FrankGoortani/open-us-law huggingface dataset:
Fla. Stat. § 218.66 — Florida Code / Title XIV / Chapter 218 / Part VI / Section 218.66
218.66 Special distributions for contested property taxes.
Status: in_force

(1) In the event that an action to contest a tax assessment is brought by a taxpayer in a county or municipality participating in the distribution of half-cent sales tax proceeds pursuant to s. 218.61 and the difference between the good faith payment made by that taxpayer pursuant to s. 194.171(3) and the taxes that would have been paid on the property appraiser’s tax assessment is greater than 6 percent of the total assessed taxes for the county or municipality, the county or municipality qualifies for a special distribution of funds from the Local Government Half-cent Sales Tax Clearing Trust Fund as provided in this section.

(2) The determination of eligibility for the special distribution pursuant to this section and the amount of the distribution shall be calculated based on the total of districtwide millage levies by the county or municipality. The distribution shall be made upon application to the Department of Revenue by a qualified county or municipality in which the action to contest a tax assessment has not been resolved by July 1 of the year following the year in which the tax was assessed. Distributions shall be made prior to September 30 of that year and shall be in an amount equal to 95 percent of the difference between the good faith payment by the taxpayer and the taxes that would have been paid on the property appraiser’s tax assessment. Counties or municipalities receiving such distributions must use the revenue in the same manner prescribed for the ad valorem revenue which the distribution replaces. In calculating the distribution to participating county and municipal governments pursuant to s. 218.61, the amount earmarked for distribution within each county pursuant to s. 218.61(2) shall be reduced by a portion of the amount required for the special distribution equal to its proportionate share of total moneys remitted for distribution by sales tax dealers located in all counties.

(3) Upon resolution of the action to contest the tax assessment, any county or municipality which received a special distribution pursuant to this section shall immediately repay to the Local Government Half-cent Sales Tax Clearing Trust Fund the full amount of any tax revenues received as a result of the resolution. In calculating the distribution to participating county and municipal governments pursuant to s. 218.61, the amount earmarked for distribution within each county pursuant to s. 218.61(2) shall be increased by a portion of the amount of such repayment equal to its proportionate share of total moneys remitted for distribution by sales tax dealers located in all counties.

History: s. 2, ch. 98-228.
Fla. Stat. § 632.604 — Florida Code / Title XXXVII / Chapter 632 / Section 632.604
632.604 Terms used.
Status: in_force

Whenever used in this chapter:

(1) “Benefit contract” means the agreement for provision of benefits authorized by s. 632.617, as that agreement is described in s. 632.621(1).

(2) “Benefit member” means an adult member who is designated by the laws or rules of the society to be a benefit member under a benefit contract.

(3) “Certificate” means the document issued as written evidence of the benefit contract.

(4) “Premiums” means premiums, rates, dues, or other required contributions, by whatever name known, which are payable under the certificate.

(5) “Laws” shall mean the society’s articles of incorporation, constitution and bylaws, however designated.

(6) “Rules” shall mean all rules, regulations, or resolutions adopted by the supreme governing body or board of directors which are intended to have general application to the members of the society.

(7) “Society” shall mean fraternal benefit society, unless otherwise indicated.

(8) “Lodge” shall mean subordinate member units of the society, known as camps, courts, councils, branches, or by any other designation.

History: ss. 4, 6, ch. 86-140; s. 4, ch. 91-429.
Fla. Stat. § 321.50 — Florida Code / Title XXIII / Chapter 321 / Section 321.50
321.50 Authorization to use traffic infraction detectors.
Status: in_force

The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles is authorized to use traffic infraction detectors to enforce s. 316.074(1) or s. 316.075(1)(c)1. when a driver fails to stop on state roads as defined in chapter 316 which are under the original jurisdiction of the Department of Transportation, when permitted by the Department of Transportation, and under s. 316.0083.

