FrankGoortani/open-us-law huggingface dataset:
Fla. Stat. § 624.517 — Florida Code / Title XXXVII / Chapter 624 / Part IV / Section 624.517
624.517 State Fire Marshal regulatory assessment; reduction of assessment.
Status: in_force

(1) The office shall ascertain on or before December 1 of each year whether the amounts estimated to be received from the regulatory assessment imposed under s. 624.515 for that calendar year, payable on or before the following March 1, as herein prescribed, shall result in an accumulation of funds in excess of the just requirements for which the assessment is imposed as set forth in s. 624.516; and if it determines that the imposition of the full amount of the assessment would result in such excess, it may reduce the percentage amount of the assessment for that calendar year to such percentage as may be necessary to meet the just requirements for which the assessment is imposed.

(2) When a determination is made so reducing the amount of the assessment, the department shall make and issue its order setting forth such determination and fixing the amount of assessment for that calendar year, payable on or before March 1 of the following year, and shall mail a copy of such order to each insurer who, according to the records of the office, is subject to the assessment.

History: s. 89, ch. 59-205; s. 2, ch. 61-119; ss. 13, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 2, ch. 74-295; s. 3, ch. 76-168; s. 1, ch. 77-237; s. 1, ch. 77-457; s. 847, ch. 2003-261.
Fla. Stat. § 163.31771 — Florida Code / Title XI / Chapter 163 / Part II / Section 163.31771
163.31771 Accessory dwelling units.
Status: in_force

(1) The Legislature finds that the median price of homes in this state has increased steadily over the last decade and at a greater rate of increase than the median income in many urban areas. The Legislature finds that the cost of rental housing has also increased steadily and the cost often exceeds an amount that is affordable to extremely-low-income, very-low-income, low-income, or moderate-income persons and has resulted in a critical shortage of affordable rentals in many urban areas in the state. This shortage of affordable rentals constitutes a threat to the health, safety, and welfare of the residents of the state. Therefore, the Legislature finds that it serves an important public purpose to encourage the permitting of accessory dwelling units in single-family residential areas in order to increase the availability of affordable rentals for extremely-low-income, very-low-income, low-income, or moderate-income persons.

(2) As used in this section, the term: (a) “Accessory dwelling unit” means an ancillary or secondary living unit, that has a separate kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping area, existing either within the same structure, or on the same lot, as the primary dwelling unit. (b) “Affordable rental” means that monthly rent and utilities do not exceed 30 percent of that amount which represents the percentage of the median adjusted gross annual income for extremely-low-income, very-low-income, low-income, or moderate-income persons. (c) “Local government” means a county or municipality. (d) “Low-income persons” has the same meaning as in s. 420.0004(11). (e) “Moderate-income persons” has the same meaning as in s. 420.0004(12). (f) “Very-low-income persons” has the same meaning as in s. 420.0004(17). (g) “Extremely-low-income persons” has the same meaning as in s. 420.0004(9).

(3) A local government may adopt an ordinance to allow accessory dwelling units in any area zoned for single-family residential use.

(4) An application for a building permit to construct an accessory dwelling unit must include an affidavit from the applicant which attests that the unit will be rented at an affordable rate to an extremely-low-income, very-low-income, low-income, or moderate-income person or persons.

(5) Each accessory dwelling unit allowed by an ordinance adopted under this section shall apply toward satisfying the affordable housing component of the housing element in the local government’s comprehensive plan under s. 163.3177(6)(f).

History: s. 2, ch. 2004-372; s. 2, ch. 2006-69; s. 16, ch. 2010-5; s. 13, ch. 2011-189; s. 4, ch. 2020-27.
Fla. Stat. § 1005.37 — Florida Code / Title XLVIII / Chapter 1005 / Part III / Section 1005.37
1005.37 Student Protection Fund.
Status: in_force

(1) The commission shall establish and administer a statewide, fee-supported financial program through which funds will be available to complete the training of a student who enrolls in a nonpublic school that terminates a program or ceases operation before the student has completed his or her program of study. The financial program is named the Student Protection Fund.

(2) The commission is authorized to assess a fee from the schools within its jurisdiction for such purpose. The commission shall assess a licensed school an additional fee for its eligibility for the Student Protection Fund.

(3) If a licensed school terminates a program before all students complete it, the commission shall also assess that school a fee adequate to pay the full cost to the Student Protection Fund of completing the training of students.

