Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development

>> Good afternoon. The Appropriations Committee on transportation, tourism and economic development will now come to order, Brooke. Please call the roll. >> Senator Arrington here, Senator Avila, you're Senator Bernard Senator Bracy Davis here, Senator Grall here, Senator Lake Senator Martin, Senator Mayfield here, Senator McLean, Senator Smith senator, now centre-right yes, vice-chair polsky here. Chair Deciglie. You're a quorum is present. Thank you, Brooke. >> Please silence all electronic devices. Anyone wishing to speak before the committee should complete an appearance form and hand it to a member of the sergeants office. Should you select to waive your speaking time? Your position would be included in the committee meeting records. Senators. We have 5 bills on our agenda today. We are going to start with tab number 2, which is Senate Bill 628. On transportation facility, designations warrior sacrifice, way by President Gaetz. President Gaetz. You're recognized to explain your bill and welcome. Thank you very much for Mr. Chairman, thank you for hearing this bill. >> On 12/6/2019, 3 American sailors engaged in a training program at Naval Air Station. Pensacola were murdered on base by an Islamic jihadist who infiltrated the training this bill would honor and send Joshua Watson. Petty officer was Mohamed hate him and Cameron Walters by naming a portion of south maybe boulevard in Pensacola as warrior sacrifice way. And that is the bill. Thank you, Senator. Any questions on the bill? Any questions on the bill seeing none any appearance forms, no appearance forms. Senators any debate on the bill and the debate yet. What will we will? Yes in debate, senator, right. Okay. >> So I'm up. I'm up on your bill. Obviously, I just want to know how much I was aware of this because we actually took a tour that these 2 days prior to this incident while we were there as part of the Florida Defense Support Commission. So really, it really resonated. And I think this is a great thing that you're doing. Thank you. Senator Mayfield in debate. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. >> And I too, I will be up on this bill. I think this is this is very it's very fitting for the family. And there's not a whole lot we can do with the family when a tragedy like this happens to their loved ones. And at least this is one way of him being able to know that we do appreciate what they've done and we want them to know that their names will live on forever. Someone going in that highway will see their name and they will remember. And I can tell you from experience when someone passes away, their biggest fears had their forgotten. And I think this is one way of making sure that they fit their family, knows that they will not be forgotten. So thank you for bringing this Bill. >> Thank you, ma'am. Thank you. Senator Mayfield said any further debate seeing none. Senator Gaetz, you're recognized to close on your Bill. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, I think that Senator Wright, Senator Mayfield closed for me. Thank you. Please call the roll on Senate Bill 628. >> Senator Arrington. Yes. Senator Obama, Senator Bernard. Yes. Senator Bracy Davis. Yeah. Senator Grall senator leak. Yes, senator Martin, Senator Mayfield. Yes. Senator McLean, Senator Smith. Senator. True now. Senator Wright. Yes. Vice-chair polsky share diciglie yes. >> By your vote Senate Bill 628. Is reported favorably. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, thank you. >> The next attempt. >> Senators, we're not going to go to tab number one, which is Cs for Senate Bill. 382, and electric bicycles by Senator. True. Now, Senator, you're recognized to explain your bill. Thank you, chair members. >> As many of you know, e-bikes and scooters are becoming more prevalent on our sidewalks and roadways impacting vehicles and pedestrians alike. Many of our local leaders, including our sheriffs, believe it is time to clarify. >> But the law on the. >> The motive, mobility. Our children are also seeing a negative impact as these bikes are moving faster each day. Senate Bill 382 does the following creates a provision that riders must yield to pedestrians on a shared pathway and provide inaudible signal before passing and operator may not operate electric bicycle. It speeds greater than 10 miles an hour. If a pedestrian is within 50 feet. The person who fails to comply with this subject to a non criminal traffic infraction and is punishable by as a non moving violation as per chapter 3.18, of the Florida Statute, any Bike Safety task force will be created to examine and recommend improvements to state law. And to encourage the safe operation of these icicles task force is put in place no later than 30 days of the effectiveness of this bill, they will get to work in the they will work with the highway patrol sheriffs officers and police departments and the compiled data on CRASH reports and then push that information forward. 10/15/2026, seats, sheriff's office and police department shall submit their reports to the Department of Highway Safety. The foreign shell then submit a report by October 31st of 0. 26 the governor, the president of the Senate and the speaker of the House representatives and the bill. Thank you, Senator. Any questions on the bill? >> Senator, I do have a question. Obviously we're talking about the bicycles. Has there been any conversations with stakeholders and even people in the public law enforcement about e-scooters? >> I think the bill speaks to, you know, those all those types of transportation, the scooters, bicycles, whatever it is. >> And I appreciate that. And the reason why I'm going to have a question at the answer may be what reason why bring that up? I had the constituent in the Tampa Bay area. Arson was a student USF and he was unfortunately tragically killed in a e-scooter accident. And her challenge was, you know, when the when law enforcement filled out that report, there was no way for them to to identify the fact that he was killed on an e-scooter. And so, you know, obviously, you know, she's been very engaged on on this bill that that you're sponsoring. Appreciate that. So I'll just my question is, can you can you speak to kind of how the reporting is and whether or not there might be an opportunity to add the e-scooter to to those reports through your Bill? >> Thank you, chair and thank you for the question. So, yeah, this bill is to to set aside a task force of the various different community members and and come up with those answers to those questions so that we can come back next year and hopefully, you know, add to this legislation to accomplish just what your scent. It's a little bit complicated when you're talking about the bikes and off-road on road and who can who can drive what age you should be or should they have a driver's license owes? There's sometimes going to have to take your to to to really flesh it out. Thank you for that. Appreciate it. Senator Wright, for a question. Thank you if you'd