(1) The department shall develop, in cooperation with metropolitan planning organizations, regional planning councils, local governments, the Statewide Intermodal Transportation Advisory Council and other transportation providers, a Strategic Intermodal System Plan. The plan shall be consistent with the Florida Transportation Plan developed pursuant to s. 339.155 and shall be updated at least once every 5 years, subsequent to updates of the Florida Transportation Plan.

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   (2) In association with the continued development of the Strategic Intermodal System Plan, the Florida Transportation Commission, as part of its work program review process, shall conduct an annual assessment of the progress that the department and its transportation partners have made in realizing the goals of economic development, improved mobility, and increased intermodal connectivity of the Strategic Intermodal System. The Florida Transportation Commission shall coordinate with the department, the Statewide Intermodal Transportation Advisory Council, and other appropriate entities when developing this assessment. The Florida Transportation Commission shall deliver a report to the Governor and Legislature no later than 14 days after the regular session begins, with recommendations as necessary to fully implement the Strategic Intermodal System.

   (3)(a) During the development of updates to the Strategic Intermodal System Plan, the department shall provide metropolitan planning organizations, regional planning councils, local governments, transportation providers, affected public agencies, and citizens with an opportunity to participate in and comment on the development of the update.

   (b)() The department also shall coordinate with federal, regional, and local partners the planning for the Strategic Highway Network and the Strategic Rail Corridor Network transportation facilities that either are included in the Strategic Intermodal System or that provide a direct connection between military installations and the Strategic Intermodal System. In addition, the department shall coordinate with regional and local partners to determine whether the road and other transportation infrastructure that connect military installations to the Strategic Intermodal System, the Strategic Highway Network, or the Strategic Rail Corridor is regionally significant and should be included in the Strategic Intermodal System Plan.

   (4) The Strategic Intermodal System Plan shall include the following:

   (a)() A needs assessment.

   (b)() A project prioritization process.

   (c)() A map of facilities designated as Strategic Intermodal System facilities; facilities that are emerging in importance that are likely to become part of the system in the future; and planned facilities that will meet the established criteria.

   (d)() A finance plan based on reasonable projections of anticipated revenues, including both 10-year and 20-year cost-feasible components.

   (e)() An assessment of the impacts of proposed improvements to Strategic Intermodal System corridors on military installations that are either located directly on the Strategic Intermodal System or located on the Strategic Highway Network or Strategic Rail Corridor Network.

   (5) STATEWIDE INTERMODAL TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COUNCIL.—

   (a)() The Statewide Intermodal Transportation Advisory Council is created to advise and make recommendations to the Legislature and the department on policies, planning, and funding of intermodal transportation projects. The council’s responsibilities shall include:

   (1.) Advising the department on the policies, planning, and implementation of strategies related to intermodal transportation.

   (2.) Providing advice and recommendations to the Legislature on funding for projects to move goods and people in the most efficient and effective manner for the State of Florida.

   (b)() MEMBERSHIP.—Members of the Statewide Intermodal Transportation Advisory Council shall consist of the following:

   (1.) Six intermodal industry representatives selected by the Governor as follows:

   (a.) One representative from an airport involved in the movement of freight and people from their airport facility to another transportation mode.

   (b.) One individual representing a fixed-route, local-government transit system.

   (c.) One representative from an intercity bus company providing regularly scheduled bus travel as determined by federal regulations.

   (d.) One representative from a spaceport.

   (e.) One representative from intermodal trucking companies.

   (f.) One representative having command responsibilities of a major military installation.

   (2.) Three intermodal industry representatives selected by the President of the Senate as follows:

   (a.) One representative from major-line railroads.

   (b.) One representative from seaports listed in s. 311.09(1) from the Atlantic Coast.

   (c.) One representative from an airport involved in the movement of freight and people from their airport facility to another transportation mode.

   (3.) Three intermodal industry representatives selected by the Speaker of the House of Representatives as follows:

   (a.) One representative from short-line railroads.

   (b.) One representative from seaports listed in s. 311.09(1) from the Gulf Coast.

   (c.) One representative from intermodal trucking companies. In no event may this representative be employed by the same company that employs the intermodal trucking company representative selected by the Governor.

   (c)() Initial appointments to the council must be made no later than 30 days after the effective date of this section.

   (1.) The initial appointments made by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall serve terms concurrent with those of the respective appointing officer. Beginning January 15, 2005, and for all subsequent appointments, council members appointed by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall serve 2-year terms, concurrent with the term of the respective appointing officer.

   (2.) The initial appointees, and all subsequent appointees, made by the Governor shall serve 2-year terms.

   (3.) Vacancies on the council shall be filled in the same manner as the initial appointments.

   (d)() Each member of the council shall be allowed one vote. The council shall select a chair from among its membership. Meetings shall be held at the call of the chair, but not less frequently than quarterly. The members of the council shall be reimbursed for per diem and travel expenses as provided in s. 112.061.

   (e)() The department shall provide administrative staff support and shall ensure that council meetings are electronically recorded. Such recordings and all documents received, prepared for, or used by the council in conducting its business shall be preserved pursuant to chapters 119 and 257.

s. 49, ch. 2003-286; s. 37, ch. 2005-2; s. 7, ch. 2005-2