reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
FL Stat § 189.018 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XIII - Planning and Development|Chapter 189 - Uniform Special District Accountability Act|Part I - General Provisions (Ss. 189.01-189.019)|189.018 - Fee schedule; Grants and Donations Trust Fund.

189.018 Fee schedule; Grants and Donations Trust Fund.—The department, by rule, shall establish a schedule of fees to pay one-half of the costs incurred by the department in administering this act, except that the fee may not exceed $175 per district per year. The fees collected under this section shall be deposited in the Grants and Donations Trust Fund administered by the department. Any fee rule must consider factors such as the dependent and independent status of the district and district revenues for the most recent fiscal year as reported to the Department of Financial Services. The department may assess fines of not more than $25, with an aggregate total not to exceed $50, as penalties against special districts that fail to remit required fees to the department. It is the intent of the Legislature that general revenue funds will be made available to the department to pay one-half of the cost of administering this act.History.—s. 64, ch. 89-169; s. 41, ch. 93-120; s. 15, ch. 96-324; s. 3, ch. 2000-118; s. 31, ch. 2000-151; s. 169, ch. 2003-261; s. 68, ch. 2011-142; s. 47, ch. 2014-22.Note.—Former s. 189.427.
FL Stat § 189.019 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XIII - Planning and Development|Chapter 189 - Uniform Special District Accountability Act|Part I - General Provisions (Ss. 189.01-189.019)|189.019 - Codification.

189.019 Codification.—(1) Each district, by December 1, 2004, shall submit to the Legislature a draft codified charter, at its expense, so that its special acts may be codified into a single act for reenactment by the Legislature, if there is more than one special act for the district. The Legislature may adopt a schedule for individual district codification. Any codified act relating to a district, which act is submitted to the Legislature for reenactment, shall provide for the repeal of all prior special acts of the Legislature relating to the district. The codified act shall be filed with the department pursuant to s. 189.016(2).(2) The reenactment of existing law under this section shall not be construed as a grant of additional authority nor to supersede the authority of any entity pursuant to law. Exceptions to law contained in any special act that are reenacted pursuant to this section shall continue to apply.(3) The reenactment of existing law under this section shall not be construed to modify, amend, or alter any covenants, contracts, or other obligations of any district with respect to bonded indebtedness. Nothing pertaining to the reenactment of existing law under this section shall be construed to affect the ability of any district to levy and collect taxes, assessments, fees, or charges for the purpose of redeeming or servicing bonded indebtedness of the district.History.—s. 24, ch. 97-255; s. 3, ch. 98-320; s. 146, ch. 2001-266; s. 49, ch. 2014-22.Note.—Former s. 189.429.
FL Stat § 189.02 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XIII - Planning and Development|Chapter 189 - Uniform Special District Accountability Act|Part II - Dependent Special Districts (Ss. 189.02-189.022)|189.02 - Dependent special districts.

189.02 Dependent special districts.—(1) A charter for the creation of a dependent special district created after September 30, 1989, shall be adopted only by ordinance of a county or municipal governing body having jurisdiction over the area affected.(2) A county is authorized to create dependent special districts within the boundary lines of the county, subject to the approval of the governing body of the incorporated area affected.(3) A municipality is authorized to create dependent special districts within the boundary lines of the municipality.(4) Dependent special districts created by a county or municipality shall be created by adoption of an ordinance that includes:(a) The purpose, powers, functions, and duties of the district.(b) The geographic boundary limitations of the district.(c) The authority of the district.(d) An explanation of why the district is the best alternative.(e) The membership, organization, compensation, and administrative duties of the governing body.(f) The applicable financial disclosure, noticing, and reporting requirements.(g) The methods for financing the district.(h) A declaration that the creation of the district is consistent with the approved local government comprehensive plans.(5) The Legislature may create a dependent special district by special act at the request or with the consent of the local government upon which the special district will be dependent.History.—s. 7, ch. 89-169; s. 7, ch. 97-255; s. 16, ch. 2014-22; s. 5, ch. 2016-22.Note.—Former s. 189.4041.
FL Stat § 189.021 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XIII - Planning and Development|Chapter 189 - Uniform Special District Accountability Act|Part II - Dependent Special Districts (Ss. 189.02-189.022)|189.021 - Refund of certain special assessments.

