[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6122709,"mediaKeyId","2694401-d7a2b4b4e90a61d764dca06d394f4b9f","parentId",2694401,"title","Senate committee adopts transportation bill amendment after debate over utility relocation and reimbursements","audioSeconds",2027,"startMs",939000,"endMs",2966000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2694401-d7a2b4b4e90a61d764dca06d394f4b9f&start=939&end=2966","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2694401-d7a2b4b4e90a61d764dca06d394f4b9f/thumbnail_939000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6122709/Florida/Senate-committee-adopts-transportation-bill-amendment-after-debate-over-utility-relocation-and-reimbursements","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6122709-71894f88181d61e5ed99615a69e429d0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771134701&Signature=Hf1-GP0cWBk5GgSoLs4Z3d~jwSpbz~ntD8GFHyGHh7LfMk2TR1CVxkLbtwvHQ9QtDvFeZArt-3zq7cY2WphPFzX18rlKEnlkm3LvEjRNcIGiKFOceqOys-TmprphrlLQVstT5Mja9j2cwOvp776kMYvqooGqnB3qfmT~mInjy2D9oqUS6rX3u~dXNdUqm9iixRSJ0WziFuCjq0cHFchcvnwF5lDgzedWQUx4k~XNHA2Zmjn6btww4G1zNCBKs0-OmqKpHcpu~RhS76INLba30JDeb86pVz09n1Q~6ST9lHSxS8FJIqWyIutyPazVs4ThuZJUa-nTHrJrpSIMswki8g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Florida State Legislature","date","2025-03-19T00:00:00Z","article","The Senate Committee on Transportation adopted a substitute amendment to the Department of Transportation bill (CS for SB 462) and then reported the bill favorably after extended discussion about utility relocation, reimbursement language and other transportation provisions.

The substitute amendment — described by sponsor Senator Nick DeSigli as requiring a monthly $4,167,000 sales-tax distribution to the State Transportation Trust Fund, new reporting duties for counties to FDOT, authority for FDOT to set highway speed limits in some cases, workforce development grants, contract rebidding rules, and utility relocation and mediation procedures — was offered and adopted on a voice vote before debate on the amended bill continued.

Why it matters: the amendment bundles numerous changes to state transportation policy and FDOT practice that could affect project timelines, who pays to relocate utilities, and how FDOT resolves disputes with utility owners. Several stakeholders warned parts of the bill remain a work in progress and argued some issues belong in administrative coordination rather than statute.

The bill sponsor and substance
Senator Nick DeSigli, sponsor of the package, told the committee the amendment covers a range of FDOT authorities and programs, including a monthly distribution to the transportation trust fund to address electric-vehicle impacts and new FDOT mediation boards for utility disputes. He told senators the utility-relocation sections are a \"work in progress\" and that he intends more stakeholder conversations as the bill moves forward.

Stakeholder testimony and concerns
Charlie Dudley, general counsel to the Florida Internet and Television Association, said his membership has participated in FDOT working groups and opposed the amendment in its current form, arguing it is \"a little too rigid\" and risks intruding on complex field-level coordination. He told the committee the DOT has an existing utility right-of-way working group and that project conditions often change in the field.

Casey Reed of AT&T said communications companies are often last in the sequence of relocations and warned the bill places penalties and permit-withholding in a way that could be harmful. Reed said telecommunications companies are already investing significant sums to occupy rights-of-way and urged proactive coordination rather than a primarily punitive statutory approach.

Sarah Catala, executive director of the Immokalee Water and Sewer District, asked the committee to change reimbursement language from \"may\" to \"shall\" (line 1204 in the substitute language) or otherwise make independent special districts eligible for reimbursement. She said two FDOT projects will require roughly $13 million in relocations for her district and that denial of hardship applications has left the district facing higher rates for consumers.

Technical and FDOT perspective
Dan Hurtado, who identified himself as a former FDOT chief engineer, told senators the department sees large time and cost impacts when utility relocations do not occur as planned: \"Roughly 60 to 70% of all construction claims for additional time or for additional compensation on FDOT construction projects are related to utility relocation issues,\" he said, citing his experience.

Senators and debate
Senator Arrington and Senator Davis pressed the sponsor on details: why the bill uses \"may\" rather than \"shall\" for reimbursements, what criteria would trigger FDOT reimbursement, and whether communication providers were intentionally excluded from some reimbursement language. DeSigli said he preferred retaining some discretion for FDOT because circumstances vary and committed to follow-up and further stakeholder work.

Committee action and outcome
Senator DeSigli offered and waived closing on the substitute amendment; the chair called the voice vote and the committee announced, \"The substitute amendment is adopted. We are back on the bill as amended.\" Later in the hearing the committee called the roll on CS for SB 462; recorded responses in committee show mixed votes during the roll call and the chair announced, \"By your vote, CS for SB 462 is reported favorably.\"

What remains unresolved
Committee members and outside witnesses repeatedly characterized the utility-relocation provisions as evolving language. Senators asked for more precise reimbursement criteria, clarity about which entities qualify for reimbursement, and how arbitration and claims limits would operate. DeSigli and witnesses repeatedly said the language was intended to force stakeholder negotiation and that more changes could be expected before floor action.