like. >> Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. So so, senator, to know to me e-bikes is just a nice little way of saying it's an electric motorcycle. And that's basically what you have is electric motorcycle and I I like what's in your what you proposed so far? But I think you're aware that to it's not a big deal to make these little so-called e-bike school as much as 55 miles per hour. And I'm wondering what how you feel that we're going to actually control the bike riders to stay at 10 miles per hour or less and what they're going to use for inaudible hoard other than their mouth and and and so forth. So I think it's going to be difficult. And I'm just wondering what your plans are to try and make these e-bike riders comply with the laws of the land as we have 2 were driving a motorcycle or driving a car on a public roadway. >> Senator now, yeah, thank you, Senator Wright for the question chairman. You know, that's the difficult thing we're trying to figure out here really. And truly, I mean, if it were up to me, we just ban them from being on the sidewalk with pedestrians completely. And that's awful lot of problems. But then it also slows down, you know, people's mode of transportation to get to and from wherever they got it, they got to go. So you're right. That's the problem we're facing is these modifications can be made very easily. And, you know, more accidents occur from it. So that's that's why we're doing what we're doing today. Senator Wright. >> So so one more questions. I'm just really concerned and how you think we can handle having these mixed with people on pedal bikes and moms and dads pushing their loved ones or walking their dog. And here comes this electric motorcycle, in my opinion, on the streets. What can we do to try and help them feel more comfortable and not afraid to go out and walk on a public walkway that currently is only allowed to have pedestrian traffic on it. >> Senator, now, thank you, chair and thank you, senator, for the question. You know, I think there's an education portion of this that will go into place as well with the sheriff's Department of talked about doing some education pieces and schools and and helping people understand the severity of the problems. Again, this is why this bill exist today is for the same questions that we're asking ourselves any further questions. Okay, seeing none. We're going to go on to our appearance forms. >> First that we've got chip Denmark for lieutenant with the Orange County Sheriff's Office is waiving in support. Thank you for being here, sir, with the AARP Karen Murillo waiving in support. Thank you for being here. Ali McNair with the Florida Sheriffs Association waiving in support. Thank you for being here. Cookie print with the Florida Police Chiefs Association. She's waving in support Aaron Balas Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office waiving in support. Thank you for being here. Well, this is a tricky one, Nancy, many your bowl and I'm so sorry I coming up in please correctly state your name and I apologize. I have a really tough last name. They do it to me all the time. And I really don't mind. So I hope you don't either, but you're recognized. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Good afternoon, chair members of the committee. I am Nancy Materre Belen vice mayor of the city of Coral Springs. I'm here today in support of Senate Bill 382. in my community. Residents talk to me about e-bikes almost every day. Not because they're anti e-bikes but because they're concerned about safety. Seniors tell me that there startled when e-bikes fly past them on the sidewalks. Parents worry when they're walking with their young children. Drivers are alarmed when e-bike suddenly zip off the sidewalk and into traffic without stopping at crosswalks or intersections. Sidewalks and crossings are shared spaces. And right now the rules have been caught up with how fast and powerful the bikes have become. The this bill bring common sense back into the shared space showing slowing down to 10 miles per hour when pedestrians are nearby yielding the right of way. And giving audio bull signal when passing are simple steps that prevent confusion and accidents. We're quiet license for e-bikes capable of exceeding 28 miles per hour is also reasonable at those speeds. Accountability matters for riders, pedestrians and drivers alike. I also strongly support the electrical bike electric bicycle safety task force and improved crash reporting. Local governments like mine need real data to address risk before someone is seriously hurt and in my community more than often those individuals are being seriously hurt. This last legislation doesn't punish riders. It protects people. It protects my community and that's what our communities are asking for protection. I respectfully asks for your support and thank you, Senator. Thank you all. Thank you for being here today. He next up. We've got Nikki Bosley. You're recognized. >> Good afternoon. My name is Mickey Bosley in a colonel with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. Chairman senators, I appreciate your time today. I would like to talk to you about school zone safety because a lot of the issues that you are trying to fix. We have done so in Hillsborough County, Our School Zones, Beast Speed Safety Program is achieving great milestones and the data we've collected over the past several months proves at all de enforcement is essential to keeping our students safe. Not just there as Bosley it to deuce you. Yes. >> We and it's my fault that in I didn't read the bill number on your appearance form. That's for a bill that I'm presenting a little bit later. Yes, so you've done great is that it's a practice. Yes, has been. The fact is not a big deal and then I'll obviously vice-chair polsky ill. Have you come back up? I do apologize for that. Yes, no problem at all. Thank you. Okay. Cat Captain James Cunningham with the Collier County Sheriff's Office. I thought point she's in law enforcement which you oppose this bill. >> You're recognized, sir. Thank you. Good afternoon, Mr. Chair and members of committee once again. Thank you for an opportunity to speak before you and I stand in support of the bill as represented to you. To your point, the classifications of what is currently identified today in law of the 3 classes of e-bikes is truly very were outdated, not only outdated the data being collected and what is happening in the field. I do not match up. And so the safety task force, we believe would be a significant and spent trying to find the way to collect the correct data. So as collectively collected uniformly throughout the state so that we can put together the measures, the proper measures in the force meant as we move forward and legislation. We have a situation just last year with 14 year-old and what we call the moto went through a stop sign was hit by a vehicle and he was killed tragically killed in the course of that legislation that what I actually look for, the fatalities that was included within our overall fatalities within the county was not included within bicycles because it was not within the statute. There was no uniform process to be able to address and how that was reported as a fatality. So your point to safety task force you're looking at would be a way to for us to create uniform data matrix so we can properly address not only the classes there and legislation that some of the pieces you're talking about. 