(4) The fund shall consist entirely of fees assessed to licensed schools and shall not be funded under any circumstances by public funds, nor shall the commission make payments or be obligated to make payments in excess of the assessments actually received from licensed schools and deposited in the Institutional Assessment Trust Fund to the credit of the Student Protection Fund.

(5) At each commission meeting, the commission shall consider the need for and shall make required assessments, shall review the collection status of unpaid assessments and take all necessary steps to collect them, and shall review all moneys in the fund and expenses incurred since the last reporting period. This review must include administrative expenses, moneys received, and payments made to students or to lending institutions.

(6) Staff of the commission must immediately inform the commission upon learning of the closing of a licensed school or the termination of a program that could expose the fund to liability.

(7) The Student Protection Fund must be actuarially sound, periodically audited by the Auditor General in connection with his or her audit of the Department of Education, and reviewed to determine if additional fees must be charged to schools eligible to participate in the fund.

History: s. 260, ch. 2002-387.
Fla. Stat. § 15.18 — Florida Code / Title IV / Chapter 15 / Section 15.18
15.18 International and cultural relations.
Status: in_force

The Divisions of Arts and Culture, Historical Resources, and Library and Information Services of the Department of State promote programs having substantial cultural, artistic, and indirect economic significance that emphasize American creativity. The Secretary of State, as the head administrator of these divisions, shall hereafter be known as “Florida’s Chief Arts and Culture Officer.” As this officer, the Secretary of State is encouraged to initiate and develop relationships between the state and foreign cultural officers, their representatives, and other foreign governmental officials in order to promote Florida as the center of American creativity. The Secretary of State shall coordinate international activities pursuant to this section with the Department of Commerce and any other organization the secretary deems appropriate. For the accomplishment of this purpose, the Secretary of State shall have the power and authority to:

(1) Disseminate any information pertaining to the State of Florida which promotes the state’s cultural assets.

(2) Plan and carry out activities designed to cause improved cultural and governmental programs and exchanges with foreign countries.

(3) Plan and implement cultural and social activities for visiting foreign heads of state, diplomats, dignitaries, and exchange groups.

(4) Encourage and cooperate with other public and private organizations or groups in their efforts to promote the cultural advantages of Florida.

(5) Serve as the liaison with all foreign consular and ambassadorial corps, as well as international organizations, that are consistent with the purposes of this section.

(6) Provide, arrange, and make expenditures for the achievement of any or all of the purposes specified in this section.

History: s. 1, ch. 80-159; s. 1, ch. 83-64; s. 1, ch. 86-163; s. 87, ch. 90-201; s. 30, ch. 91-5; s. 76, ch. 99-251; s. 5, ch. 2002-1; s. 12, ch. 2012-116; s. 2, ch. 2021-71; s. 7, ch. 2023-173.
Fla. Stat. § 445.06 — Florida Code / Title XXXI / Chapter 445 / Section 445.06
445.06 Florida Ready to Work Credential Program.
Status: in_force

(1) There is created the Florida Ready to Work Credential Program to enhance the employability skills of Floridians and to better prepare them for successful employment.

(2) Training required to be eligible for a credential under the program may be conducted in public middle and high schools, Florida College System institutions, technical centers, one-stop career centers, vocational rehabilitation centers, Department of Corrections facilities, and Department of Juvenile Justice educational facilities. Such training may also be made available at other entities that provide job training. The Department of Commerce, in coordination with the Department of Education, shall establish institutional readiness criteria for program implementation.

(3) The program shall be composed of: (a) A comprehensive identification by the Department of Commerce and the Department of Education of employability skills currently in demand by employers, including, but not limited to, professionalism, time management, communication, problem solving, collaboration, resilience, digital literacy skills, and academic skills such as mathematics and reading. (b) A preinstructional assessment that delineates an individual’s mastery level for the employability on the specific workplace skills identified pursuant to paragraph (a). (c) An instructional program targeting the identified employability skills in which the individual is not proficient as measured by the preinstructional assessment. Instruction must utilize a web-based program and be customizable to meet identified specific needs of employers. (d) An employability portfolio to be awarded to individuals upon successful completion of the instruction. Each portfolio must delineate the skills demonstrated by the individual as evidence of the individual’s preparation for employment.

(4) An employability credential shall be awarded to an individual who successfully passes assessments which measure the skills identified in paragraph (3)(a).

(5) The Department of Commerce, in consultation with the Department of Education, shall adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to implement the provisions of this section.