Ending
The committee advanced the revised FDOT package with the substitute amendment adopted and the committee report favorable. Sponsor DeSigli and witnesses said they will continue outreach to utilities, telecommunications providers, road builders and FDOT staff to refine the utility-relocation, reimbursement and mediation provisions before the bill reaches the full Senate.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Committee on Transportation 3/19/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Senate Committee on Transportation adopted a substitute amendment to the Department of Transportation package, advancing CS for SB 462 after debate that centered on utility relocation, when FDOT must reimburse utility owners and how disputes should be resolved.","taxTitle","Transportation , Standing Committees, Senate, Legislative, Florida","taxId",26957,"location","Florida","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6122702,"FDOT materials office outlines aggregate supply, imports and a $100 million grant program to shore up materials",541,5189000,5730000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2694401-d7a2b4b4e90a61d764dca06d394f4b9f&start=5189&end=5730","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2694401-d7a2b4b4e90a61d764dca06d394f4b9f/thumbnail_5189000.jpg","/articles/6122702/Florida/FDOT-materials-office-outlines-aggregate-supply-imports-and-a-100-million-grant-program-to-shore-up-materials","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6122702-4c860ae8b2fe11b680533f396dce2460/orig.mp4?Expires=1771134701&Signature=kEUg4WF8JQ5XwyLqSbuNArq-k6PjZ9UKqXXcGmsYDn2UW2ZJrQZveszEjJUFZ2B4G7AEZyrOkfCoOM8R-JXw0sKGoiAGlevEO5IT~sWBZ-UgMRl-SWyUojawPz4BSPXl5eE6mr6bdcijq1NSwjuBCMdJ4AFhQyAWHNr6d~9mpMzXeS9Csf5tgVMtOPoVpsry0NGRTKVRtP2tRdKhOdZ9MAwhtVepwkcsYq7Ntb51UVcxF-zg-de6lziFNcUE-x0eWtaPmLzOSEyx8xLc1r~bgiZrL8vSicRYsJgQVETpR-YFvym2sXVxPcK~YZPdSqthlYBSSVuFKRu8QOoYtuMJeg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Howie Mosley, the State Materials Engineer with the Florida Department of Transportation, briefed the committee on Florida's construction-aggregate supply, where aggregate is sourced, how it moves and a newly funded grant program intended to bolster supply-chain resilience.

The office's role and why aggregates matter
Mosley said the State Materials Office tests and approves materials used on FDOT projects and studies long-range material needs. He described crushed stone (mostly limestone/lime rock) and construction sand as the primary aggregates used for bases, asphalt and concrete mixtures, and riprap.

Recent data and imports
Mosley gave sector figures for 2023: approximately 136,000,000 tons of crushed stone and about 61,000,000 tons of construction sand were used in Florida construction projects; the department itself mined about 128,000,000 tons of construction aggregate in 2023 and the state imported nearly 5,000,000 tons from other countries. Mosley noted a portion of crushed stone for asphalt and concrete comes from the Miami-Dade Lake Belt region (about 55–60,000,000 tons annually from that region). He also said aggregate arrives by truck, rail and ship (noting imports from Canada and Honduras) and that additional transportation legs raise costs.

Recycled materials and conservation
FDOT emphasizes reuse of reclaimed asphalt pavement (millings) and crushed concrete for base materials; the office is also testing innovative sources such as recycled crushed glass as lightweight aggregate. Mosley said recycling both conserves natural aggregate and reduces landfill usage.

State grant program to strengthen supply chain
Mosley described the Florida Department of Aggregate Supply Chain Grant Program. He said the 2024 legislative appropriation began a $100,000,000 program (over multiple years) and that the first awards totaled $18,000,000. The initial grants are intended to create additional aggregate storage capacity (about 1.2 million tons of storage across recipients), improve rail access to storage facilities and utilize ports and terminals to reduce transportation bottlenecks.

Questions from committee members
Senators asked about the long-term availability of aggregates and whether a risk of depletion or stranded reserves exists. Mosley said the recent study he referenced examined current supplies and potential future sources; some mines reported multi-decade production capability but longer-term availability varies and requires ongoing monitoring. He said a mine in Mexico that had supplied roughly 2,000,000 tons for the state previously has been closed and is no longer a supplier. Mosley said Canada provides roughly 1,000,000 tons annually and Honduras supplies a smaller but important quantity for concrete mixes.

Why it matters and next steps
Committee members asked staff to circulate the aggregate study to senators; Mosley and committee staff said they would provide the report and supporting data. Committee discussion emphasized balancing quality, logistics and environmental and local permitting considerations as officials plan long-range infrastructure projects.