79 1% of all of our crashes in our county related the e-bikes result in injury to the bike ride or others. In addition that 38% of those e-bikes are actually at fault for the crash in our county specifically. And so obviously we're seeing an increasing number of crashes involving bicycles, even though our fatalities and that are going down when they were seeing the inverse specifically to e-bikes. And so your systems with allowing us to data collected was given within this legislation will help in that in the future to come back before your next year. But some of provisions are being asked for against and in support. And thank you. >> Great. Thank you for being here today. Appreciate that. We got Joshua Simmons. Good afternoon, sir. You're recognized and welcome. >> Good afternoon, chair vice chair members of this committee, Mr. Chair. I have to say not only do you and I share the same hairstyle. We also share the same mind. And I say that because and I appreciate I want to commend the sponsor for tackling this issue. It's a growing issue. It's not something that necessarily be put back into the box because parents are buying their children. These motorized after adus us. Right. But really I would love to see more about e-scooters because those are becoming a big problem in our city where I am a commissioner and the beautiful city of Coral Springs where it is the premier place to live work and raised a family. And I'm here for the children have been injured being on these scooters. And we're actually going to be going into a a public campaign to try to educate our parents, our children around this issue. But I want to make sure that we are we can't necessarily enforce our way out of this problem. But I want to make sure if we're going to address any of these motorized apparatus is that we also include language around e-scooters because that needs to be in. There are police department are doing what they can. But I am grateful that they're going to have more with this bill. So I am speaking in support. I am just asking if we can add a little bit more when it comes to e-scooters as well. Thank you all for your time today. And I appreciate you all here in us. Thank you. Thank you. Being here tonight and we've got Seth Stephanie Van Jones. Good afternoon. Welcome. You're recognized. >> That afternoon, chairman members of the committee, Stephanie Vaness, Orange County School Board member for District 6 were here speaking in support of this bill. Thank you. Rep your now for introducing this bill. Since I have been on the board, I have heard so many concerns from parents, community members. We've had so many of our students involved in really significant accidents on e-bikes. And I will also say e-scooters as well. We would ask, though, that with the task force that the task force include a school board member, potentially someone from FSB, so that that education piece is is included in that conversation with the task force has our students are specifically impacted by these e-bikes. Thank you. Thank you for being here today. Appreciate that. >> That concludes our appearance forms. Senators any debate on the bill. Senator Mayfield in debate. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman an on demand and supported the bill. I think the challenge we're going to have is enforcement as anything. We have an issue in our community with these and we had a 79 year-old man killed a few weeks ago on an e-bike and so they are dangerous. It amazes me when you see 7, 8, 9, year-old and 10 year-old 11 year-old which I have seen in my community riding the bikes and they just buzzed down, you know, sidewalks and they're very dangerous. But again, the enforcement is going to be very challenging on what we do. So I'm looking forward to how the task force what the task force comes back with and some of the recommendations to to help our commute to keep our community safe. Thank you. >> Thank you. Senator Mayfield, Senate, right debate. Thank you much, Mr. Chairman. So going to be up in this bill today, but I hope that we can work together, senator to know on this because it's it's all well and good to say that the bikes can only go 10 miles per hour, but I've often thought about saving the state. A lot of money just putting up highway traffic speed limits because no one's reading them either. So make maybe maybe this is going to be a difficult thing to keep a 10 miles an hour. Audible signal. That's a good idea. But we we see it every day. We see it in our public roads every day. People writing these e-bikes and they are not stopping at stop lights. They're not stopping at stop signs are all of a sudden just making a right turn and then doing a U-turn in going back and continue on their way. They need to follow the law the same as a licensed driver follow. So so I applaud you for doing this bill because we do get a lot of calls in my district office every day. Even my own aides have almost been hit in almost get people in e-bikes because they're moving so fast. But I really I'm going to be up on it so we can keep this thing moving for you. But I would really like to spend some time and try to put some good teeth into it. I think the task force will be a good start. Maybe in the meantime, we say don't write them until they pass the task force. But anyway, appreciate the time. And thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you, Senator, any further debate. >> I will also echo that Senator and I thank you for bringing this bill. I, you know, in Pinellas County represent the barrier islands. And, you know, when we get really busy during tourist season, which is now really through, you know, through April and May, what's really frustrating is I see these these e e bicycles on the sidewalks or their, you know, on the bike lane going the opposite direction. It's so obvious to me that it just a matter time before there's a there's a serious, you know, accident that happens. And obviously those have happened. I think this approach, I think is balanced into your to your point, Senator. Nothing think it's true. I think we all would agree that maybe would just, you know, eliminate them altogether. The problem, unfortunately, or fortunately, is that there are commuters going back and forth to work that this is their mode of transportation. And so I think that we need to create kind of that those standards that that require their common sense, their balance. I think certainly this is going in that direction. And and again, I really want to want to potentially see e-scooters included in this somehow. I do think that that's a problem. I think my my good friend and we share the same barber, he has those concerns. And I appreciate you