By Brooke Krieger, MPA:
Every legislative cycle brings forward new ideas about how cities should manage parking, mobility, and the public realm. Most proposals are well-intentioned. Some even sound appealing at first glance. But every so often, a bill emerges that deserves the parking industry’s full attention because its implications reach far beyond the curb.
Florida’s House Bill 323 is one of those bills.
On the surface, HB 323 appears consumer-friendly: refunding unused parking time, extending grace periods before enforcement, and prohibiting certain uses of public property for paid parking. But underneath that simple narrative lies a much more complex reality that affects revenue stability, technology systems, curb management, university operations, and long-standing public and private partnerships.
And this is not the first time we have seen an idea like this circulate.
A few years ago, a similar concept surfaced in Iowa that proposed refunds for unused parking time or the ability for leftover minutes to automatically transfer to the next vehicle using the same space. The idea resonated with the public but unraveled quickly once cities, universities, and parking professionals explained the operational and fiscal consequences. The bill ultimately died before advancing.
The lesson was clear:
Parking policy may seem simple from the outside, but the operational ecosystem behind it is anything but.
In Iowa, the proposal collided with the realities of modern parking systems such as pay-by-plate technologies, LPR enforcement, turnover management, and the financial responsibilities that support local services. Refund mandates and time-transfer requirements introduced accounting complications, revenue instability, and enforcement challenges that could not be resolved with current infrastructure. The industry spoke up, and policymakers listened.
Florida now faces a similar moment of decision, and the stakes are even higher. HB 323 extends beyond refunds and leftover minutes. It introduces statewide enforcement delays and eliminates many forms of public and private collaboration on public property. These collaborations support downtowns, campuses, tourism districts, and event venues across the state.
The national parking community should care deeply about these conversations, even if the legislation is not in your state. What happens in one large state sets precedent for others. Bills spread. Ideas resurface. Once policy narratives take hold without industry input, they are difficult to unwind.
This is the moment for parking and mobility professionals to engage rather than react.
We are the practitioners who understand how these systems actually function.
We are the ones who see the downstream effects on safety, turnover, economic development, and municipal budgeting.
We are the ones who bridge technology, compliance, public expectation, and financial stewardship every day.
If we want better policy outcomes, we must be part of shaping the conversation early.
So here is the call to action:
- Stay informed. Track legislation in your state that touches the curb, parking enforcement, or public and private partnerships.
- Educate policymakers. Many lawmakers simply do not understand how operationally complex parking systems are, and they should not be expected to without our help.
- Share lessons learned. Iowa’s experience matters. Florida’s debate matters. Each gives us insight into how to frame the discussion constructively.
- Advocate proactively. Reach out before decisions are made. Once a narrative is set, it is far harder to change.
Parking is not a passive industry. It shapes how cities move, grow, and thrive. Legislation that affects parking ultimately affects communities.
Whether or not HB 323 passes, the conversation it sparks is an opportunity for our industry to show up, share expertise, and ensure that future policies strengthen mobility rather than disrupt it.
Now is the time to engage.
Brooke Krieger is a Regional Sales Director for Arrive. Brooke can be reached at brooke.krieger@arrive.com.
Forum Question: What communication strategies can help the public understand the broader community impacts of parking legislation beyond individual convenience?