FrankGoortani/open-us-law huggingface dataset:
Fla. Stat. § 545.01 — Florida Code / Title XXXIII / Chapter 545 / Section 545.01
545.01 Definitions.
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter, the term:

(1) “Affiliated finance company” means a finance company which: (a) Is affiliated with or controlled by a manufacturer or wholesale distributor through common ownership, officers, directors, or management; or (b) Has a contractual agreement with a manufacturer or wholesale distributor to finance, via sale or lease, motor vehicles produced or distributed by such manufacturer or wholesale distributor.

(2) “Automotive-related product” means a motor vehicle service agreement, as defined in s. 634.011, or a guaranteed asset protection product, as defined in s. 520.02, or other nontangible ancillary product that is purchased or otherwise provided as part of the sale or lease of a motor vehicle by a dealer.

(3) “Dealer” means a franchised motor vehicle dealer, as defined in s. 320.27(1)(c)1.

(4) “Finance company” means a person engaged in the business of financing the sale or lease of motor vehicles, or engaged in the business of purchasing or acquiring vehicle contracts in this state.

(5) “Manufacturer” means a person engaged, directly or indirectly, in the manufacture of motor vehicles.

(6) “Person” means an individual, firm, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association, trustee, receiver, or assignee for the benefit of creditors.

(7) “Sell,” “sold,” “buy,” or “purchase” includes an exchange, barter, gift, or offer to contract to sell or buy.

(8) “Third-party provider” means a provider of an automotive-related product that is not an affiliated finance company, manufacturer, or wholesale distributor.

(9) “Vehicle contract” means a conditional sales contract, retail installment sales contract, chattel mortgage, lease agreement, promissory note, or any other financial obligation arising from the retail sale or lease of a motor vehicle.

(10) “Wholesale distributor” means a person engaged, directly or indirectly, in the sale or distribution of motor vehicles to agents or to dealers.

History: s. 13, ch. 18031, 1937; CGL 1940 Supp. 4151(459); s. 1, ch. 2014-130.
Fla. Stat. § 381.0019 — Florida Code / Title XXIX / Chapter 381 / Section 381.0019
381.0019 Disposition of equipment and material; transfers to county health departments.
Status: in_force

When the department purchases equipment and materials in furtherance of its public health programs from state or federal or state and federal funds for primary use and location in a county health department of this state, it is authorized to transfer title to such equipment and materials to the board of county commissioners of the county where the county health department is located, unless otherwise prohibited by federal or state law, rule, or regulation. All property so transferred shall be accounted for as provided in chapter 274.

History: s. 2, ch. 29834, 1955; s. 2, ch. 61-46; ss. 19, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 127, ch. 77-104; s. 11, ch. 91-297; s. 30, ch. 97-101.
Fla. Stat. § 471.037 — Florida Code / Title XXXII / Chapter 471 / Section 471.037
471.037 Effect of chapter locally.
Status: in_force

(1) Nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed to repeal, amend, limit, or otherwise affect any local building code or zoning law or ordinance, now or hereafter enacted, which is more restrictive with respect to the services of licensed engineers than the provisions of this chapter.

(2) In counties or municipalities that issue building permits, such permits may not be issued in any case in which it is apparent from the application for the building permit that the provisions of this chapter have been violated. However, this subsection does not authorize the withholding of building permits in cases involving the exceptions and exemptions set out in s. 471.003.

History: ss. 13, 42, ch. 79-243; ss. 2, 3, ch. 81-318; ss. 12, 14, 15, ch. 89-30; s. 4, ch. 91-429; s. 81, ch. 94-119; s. 42, ch. 2000-356; s. 30, ch. 2002-299.
Fla. Stat. § 655.921 — Florida Code / Title XXXVIII / Chapter 655 / Section 655.921
655.921 Transaction of business by out-of-state financial institutions; exempt transactions.
Status: in_force

