Why Florida’s Parking Community Must Act Now on HB 323

By Brooke Krieger, MPA, FPTA Board Member

The 2026 legislative session has introduced a bill that every parking and transportation professional in Florida should be paying attention to. House Bill 323, titled “Parking on Public Property,” proposes several changes that sound straightforward on the surface but carry major implications for cities, universities, enforcement teams, private operators, technology systems, and mobility planning statewide.

HB 323 includes provisions that require refunds for unused parking time, mandate grace periods before a citation or tow can be issued, and prohibit certain types of public and private uses of publicly owned parking assets. While these ideas may appear consumer-friendly at first glance, the operational reality is far more complex and deserves careful consideration.

This conversation is not new. A similar concept was floated in Iowa a few years ago. Lawmakers proposed requiring cities to refund unused parking time or allow any leftover minutes to automatically transfer to the next driver in the same space. Once parking professionals explained the downstream effects on revenue, technology, and turnover, the bill lost support and ultimately died.

Florida now faces a similar policy question, but with even more far-reaching impacts.

What HB 323 Would Mean for Florida Communities

Florida’s cities and campuses rely on parking systems not only to manage curb space, but to support essential public services. Parking revenue funds local mobility programs, safety initiatives, streetscape improvements, and in many cases, core municipal operations. HB 323 introduces several challenges that could disrupt these systems statewide:

Refunds and Time Transfers

Requiring refunds or forcing leftover time to pass to the next driver may appear simple, but modern digital parking does not operate at the “space level.” Most systems are pay-by-plate, which makes time transfers both technically incompatible and operationally confusing.

Extended Enforcement Delays

The bill requires a two-hour grace period before issuing a citation and a 12-hour delay before towing a vehicle parked unlawfully on a public street. These mandates significantly limit a city’s ability to maintain turnover, ensure compliance, and respond to public safety issues.

Restrictions on Public–Private Parking Arrangements

HB 323 prohibits local governments from allowing private entities to use publicly owned property for fee-based parking. This could disrupt longstanding partnerships that support tourism districts, event venues, airports, universities, and downtown economies.

Loss of Local Flexibility

Every community in Florida faces unique mobility challenges. A single statewide rule that overrides local decision-making removes the ability to tailor parking operations to local needs.

Learning From Iowa

Iowa ultimately abandoned its proposal because it became clear that parking systems cannot be managed through simple, one-size-fits-all legislative mandates. The same lesson applies here. A well-intentioned idea can quickly become unworkable when it collides with the operational, financial, and technological realities that parking professionals manage every day.

Florida has an opportunity to learn from Iowa’s experience and ensure that any legislation affecting parking is informed by the people who understand the impacts best.

A Call to Action for Florida’s Parking and Mobility Professionals

FPTA exists to elevate expertise, share knowledge, and strengthen the voice of Florida’s parking and transportation community. HB 323 is a moment for our members to engage.

Here’s how:

• Stay informed. Monitor the progress of HB 323 and other bills affecting parking, enforcement, or curb management.

• Educate local leadership. Share the operational realities with your city manager, legal team, or finance director. Many are not aware of the full ripple effects.

• Communicate with state policymakers. Offer to explain the system-level impacts. Most legislators welcome expert insight.

• Collaborate with industry partners. FPTA, the Florida League of Cities, and other statewide organizations can help amplify member feedback.

• Share your stories. Real examples from your community carry weight and help legislators understand the consequences.

Florida’s parking professionals are problem-solvers, innovators, and stewards of critical public infrastructure. When legislation has the potential to reshape how our systems function, your voice matters.

Closing Thought

Whether or not HB 323 ultimately passes, this moment underscores the importance of staying proactive in policy discussions that influence the curb, mobility, and the future of our cities. FPTA encourages all members to stay engaged, stay informed, and continue driving the conversation forward.