TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A new bill filed this week in the Florida Senate could provide drivers with refunds if they use public parking.
The bill — SB 910 — was filed on Monday by state Sen. Debbie Mayfield (R-Melbourne), and it would apply to drivers who pay to use public parking.
Under the bill, if a driver pays a fee to park on public property but doesn’t use the full allotted time, that driver can receive a refund from the local government.
But if that’s not possible, the local government would instead be required to carry over any unused portion of time for the benefit of the next driver who pays a fee to park on that same property.
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However, SB 910 also sets forth a few more rules, which are as follows:
- If a car is parked on public property in violation of local law, the car can’t be towed until at least 12 hours later (if parked on a street, roadway or highway)
- If a car is parked on public property in violation of local law, the driver can’t be issued a traffic citation until two hours after the allotted time has expired (if parked in a timed parking space, lot or garage)
- Local governments may not let private businesses use public property for private parking purposes for a fee.
- Local governments aren’t prohibited from regulating parking rules.
If the bill is approved during next year’s Legislative session, it is slated to take effect on July 1, 2026.