(1) The financial institutions codes do not prohibit a financial institution or business trust that has its principal place of business outside this state and that does not operate branches in this state from: (a) Contracting in this state with any person to acquire from such person a part, or the entire, interest in a loan that such person makes, together with a like interest in any security instrument covering real or personal property in the state given to such person to secure or evidence such loan. (b) Entering into mortgage servicing contracts with persons authorized to transact business in this state and enforcing in this state the obligations acquired by it in the transaction of business outside this state or in the transaction of any business authorized by this section. (c) Acquiring, holding, leasing, mortgaging, contracting with respect to, or otherwise protecting, managing, or conveying property in this state which is assigned, transferred, mortgaged, or conveyed to it as security for, or in whole or in part in satisfaction of, a loan or loans made by it or obligations acquired by it in the transaction of any business authorized by this section. (d) Making loans or committing to make loans to any person located in this state and soliciting compensating deposit balances in connection therewith. (e) Filing suit in any court in this state to collect any debt or foreclose on any security interest in collateral securing a debt.

(2) A financial institution or business trust may not be deemed to be transacting business in this state, or be required to qualify to do so, solely by reason of the performance of any of the acts or business authorized in this section.

History: s. 58, ch. 92-303; s. 10, ch. 2004-340; s. 93, ch. 2004-390; s. 14, ch. 2014-91.
Fla. Stat. § 298.305 — Florida Code / Title XXI / Chapter 298 / Section 298.305
298.305 Assessing land for development; apportionment of assessment.
Status: in_force

(1) After the engineer’s report has been approved by the board of supervisors, the proposed water control plan or plan amendment has been finally adopted, and the lists of lands with the assessed benefits have been filed in the office of the secretary of the district, then the board of supervisors shall levy a non-ad valorem assessment as approved by the board on all lands in the district to which benefits have been assessed, to pay the costs of the completion of the proposed works and improvements, as shown in the adopted plan or plan amendment and in carrying out the objectives of the district; and, in addition thereto, 10 percent of the total amount for contingencies. The assessment must be apportioned to and levied on each assessable tract of land in the district. Under s. 298.54, the board of supervisors may also levy a maintenance assessment on all lands in the district to which benefits have been assessed as may be necessary to operate and maintain the district works and activities and to defray the current expenses of the district. A maintenance assessment recommendation for the operation and maintenance of the district works and activities must be included in each engineer’s report considered by the board.

(2) The board of supervisors may issue bonds in accordance with s. 298.47 to pay the cost of the works and improvements described in the water control plan. Upon such determination, the board of supervisors shall levy a non-ad valorem assessment in a sum not less than an amount, 90 percent of which shall be equal to the principal of said bonds. In no event shall the total amount of all bonds to be issued by the district exceed 90 percent of the benefits assessed upon the lands of the district. Bonds issued under this section shall draw interest at a rate provided by general law and shall be made payable at such time and place as the board of supervisors may determine. The amount of the interest that will accrue on the bonds, as estimated by the board of supervisors, shall be included and added to the assessment, but the interest to accrue on the bonds shall not be included as part of the cost of construction in determining whether or not the expenses and costs of making the improvements shown in the water control plan are equal to, or in excess of, the benefits assessed.

History: s. 14, ch. 97-40.
Fla. Stat. § 626.911 — Florida Code / Title XXXVII / Chapter 626 / Part VIII / Section 626.911
626.911 Attorney’s fee.
Status: in_force

In any action against an unauthorized foreign insurer, alien insurer, or person representing or aiding such an insurer, upon a contract of insurance issued or delivered in this state to a resident thereof or to a corporation authorized to do business therein, if the insurer or person representing or aiding such insurer has failed for 30 days after demand prior to the commencement of the action to make payment in accordance with the terms of the contract, the trial judge shall allow to the plaintiff a reasonable attorney’s fee or compensation and include such fee or compensation in any judgment that may be rendered in such action.