History: s. 35, ch. 2006-74; s. 15, ch. 2008-235; s. 73, ch. 2011-5; s. 476, ch. 2011-142; s. 1, ch. 2021-162; s. 212, ch. 2024-6.
Fla. Stat. § 341.011 — Florida Code / Title XXVI / Chapter 341 / Section 341.011
341.011 Florida Public Transit Act; short title.
Status: in_force

Sections 341.011-341.061 shall be known and may be cited as the “Florida Public Transit Act.”

History: s. 1, ch. 78-283; s. 1, ch. 84-340.
Fla. Stat. § 526.147 — Florida Code / Title XXXIII / Chapter 526 / Part I / Section 526.147
526.147 Florida Retail Fuel Transfer Switch Modernization Grant Program.
Status: in_force

(1)(a) There is created, subject to appropriation, the Florida Retail Fuel Transfer Switch Modernization Grant Program within the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. (b) The grant program shall provide grant funds, not to exceed $10,000 per retail fuel facility, to be used for installation and equipment costs related to installing or modernizing transfer switch infrastructure at retail fuel facilities to allow for the continuity of fueling operations under generated power. (c) The department shall award funds based upon the following criteria: 1. Up to $10,000 of costs for transfer switch purchase and installation for retail fuel locations in fiscally constrained counties as designated under s. 218.67(1). 2. Up to $5,000 of costs for transfer switch purchase and installation for all other retail fuel locations. (d) Retail fuel facilities which are awarded grant funds must comply with s. 526.143 and must install a transfer switch capable of operating all fuel pumps, dispensing equipment, life safety systems, and payment acceptance equipment using an alternative generated power source. (e) Before being awarded funding from the department, retail fuel facilities must provide documentation on transfer switch installation and required generator sizing to the department. (f) Marinas and fueling facilities with fewer than four fueling positions are excluded from being awarded funding through this program. (g) Fueling facilities subject to s. 526.143(2) are excluded from being awarded funding through this program.

(2) The department, in consultation with the Division of Emergency Management, shall adopt rules to implement and administer this section, including establishing grant application processes for the Florida Retail Fuel Transfer Switch Modernization Grant Program. The rules must include application deadlines and establish the supporting documentation necessary to be provided to the department.

History: s. 56, ch. 2025-22.
Fla. Stat. § 495.121 — Florida Code / Title XXXIII / Chapter 495 / Section 495.121
495.121 Fraudulent registration.
Status: in_force

Any person who shall for herself or himself, or on behalf of any other person, procure the filing or registration of any mark with the Department of State under the provisions hereof, by knowingly making any false or fraudulent representation or declaration, verbally or in writing, or by any other fraudulent means, shall be liable to pay all damages sustained in consequence of such filing or registration, and for punitive or exemplary damages, to be recovered by or on behalf of the party injured thereby in any court of competent jurisdiction.

History: s. 1, ch. 67-58; ss. 10, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 556, ch. 97-103.
Fla. Stat. § 28.223 — Florida Code / Title V / Chapter 28 / Section 28.223
28.223 Probate records; recordation.
Status: in_force

(1) The clerk of the circuit shall record all wills and codicils admitted to probate, orders admitting the will to probate, orders determining beneficiaries, orders revoking the probate of any wills and codicils, letters of administration, orders affecting or describing real property, final orders, orders of final discharge, and orders of guardianship filed in the clerk’s office. No other petitions, pleadings, papers, or other orders relating to probate matters shall be recorded except on the written direction of the court. The direction may be in the order by incorporation in the order of the words “To be recorded,” or words to that effect. Failure to record an order or a judgment shall not affect its validity.

(2) The clerk shall record all instruments under this section in Official Records and index them in the same manner as prescribed in s. 28.222.

(3) All records of a court of this state heretofore exercising probate jurisdiction shall be placed, and remain, in the custody of the clerk and shall be the records of the circuit court. The circuit court may exercise judicial cognizance and power over them as it may over its own records.

(4) Certified transcripts of the whole or any part of probate or administration proceedings in any court of this state or of any foreign state or country may be recorded. If the certified copy is not a part of a pending probate proceeding in the court, the person causing it to be recorded shall pay the costs of recordation.

(5) The recording of any instrument required or permitted to be recorded under this section in a pending probate or administration proceeding in the county shall be included in the fees prescribed in s. 28.2401.

