50% Toll Relief Begins for Floridians: ‘We Follow Through’

TALLAHASSEE (FLV) – Toll relief legislation passed in a special session late 2022, then signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, took effect Jan. 1.

It will operate until Dec. 31, 2023 to benefit commuters who frequently drive Florida’s toll roads.

Floridians who record 35 or more toll transactions per month using a Florida-issued electronic transponder will be eligible for an account credit of 50% of toll charges. The credit would be posted to a driver’s account a month after the credit is earned.

DeSantis credits the record budget surplus for the ability to afford the “ambitious” credit.

“I came down to South Florida three months ago and I said we are going to do a program to give you a 50% reduction in all tolls and that is something that is very ambitious. It’s something that a lot of people thought was good – but you often have people run for office and they promise a lot of things, how many times do they actually deliver? Not very often,” the governor said.

“For us, we really believe in producing results and when we come out and say we want to do something – we follow through.”

“All of us in the state of Florida are dealing with increased prices, whether it’s at the grocery store, the gas station. So I think anytime that we can give the taxpayer, any Floridian, relief, to get more money, keep more money in their pocket, I think it’s good public policy,” said Sen. Nick DiCeglie who sponsored the bill.

Speaker of the House Paul Renner said, “This governor cares passionately about this bill and his priority is the men and women getting crushed by inflation that is driven by Washington D.C.”

“Becasue of your vision and support we are able to bring this legislation to Floridians in a time of need,” said Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue to DeSantis.

It appropriates $500 million from the General Revenue Fund to the State Transportation Trust Fund for those reimbursements. Republicans Rep. Demi Cabrera and Sen. Nick DiCeglie sponsored the bill.

Democrat Rep. Jennifer “Rita” Harris supported the bill but wished there was financial help for public transportation commuters.

“I do believe it is a good bill,” Harris said. “I just wish that we had been able to help more of our working class constituents by offering the same type of rebate for our voters and people out there who traveled by bus or by train.”

Toll facility entities seeking reimbursement are required to submit supporting documentation to Florida Department of Transportation.