189.021 Refund of certain special assessments.—If a dependent special district has levied assessments for an improvement or specialized function for which it was created; no bonds have been issued against which the special assessments are pledged; and the county or municipality which created the special district determines that the demand for the improvement or function no longer exists or the majority of the land against which the special assessments were authorized has been purchased by a tax-exempt governmental agency to be preserved for environmental purposes and which cannot receive the benefit for which the assessments were levied, unspent and unobligated moneys collected as assessments, along with any interest collected thereon, shall be refunded to the original payors of the assessments when the costs of distributing the refund do not exceed the amount available for refund. This section shall operate retroactively to January 1, 1987.History.—s. 12, ch. 97-255; s. 26, ch. 2014-22.Note.—Former s. 189.4047.
FL Stat § 189.022 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XIII - Planning and Development|Chapter 189 - Uniform Special District Accountability Act|Part II - Dependent Special Districts (Ss. 189.02-189.022)|189.022 - Status statement.

189.022 Status statement.—The charter of a newly created dependent special district shall contain, and where practical and feasible, the charter of an existing dependent special district shall be amended to contain, a reference to the status of the special district as dependent. When necessary, the status statement shall be amended to conform to the department’s determination or declaratory statement regarding the status of the district.History.—s. 6, ch. 2016-22.
FL Stat § 189.03 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XIII - Planning and Development|Chapter 189 - Uniform Special District Accountability Act|Part III - Independent Special Districts (Ss. 189.03-189.033)|189.03 - Statement of legislative purpose and intent; independent special districts.

189.03 Statement of legislative purpose and intent; independent special districts.—(1) The Legislature finds that:(a) There is a need for uniform, focused, and fair procedures in state law to provide a reasonable alternative for the establishment, powers, operation, and duration of independent special districts.(b) It is in the public interest that any independent special district created pursuant to state law not outlive its usefulness and that the operation of such a district and the exercise by the district of its powers be consistent with applicable due process, disclosure, accountability, ethics, and government-in-the-sunshine requirements which apply both to governmental entities and to their elected and appointed officials.(2) It is the policy of this state:(a) That independent special districts may be used by the private and public sectors, as authorized by state law, to manage, own, operate, construct, and finance basic capital infrastructure, facilities, and services.(b) That the exercise by any independent special district of its powers complies with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations.(3) It is the legislative intent to authorize a uniform procedure by general law to create an independent special district and to provide by general law for the uniform operation, exercise of power, and procedure for termination of any such independent special district.(4) The Legislature finds and declares that:(a) Growth and development issues transcend the boundaries and responsibilities of individual units of government, and often no single unit of government can plan or implement policies to deal with these issues without affecting other units of government.(b) The provision of capital infrastructure, facilities, and services for the preservation and enhancement of the quality of life of the people of this state may require the creation of multicounty and multijurisdictional districts.History.—s. 2, ch. 89-169; s. 9, ch. 2014-22.Note.—Subsections (1)-(3) former s. 189.402(3)-(5); subsection (4) former s. 189.402(8).
FL Stat § 189.0311 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XIII - Planning and Development|Chapter 189 - Uniform Special District Accountability Act|Part III - Independent Special Districts (Ss. 189.03-189.033)|189.0311 - Independent special districts; charter requirements.

189.0311 Independent special districts; charter requirements.—Notwithstanding any general law, special act, or ordinance of a local government to the contrary, any independent special district charter enacted after September 30, 1989, shall contain the information required by s. 189.031(3). Recognizing that the exclusive charter for a community development district is the statutory charter contained in ss. 190.006-190.041, community development districts established after July 1, 1980, pursuant to the provisions of chapter 190 shall be deemed in compliance with this requirement.History.—s. 5, ch. 97-255; s. 30, ch. 99-378; s. 12, ch. 2014-22.Note.—Former s. 189.4031(2).
FL Stat § 189.033 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XIII - Planning and Development|Chapter 189 - Uniform Special District Accountability Act|Part III - Independent Special Districts (Ss. 189.03-189.033)|189.033 - Independent special district services in disproportionally affected county; rate reduction for providers providing economic benefits.