History: s. 2, ch. 74-106; s. 1, ch. 77-174; s. 161, ch. 95-147; s. 20, ch. 95-401; s. 1, ch. 2024-238.
Fla. Stat. § 483.912 — Florida Code / Title XXXII / Chapter 483 / Part III / Section 483.912
483.912 Legislative findings and intent.
Status: in_force

The sole legislative purpose for enacting this part is to ensure that every genetic counselor practicing in this state meets minimum requirements for safe practice. The Legislature finds that the delivery of genetic counseling services by unskilled and incompetent persons presents a danger to public health and safety. Because it is difficult for the public to make informed choices related to genetic counseling services and since the consequences of uninformed choices can seriously endanger public health and safety, it is the intent of the Legislature to prohibit the delivery of genetic counseling services by persons who possess less than minimum competencies or who otherwise present a danger to the public.

History: s. 1, ch. 2021-133.
Fla. Stat. § 672.601 — Florida Code / Title XXXIX / Chapter 672 / Part VI / Section 672.601
672.601 Buyer’s rights on improper delivery.
Status: in_force

Subject to the provisions of this chapter on breach in installment contracts (s. 672.612) and unless otherwise agreed under the sections on contractual limitations of remedy (ss. 672.718 and 672.719), if the goods or the tender of delivery fail in any respect to conform to the contract, the buyer may:

(1) Reject the whole; or

(2) Accept the whole; or

(3) Accept any commercial unit or units and reject the rest.

History: s. 1, ch. 65-254.
Fla. Stat. § 559.543 — Florida Code / Title XXXIII / Chapter 559 / Part V / Section 559.543
559.543 Definitions.
Status: in_force

As used in this part:

(1) “Claim” or “commercial claim” means any obligation for the payment of money or its equivalent arising out of a transaction wherein credit has been offered or extended to any person, and the money, property, or service which was the subject of the transaction was primarily for commercial purposes and not primarily for personal, family, or household purposes, whether or not such obligation has been reduced to judgment. The term “claim” or “commercial claim” includes an obligation of a person who is comaker, endorser, guarantor, or surety as well as the person to whom such credit was originally extended.

(2) “Commercial collection agency” means any person engaged, as a primary or secondary business activity, in the business of soliciting commercial claims for collection or in the business of collecting commercial claims, asserted to be owed or due to another person, regardless of whether the collection efforts are directed at the primary debtor or some other source of payment.

(3) “Credit grantor” means any person or entity to whom a commercial claim is owed, due, or alleged to be owed or due, whether or not such person or entity is domiciled or doing business within this state and whether or not such commercial claim arose within this state. However, such term does not apply to any registrant under this part who has received an assignment or transfer of a commercial claim in default solely for the purpose of facilitating collection of such commercial claim for another.

(4) “Out-of-state collector” means any person or business entity engaged in the business of soliciting commercial claims for collection or of collecting commercial claims whose business activities in this state are limited to collecting commercial claims by means of interstate communications, including telephone, mail, or facsimile transmission, originating from outside this state.

(5) “Commission” means the Financial Services Commission.

(6) “Office” means the Office of Financial Regulation of the commission.

History: ss. 1, 2, ch. 93-275; s. 672, ch. 2003-261.
Fla. Stat. § 626.884 — Florida Code / Title XXXVII / Chapter 626 / Part VII / Section 626.884
626.884 Maintenance of records by administrator; access; confidentiality.
Status: in_force

(1) Every administrator shall maintain in such administrator’s principal administrative office for the duration of the written agreement and for 5 years thereafter adequate books and records of all transactions among such administrator, insurers, and insured persons. Such books and records shall be maintained in accordance with prudent standards of insurance recordkeeping.

(2) The office shall have access to books and records maintained by the administrator for the purpose of examination, audit, and inspection. Information contained in such books and records is confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution if the disclosure of such information would reveal a trade secret as defined in s. 688.002. However, the office may use such information in any proceeding instituted against the administrator.

(3) The insurer shall retain the right of continuing access to books and records maintained by the administrator sufficient to permit the insurer to fulfill all of its contractual obligations to insured persons, subject to any restrictions in the written agreement pertaining to the proprietary rights of the parties in such books and records.

(4) This section is subject to the Open Government Sunset Review Act in accordance with s. 119.15 and shall stand repealed on October 2, 2028, unless reviewed and saved from repeal through reenactment by the Legislature.

History: s. 4, ch. 83-203; s. 3, ch. 84-94; ss. 206, 207, ch. 90-363; s. 4, ch. 91-429; s. 8, ch. 93-80; s. 376, ch. 96-406; s. 999, ch. 2003-261; s. 5, ch. 2014-103; s. 2, ch. 2023-30.