FHBA Legislative Updates – Preliminary Sine Die Report:
As of Friday, March 9, the 2018 Legislative Session is adjourned after approving the final budget Sunday afternoon. This report is a preliminary of priorities, pending further review of all the bills and amendments adopted to bills that found their way to the Governor for consideration.
FHBA PRIORITIES ADOPTED:
State Assumption of 404 Dredge and Fill Permits:
Passed both the House and Senate and is pending gubernatorial approval as HB 7043.
Statute of Repose:
Passed both the House and the Senate and is pending gubernatorial approval as HB 875.
Condominium Bulk Buyer Sunset Repeal:
Passed both the House and Senate and is pending gubernatorial approval as HB 841.
Apprenticeship Programs Counting Towards High School Graduation:
Passed both the House and Senate and is pending gubernatorial approval as HB 577.
DRI:
Passed both the House and Senate and is pending gubernatorial approval as HB 1151.
Budget:
The Legislature has agreed on a budget and while it will not pass until Sunday no changes can take place. The funding for unlicensed activity (additional $250,000) and Building a Safe Florida Trainer funds (full funding) is included in the budget. The good news on Sadowski funds will be available to all local governments. While that is less than last years it is more than anticipated last week ($0).
FHBA PRIORITIES NOT ACCOMPLISHED:
Impact Fees:
The House Bill, HB 697 passed the full House on March 1. However the Senate Bill (SB 324) was never agenda for consideration by the full Senate and attempts to amend the provisions onto other bills were unsuccessful.
Permit Fee Transparency:
The House Bill, HB 725 passed the full House on February 14. However the Senate Bill (SB 1144) was never agenda for consideration by the full Senate and attempts to amend the provisions onto other bills were unsuccessful.
Affordable Housing/Impact Fee Transparency:
HB 987 by Rep. Cortes passed the full House on March 1. Thought placed on the special order calendar, it was never brought up for a vote by the full Senate.
Construction Defects:
For the Second straight year, the construction defects bill (HB 759) received House Committee support, only to be stalled in the Senate committee of first of reference.
BILLS OPPOSED AND KILLED BY FHBA
HB 1075 and SB 1470: If implemented would have prohibited new construction within a radius of a state road that received a failing grade.
HB 1077 and SB 1322: Penalized contractors for open permits even if the open status was not due the negligence of the contractor.
HB 377 and SB 734: Placed HOA’s under the jurisdiction of DBPR including fines, fees, and burdensome regulatory requirements. Would have changed the turnover timing to 75% of lots sold.
HB 295 and SB 446: Mandating Journeyman Electricians on Commercial Sites (including Neighborhood clubhouses and pool houses).
HB 89 and SB 604: Would have allowed the piercing of a contractor’s corporate veil if the contractor failed to maintain “adequate” insurance coverage.