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SB 1378

Traffic Enforcement

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jonathan Martin

SB 1378 tightens enforcement on abandoned vehicles and improper license plates, and expands forfeiture of vehicles used in fleeing or eluding law enforcement.

Died in Criminal Justice
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Bill Summary · SB 1378

Overview

SB 1378, introduced by Senator Martin in the 2026 Florida Legislature, address traffic enforcement by redefining abandoned vehicles, tightening unlawful license plate practices, and allowing forfeiture of vehicles used in fleeing or eluding law enforcement under the Florida Contraband Forfeiture Act. The bill has a July 1, 2026 effective date.

Main purpose and intent

  • Clarify and improve enforcement related to abandoned vehicles on state highways.
  • Increase penalties for knowingly operating a vehicle with an unlawfully attached or transferred license plate or validation sticker.
  • Expand the use of contraband forfeiture to vehicles used in fleeing or eluding law enforcement, even without an arrest of the owner at the time of seizure.

Key provisions and changes

1) Abandoned vehicles (Section 1)

  • Defines “abandoned vehicle” as a vehicle in disuse, neglect, or abandonment.
  • Conditions included:
    • No license plate, or license plate not registered to the vehicle.
    • No registration sticker, or sticker expired at least 90 days.
  • Defines evidence of abandonment (e.g., wrecked/inoperative, vegetation under the vehicle, debris underneath, stored for storage, dismantled parts, or otherwise inoperative).
  • Officers may remove an abandoned vehicle to the nearest garage or place of safety under certain circumstances:
    • Obstruction of traffic or egregious safety hazard.
    • Inoperative vehicle on the public right-of-way > 48 hours (within 30 feet of pavement edge).
    • Operative vehicle on public right-of-way > 10 days (more than 30 feet from pavement edge).
  • Agency must report removals to DHSMV within 24 hours.
  • Before removal for the 48-hour inoperative or 10-day operative scenarios, a conspicuous notice describing the violation and removal timeline must be attached.

2) Unlawful use of license plates (Section 2)

  • Increases penalties for operating a vehicle with knowledge that its plate or validation sticker is not lawfully issued or transferred.
    • New penalties: Misdemeanor of the first degree (up to 1 year in jail, up to $1,000 fine).
    • Current standard: Second-degree misdemeanor (up to 60 days, up to $500).
  • Defines knowledge:
    • Satisfied if the person admits the attachment or has prior charges for violating license plate/sticker laws.
    • Rebuttable presumption: knowledge is satisfied if the driver is the registered owner.

3) Fleeing/eluding – contraband forfeiture (Section 3)

  • Amends Section 932.703 to add a motor vehicle used for fleeing/eluding to seizure/forfeiture under the Contraband Forfeiture Act.
  • Importantly, seizure does not require the owner’s arrest at the time of seizure.

Who is affected

  • Motor vehicle owners and operators, particularly those with improper or unregistered plates/stickers.
  • Law enforcement and traffic accident investigation officers responsible for removing abandoned vehicles.
  • DHSMV (for reporting removals within 24 hours).
  • Private sector: vehicle owners whose vehicles are seized and forfeited under the contraband process.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Effective date: July 1, 2026.
  • Notice requirements: conspicuous notice on abandoned vehicles before removal (48-hour/10-day scenarios).
  • Reporting requirement: 24-hour DHSMV notification for certain removals.
  • Forfeiture process: aligns fleeing/eluding vehicles with contraband forfeiture procedures, increasing potential recoveries for authorities.

Fiscal and constitutional notes

  • Potential private-sector impact due to vehicle seizures and forfeitures.
  • Government impact includes possible increases in seized vehicles and related revenues from forfeiture proceeds.
  • No noted constitutional obstacles beyond standard statutory changes.

Overall, SB 1378 tightens enforcement related to abandoned vehicles and license plate integrity, while expanding forfeiture mechanisms for vehicles used in fleeing or eluding law enforcement.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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