Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Andrew J. Meyers
Department: County Attorney
Information
Requested Action
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MOTION TO ADOPT Resolution directing the County Administrator to publish Notice of Public Hearing to be held on April 22, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., in Room 422 of Governmental Center East to consider enactment of a proposed Ordinance, the title of which is as follows:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA, PERTAINING TO MOTOR CARRIERS; REPEALING ARTICLE II OF CHAPTER 3½ AND AMENDING CHAPTERS 8½ AND 22½ OF THE BROWARD COUNTY CODE OF ORDINANCES (“CODE”); UPDATING DEFINITIONS, MINIMUM VEHICLE REQUIREMENTS, TAXICAB FARE PAYMENT METHODS, AND PENALTIES; AND PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, INCLUSION IN THE CODE, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
(Sponsored by the Board of County Commissioners)
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Why Action is Necessary
The proposed Ordinance was prepared by the County Attorney’s Office as initially directed by the Board of County Commissioners (“Board”) on December 12, 2023, in anticipation of the adoption of House Bill 377 in the 2024 Legislative Session.
What Action Accomplishes
Enables the setting of a public hearing during which the Board may consider enacting the proposed Ordinance.
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Previous Action Taken
Summary Explanation/Background
This Ordinance amends Chapter 8½, Code Enforcement, and Chapter 22½, Motor Carriers, of the Broward County Code of Ordinances (the “Code”) and repeals Article II of Chapter 3½, Nonemergency Medical Transportation, relocating its provisions to Article II of Chapter 22½ of the Code.
Following the adoption of House Bill 377, codified as Section 320.0603, Florida Statutes, the scope of the revisions was expanded to ensure consistency across related sections and to align certain practices across the tri-county area, which required extensive collaboration with neighboring counties and agency-led reviews to align the updates with regulatory needs.
The Ordinance establishes reciprocity of vehicle-for-hire licensees to operate in Broward County in accordance with Section 320.0603, Florida Statutes, and eliminates the lottery drawing for luxury sedan certificates. It also transfers hearing responsibilities for violation of the Ordinance from a hearing panel of the Consumer Protection Board to a hearing officer under the standard code enforcement processes and revises standards of conduct for certificate, license, registration, and permit holders.
The proposed Ordinance updates methods of payment to require taxi chauffeurs to accept credit cards and provides procedures for handling inoperative credit card processing systems. It also prohibits the operation of a motor vehicle with inoperative or illuminated dashboard warning lights and requires taxicabs to utilize software-based taximeters instead of mechanically operated taximeters.
Nonemergency medical transportation regulations have been moved from Article II of Chapter 3½ to Article II of Chapter 22½ without substantive changes.
The Ordinance also updates the schedule of civil penalties in Chapter 8½ of the Code.
Source of Additional Information
Annika E. Ashton, Deputy County Attorney, 954-357-7600
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
Per the Office of Management and Budget, the estimated impact on the budget does not exceed the threshold required for a Fiscal Impact Statement.