189.033 Independent special district services in disproportionally affected county; rate reduction for providers providing economic benefits.—If the governing body of an independent special district that provides water, wastewater, and sanitation services in a disproportionally affected county, as defined in s. 288.106(8), determines that a new user or the expansion of an existing user of one or more of its utility systems will provide a significant benefit to the community in terms of increased job opportunities, economies of scale, or economic development in the area, the governing body may authorize a reduction of its rates, fees, or charges for that user for a specified period of time. A governing body that exercises this power must do so by resolution that states the anticipated economic benefit justifying the reduction as well as the period of time that the reduction will remain in place.History.—s. 8, ch. 2012-127; s. 15, ch. 2014-22.Note.—Former s. 189.40401.
FL Stat § 189.042 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XIII - Planning and Development|Chapter 189 - Uniform Special District Accountability Act|Part IV - Elections (Ss. 189.04-189.042)|189.042 - Special district bond referenda.

189.042 Special district bond referenda.—Where required by the State Constitution or general law, special district bond referenda shall be conducted according to ss. 100.211 and 100.221. The provisions of this section shall not apply to community development districts established pursuant to chapter 190.History.—s. 15, ch. 89-169; s. 31, ch. 2014-22.Note.—Former s. 189.408.
FL Stat § 189.05 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XIII - Planning and Development|Chapter 189 - Uniform Special District Accountability Act|Part V - Finance (Ss. 189.05-189.056)|189.05 - Collection of non-ad valorem assessments.

189.05 Collection of non-ad valorem assessments.—Community development districts may and other special districts shall provide for the collection of annual non-ad valorem assessments in accordance with chapter 197 or monthly non-ad valorem assessments in accordance with chapter 170.History.—s. 14, ch. 89-169; s. 30, ch. 2014-22.Note.—Former s. 189.4065.
FL Stat § 189.051 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XIII - Planning and Development|Chapter 189 - Uniform Special District Accountability Act|Part V - Finance (Ss. 189.05-189.056)|189.051 - Bond issuance.

189.051 Bond issuance.—If a referendum is not required, the district shall ensure that, at the time of the closing, the bonds met at least one of the following criteria:(1) The bonds were rated in one of the highest four ratings by a nationally recognized rating service;(2) The bonds were privately placed with or otherwise sold to accredited investors;(3) The bonds were backed by a letter of credit from a bank, savings and loan association, or other creditworthy guarantor, or by bond insurance, guaranteeing payment of principal and interest on the bonds; or(4) The bonds were accompanied by an independent financial advisory opinion stating that estimates of debt service coverage and probability of debt repayment are reasonable, which opinion was provided by an independent financial advisory, consulting, or accounting firm registered where professional registration is required by law and which is in good standing with the state and in conformance with all applicable professional standards for such opinions.History.—s. 16, ch. 89-169; s. 10, ch. 96-324; s. 32, ch. 2014-22.Note.—Former s. 189.4085.
FL Stat § 189.052 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XIII - Planning and Development|Chapter 189 - Uniform Special District Accountability Act|Part V - Finance (Ss. 189.05-189.056)|189.052 - Assessments levied on facilities regulated under chapter 513.

189.052 Assessments levied on facilities regulated under chapter 513.—When an independent or dependent special district levies an assessment on a facility regulated under chapter 513, the assessment shall not be based on the assertion that the facility is comprised of residential units. Instead, facilities regulated under chapter 513 shall be assessed in the same manner as a hotel, motel, or other similar facility.History.—s. 9, ch. 2000-355; s. 42, ch. 2014-22.Note.—Former s. 189.420.
FL Stat § 189.053 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XIII - Planning and Development|Chapter 189 - Uniform Special District Accountability Act|Part V - Finance (Ss. 189.05-189.056)|189.053 - Purchases from purchasing agreements of special districts, municipalities, or counties.