coming up and and mentioning that. So Senator, now Weldon, look forward to this good bill continuing moving through a process and with that you are recognized to close on your Bill. >> Thank you, Chairman. Yeah, I think the stakeholders of have spoken today. We have some a lot of work to do with this bill and I look forward to working with others to trying to hone in on that. And I agree scooters need to be more specific in the bill. I think we can fix that pretty easily, you know, responsibility and respect for others on the street. And it's it's it's a big deal. And these people that need to use these vehicles to get to and fro to work or for daily function. I think they are respectful for others. But I think we have a group of of young people out there that are not abiding by the rules. And, you know, that's a tough that's tough challenge. That's a that's a hard thing to get your hands around. So hopefully this bill helps us in that direction. And I I ask for your help on this and get to the finish line. >> Thank you, Senator. Please call the roll on CS for Senate Bill 382. >> Senator Arrington. Yes, they're abila. Yes, senator Bernard. Yes, senator Bracy Davis. Yes. Senator Grall senator Lake. Yes, senator Martin. Yes, Senator Mayfield. Yes. Senator McLean, senator Smith. Yes, senator. Now, Senator Wright. Yes. Vice-chair polsky share diciglie yes. >> By your vote CS for Senate bill 382. Is reported favorably. Thank you, Senator. Now senators. We're now going on to tab number 5 to 5 Senate Bill 880, on specialty license plates. Miami, Northwestern Alumni Association by my good friend and neighbor in the parking lot. Senator Jones, you're recognized to explain your Bill. Thank you so much. Mister Chair Heidi Park Street today. I do have a message that came from a chair. Burgess. Please don't count us against me. >> He told me to tell you that your committee socks and that's what he told me to live that message to you today. I'm sorry that we told me delivery income from easy chair. I sent to us. Got the new members for this bill you saw last year. This is SB 880, it proposes proposes adding a new license plate to the list of approved place available for Florida residents. This bill crease to Miami. Northwestern Alumni Association license plate with funds to from the annual fee going towards Needs-based scholarships, academic programs, athletic programs in the Miami Northwestern High School performing and Visual Arts center. Miami Northwestern Senior High School was established in the fall of 1955. It was the first new high school for the black community in Miami, Dade County, Miami. Northwestern has distinguished list of alumni from members of Congress such as Congresswoman Wilson to array of individuals who play in the NFL like other former coach Teddy Bridgewater, who his first year led the Bulls to state championship. The funds generated by the Miami know Northwestern alumni associations license plate. We're directly support the academic and extracurricular programs. They have fought to the success of his distinguished alumni. For that, I ask for your favorable support on this Bill. Mister Chair, thank you for presenting that bill and an increase in my blood pressure. Any questions? Any questions on the dock seeing none. No appearance forms centers. Any debate seeing none. Senator. Oh, I'm sorry. Senator Bracy Davis. You're recognized. >> No problem. Thank you, Mister Chair. Thank you for bringing this bill, senator, because you've given me an idea for what to do with my district and something I have a very powerful. >> I >> high School association as well with the historic Jones High School saw just know that this freshman senators watching used so that you can pave the way for something that may come in. The future said do appreciate this. And also I'm noticing that there is 3,000 vouchers that have to be my understanding of the reading at 3,000 vouchers that have to be filled out prior to which seems like a heavy lift. So I I wish you good luck with this one and, you know, do it so that I can come back and do it again. Thank you, Senator. Any further debate, Sarah Jones, you're recognized to close on your Bill. >> Thank you, chair and thank you so much for Senator Bracy Davis. I will tell you is that the deaths of not northwest and I'm not so station have a very large association across the state of Florida. And I have a lot of confidence that they're re still 3,000 vouchers. So hopefully we can get across the finish line last year. We just ran our time over in the house. I started moving too late and so we can hopefully we can get across this. We thank you so much for the chair for this. Thank you. Senator Jones. Please call the roll on Senate Bill 880. >> Senator Arrington. Yes, Senator Obama, Senator Bernard Senator Bracy Davis. Yes, senator Grall senator Lee. Yes, senator Martin, Senator Mayfield. Yes. Senator McLean, Senator Smith. Senator, true now. Senator Wright. Yes. Vice-chair polsky. Yes. Chair diciglie yes. >> By a vote Senate Bill. 88 is reported favorably. Thank you, chair. Thank you, senators. We're going to go on on to tab number for Senate Bill 696, and registration of trademarks by Senator Martin. Senator, you're recognized to explain your Bill. >> Thank you. Chair. This bill authorizes the use of online trademark registration applications and ensures that Florida's trademark classification system continues to align with national an international standards efficient and timely way. This bill also clarifies existing document verification statutes may be used to verify trademark registration applications. That's the bill. Thank you, Senator Martin. Any questions on the bill seeing none. We have one appearance form Doug Bell with the business law section of Florida Bar is waiving in support. There are certain could see you Senate debate. Any debate on the bill seeing none. Senator Wright, you're recognized to close on your Bill. >> Thank you for this opportunity to educate all the members about the intellectual Property Committee skate away of. >> Thank you, Senator Martin. Please call the roll on Senate Bill 696. Arrington. >> Yes, Senator Avila, Senator Bernard Senator Bracy Davis. Yes, senator Grall Senator Lake. Yes, senator Martin. Yes, Senator Mayfield, yes. Senator McLean, Senator Smith. Senator, true now. Senator Wright. Yes. Vice-chair polsky chaired diciglie yes. >> By a vote Senate Bill 696, is reported favorably. We've got one more and I'm gonna pass the gavel over to our vice chair. Vice-chair Polsky. >> Thank you, Chair. We have Tab 3 Cs for SB 654, and traffic infraction enforcement. Our own chair Diciglie. You are recognized to explain the bill. >> Thank you. Madam Chair, Cs for Senate Bill 654. Addresses a range of issues related to the camera enforcement of traffic violations for red light running speeding in a school zone and illegally passing a stopped school bus. The purpose of the bill is to provide more consistency, predictability and transparency among these programs in drafting the bill. I received input from a number of stakeholders, including law