History: s. 13, ch. 2010-80.
Fla. Stat. § 414.075 — Florida Code / Title XXX / Chapter 414 / Section 414.075
414.075 Resource eligibility standards.
Status: in_force

For purposes of program simplification and effective program management, certain resource definitions, as outlined in the food assistance regulations at 7 C.F.R. s. 273.8, shall be applied to the Temporary Cash Assistance Program as determined by the department to be consistent with federal law regarding temporary cash assistance and Medicaid for needy families, except that:

(1) The maximum allowable resources, including liquid and nonliquid resources, of all members of the family may not exceed $2,000.

(2) In determining the resources of a family, the following shall be excluded: (a) Licensed vehicles needed for individuals subject to the work participation requirement, not to exceed a combined value of $8,500, and needed for training, employment, or education purposes. For any family without an individual subject to the work participation requirement, one vehicle valued at not more than $8,500 shall be excluded. Any vehicle that is necessary to transport a physically disabled family member shall be excluded. A vehicle shall be considered necessary for the transportation of a physically disabled family member if the vehicle is specially equipped to meet the specific needs of the disabled person or if the vehicle is a special type of vehicle and makes it possible to transport the disabled person. (b) Funds paid to a homeless shelter which are being held for the family to enable the family to pay deposits or other costs associated with moving to a new shelter arrangement.

(3) A vacation home that annually produces income consistent with its fair market value, and that is excluded as a resource in determining eligibility for food assistance under federal regulations, may not be excluded as a resource in determining a family’s eligibility for temporary cash assistance.

(4) An individual and the assistance group in which the individual is a current member will be ineligible for a period of 2 years from the original date of a transfer of an asset made for the purpose of qualifying for or maintaining eligibility for temporary cash assistance.

History: s. 11, ch. 96-175; s. 7, ch. 97-173; s. 17, ch. 2010-209.
Fla. Stat. § 110.114 — Florida Code / Title X / Chapter 110 / Part I / Section 110.114
110.114 Employee wage deductions.
Status: in_force

(1) The state or any of its departments, bureaus, commissions, and officers are authorized and permitted, with the concurrence of the Department of Financial Services, to make deductions from the salary or wage of any employee or employees in such amount as shall be authorized and requested by such employee or employees and for such purpose as shall be authorized and requested by such employee or employees and shall pay such sums so deducted as directed by such employee or employees. The concurrence of the Department of Financial Services shall not be required for the deduction of a certified bargaining agent’s membership dues deductions pursuant to s. 447.303 or any deductions authorized by a collective bargaining agreement.

(2) The approval of and making of approved deductions shall not require the approval or making of other requested deductions.

(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (1) and (2), the deduction of an employee’s membership dues deductions as defined in s. 447.203(15) for an employee organization as defined in s. 447.203(11) shall be authorized or permitted only for an organization that has been certified as the exclusive bargaining agent pursuant to chapter 447 for a unit of state employees in which the employee is included. Such deductions shall be subject to the provisions of s. 447.303.

(4) Records of employee requests and employer authorizations for deductions from an employee’s wage or salary, or the legal authority for the deduction, shall be maintained by each employing entity.

History: s. 20, ch. 79-190; s. 7, ch. 94-113; s. 4, ch. 96-399; s. 114, ch. 2003-261; s. 7, ch. 2023-35.
Fla. Stat. § 265.7015 — Florida Code / Title XVIII / Chapter 265 / Section 265.7015
265.7015 Confidentiality of certain donor information; publicly owned performing arts centers.
Status: in_force

(1) As used in this section, the term “publicly owned performing arts center” means a facility consisting of at least 200 seats, owned and operated by a county, municipality, or special district, which is used and occupied to promote development of any or all of the performing, visual, or fine arts or any or all matters relating thereto and to encourage and cultivate public and professional knowledge and appreciation of the arts.

(2) If a donor or prospective donor of a donation made for the benefit of a publicly owned performing arts center desires to remain anonymous, information that would identify the name, address, or telephone number of that donor or prospective donor is confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution.

History: s. 1, ch. 2012-12; s. 1, ch. 2017-68.
Fla. Stat. § 627.6845 — Florida Code / Title XXXVII / Chapter 627 / Part IX / Section 627.6845
627.6845 Policy forms used in connection with consolidations.
Status: in_force

A policy or group certificate of credit insurance used in connection with any consolidation, or an application, endorsement, or rider which becomes a part of any such policy or certificate, may not be issued or delivered in this state until a copy of the form has been filed with and approved by the office pursuant to s. 627.682.