189.053 Purchases from purchasing agreements of special districts, municipalities, or counties.—Special districts may purchase commodities and contractual services, other than services the acquisition of which is governed by s. 287.055, from the purchasing agreements of other special districts, municipalities, or counties which have been procured pursuant to competitive bid, requests for proposals, requests for qualifications, competitive selection, or competitive negotiations, and which are otherwise in compliance with general law if the purchasing agreement of the other special district, municipality, or county was procured by a process that would have met the procurement requirements of the purchasing special district.History.—s. 1, ch. 2009-217; s. 44, ch. 2014-22.Note.—Former s. 189.4221.
FL Stat § 189.055 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XIII - Planning and Development|Chapter 189 - Uniform Special District Accountability Act|Part V - Finance (Ss. 189.05-189.056)|189.055 - Treatment of special districts.

189.055 Treatment of special districts.—For the purpose of s. 196.199(1), special districts shall be treated as municipalities.History.—s. 53, ch. 2014-22.
FL Stat § 189.056 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XIII - Planning and Development|Chapter 189 - Uniform Special District Accountability Act|Part V - Finance (Ss. 189.05-189.056)|189.056 - Downtown development districts; ad valorem taxation.

189.056 Downtown development districts; ad valorem taxation.—(1) It is the intent of the Legislature to encourage the revitalization of downtown areas within large municipalities where the societal ills associated with urban blight are most prevalent. However, in recognition of the traditionally broad home rule power exercised by charter counties, the Legislature intends that this section apply only to certain counties.(2) The governing body of a municipality with a population of more than 400,000, as determined by the Office of Economic and Demographic Research, and located in a county as defined in s. 125.011(1) may, by ordinance, levy an ad valorem tax of up to 0.475 mill on the taxable value of all real and personal property located in a downtown development district to help finance the operation of the district. The district’s millage may not exceed 0.475 mill and may not exceed the limitations contained in s. 200.001(8)(d) for dependent special districts.History.—s. 1, ch. 2015-43.
FL Stat § 189.06 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XIII - Planning and Development|Chapter 189 - Uniform Special District Accountability Act|Part VI - Oversight and Accountability (Ss. 189.06-189.0695)|189.06 - Legislative intent; centralized location.

189.06 Legislative intent; centralized location.—It is the intent of the Legislature through the adoption of this chapter to have one centralized location for all legislation governing special districts and to:(1) Improve the enforcement of statutes currently in place that help ensure the accountability of special districts to state and local governments.(2) Improve communication and coordination between state agencies with respect to required special district reporting and state monitoring.(3) Improve communication and coordination between special districts and other local entities with respect to ad valorem taxation, non-ad valorem assessment collection, special district elections, and local government comprehensive planning.(4) Move toward greater uniformity in special district elections and non-ad valorem assessment collection procedures at the local level without hampering the efficiency and effectiveness of the current procedures.(5) Clarify special district definitions and creation methods in order to ensure consistent application of those definitions and creation methods across all levels of government.(6) Specify in general law the essential components of any new type of special district.(7) Specify in general law the essential components of a charter for a new special district.(8) Encourage the creation of municipal service taxing units and municipal service benefit units for providing municipal services in unincorporated areas of each county.History.—s. 2, ch. 89-169; s. 8, ch. 2014-22.Note.—Former s. 189.402(2).
FL Stat § 189.063 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XIII - Planning and Development|Chapter 189 - Uniform Special District Accountability Act|Part VI - Oversight and Accountability (Ss. 189.06-189.0695)|189.063 - Education programs for new members of district governing bodies.