enforcement community. And obviously, as you all know, I will continue to to work with those stakeholders. We've had a lot of issues in relation to to these cameras. And, you know, full disclosure. I'm not a fan of them at all, but they're here. This is my attempt to kind of clarify some things, make the process a little bit more fair. You, for example, and in Hillsborough County when it comes to school bus cameras, if folks are at a difficult time in challenging these these infractions, these tickets, it's just simply not a fair process of this bill attempts to address those. So forgive me in bear with me. Senators. I'm gonna go through some of the talking points here. It's very technical. I want to make sure I cover as much as I can. I typically don't like to read this much. But but again, it's very technical. I want to make sure that folks who are here and folks who are following this bill get as much information as possible because there are several changes to each of these different programs. So in relating relation to the red light cameras, the bill authorizes the clerk of court to retain 10% of the revenues received from penalty stuff and clerk related functions. This is consistent with other traffic infractions and fines defines the term. Careful, improve matter is as it relates to right. Turns on red authorizes virtual hearings for motors to challenge notices of violation requires counties. A municipality's operating traffic infraction detectors to maintain certain records for a minimum of 2 years prohibits the use of traffic infraction detectors for remote surveillance and limits. The use of data recorded by traffic infraction detectors in relation to speed detection systems in school zones. The bill limits the use of these systems to times when the school zone speed limit is in effect and requires any applicable. Flashing beacon to be activated, requires Department of Highway Safety Motor Vehicle to post on its Web site program on his Web site program. Data received from counties and municipalities that is also currently required for red light. Cameras prohibits individuals in vendors from receiving a commission are being paid on a per violation basis, consistent with other camera enforcement programs authorizes the use of virtual hearings for motorists to challenge notices of violation in relation to school bus cameras. The bill requires the school board to approve the installation of a school bus infraction to Texans detection Systems. On District School buses removes a provision that sufficiently of signage notifying drivers of the detector may not be used to challenge. A violation requires a school district to provide an annual report on school bus camera program at a school board meeting requires camera data reported to the department by school districts to be put to be posted on the department's website requires traffic infraction. Forsman officers enforcing school bus violations to meet the statutory requirement for such officers and require certain faction data to be transmitted to the local hearing officer during the same time frame required for other violation. Madam Chair, I do have an amendment that's going to clarify and change some of these things that I just outlined for the committee. >> So when we hear the amendment now Barcode 1, 9, 0, 0, 3, 4, you can present that and we'll do questions after. >> Thank you, Madam Chair, this amendment clarifies the definition of reasonable improve matter as it relates to right turns on red revises provisions regarding the use of camera data to determine civil or criminal liability clarifies that a district school board is not required to make a safety determination for each school. Bus route provides of the commission prohibition for speed detection system is only for contracts enter into or renewed after 10/1/2026. and inter local agreements for school bus infraction detection system. These provisions only apply to contracts entered into a renewed after 10/1/2026. requires annual reports regarding speed detection system systems in school zones to provide the number of violations issued outside of the authorized enforcement period. And finally provides that Cameron enforce traffic violations are not admissible, has character evidence. Madam Chair, that is the amendment. Thank you for explaining the amendment. Are there any questions on the amendment? >> Seeing none. I don't think there any appearance forms on the amendment. Is there any debate on the amendment? Senator Deciglie in close on the amendment. I waive close all in favor of the amendment say yea, all opposed say Nay. The amendment is adopted. We're back on the bill as amendment as amended. Are there any questions on the bill as amended? Senator Grall, thank you. >> Chair Diciglie. I generally hate all traffic cameras. So and all of the surveillance that has happened everywhere in the last 10 years. And so generally speaking, we just heard a lot about what this bill does. Is there any expansion in the bill of where cameras are currently allowed? Please go back and forth. Thank you, Madam Chair. >> I share your sentiment with these cameras as well. The answer to that is no. We had some discussions about some placements of these cameras in school zones. Those conversations are ongoing, but there's no no expansion. If anything, the only change I would support is is to make sure that the accuracy is meeting a standard. I think everybody on this committee and everybody this legislature should should expect from these cameras because we it's and I'll just you having this, you know, not really tight is just creating and could create significant issues that that you and I certainly are concerned about. >> And just with regard to us, other some language in the amendment about the traffic infraction detector may not be used for remote surveillance and then that this does not constitute remote surveillance. Are you aware of the checks and balances on any of these systems in terms of whether or not surveillance is really being use whether or not these are all feeding feeding into our sheriffs real time crime centers. I mean, what's the are there any Fisher and says in the bill that people can rely on or or in this area of law, I guess that there won't be massive surveillance happening because of the. >> Yeah, thanks for that. Great question is what we currently have in Florida statute in relation to that. The does not change what we currently have open to making those even stricter, if if need be. But again, not this bill does not use any of those obvious concerns. And, you know, again, this is really a lot about processes. Let's a lot about fairness. And I'm hoping that that this is, you know, start a conversation that's going to go even even beyond this legislative session. Thank you are in questions and you can go back and forth. Thank you, chair. >> On the Amendment lines, 6.34 to 6.38. The language says limit may not be enforced through the use of a speed detection system. If any flashing beacon used to provide notice of the times during which a restrictive school speed limit is being