Florida House Bill H0177 Analysis / Analysis

Filed 04/11/2025

                    STORAGE NAME: h0177b.COM 
DATE: 4/11/2025 
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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 177 
TITLE: Transportation Facility Designations 
SPONSOR(S): Harris, Woodson 
COMPANION BILL: CS/SB 274 (Arrington) 
LINKED BILLS: None 
RELATED BILLS: None 
Committee References 
 Economic Infrastructure 
17 Y, 0 N, As CS 

Commerce 
 
 
SUMMARY 
 
Effect of the Bill: 
The bill designates two transportation facilities for memorial purposes and directs the Florida Department of 
Transportation (FDOT) to erect suitable markers for each designation. 
 
Fiscal or Economic Impact: 
 The bill will have an insignificant negative impact on state government expenditures. 
 
  
JUMP TO SUMMARY 	ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY 
 
ANALYSIS 
EFFECT OF THE BILL: 
The bill requires FDOT to erect suitable markers for the following transportation facility designations: (Section 1).  
 
Harris Rosen Way 
That portion of International Drive between S.R. 528 and Sand Lake Road in Orange County is designated as 
"Harris Rosen Way." 
 
Bernard Wilkes Ribault River Bridge 
The bridge on Moncrief Road West over the Ribault River in Duval County will be designated as "Bernard Wilkes 
Ribault River Bridge." 
 
The bill has an effective date of July 1, 2025. (Section 2). 
 
 
FISCAL OR ECONOMIC IMPACT:  
 
STATE GOVERNMENT:  
The bill will have an insignificant negative impact on state government expenditures. FDOT estimates a cost of 
$2,400 per designation for the appropriate markers, which provides for two signs per designation at $1,200 per 
sign.
1 Therefore, the bill has an estimated negative fiscal impact of $4,800 to the State Transportation Trust Fund. 
This cost can be absorbed within existing FDOT resources. 
 
 
                                                            
1
 Email from Jack Rogers, Director of Legislative Affairs, Department of Transportation, RE: Road Designations Review (Feb. 
13, 2025).  JUMP TO SUMMARY 	ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY 
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RELEVANT INFORMATION 
SUBJECT OVERVIEW: 
Legislative Designation of Transportation Facilities 
 
The Legislature may designate a transportation facility, such as a bridge or a portion of a road, for honorary or 
memorial purposes or to distinguish a particular facility. Legislative designations do not officially change the 
existing names of facilities and may not require local governments or private parties to change street signs, mailing 
addresses, or 911 emergency telephone number system listing.
2  
 
Unless specifically provided by law, public facilities such as roads, bridges, and other similar facilities may not be 
named for any living person.
3 
 
Transportation Facility Markers 
 
Following a legislative designation, FDOT is required to place markers at the termini or intersections specified for 
each highway segment or bridge designated and may place other markers it deems as appropriate.
4 Before 
markers may be erected, the appropriate city or county commission must pass a resolution in support of the 
particular honorary designation. If the designated bridge or road segment is located in more than one city or 
county, there must be resolutions supporting the designation from each affected local government before markers 
may be erected.
5 
 
Biographical Information 
 
Harris Rosen Way 
Harris Rosen was President and Chief Operating Officer of Rosen Hotels & Resorts, a hospitality company founded 
in 1974 that operates seven Orlando-area hotels. Mr. Rosen received numerous philanthropic and humanitarian 
awards, including the Association of Fundraising Professionals lifetime award, as well as the Leadership Florida’s 
LeRoy Collins Lifetime Achievement Award. Mr. Rosen passed away on November 25, 2024, at age 85.  
 
Bernard Wilkes Ribault River Bridge 
Coach Bernard Wilkes was recognized as one of the most successful high school coaches in Florida's history. He 
dedicated 30 years of service to the Duval County Public School System, teaching and coaching basketball at 
Ribault Senior High School. Throughout his career, Coach Wilkes led the basketball team to four state 
championships, 12 Gateway Conference championships, 21 district titles, and reached the Florida High School 
Athletic Association Finals 16 times. Coach Wilkes passed away on March 5, 2006. 
 
 
                                                            
2
 S. 334.071(1), F.S. 
3
 S. 267.062(1), F.S.  
4
 S. 334.071(2), F.S. 
5
 S. 334.071(3), F.S.  JUMP TO SUMMARY 	ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY 
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BILL HISTORY 
COMMITTEE REFERENCE ACTION DATE 
STAFF 
DIRECTOR/ 
POLICY CHIEF 
ANALYSIS 
PREPARED BY 
Economic Infrastructure 
Subcommittee 
17 Y, 0 N, As CS 3/19/2025 Keating Garcia 
THE CHANGES ADOPTED BY THE 
COMMITTEE: 
 Added a designation for the bridge on Moncrief Road West over the 
Ribault River in Duval County as the “Bernard Wilkes Ribault River 
Bridge.” 
Commerce Committee   Hamon Garcia 
 
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THIS BILL ANALYSIS HAS BEEN UPDATED TO INCORPORATE ALL OF THE CHANGES DESCRIBED ABOVE. 
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