History: s. 350, ch. 59-205; s. 2, ch. 81-318; ss. 318, 807, ch. 82-243; ss. 160, 206, 207, ch. 90-363; s. 4, ch. 91-429.
Fla. Stat. § 985.629 — Florida Code / Title XLVII / Chapter 985 / Part XI / Section 985.629
985.629 Contracts for the transfer of Florida children in federal custody.
Status: in_force

To the extent that maintenance costs are borne entirely from federal funds, the department is empowered to contract with federal authorities for the return of Florida children who are in the custody of a federal court or a federal correctional institution for violation of federal law. Such children under contract are to be transferred to the exclusive custody and active control of the department, under the terms, agreements, and provisions of the contract.

History: s. 5, ch. 90-208; s. 79, ch. 97-238; s. 83, ch. 2006-120.
Fla. Stat. § 388.0101 — Florida Code / Title XXIX / Chapter 388 / Section 388.0101
388.0101 Declaration of legislative intent.
Status: in_force

It is declared to be the public policy of this state to achieve and maintain such levels of arthropod control as will protect human health and safety and foster the quality of life of the people, promote the economic development of the state, and facilitate the enjoyment of its natural attractions by reducing the number of pestiferous and disease-carrying arthropods. It is further declared to be the policy of the state to conduct arthropod control in a manner consistent with protection of the environmental and ecological integrity of all lands and waters throughout the state.

History: s. 1, ch. 86-203.
Fla. Stat. § 736.0817 — Florida Code / Title XLII / Chapter 736 / Part VIII / Section 736.0817
736.0817 Distribution on termination.
Status: in_force

Upon the occurrence of an event terminating or partially terminating a trust, the trustee shall proceed expeditiously to distribute the trust property to the persons entitled to the property, subject to the right of the trustee to retain a reasonable reserve for the payment of debts, expenses, and taxes. The provisions of this section are in addition to and are not in derogation of the rights of a trustee under the common law with respect to final distribution of a trust.

History: s. 8, ch. 2006-217.
Fla. Stat. § 55.603 — Florida Code / Title VI / Chapter 55 / Section 55.603
55.603 Applicability.
Status: in_force

This act applies to any out-of-country foreign judgment that is final and conclusive and enforceable where rendered, even though an appeal therefrom is pending or is subject to appeal.

History: s. 3, ch. 94-239; s. 6, ch. 2005-241.
Fla. Stat. § 202.25 — Florida Code / Title XIV / Chapter 202 / Section 202.25
202.25 Jurisdiction; dealers not qualified to do business in this state.
Status: in_force

(1) All suits brought by the department against any dealer for any violation of this chapter for the purpose of collecting any tax due from the dealer, including garnishment proceedings, regardless of the amount, must be brought in the circuit court of this state having jurisdiction of the subject matter.

(2) Each dealer who is not qualified to do business in this state shall designate with the department an agent within this state for service of process to enforce this chapter. If a dealer fails to designate such an agent, the Secretary of State or any agent or employee of the dealer within this state constitutes the agent for the service of such process.

History: ss. 17, 58, ch. 2000-260; s. 38, ch. 2001-140.
Fla. Stat. § 631.928 — Florida Code / Title XXXVII / Chapter 631 / Part V / Section 631.928
631.928 Florida Workers’ Compensation Insurance Guaranty Association Account.
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 215.3207, the Florida Workers’ Compensation Insurance Guaranty Association Account is hereby created, to be managed by the Florida Workers’ Compensation Insurance Guaranty Association. Funds shall be credited to the fund as provided in chapter 93-415, Laws of Florida, or similar legislation, to be used for the purposes set forth therein.

History: s. 1, ch. 93-424; s. 23, ch. 97-262.
Fla. Stat. § 298.71 — Florida Code / Title XXI / Chapter 298 / Section 298.71
298.71 Department may issue notes; suit by holder; judgment.
Status: in_force

The Department of Environmental Protection may issue its promissory note or notes, or other written obligations, or evidence of indebtedness, for the repayment of such loans at such times and upon such terms and at such rates of interest as the said department may deem advisable; and if upon the maturity of such promissory notes, or written obligations, or other evidences of indebtedness, the same are not redeemed or paid, the said department may be sued by the holder or holders thereof, and any judgment obtained thereon shall be satisfied out of the proceeds of the drainage tax provided by law to be assessed on the lands embraced in the district.

