House panel advances bill to let Florida join Southern Rail Commission to study restoring passenger rail

Representative Henson introduced HB 53 to authorize Florida to join the Southern Rail Commission, a regional multi‑state body that has helped draw federal funds for passenger rail restoration.

Supporters said the recent Amtrak Mardi Gras service between Mobile and New Orleans demonstrates demand: "More than 46,000 customer trips since August," Rep. Henson said during his presentation, adding that the line ‘‘has seen massive early success, exceeding ridership projections.’’ Leon County Commissioner Rick Minor also urged the panel to pursue federal opportunities, calling commission membership a way for Florida to ‘‘explore reconnecting our state with the rest of the national passenger rail network.’’

Opponents cautioned about costs. Representative Cheney noted that "mass transit statewide is subsidized at about 95% by taxpayers" and questioned whether building new rail would be the best use of limited funds. Rep. Henson replied with daily ridership figures for the Mardi Gras service and said membership dues to the Southern Rail Commission were modest (citing a prior membership fee around $50,000), but he did not provide a full subsidy breakdown for operating costs.

The committee held public testimony from local officials and waived in support from transportation stakeholders. After debate the committee voted and the chair announced the bill "passes" and will be reported favorably to the next stage.

The bill authorizes only compact membership and does not itself appropriate construction or operating dollars; supporters said membership would give Florida access to federal funding streams and regional planning coordination, while critics stressed the need for fuller cost and subsidy information before committing to large capital projects.