THE BILL ITSELF
SB 228
Toll Discounts for Certified Veteran Business Enterprises
Florida Senate - 2026 SB 228 By Senator Smith 17-00089-26 2026228__
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A bill to be entitled
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An act relating to toll discounts for certified
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veteran business enterprises; amending s. 338.155,
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F.S.; requiring the Department of Transportation to
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establish a pilot program that provides certified
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veteran business enterprises with a discount on
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certain toll expenses; providing eligibility
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requirements for the pilot program; requiring the
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Florida Turnpike Enterprise, in coordination with the
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Department of Veterans’ Affairs and the Department of
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Management Services, to administer the pilot program;
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requiring the Department of Transportation to review
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the pilot program and submit a certain report to the
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Legislature by a specified date; providing an
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effective date.
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Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
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Section 1. Present subsection (6) of section 338.155,
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Florida Statutes, is redesignated as subsection (7), and a new
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subsection (6) is added to that section, to read:
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338.155 Payment of toll on toll facilities required;
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exemptions.—
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(6)(a) The department shall establish a 2-year pilot
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program that provides certified veteran business enterprises as
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defined in s. 295.187(3) with a discount on business-related
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toll expenses incurred on toll roads in this state. To be
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eligible for the program, a certified veteran business
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enterprise must demonstrate regular commercial use of toll roads
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through automated toll accounts.
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(b) Eligible businesses shall receive a 50 percent discount
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on business-related toll expenses incurred on toll roads in this
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state by registered commercial vehicles used for business
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operations.
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(c) The Florida Turnpike Enterprise shall administer the
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pilot program in coordination with the Department of Veterans’
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Affairs and the Department of Management Services.
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(d) Certified veteran business enterprises must apply
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annually and provide proof of veteran ownership and toll usage.
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(e) Discounts shall be applied through automated toll
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accounts.
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(f) The department shall review the pilot program and
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submit an impact report containing its findings to the President
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of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives by
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July 1, 2027. The report must assess participation rates and
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fiscal impact and provide recommendations for continuation or
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expansion of the program.
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Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.