enforced in the school zone is not activated at the time of the violation. So this is a question that could probably end up in court somewhere. Is your intent that any speed zone camera in a school zone in order for it to record someone's license plate in order for it to detect their speed in order for someone to be punished for breaking the speed limit? Does that zone have to have a light flashing in order for those cameras and and spit on and the radars to be activated or say that only if there's already a flashing light that that has to be activated. >> That is a great question. And it's my intent as this bill moves that we've had those conversations with with the stakeholders. And we've got some, you know, further amendments coming down the pipe there. But it certainly might as this moves through. My my ultimate goal here when it comes to that is, you know, when the school zones during school times, we've had some conversation is whether you know, currently it's it's it's throughout the whole school day. Okay, in, you know that I have some question whether or not, you know, maybe that needs to be tightened up, right? So the goal here with the beacon Lights is 2 to 2 to identify in and really show the motorists that the flashing beacon is is activated. I have to now go 15 miles an hour. And I think that you giving that that that beak in use an indicator of I need to I need to not speak through the through the schools. So that certainly, you know, that needs to have some clarification. But that is my ultimate goal to have those beacons flashing while while that 50 mile an hour speed limit is is it should be enforced. Thank you. I appreciate that because when someone is, >> as we all know, driving 30 miles an hour through residential area and you see a school zone sign, but then really small letters, much smaller than are small numbers, much smaller than the actual speed limit. We see the times and sometimes, right. All right. It's 8 o'clock is a 15 is a Sir elementary school, middle school or high school. And then you're trying to look to see what number that is. You don't want to be run by the people behind you going. 45 miles an hour. But you also want to make sure that you're protected. So you end up spending more time trying to look at those small little numbers on what time it is. 7 o'clock back. You know, and then it would be easier if if if that amber lights flashing plus we're generating revenue or the school district are generating revenue and they're using very expensive devices. They can absolutely put flashing amber light. I just don't want to see those speed traps where again, we talked about it in the previous committee meeting where the entities that are installing these in approving these are the ones making the money and also running the hearings on whether somebody is guilty or not guilty. I just want to have as many checks and balances in place as Senator Grall referred to and I know I know we've were large agree with that. So thank you. >> Wouldn't you agree? Senator, thank you. And thank you for that question. Do you agree? Do I do a great again saving debate? Good debate on this side. Senator Smith and questions you go back and forth. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you, Senator Deciglie for bringing this forward. This a lot of good stuff in the bill. A lot of very important guardrails for the use of these traffic citation cameras. I'm trying to understand what what the bill changes compared to what we currently have related to limited data sharing and limited sharing of like video surveillance. I know in your exchange with Senator Grall who asked about remote surveillance. We got some information there. But I'm curious currently without your bill, are there restrictions on sharing video surveillance with other entities not related to the traffic violation? >> You know the answer to that. Thank you, sir, for your free question. The answer to that is yes. I mean, obviously, you know, there are a lot of members of this of this body that, again, simply doesn't like these cameras in the first place. There's a privacy element to this, I think is very important to myself and a lot of lot of senators and members of the legislature in general. So, you know, as as those bills removing whether it's red light cameras in 2010 and then just recently the last few years with with the school zone and with the school bus, those, though that data and the way that data is is utilized is very strict law enforcement typically. And so, you know, we don't want any that data to go out. Where should be? It's just again, it's not that was never the intent in the first place. And this bill certainly doesn't touch any of those the statute that we have in place currently. >> Thank you, Senator Deciglie at and if anything it may, it may strengthen them. I'm looking at your amendment that we just adopted that. The language that I see here that I want to ask you about, you know, talks about video and images recorded by a traffic infraction detector may only be used for the enforcement of violations of 3.16, 0, 7, 4, 3, 16, 0, 7, 5, and for purposes of determining criminal and civil liability captured by the traffic infraction detector, incidental to the permissible use of traffic infraction detector. That's a that's a lot of language. But it sounds like sounds like they're only allowed to use it for for this purpose. The concern I have that I'm trying to maybe find out what may possibly still be exposed as far as the data and the video footage is, would this footage and this data still be available for the federal government, federal law enforcement to potentially have access to seize? I'm very concerned with how aggressive the federal government has been in immigration enforcement and how municipalities have, you know, been intimidated into surrendering resources so that they're not seen as not complying with ICE. And so I'm I'm trying to understand if there's if there's any language and what you're presenting that would allow for the federal government to take this camera footage for the purpose of continuing to target individuals for detainment and deportation who have not committed any crimes. >> Thank you. Senator Smith is a very nuanced question. I want to I want to provide you with a with a very specific and accurate answer. So if it's OK with you, I want to give my staff and I'm happy to circle back around here and answer that important question. >> That's Senator 9. Go back and forth. Thank you, chair and senators take the do. Is there any flexibility in the bill as amended to allow for hours of operation when you have multiple schools in the same area across the street from each other is there is there flexibility like the Evelyn mention school, middle school high school all the same and they have different start times and drop-off times. Could that be would that be all of them including the one timer we get to split them up? That's a thank you, Senator. Trust a great question. I will let me get back to you on that as well. Because, you know, again, we're you know, the I