History: s. 77, ch. 92-318; s. 1182, ch. 2003-261.
Fla. Stat. § 627.7063 — Florida Code / Title XXXVII / Chapter 627 / Part X / Section 627.7063
627.7063 Building code effectiveness grading schedule.
Status: in_force

(1) As used in this section, the term “sinkhole loss prevention ordinance” means a county ordinance that amends the Florida Building Code and that is intended to reduce the number of sinkhole claims and the severity of sinkhole losses.

(2) The commission shall adopt a building code effectiveness grading schedule by rule. The grading schedule shall evaluate the effectiveness of each sinkhole loss prevention ordinance in reducing the number of sinkhole claims and severity of sinkhole losses. Each ordinance shall be evaluated 4 years after the ordinance takes effect. The grading schedule shall be based on the effectiveness of code enforcement in each county and scientific, modeling, and engineering methodologies. The rules shall further mandate insurance premium discounts or surcharges on personal residential property insurance based on a property’s compliance with an ordinance and the grade assigned to the applicable sinkhole loss prevention ordinance.

History: s. 2, ch. 2009-178.
Fla. Stat. § 723.045 — Florida Code / Title XL / Chapter 723 / Section 723.045
723.045 Sale of utilities by park owner or developer.
Status: in_force

No mobile home park owner or developer who purchases electricity or gas (natural, manufactured, or similar gaseous substance) from any public utility or municipally owned utility or who purchases water from a water system for the purpose of supplying or reselling the electricity, gas, or water to any other person to whom she or he leases, lets, rents, subleases, sublets, or subrents the premises upon which the electricity, gas, or water is to be used shall charge, demand, or receive, directly or indirectly, any amount for the resale of such electricity, gas, or water greater than that amount charged by the public utility or municipally owned utility from which the electricity or gas was purchased or by the public water system from which the water was purchased. However, as concerns the distribution of water, the park owner may charge for maintenance actually incurred and administrative costs. This section does not apply to a park owner who is regulated pursuant to chapter 367 or by a county water ordinance.

History: s. 1, ch. 84-80; s. 922, ch. 97-102.
Fla. Stat. § 408.817 — Florida Code / Title XXIX / Chapter 408 / Part II / Section 408.817
408.817 Administrative proceedings.
Status: in_force

Administrative proceedings challenging agency licensure enforcement action shall be reviewed on the basis of the facts and conditions that resulted in the agency action.

History: s. 5, ch. 2006-192.
Fla. Stat. § 641.36 — Florida Code / Title XXXVII / Chapter 641 / Part I / Section 641.36
641.36 Adoption of rules; penalty for violation.
Status: in_force

The commission shall adopt rules necessary to carry out the provisions of this part. The office shall collect and make available all health maintenance organization rules adopted by the commission. Any violation of a rule adopted under this section shall subject the violating entity to the provisions of s. 641.23.

History: s. 20, ch. 72-264; s. 3, ch. 76-168; s. 1, ch. 77-457; ss. 2, 3, ch. 81-318; ss. 800, 804, 809(1st), ch. 82-243; s. 12, ch. 87-236; ss. 127, 187, 188, ch. 91-108; s. 4, ch. 91-429; s. 1587, ch. 2003-261.
Fla. Stat. § 379.406 — Florida Code / Title XXVIII / Chapter 379 / Part VIII / Section 379.406
379.406 Illegal possession or transportation of freshwater game fish in commercial quantities; penalty.
Status: in_force

(1) Whoever possesses, moves, or transports any black bass, bream, speckled perch, or other freshwater game fish in commercial quantities in violation of law or the rules of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission commits a Level Three violation under s. 379.401.

(2) For the purposes of this section “commercial quantities” shall be deemed to be a quantity of freshwater game fish of 150 or more pounds, and the possession, movement, or transportation of freshwater game fish in excess of such weight shall constitute prima facie evidence of possession or transportation for commercial purposes.

