Unfortunately, yesterday HB 1487, the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) bill by Representative Chaney, was approved by the House Local Administration, Federal Affairs & Special Districts Committee. An amendment was also passed that alters the definition of “public transit" to remove the reference to a “common carrier,” which could prevent PSTA from operating additional services including the Downtown Looper and/or ferry services. The amendment also changes how board members are appointed from the original proposal, but still limits the board to 11 members from its current 15. Click here to review the amendment.

From here, HB 1487 will proceed to the House Infrastructure Strategies Committee and if approved there, to the House State Affairs Committee. If you would like to see this bill stopped in its tracks, we encourage you to reach out to the Chair of House State Affairs Committee, Lawrence McClure, by phone at (850) 717-5068 or by email at Lawrence.McClure@myfloridahouse.gov and ask him to remove HB 1487 from the agenda due to widespread community concerns about the bill. 

If HB 1487 passes both the House Infrastructure Strategies Committee and the House State Affairs Committee, it will be added to the Senate agenda. There, a senator from the Pinellas County Delegation is able to remove the item from the agenda, stopping it in its tracks. We encourage you to continue reaching out to the senators representing Pinellas County (see contact information below) to share your concerns about the bill. 

2023-2024 Vice Chair, Senator Darryl Rouson (D-16)
(850) 487-5016
rouson.darryl.web@flsenate.gov

Senator Nick DiCeglie (R-18)
(850) 487-5018
DiCeglie.Nick.web@flsenate.gov

Senator Ed Hooper (R-21)
(850) 487-5021
Hooper.Ed.web@flsenate.gov