History: s. 2, ch. 6454, 1913; RGS 1156; CGL 1526; ss. 25, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 30, ch. 79-5; s. 131, ch. 94-356.
Fla. Stat. § 634.101 — Florida Code / Title XXXVII / Chapter 634 / Part I / Section 634.101
634.101 Order, notice of suspension or revocation of license; effect; publication.
Status: in_force

(1) Suspension or revocation of the license of a company shall be by the order of the office mailed to the company by registered or certified mail. The office shall promptly also give notice of such suspension or revocation to the salespersons of the company in this state of record with the department. The company shall not solicit or write any new service agreements in this state during the period of any such suspension or revocation, nor after such revocation renew any business previously written.

(2) In its discretion, the office may cause notice of any such revocation to be published in one or more newspapers of general circulation published in this state.

(3) When the license is surrendered or revoked, the service agreement company shall proceed immediately, following the effective date of the surrender or order of revocation, to conclude its affairs transacted under this part. The service agreement company shall not solicit, negotiate, advertise, or effectuate new or renewal of service agreements. The office retains jurisdiction over the service agreement company as it may find to be in the best interest of the insured until all contracts have been fulfilled, canceled, or expired.

History: s. 10, ch. 59-110; ss. 13, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 3, ch. 76-168; s. 1, ch. 77-457; ss. 2, 3, ch. 81-318; ss. 9, 32, 33, ch. 82-234; ss. 18, 68, ch. 91-106; s. 20, ch. 93-195; s. 455, ch. 97-102; s. 1426, ch. 2003-261.
Fla. Stat. § 765.112 — Florida Code / Title XLIV / Chapter 765 / Part I / Section 765.112
765.112 Recognition of advance directive executed in another state.
Status: in_force

An advance directive executed in another state in compliance with the law of that state or of this state is validly executed for the purposes of this chapter.

History: s. 2, ch. 92-199.
Fla. Stat. § 634.423 — Florida Code / Title XXXVII / Chapter 634 / Part III / Section 634.423
634.423 Grounds for discretionary refusal, suspension, or revocation of license or appointment of sales representatives.
Status: in_force

(1) The department may deny, suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew or continue the license or appointment of any sales representative if it is found that any one or more of the following grounds applicable to the sales representative exist under circumstances for which such denial, suspension, revocation, or refusal is not mandatory under s. 634.422: (a) Any cause for which granting of the license or appointment could have been refused had it then existed and been known to the department. (b) Violation of any provision of this part, or of any other law applicable to the business of service warranties, in the course of dealings under the license or appointment. (c) Violation of any lawful order or rule of the department or commission. (d) Failure or refusal to pay over, upon demand, to any service warranty association or insurer the sales representative represents or has represented any money coming into her or his hands which belongs to the association or insurer. (e) In the conduct of business under the license or appointment, engaging in unfair methods of competition or in unfair or deceptive acts or practices, as such methods, acts, or practices are or may be defined under this part, or otherwise showing herself or himself to be a source of injury or loss to the public or detriment to the public interest. (f) Failure to report to the department within 30 days the final disposition of an administrative action taken against a sales representative by a governmental agency or other regulatory agency in this state or any other state or jurisdiction relating to the business of insurance, the sale of securities, or an activity involving fraud, dishonesty, trustworthiness, or breach of a fiduciary duty. The sales representative must submit a copy of the order, consent to order, or other relevant legal documents to the department.

(2) The department may adopt rules to administer this section.