Ending
FDOT urged continued monitoring of aggregate supplies, use of recycled materials and investment in storage, rail and port access to reduce costs and improve resilience for future road and bridge projects.","FDOT State Materials Office described statewide aggregate sources, recent imports, recycled-material use and a state grant program to expand storage and rail/port access; officials recommended continued monitoring and published study review.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6122705,"Votes at a glance: transportation committee advances FDOT package and a set of license-plate, indemnity and agency bills",3274,1897000,5171000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2694401-d7a2b4b4e90a61d764dca06d394f4b9f&start=1897&end=5171","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2694401-d7a2b4b4e90a61d764dca06d394f4b9f/thumbnail_1897000.jpg","/articles/6122705/Florida/Votes-at-a-glance-transportation-committee-advances-FDOT-package-and-a-set-of-license-plate-indemnity-and-agency-bills","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6122705-21bea44197c68d04033089f0b86e9e0f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771134701&Signature=ceuZwPdzoQzjgePqi7k47so65kubRsubffo8fPMRXGJ3MFi75X46Yj0tFmArAUapS1hjZAeECa3erNC8iZcxKAz51RBX9OsauAlFBHCqCx3Xf2vekpWjEcmmy2fU22TdPXUQFCpLXIDxgM39VFKqWxC96EBv5dbUqaKcYnYwv7Tfmj1CZFQ8e0IGG~Et4U~hayPhMbDfkqc2raNwNavI5Q0gqDEXh8mj0ETX5ljgss6RU1~FC4C4oCvUgBskhHDHjIcK75dwyRkXlHAEQ33O69lDpEESAFuLZ00bJsyYhptGCYqsaf5teTEMB1hdgvt6hivl0Mc0lFax-QFAqrtVXg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Committee on Transportation reported several bills favorably after committee hearings and amendments. Below is a concise summary of each bill that received a recorded committee outcome during this session, with the committee's action as recorded in the hearing transcript.

Votes at a glance
- CS for SB 462 (Department of Transportation package): Committee adopted a substitute amendment and then reported the bill favorably. The substitute amendment bundled funding (monthly distribution to the State Transportation Trust Fund), FDOT authority changes, workforce grants, and new utility-relocation and mediation provisions. Outcome: reported favorably (committee roll call announced).

- CS for SB 1024 (United States Naval Academy / specialty license plates amendment): Committee adopted an amendment adding a United States Military Academy plate alongside the Naval Academy plate and reported the bill favorably. Outcome: reported favorably.

- CS for SB 824 (Florida Highway Patrol specialty license plate): Committee adopted a technical amendment to plate standards and reported the bill favorably. Outcome: reported favorably.

- CS for SB 916 (Indemnification for commuter rail on the Florida East Coast Railway corridor): Sponsor said key stakeholders, including private freight railroads and Miami-Dade and Broward counties, support the bill modeled on existing SunRail indemnity language; committee adopted technical amendments and reported the bill favorably. Outcome: reported favorably.

- CS for SB 666 (Miami Northwestern Alumni Association specialty license plate): Committee adopted an amendment limiting administrative/marketing fees to statutory limits and reported the bill favorably. Outcome: reported favorably.

- CS for SB 1290 (DHSMV agency package): Committee adopted a technical amendment and reported the bill favorably. Outcome: reported favorably.

- SB 1292 (Public records exemption for DHSMV email addresses): Committee reported the bill favorably. Outcome: reported favorably.

- SB 1408 (Memorial highway designations for law enforcement officers): Committee reported the bill favorably. Outcome: reported favorably.

- CS for SB 1502 (Special mobile equipment: mobile crane blanket permits): Committee adopted an amendment clarifying local-travel curfew language, heard industry support, and reported the bill favorably. Outcome: reported favorably.

How to read these outcomes: \"Reported favorably\" is the committee's recorded action to move the bill from committee for further consideration by the Senate. For items that received amendments, the committee adopted the amendment(s) before issuing the favorable report. Several of these bills were noncontroversial technical or memorial items; others (notably CS for SB 462) drew extended testimony and follow-up direction to sponsors to continue stakeholder engagement.

Ending
Report contents and vote details are drawn from the committee transcript and roll-call announcements; specific roll-call tallies and full text of committee amendments are available in the committee docket and staff materials.","The Senate Transportation Committee recorded roll-call votes reporting several bills favorably, including CS for SB 462 (FDOT package), specialty license-plate measures, indemnity for commuter rail, DHSMV agency package and related items. This roundup lists each bill, a one-line description and the committee outcome.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate committee adopts transportation bill amendment after debate over utility relocation and reimbursements

FDOT materials office outlines aggregate supply, imports and a $100 million grant program to shore up materials

Votes at a glance: transportation committee advances FDOT package and a set of license-plate, indemnity and agency bills