wanted just to strictly an era to to the time when the schools actually, you know, most school, the school times, right? And so we we haven't we haven't got there just yet. So I think there's some opportunities to tighten that up to me to clarify your question. So what I'm happy to circle back around with you and and answer that question in full detail. Any other questions. We do have 2 appearance forms on Nikki Bosley. Welcome to come back up. Good afternoon once again. >> I appreciate your time today. Chairman senators, I would like to talk to you about the school zone safety because a lot of the issues that have been brought up today, Hillsborough has fixed having multiple times on a sign is confusing. And what we've done in Hillsborough is it is the speed is enforced all throughout the school day and our schools zone. A are school zone. Speed safety program is flourishing. And the data we've collected over the past several months proves that all day enforcement is essential to keeping our students safe. Not just during the flashing times across Hillsborough County, 89% of drivers who receive a citation have not received a second citation that tell them that tells us that the program is working and its modifying driver behavior long-term and reducing risk county wide. This is the most important point I can make today 100% of our highest risk speeding incidents. Drivers going 79 80 86 miles per hour occur between 10:00AM and 02:00PM. Not during the flash or window. Not during drop-off. Not during pickup. To give you specific examples. We have one violations that is 86 miles per hour and a 45 mile per hour zone. That happened at 10 11. We have one of 81 miles per hour in a 40 mile per hour zone. That happened at one. 44 80 mile per hour in a 40 mile per hour zone at 10:00:09AM, the data shows a clear pattern. The worst offenders appear during late morning and early afternoon when children are moving between buildings going to lunch and tending programs or playing recess. All-day activity on campuses means all day risk. Safety cannot stop simply because the flashers are off. Our school zones are active for the moment. Students arrive until the last after-school program ends. Flashers were never designed to cover the full day, but the threat is present all day. If the law changes the exact times. What we saw 86 mile per hour, drivers will be times when no enforcement is authorized. We cannot knowingly remove a tool that is preventing catastrophic events. The systems don't replace deputies. They extend our eyes. A single deputy cannot sit at 29 school zones every single day. Cameras allow us to enforce consistently deter speeding. 24 7 free deputies to respond to emergency situations and keep school zone safe. When staffing is straight, removing all the enforcement handcuffs, our abilities to protect students. Every parent in this county sends their child to school trusting that they will come home safely when someone is driving 80 plus miles per hour through school zone, that is no longer a traffic violation. It's a lethal threat. Stopping even one tragedy is worth it. But our program is doing far more than that. It is really shaping driver behavior County wide. I urge this committee to keep all day school zone speed enforcement in place. Our data shows the program is working. Drivers are changing their behavior. The worst violations occur outside flasher times and removing all Dan Forsman would expose children to preventable danger. Our mission is simple. No child harmed in a school zone. No parent receiving a call that their child was hit by a speeding vehicle. All day enforcement is one of the most effective safety tools we have ever implemented. Please allow us to continue to protect our students every hour that the school is in session. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you, deputy for your focus on the safety of our kids and Hillsborough County. I have a couple questions. So the old school zones, how does somebody know if they've never been in a neighborhood before? First time to the neighborhood? They're driving on a residential street. I think you you reference 45 miles an hour for some of the school zones. How did they how is the school zone noticed? What are the signs say in those areas? >> Yes, sir. So it's similar to the school sign that you were mentioning earlier. And it says that the that area is photo speed photo enforced from, for example, from 7.30, to 4 o'clock in the afternoon. And we still have the beacon flashing. Let's say it's a 20 mile per hour zone during school or when school is a inc. When people are arriving and leaving, the beacon will be flashing with 20 mile per hour zone and then we have the 45 mile per hour signs posted. >> So during the school day when the beacon isn't flashing, the speed limit is back to whatever the big signs as 45. But you're still enforcing the speed zones with the cameras. >> Yes, sir. So it's enforced of the 20 mile per hour is enforced when the beacon is flashing. And then throughout the school day, the 45 mile per hour is enforced. And with an 11 mile per hour, a buffer before citations or notices of violations are issued. >> On the the roads, 45 on their speed limits. Those are those 2 lane roads or the four-lane divided roads. They're both. Yeah, we have. It just differs from different school zones. And if somebody is on the inside Lane drive approaching a school zone, are they able to see the flashing light or the change speed on the on the sign? If there's a bus, for example, or a box truck on the right lane that might be ever so slightly in front of them? Yes, there on both sides of the road. So if you're in the left-hand side, there's one on your left side in the same for the right lane. And if there's a bus or a truck heading towards them in the other lane, are they able to see the sign on the left side of the road that's indicating that they're entering a school zone? Yes, it's visible with the truck blocking him. Well, if it depends on the circumstance, I can say for every there may be. >> Times where a big box truck might obscure it. And I don't want to speak on every single spin speed zone, but there is a lot of different markings and signage to indicate that it is a school zones that there's no confusion. >> What other types of signage is there about the speed limit, not the during the speed zone, but the speed limit change. >> The speed limit change that we have the 45 mile per hour signs posted. And then as you approach the school zone, the 20 mile per hour zone, speed limits are clearly posted on both sides of the road or if it's a 15 mile, whatever the speed zone as >> we got time, I was are there. >> This is this is the question or the issue to try to get to when replacing humans who are trained to care about the kids there. They they know how to spot a vehicle that speeding as it's approaching the day, you know, confirmed the speed with the radar that they're trying to use. They're also there in the can see obstructions cameras can see obstruction. So someone taking a picture. My license plate doesn't also