History: s. 5, ch. 78-255; s. 3, ch. 81-148; s. 2, ch. 81-318; s. 3, ch. 83-265; ss. 18, 36, 37, 38, ch. 83-322; s. 53, ch. 88-166; s. 63, ch. 91-106; s. 154, ch. 91-108; s. 20, ch. 93-195; s. 480, ch. 97-102; s. 1503, ch. 2003-261; s. 51, ch. 2023-144.
Fla. Stat. § 100.031 — Florida Code / Title IX / Chapter 100 / Section 100.031
100.031 General election.
Status: in_force

A general election shall be held in each county on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of each even-numbered year to choose a successor to each elective federal, state, county, and district officer whose term will expire before the next general election and, except as provided in the State Constitution, to fill each vacancy in elective office for the unexpired portion of the term.

History: s. 2, ch. 3879, 1889; RS 155; s. 2, ch. 4328, 1895; s. 1, ch. 4537, 1897; GS 171; RGS 216; CGL 251; s. 4, ch. 26870, 1951; s. 12, ch. 77-175.
Fla. Stat. § 252.926 — Florida Code / Title XVII / Chapter 252 / Part III / Section 252.926
252.926 License and permits.
Status: in_force

Whenever any person holds a license, certificate, or other permit issued by any state party to the compact evidencing the meeting of qualifications for professional, mechanical, or other skills, and when such assistance is requested by the receiving party state, such person shall be deemed licensed, certified, or permitted by the state requesting assistance to render aid involving such skill to meet a declared emergency or disaster situation, subject to such limitations and conditions as the governor of the requesting state may prescribe by executive order or otherwise.

History: s. 1, ch. 96-244.
Fla. Stat. § 501.91 — Florida Code / Title XXXIII / Chapter 501 / Part VI / Section 501.91
501.91 Short title.
Status: in_force

Sections 501.91-501.923 may be cited as the “Antifreeze Act of 1978.”

History: s. 1, ch. 78-199; s. 2, ch. 81-318; ss. 4, 5, ch. 89-4; s. 4, ch. 91-429.
Fla. Stat. § 267.172 — Florida Code / Title XVIII / Chapter 267 / Section 267.172
267.172 Tallahassee; Florida Keys; contracts for historic preservation.
Status: in_force

In order to continue the work performed by the Historic Tallahassee Preservation Board of Trustees and the Historic Florida Keys Preservation Board of Trustees, the Department of State may contract with not-for-profit corporations established for the purpose of advancing historic preservation in these areas to manage the various state-owned properties presently managed by the Historic Tallahassee Preservation Board of Trustees and the Historic Florida Keys Preservation Board of Trustees. The contract, which shall at a minimum contain those requirements provided in s. 267.17, for citizen support organizations, including the use of public property and the performance of an annual audit, shall provide that the not-for-profit corporations may use all proceeds derived from the management of state-owned buildings and for the purpose of advancing historic preservation in their areas.

History: s. 9, ch. 97-68; s. 3, ch. 2000-208.
Fla. Stat. § 216.345 — Florida Code / Title XIV / Chapter 216 / Section 216.345
216.345 Professional or other organization membership dues; payment.
Status: in_force

(1) A state department, agency, bureau, commission, or other component of state government, or the judicial branch, upon approval by the head or the designated agent thereof, may utilize state funds for the purpose of paying dues for membership in a professional or other organization only when such membership is essential to the statutory duties and responsibilities of the state agency.

(2) Upon certification by a professional or other organization that it does not accept institutional memberships, the agency or branch may authorize the use of state funds for the payment of individual membership dues when such membership is essential to the statutory duties and responsibilities of the state agency or judicial branch by which the individual is employed. However, approval shall not be granted to pay membership dues for maintenance of an individual’s professional or trade status in any association or organization, except in those instances where agency or branch membership is necessary and purchase of an individual membership is more economical.

(3) Each agency and the judicial branch shall promulgate specific criteria to be used to determine justification for payment of such membership dues.

(4) Payments for membership dues are exempt from the provisions of part I of chapter 287.

History: s. 1, ch. 74-91; s. 1, ch. 77-39; s. 101, ch. 79-190; s. 5, ch. 88-384; s. 76, ch. 92-142; s. 1174, ch. 95-147; s. 19, ch. 95-196.