Consent Item 3.
Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization
- Meeting Date:
- 09/04/2025
REQUESTED ACTION:
MOTION TO AUTHORIZE MPO Staff to Distribute a Letter of Support for State Transit Funding to Partner Agencies in Broward County
WHAT THIS ACTION ACCOMPLISHES:
Approval of this item will direct MPO staff to distribute this letter on behalf of the MPO Board.
SUMMARY EXPLANATION/BACKGROUND:
At the July 10, 2025 Broward MPO Board meeting, the Florida Department of Transportation District 4 Secretary, Executive Director of Tri-Rail, and the General Manager of Broward County Transit discussed the impacts of recently passed legislation impacting transit funding in Broward County. Previously, a portion of Florida's documentary stamp tax revenue was allocated to the State Transportation Trust Fund and subsequently used to fund various transportation initiatives, including transit programs. This funding mechanism supported programs such as the New Starts Transit Program.
Recent legislation (specifically related to House Bill [HB] 7031) has significantly altered this distribution. As of July 1, 2025, the allocation of documentary stamp taxes to the State Transportation Trust Fund has been eliminated and redirected to the State's General Revenue Fund. This shift is expected to have a negative impact of $466.8 million on the State Transportation Trust Fund annually. Consequently, dedicated funding sources for some transportation projects, such as Tri-Rail, which previously relied on documentary stamp tax revenues, have been eliminated, leading to funding challenges.
The Board requested staff to draft a letter to be distributed to the MPO's partner agencies signifying their support for transit in Broward County. For the letter, please see the Attachment. MPO staff will be available at the upcoming meeting to address any questions or comments.
Recent legislation (specifically related to House Bill [HB] 7031) has significantly altered this distribution. As of July 1, 2025, the allocation of documentary stamp taxes to the State Transportation Trust Fund has been eliminated and redirected to the State's General Revenue Fund. This shift is expected to have a negative impact of $466.8 million on the State Transportation Trust Fund annually. Consequently, dedicated funding sources for some transportation projects, such as Tri-Rail, which previously relied on documentary stamp tax revenues, have been eliminated, leading to funding challenges.
The Board requested staff to draft a letter to be distributed to the MPO's partner agencies signifying their support for transit in Broward County. For the letter, please see the Attachment. MPO staff will be available at the upcoming meeting to address any questions or comments.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/PREPARER:
If you have any questions about this item, please contact Bryan Caletka at (954) 876-0070 or caletkab@browardmpo.org.