The Florida Senate
BILL ANALYSIS AND FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
(This document is based on the provisions contained in the legislation as of the latest date listed below.)
Prepared By: The Professional Staff of the Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic
Development
BILL: SB 706
INTRODUCER: Senator DiCeglie
SUBJECT: Transportation Facility Designations/Senator James A. Sebesta Memorial Highway
DATE: March 24, 2025
ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR REFERENCE ACTION
1. Johnson Vickers TR Favorable
2. Griffin Nortelus ATD Favorable
3. FP
I. Summary:
SB 706 designates that portion of U.S. 92/S.R. 600/Gandy Boulevard between S. West Shore
Boulevard in Hillsborough County and 4th Street N. in Pinellas County as “Senator James A.
Sebesta Memorial Highway” and directs the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to
erect suitable markers.
The estimated cost to the FDOT to install the designation markers is $2,400. See Section V.
Fiscal Impact Statement.
The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.
II. Present Situation:
Section 334.071, F.S., provides that legislative designations of transportation facilities are for
honorary or memorial purposes or to distinguish a particular facility. Such designations are not to
be construed as requiring any action by local governments or private parties regarding the
changing of any street signs, mailing addresses, or 911 emergency telephone number system
listings, unless the legislation specifically provides for such changes.
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When the Legislature establishes road or bridge designations, the FDOT is required to place
markers only at the termini specified for each highway segment or bridge designated by the law
creating the designation and to erect any other markers it deems appropriate for the
transportation facility.
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1
Section 334.071(1), F.S.
2
Section 334.071(2), F.S.
REVISED: BILL: SB 706 Page 2
The FDOT may not erect the markers for honorary road or bridge designations unless the
affected city or county commission enacts a resolution supporting the designation. When the
designated road or bridge segment is located in more than one city or county, each affected local
government must pass resolutions supporting the designations before the installation of the
markers.
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Senator James A. Sebesta
Senator James A. Sebesta was initially appointed and subsequently, in 1972, elected Supervisor
of Elections for Hillsborough County. Senator Sebesta was originally elected to the Florida
Senate in 1988, and reelected in 2002, and served as the Chairman of the Senate Transportation
Committee from 2000 to 2006. Senator Sebesta was committed to planning for Florida’s growth
and improving the safety of Florida’s roadways. Senator Sebesta passed away on January 29,
2024.
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III. Effect of Proposed Changes:
The bill creates an undesignated section of Florida law designating that portion of U.S. 92/S.R.
600/Gandy Boulevard between S. West Shore Boulevard in Hillsborough County and 4th Street
N. in Pinellas County as “Senator James A. Sebesta Memorial Highway” and directs the FDOT
to erect suitable markers.
IV. Constitutional Issues:
A. Municipality/County Mandates Restrictions:
None.
B. Public Records/Open Meetings Issues:
None.
C. Trust Funds Restrictions:
None.
D. State Tax or Fee Increases:
None.
E. Other Constitutional Issues:
None.
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Section 334.071(3), F.S.
4
James Sebesta Obituary, https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/tampabaytimes/name/james-sebesta-obituary?id=54311555
(last visited February 17, 2025). BILL: SB 706 Page 3
V. Fiscal Impact Statement:
A. Tax/Fee Issues:
None.
B. Private Sector Impact:
None.
C. Government Sector Impact:
The estimated cost to erect the designation markers required under this bill is $2,400,
based on the assumption that a minimum of two markers are required at a cost to the
FDOT of no less than $1,200 each. The estimate includes labor, materials,
manufacturing, and installation.
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The FDOT is expected to absorb the estimated cost
within existing resources.
VI. Technical Deficiencies:
None.
VII. Related Issues:
None.
VIII. Statutes Affected:
This bill creates an undesignated section of Florida law.
IX. Additional Information:
A. Committee Substitute – Statement of Changes:
(Summarizing differences between the Committee Substitute and the prior version of the bill.)
None.
B. Amendments:
None.
This Senate Bill Analysis does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill’s introducer or the Florida Senate.
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E-mail from Jack Rogers, FDOT Legislative Affairs Director, RE: Transportation Facility Designation Costs, December 9,
2024. (On file with Senate Committee on Transportation).