343.90 – Short title.

343.90 Short title.—This part may be cited as the “Tampa Bay Area Regional Transit Authority Act.” History.—s. 1, ch. 2007-254; s. 2, ch. 2017-98.

343.91 – Definitions.

343.91 Definitions.— (1) As used in this part, the term: (a) “Authority” means the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transit Authority, the body politic and corporate and agency of the state created by this part, covering Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, and Pinellas Counties and any other contiguous county that is party to an agreement of participation. (b) “Board” means the […]

343.92 – Tampa Bay Area Regional Transit Authority.

343.92 Tampa Bay Area Regional Transit Authority.— (1) There is created and established a body politic and corporate, an agency of the state, to be known as the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transit Authority. (2) The governing board of the authority shall consist of 13 voting members appointed no later than 45 days after the creation of the […]

343.922 – Powers and duties.

343.922 Powers and duties.— (1) The express purposes of the authority are to: (a) Plan, implement, and operate mobility improvements and expansions of multimodal transportation options for passengers and freight throughout the designated region. (b) Produce a regional transit development plan, integrating the transit development plans of participant counties, to include a prioritization of regionally significant transit projects and […]

343.94 – Bond financing authority.

343.94 Bond financing authority.— (1) Pursuant to s. 11(f), Art. VII of the State Constitution, the Legislature approves bond financing by the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transit Authority for construction of or improvements to commuter rail systems, transit systems, ferry systems, highways, bridges, toll collection facilities, interchanges to the system, and any other transportation facility appurtenant, necessary, […]

343.941 – Bonds not debts or pledges of faith and credit of state.

343.941 Bonds not debts or pledges of faith and credit of state.—Revenue bonds issued under the provisions of this part are not debts of the state or pledges of the faith and credit of the state. Such bonds are payable exclusively from revenues pledged for their payment. Each such bond shall contain a statement on its […]

343.943 – Covenant of the state.

343.943 Covenant of the state.—The state does hereby pledge to, and agrees with, any person, firm, or corporation or federal or state agency subscribing to or acquiring the bonds to be issued by the authority for the purposes of this part that the state will not limit or alter the rights hereby vested in the authority […]

343.944 – Remedies of the bondholders.

343.944 Remedies of the bondholders.— (1) The rights and the remedies in this section conferred upon or granted to the bondholders are in addition to and not in limitation of any rights and remedies lawfully granted to such bondholders by the resolution or resolutions providing for the issuance of bonds or by a deed of trust, indenture, […]

343.947 – Department may be appointed agent of authority for construction.

343.947 Department may be appointed agent of authority for construction.—The department may be appointed by the authority as its agent for the purpose of constructing and completing transportation projects, and improvements and extensions thereto, in the authority’s regional transit development plan. In such event, the authority shall provide the department with complete copies of all documents, […]

343.95 – Acquisition of lands and property.

343.95 Acquisition of lands and property.— (1) For the purposes of this part, the authority may acquire private or public property and property rights, including rights of access, air, view, and light, by gift, devise, purchase, or condemnation by eminent domain proceedings, as the authority may deem necessary for any purpose of this part, including, but not […]

343.96 – Cooperation with other units, boards, agencies, and individuals.

343.96 Cooperation with other units, boards, agencies, and individuals.—Express authority and power is hereby given and granted to any county, municipality, drainage district, road and bridge district, school district, or any other political subdivision, board, commission, or individual in or of the state to make and enter into contracts, leases, conveyances, partnerships, or other agreements with […]

343.962 – Public-private partnerships.

343.962 Public-private partnerships.— (1) The authority may receive or solicit proposals and enter into agreements with private entities or consortia thereof for the building, operation, ownership, or financing of multimodal transportation systems, transit-oriented development nodes, transit stations, or related facilities within the jurisdiction of the authority. Before approval, the authority must determine that a proposed project: (a) Is […]

343.97 – Exemption from taxation.

343.97 Exemption from taxation.—The effectuation of the authorized purposes of the authority created under this part is for the benefit of the people of this state, for the increase of their commerce and prosperity, and for the improvement of their health and living conditions, and, because the authority performs essential governmental functions in effectuating such purposes, […]

343.973 – Eligibility for investments and security.

343.973 Eligibility for investments and security.—Any bonds or other obligations issued pursuant to this part shall be and constitute legal investments for banks, savings banks, trustees, executors, administrators, and all other fiduciaries and for all state, municipal, and other public funds and shall also be and constitute securities eligible for deposit as security for all state, […]

343.975 – Complete and additional statutory authority.

343.975 Complete and additional statutory authority.— (1) The powers conferred by this part are supplemental to the existing powers of the board and the department. This part does not repeal any of the provisions of any other law, general, special, or local, but supplements such other laws in the exercise of the powers provided in this part […]

343.976 – Effect on local government action.

343.976 Effect on local government action.—This act does not prohibit any local government that is a member of the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transit Authority from participating in or creating any other transit authority, regional transportation authority, or expressway authority. History.—s. 2, ch. 2007-254; s. 10, ch. 2017-98.