Florida lawmakers pass budget including return of toll relief credit
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
Related video above: Florida drivers saved more than $227M as Florida Toll Relief Program hits halfway point
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Florida lawmakers passed a budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year that includes the return of the toll relief credit and also includes other tax relief holidays, if the pieces of legislation are signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis.
House Bill 5001, the General Appropriations Act, sets aside $450 million from the General Reserve Fund to the Department of Transportation for the program. The bill passed the House in a 105-3 vote and passed the Senate in a 39-0 vote.
Tampa man charged in hate-motivated murder of gay man at dog park, state attorney says
House Bill 5003, the implementing bill, lays out the details for the program.
The toll relief program would go into effect on April 1 and last through March 31, 2025. Drivers who use a Florida transponder — such as the SunPass — and have a two-axle vehicle will receive a credit to their account the following month worth 50% of the previous month’s transactions.
The credit is available for drivers who have more than 35 transactions in a calendar month on any toll road in Florida, including the Selmon Expressway and the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.
The funds set aside in the budget to the Department of Transportation would then be used reimburse the department, Florida Turnpike Enterprise, and other Florida toll facilities for any credits issued. Any unused funds on May 30, 2025 would revert back to the General Revenue Fund.
What you need to know before heading to the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg
The toll relief program was previously in place from January 2023 through December 2023. Through the end of November 2023, an average of 1.2 million drivers per month saved a total of $385 million on tolls, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.
The legislature also passed House Bill 7073, which implements other tax savings for Florida residents.
Freedom Month
From July 1 to July 31, there would be no sales tax on recreational items such as tickets to movies, museums, concerts, sporting events and cultural events. It also includes tickets to theatre and dance performances, and state park admission.
Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday
The legislation creates two 14-day sales tax holidays for “disaster preparedness” items like flashlights and lanterns (under $40), radios (under $50), coolers and portable power banks (under $60), generators (under $3,000), and smoke detectors and fire extinguishers (under $70).
The sales tax holidays would be from June 1 – June 14 and Aug. 24 – Sept. 6.
Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday
From July 29 – Aug. 11, Floridians would be able to purchase some back-to-school items sales-tax free.
Items include clothing, footwear and backpacks (under $100), school supplies (under $50), learning aids (under $30) and personal computers and computer accessories (under $1,500).
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