189.063 Education programs for new members of district governing bodies.—(1) The department may provide, contract for, or assist in conducting education programs, as its budget permits, for all newly elected or appointed members of district governing bodies. The education programs shall include, but are not limited to, courses on the code of ethics for public officers and employees, public meetings and public records requirements, public finance, and parliamentary procedure.(2) An individual district governing body, at its discretion, may bear the costs associated with educating its members. Governing body members of districts which have qualified for a zero annual fee for the most recent invoicing period pursuant to s. 189.018 are not required to pay a fee for any education program the department provides, contracts for, or assists in conducting.History.—s. 31, ch. 99-378; s. 28, ch. 2014-22.Note.—Former s. 189.405(5).
FL Stat § 189.064 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XIII - Planning and Development|Chapter 189 - Uniform Special District Accountability Act|Part VI - Oversight and Accountability (Ss. 189.06-189.0695)|189.064 - Special District Accountability Program; duties and responsibilities.

189.064 Special District Accountability Program; duties and responsibilities.—The Special District Accountability Program of the department has the following duties:(1) Electronically publishing special district noncompliance status reports from the Department of Management Services, the Department of Financial Services, the Division of Bond Finance of the State Board of Administration, the Auditor General, and the Legislative Auditing Committee, for the reporting required in ss. 112.63, 218.32, 218.38, and 218.39. The noncompliance reports must list those special districts that did not comply with the statutory reporting requirements and be made available to the public electronically.(2) Maintaining the official list of special districts as set forth in s. 189.061.(3) Publishing and updating of a “Florida Special District Handbook” that contains, at a minimum:(a) A section that specifies definitions of special districts and status distinctions in the statutes.(b) A section or sections that specify current statutory provisions for special district creation, implementation, modification, dissolution, and operating procedures.(c) A section that summarizes the reporting requirements applicable to all types of special districts as provided in ss. 189.015 and 189.016.(d) A section that summarizes the public facilities reporting requirements and the evaluation and appraisal notification schedule as provided in s. 189.08(2).(4) Coordinating and communicating among state agencies regarding special districts.(5) Providing technical advisory assistance to special districts regarding the requirements specified in this chapter which may be performed by the department or by a qualified third-party vendor pursuant to a contract entered into in accordance with applicable bidding requirements.(6) Providing assistance to local general-purpose governments and state agencies in collecting delinquent reports or information.(7) Helping special districts comply with reporting requirements.(8) Declaring special districts inactive when directed by the Legislative Auditing Committee or required by this chapter.(9) Initiating enforcement proceedings as provided in ss. 189.062, 189.066, and 189.067.History.—s. 18, ch. 89-169; s. 15, ch. 90-502; s. 79, ch. 92-279; s. 55, ch. 92-326; s. 15, ch. 95-154; ss. 3, 17, ch. 95-272; ss. 11, 12, ch. 96-324; s. 15, ch. 97-255; s. 3, ch. 97-287; s. 69, ch. 99-255; s. 32, ch. 99-378; s. 45, ch. 2001-266; s. 25, ch. 2002-1; s. 168, ch. 2003-261; s. 18, ch. 2004-305; s. 48, ch. 2010-102; s. 65, ch. 2011-142; s. 13, ch. 2011-144; s. 33, ch. 2014-22; s. 12, ch. 2016-22.Note.—Former s. 189.412.
FL Stat § 189.065 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XIII - Planning and Development|Chapter 189 - Uniform Special District Accountability Act|Part VI - Oversight and Accountability (Ss. 189.06-189.0695)|189.065 - Special districts; oversight of state funds use.

189.065 Special districts; oversight of state funds use.—Any state agency administering funding programs for which special districts are eligible shall be responsible for oversight of the use of such funds by special districts. The oversight responsibilities shall include, but not be limited to:(1) Reporting the existence of the program to the Special District Accountability Program of the department.(2) Submitting annually a list of special districts participating in a state funding program to the Special District Accountability Program of the department. This list must indicate the special districts, if any, that are not in compliance with state funding program requirements.History.—s. 19, ch. 89-169; s. 66, ch. 2011-142; s. 34, ch. 2014-22.Note.—Former s. 189.413.