Center for Urban Transportation Research.

(1) There is established within the University of South Florida the Florida Center for Urban Transportation Research. The responsibilities of the center include, but are not limited to, conducting and facilitating research on issues related to urban transportation problems in this state and serving as an information exchange and depository for the most current information pertaining to urban transportation and related issues.

(2) The center shall be a continuing resource for the Legislature, the Department of Transportation, local governments, the nation’s metropolitan regions, and the private sector in the area of urban transportation and related research and shall generate support in addition to its state-funded base of support provided by s. 206.606. The center shall promote intercampus transportation and related research activities among Florida’s universities in order to enhance the ability of these universities to attract federal and private sector funding for transportation and related research.

(3) An advisory board shall be created to periodically review and advise the center concerning its research program. The membership of the board shall be composed of nine experts in transportation-related areas, as follows:

(a) A member appointed by the President of the Senate.

(b) A member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

(c) The Secretary of Transportation, or his or her designee.

(d) The Secretary of Commerce, or his or her designee.

(e) A member of the Florida Transportation Commission.

(f) Four members nominated by the College of Engineering at the University of South Florida and approved by the university’s president.

(4) By January 1, 2025, the center must deliver a report to the department on model policies and procedures or best practices for paratransit providers to complete trips within an acceptable time after pickup.

(5) The center shall develop a budget pursuant to chapter 216. This budget shall be submitted to the Governor along with the budget of the Board of Governors.