take a photo of a box truck or a school bus that's blocking a sign that was visible. One time. That is a completely different speed limit. Then what all the other previous signs leading up to indicate. If your from an area great you get it. A lot of us travel all over the state where a new neighbor has all the time were meeting. New people were driving through 2 areas. I don't want to go 45 miles an hour. I want to go the speed limit. If I'm in a school zone, speed limits lowered to 20. I don't want to do that. But sometimes when we're entering new locations, you don't know if there's a vehicle blocking a sign. And I've seen school buses, physicians and he's busy school school times. There's a lot of school buses around and they are very, very large and they block the view of street signs. So I want to make sure before since we're removing the human factor from this, a deputy who can say, yeah, that's that school bus was blocking that sign of blocking the vision. I want to know that there's a camera that can indicate that this person actually could have seen the sign and they chose to violate the speed limit. And that's what I'm trying to get out. Are there other steps that the county, the Sheriff's Office school district are taking to make sure that individuals who want to follow the speed limit are actually able to see the speed limit in certain and and some of those examples are described? >> Yeah, no, I completely understand. And it in the school zones, it isn't just one sign. There's multiple signs indicating that it's a school zone. So if that situation was to occur, that a big box truck or bus was blocking one of the signs, there's multiple other layers to indicate that it's a school zone that you would that you would know that it's a school zone. And in addition, each of the violations or the notice of violation that we send are reviewed by a human being to to ensure that there's accuracy in the violation. >> Thank you. Are there as we consider policy that that deals with these signs and making sure that motors have proper notice, the fines or secondary, the saving the children's lives are primary. That's the goal. But if we're if we're generating thousands and thousands of dollars, her camera per week per month could or should we require that in these situations where it's not a two-lane residential road where the speed limit is changing drastically, but a four-lane road are divided road where the inside driver can't see the sign on the right or the sign on the left. Should we require overhead school flashing signs since the revenues going to be there? The goal is to save lives from children. Should we be using those tools before we're sending tickets to individuals who again are true, trying to follow the speed limit, but because of a factor that won't be caught with a single photo other license plate, they but for that, they would have been able to to see the dust change speeds on. >> No, I completely understand. And I can speak on my personal experience as driving in my personal vehicle and then also driving in my office issued vehicle. And I've been in law enforcement for 19 years. And I can safely say in Hillsborough County, I have never encountered an area where I wasn't aware of a school zone. They're clearly marked and I understand your concerns. But in Hillsborough County, the signage is is is there there's not going to just have that one sign that, you know, it was blocked in any weren't able to see it. We go overnight and above to ensure that it's clearly marked. >> Senator Grall, thank you. You mentioned a number of speeds that people were going. I assume, you know, they were going those speeds because it was captured by the camera that took a picture where there any incidences of harm to children or accidents at the time that those beads were captured on those specific ones that I mentioned. No, ma'am, have there been specific instances of children being harmed in a school zone on due to speeding in those out-of-hours other than drop-off and pick-up? No, ma'am. And so is there a are you authorized under state statute to be to be take being, you know, giving tickets during the entire school day or is that something that there had to be an affirmative decision made by a county commissioner, your school districts to do? I'd have to get clarification to to give you a direct answer. Okay of what the process was to get that approved. >> Thank you. Sent know anyone else. The questions. Thank you so much. It has to make you so much. And the last one is Lieutenant Chip, Denmark of Orange County is waiving in support. Thank you. That is it for appearance forms? Is there any debate? I mentioned this. Yes, senator now. >> Thank you, chair and thank you, Senator Deciglie for a run this bill. I think there's a will. There's a lot of moving parts with with this. And, you know, trying to find the perfect solution is always a challenge, you know, in in in trying to have flexibility in how these things operate and what they do, the determining factor of of, you know, in people to slow down and make sure that they're, you know, abiding by the rules and in looking at for children, safeties number one. So I applaud you for for doing what you're doing now flee. Some of these are things that maybe I have a couple things. I'll circle back and talk to you about an end with that. He's my sport today. Any other debate. >> Okay. Senator Deciglie you can close on the bill as amended. >> Thank you, Madam Chair, and thank you, senators for really great conversation here today. As always, you know, I'm I'm eager to, you know, get this feedback in in, you know, far more amendments to make this bill even better. And in this possibly I want to really thank you for your feedback. >> I was never my intent to kind of get in the way of a really good program. So I think your feedback today is going to help me kind of, you know, kind of set that standard, if you will. You know, if it's not broke, don't fix it, per se. So I really appreciate your testimony team the time you gave the committee. So with that Madam Chair and ask for everyone's favorable support. >> Thank you. Please call the Roll on Cs for Cs. Sb 654. >> Senator Arrington. Yes, Senator Avila. Yes, senator Bernard Senator Bracy Davis. Yes, senator Grall senator Lake. Yes, senator Martin. Yes, senator Mayfield. Yes. Senator McLean, yes, senator Smith. Yes, senator, for now. You Senator Wright. Yes, vice-chair polsky. Yes, they're diciglie. >> By your Vote. Cs for Cs for SB 654, is reported favorably. I will turn it back to Chair Diciglie. Thank you, Madam Vice chair that you did a fantastic job. Any senators wish to be recorded as voting on bills before the committee today. Senator Martin SB 628. In front of thank you. Anyone else, Senator Smith. Yes, Mister Chair tab 2 Senate Bill 628. In the affirmative. Okay. Great anyone else. Okay. Seeing none to seeing No Objection. Show the motion adopted any other business before the committee today Senator Grall moves. We adjourn seeing No Objection. Show that motion adopted. We are adjourned. Thank you so much.