These bills purport to streamline the lien law notification process on residential construction projects to better inform consumers of their obligations to protect their lien rights while ensuring that payment bond information is recorded and available to the general public. The bills are currently being "massaged" to satisfy concerns expressed by both material suppliers and contractors.  Specifically, the bills:

STATUS:  SB 1048 passed S. Judiciary on March 26 by a vote of 8-0 and moves to General Government Appropriations.  The House companion has not yet been heard in committee which means this issue could be dead.   
 

 

By Kari Hebrank, FSPA Lobbyist

 

 

These bills, referred to as "PACE" --which stands for Property Assessment Clean Energy--authorize local governments to finance renewable energy property improvements with non-ad valorem tax assessments and create energy improvement districts funded by non-ad valorem tax assessments or bonds.  Local governments are authorized through local ordinance or resolution to create a program to provide up-front financing for energy conservation and efficiency, renewable energy, or wind-resistance improvements.  A property owner may apply to the local government for funding to finance the improvements and voluntarily enter into a financial agreement with the local government.  The qualifying improvement must be affixed to an existing building or facility that is part of the property and if the work requires a license, it must be performed by a properly licensed or certified contractor.

STATUS: HB 7179 is awaiting action in the H. Finance & Tax Council.   SB 2322 passed S. Communications, Energy & Public Utilities Committee on March 23 and will be heard in S. Finance & Tax on April 6.
 

 

These bills provide that malpractice or negligence for which licensed engineers, architects, surveyors and mappers, interior designers and landscape architects must cause personal injury or damage to property other than property that is subject to professional services.  FSPA is concerned that these proposals shift the liability burden from the design professionals to the contractors on construction projects. FSPA is working with the Construction Coalition and the bill sponsors to arrive at a compromise solution that is workable for all parties.     

 

STATUS: SB 1964 passed S. Regulated Industries on March 24 and travels to S. Judiciary on April 7.  The companion, HB 701 passed H. Civil Justice & Courts Policy Committee and H. Insurance, Business & Financial Affairs Committee and is awaiting action in Criminal Justice & Courts Policy Council.  FSPA continues to work with the Construction Coalition to amend this legislation to lessen the potential impact.
 

 

This legislation is aimed at creating jobs for Floridians.  Specifically, the bills amend several business tax exemptions, tax credits, the Qualified Target Industry incentive program and several other economic development statutes in order to stimulate the state's economy.  They provide tax credits for employers who hire unemployed Floridians; a matching grant program for new research and development companies to draw down federal funds to assist with commercializing their discoveries; and, reduce regulatory impediments on businesses seeking permits or extensions of development orders, including extending building permits for another year. 

STATUS: SB 1752 passed the Senate on March 25 and is now in H. Messages.  HB 1509 is now in H. Finance & Tax Council. 
 

 

By Jacob Farmer, Intern for 4th Floor Advocacy

 

This lengthy bill proposes numerous solutions to put Florida on par with other states when it comes to recycling efficiency by increasing commercial recycling and recycling of construction and demolition debris. The bill requires all cities, county, state entities, public schools and businesses that employ more than 25 people, to report to their county their recycling rates on all recyclable materials.  It also directs the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Enterprise Florida, Inc. to create the RecyclingBusinessAssistanceCenter to coordinate between state agencies and the private sector to develop new markets for recyclable materials.
 
Benchmarks have been placed to incrementally increase each county's recycling rate to 75% by Dec. 31, 2020.   Incentives will be given to those businesses that comply with the bill, including preference when pursuing state contracts.  However, should recycling rates not be reported, no preference will be granted.  Local governments may enact ordinances to require multi-family dwellings and apartment complexes to establish programs for the separation of recyclable materials. 
 
Liners and leachate collection systems will be required for landfills that accept construction and demolition materials and are constructed after July, 2010.  Also, all construction and demolition debris must be processed prior to disposal.
           
STATUS: SB 570 is in S. Community Affairs.  HB 1559 was temporarily postponed in the H. Agriculture & Natural Resources Policy Committee on March 25.