History: s. 1, ch. 70-380; s. 321, ch. 71-136; s. 181, ch. 99-245; s. 31, ch. 2006-304; s. 174, ch. 2008-247.
Fla. Stat. § 720.3055 — Florida Code / Title XL / Chapter 720 / Part I / Section 720.3055
720.3055 Contracts for products and services; in writing; bids; exceptions.
Status: in_force

(1) All contracts as further described in this section or any contract that is not to be fully performed within 1 year after the making thereof for the purchase, lease, or renting of materials or equipment to be used by the association in accomplishing its purposes under this chapter or the governing documents, and all contracts for the provision of services, shall be in writing. If a contract for the purchase, lease, or renting of materials or equipment, or for the provision of services, requires payment by the association that exceeds 10 percent of the total annual budget of the association, including reserves, the association must obtain competitive bids for the materials, equipment, or services. Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to require the association to accept the lowest bid.

(2)(a)1. Notwithstanding the foregoing, contracts with employees of the association, and contracts for attorney, accountant, architect, community association manager, engineering, and landscape architect services are not subject to the provisions of this section. 2. A contract executed before October 1, 2004, and any renewal thereof, is not subject to the competitive bid requirements of this section. If a contract was awarded under the competitive bid procedures of this section, any renewal of that contract is not subject to such competitive bid requirements if the contract contains a provision that allows the board to cancel the contract on 30 days’ notice. Materials, equipment, or services provided to an association under a local government franchise agreement by a franchise holder are not subject to the competitive bid requirements of this section. A contract with a manager, if made by a competitive bid, may be made for up to 3 years. An association whose declaration or bylaws provide for competitive bidding for services may operate under the provisions of that declaration or bylaws in lieu of this section if those provisions are not less stringent than the requirements of this section. (b) Nothing contained in this section is intended to limit the ability of an association to obtain needed products and services in an emergency. (c) This section does not apply if the business entity with which the association desires to enter into a contract is the only source of supply within the county serving the association. (d) Nothing contained in this section shall excuse a party contracting to provide maintenance or management services from compliance with s. 720.309.

History: s. 21, ch. 2004-345; s. 18, ch. 2004-353.
Fla. Stat. § 120.66 — Florida Code / Title X / Chapter 120 / Section 120.66
120.66 Ex parte communications.
Status: in_force

(1) In any proceeding under ss. 120.569 and 120.57, no ex parte communication relative to the merits, threat, or offer of reward shall be made to the agency head, after the agency head has received a recommended order, or to the presiding officer by: (a) An agency head or member of the agency or any other public employee or official engaged in prosecution or advocacy in connection with the matter under consideration or a factually related matter. (b) A party to the proceeding, the party’s authorized representative or counsel, or any person who, directly or indirectly, would have a substantial interest in the proposed agency action. Nothing in this subsection shall apply to advisory staff members who do not testify on behalf of the agency in the proceeding or to any rulemaking proceedings under s. 120.54.

(2) A presiding officer, including an agency head or designee, who is involved in the decisional process and who receives an ex parte communication in violation of subsection (1) shall place on the record of the pending matter all written communications received, all written responses to such communications, and a memorandum stating the substance of all oral communications received and all oral responses made, and shall also advise all parties that such matters have been placed on the record. Any party desiring to rebut the ex parte communication shall be allowed to do so, if such party requests the opportunity for rebuttal within 10 days after notice of such communication. The presiding officer may, if necessary to eliminate the effect of an ex parte communication, withdraw from the proceeding, in which case the entity that appointed the presiding officer shall assign a successor.

(3) Any person who makes an ex parte communication prohibited by subsection (1), and any presiding officer, including an agency head or designee, who fails to place in the record any such communication, is in violation of this act and may be assessed a civil penalty not to exceed $500 or be subjected to other disciplinary action.

History: s. 1, ch. 74-310; s. 10, ch. 75-191; s. 12, ch. 76-131; s. 1, ch. 77-174; s. 10, ch. 78-425; s. 765, ch. 95-147; s. 33, ch. 96-159; s. 14, ch. 97-176.
Fla. Stat. § 559.12 — Florida Code / Title XXXIII / Chapter 559 / Part II / Section 559.12
559.12 Exceptions.
Status: in_force

(1) “Person” as used in this part shall not include a person actively practicing law in Florida and who is also admitted to The Florida Bar, and any person who is currently a member of The Florida Bar.

