Urge House Subcommittee to Oppose HB 453 - Micromobility Devices (Scooters) Preemption
On Tuesday, March 26 at 8:00 a.m., the House Subcommittee on Local, Federal & Veterans Affairs will consider HB 453 ( Toledo ) relating to Micromobility Devices (Scooters). 
HB 453 would do the following:
 
  • mandate local governments regulate micromobility devices (scooters) in the same manner as a human-power bicycle.
  • prohibit local governments from taking any action or adopting any law that is designed to limit or prevent any company engaged in the rental of micro-mobility devices from operating in its jurisdiction.
  • preempt any other regulation of micromobility devices to the state.
 
Click here for the issue brief.
Talking Points
The Florida League of Cities calls on the Florida Legislature to allow cities to exercise their authority to regulate micromobility devices and share programs, such as e-scooters, in order to protect public safety.
 
  • Injuries are on the rise. There have been more than 1,500 injuries and four deaths related to e-scooter accidents in the U.S. since late 2017, according to Consumer Reports. They include broken bones, fractures, blunt head trauma, even brain injuries.
  • The clutter caused by these discarded devices has fiscal consequences. Businesses that use sidewalks for sales displays and al fresco dining complain that e-scooters not in use are causing sidewalk clutter that blocks pedestrian traffic, deters customers and affects their bottom line.
  • Local agreements are working – why disrupt it? Several cities have negotiated agreements with industry representatives, residents and business owners to address local concerns. Some cities have incorporated them into a dockless bike share program, others have limited the number of units based on resident population, created scooter free zones or established a pilot program to learn more. These local solutions are unique to the desires and needs of each community.
  • Local regulations protect residents and tourists. When a festival, parade, conference or other event comes to town, so do people. Areas that are normally e-scooter friendly might need to be temporarily restricted to protect pedestrians. Keeping regulations local gives cities the flexibility they need to respond to changing circumstances.
Contact Jeff Branch at jbranch@flcities.com or (850) 222-9684 with any questions.
Please contact subcommittee members ASAP and urge them to OPPOSE HB 453!
Bobby Payne, Chair (R-19)
(850) 717-5019
@bobbypaynefl
 
Bob Rommel, Vice Chair (R-106)
(850) 717-5106
@bob_rommel
 
David Silvers, Democratic Ranking Member (D-87)
(850) 717-5087
@DavidRSilvers
 
Bruce Antone (D-46)
(850) 717-5046
 
James Buchanan (R-74)
(850) 717-5074
 
Nick DiCeglie (R-66)
(850) 717-5066
@NickDiCeglie
 
Wyman Duggan (R-15)
(850) 717-5015
 
Anna V. Eskamani (D-47)
(850) 717-5047
@AnnaForFlorida
Brett Thomas Hage (R-33)
(850) 717-5033
 
Evan Jenne (D-99)
(850) 717-5099
@evanjenne
 
Shev Jones (D-101)
(850) 717-5101
@ShevrinJones
 
Sam Killebrew (R-41)
(850) 717-5041
@repsamkillebrew
 
Toby Overdorf (R-83)
(850) 717-5083
@TobyOverdorf
 
Josie Tomkow (R-39)
(850) 717-5039
@JosieTomkow
 
Ardian Zika (R-37)
(850) 717-5037
@ArdianZika
Click here to download a spreadsheet with committee contact information. You can also use the League’s Contact Your Legislator advocacy tool to email your legislators.
Watch Live on The Florida Channel
To watch this committee hearing on Tuesday, please go to https://thefloridachannel.org/ , click on Live Streams and look for the House Subcommittee on Local, Federal and Veterans Affairs hearing on Tuesday at 8:00 a.m.
Thank You for Your Advocacy Efforts!