(2) “Firm” as used in this part shall not include a partnership, all the members of which are admitted to practice law in this state, and who are current members of The Florida Bar.

History: s. 3, ch. 59-345.
Fla. Stat. § 627.564 — Florida Code / Title XXXVII / Chapter 627 / Part V / Section 627.564
627.564 Payment of benefits.
Status: in_force

A group life insurance policy shall provide that any sum becoming due by reason of the death of the person insured be payable to the beneficiary designated by the person insured, except that, when the policy contains conditions pertaining to family status, the beneficiary may be the family member specified by the policy terms, subject to the provisions of the policy in the event there is no designated beneficiary living at the time of death of the person insured; all or any part of such sum shall be subject to any right reserved by the insurer in the policy and set forth in the certificate to pay at its option a part of the sum not exceeding $2,000 to any person appearing to the insurer to be equitably entitled thereto by reason of having incurred funeral or other expenses incident to the last illness or death of the person insured.

History: s. 537, ch. 59-205; s. 3, ch. 76-168; s. 1, ch. 77-457; ss. 2, 3, ch. 81-318; ss. 435, 448, 809(2nd), ch. 82-243; s. 79, ch. 82-386; s. 99, ch. 83-216; s. 114, ch. 92-318.
Fla. Stat. § 334.615 — Florida Code / Title XXVI / Chapter 334 / Section 334.615
334.615 Parking authority operations; interlocal agreements.
Status: in_force

A parking authority created by special act may operate, manage, and control parking facilities in contiguous counties, municipalities, or other local governmental entities upon entering into interlocal agreements with the governing bodies of the appropriate contiguous counties, municipalities, or local governmental entities.

History: s. 24, ch. 2025-155.
Fla. Stat. § 589.30 — Florida Code / Title XXXV / Chapter 589 / Section 589.30
589.30 Duty of district or center manager.
Status: in_force

It shall be the duty of the district or center manager to direct all work in accordance with the law and regulations of the Florida Forest Service; gather and disseminate information in the management of commercial timber, including establishment, protection and utilization; and assist in the development and use of forest lands for outdoor recreation, watershed protection, and wildlife habitat. The district or center manager or his or her representative shall provide encouragement and technical assistance to individuals and urban and county officials in the planning, establishment, and management of trees and plant associations to enhance the beauty of the urban and suburban environment and meet outdoor recreational needs.

History: s. 3, ch. 20899, 1941; ss. 14, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 3, ch. 71-183; s. 951, ch. 97-103; s. 51, ch. 2012-7; s. 22, ch. 2013-226.
Fla. Stat. § 377.26 — Florida Code / Title XXVIII / Chapter 377 / Part I / Section 377.26
377.26 Location of wells.
Status: in_force

Whenever the division fixes the location of any well or wells on the surface, the point at which the maximum penetration of such well into the producing formation is reached shall not unreasonably vary from the vertical drawn from the center of the hole at the surface; provided, that the division shall prescribe rules, regulations and orders governing the reasonableness of such variation, and shall take into account technological advances in drilling and production technology, including, but not limited to, horizontal well completions in the producing formation using directional drilling methods.

History: s. 20, ch. 22819, 1945; ss. 25, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 77, ch. 96-323.
Fla. Stat. § 900.04 — Florida Code / Title XLVII / Chapter 900 / Section 900.04
900.04 Contempts.
Status: in_force

Said courts, in the exercise of their criminal jurisdiction may punish for contempts as in the exercise of their civil jurisdiction, and the county courts shall possess, in this respect, the same powers as the circuit courts.

History: RS 2794; GS 3844; RGS 5939; CGL 8205; s. 3, ch. 70-339; s. 34, ch. 73-334.
Fla. Stat. § 772.185 — Florida Code / Title XLV / Chapter 772 / Section 772.185
772.185 Attorney’s fees taxed as costs.
Status: in_force

Attorney’s fees awarded under this chapter shall be taxed as costs.

History: s. 3, ch. 86-277.