Opinion ID: 78521
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Is the DriverSource program carrying out a function of the Florida DHSMV?

Text: Plaintiff-appellants do not dispute that mailing registration renewal notices is a legitimate function of the Florida DHSMV. The dispute here centers on whether the inclusion of commercial advertising in renewal envelopes is a legitimate agency function. However, the DPPA does not define what it means by an agency function. Because the DPPA is a federal statute, its interpretation is a matter of federal law. See Stein v. Paradigm Mirasol, LLC, 586 F.3d 849, 854 (11th Cir.2009). When statutory terms are undefined, we typically infer that Congress intended them to have their common and ordinary meaning, unless it is apparent from context that the disputed term is a term of art. Garcia v. Vanguard Car Rental USA, Inc., 540 F.3d 1242, 1246 (11th Cir. 2008). Function is defined as the action for which a person or thing is specially fitted, used, or responsible or for which a thing exists; the activity appropriate to the nature or position of a person or thing. Webster's Third New International Dictionary 920 (3d ed.1966). Of course, we will defer to Florida as to the proper activities of the DHSMV. Funding public programs through commercial advertising is a legitimate agency function within Florida. Through various enabling statutes, Florida encourages its agencies to take advantage of commercial advertising to offset program costs and raise revenues. Imagitas relies heavily on Florida Statute § 283.58, which permits Florida agencies to place advertising in public information materials as a way of paying the costs of [the materials'] publication or production.... Fla. Stat. § 283.58(1)(a). In addition to public information materials, Florida permits commercial advertising on public transportation benches and shelters, see Fla. Stat. § 337.408(1), highway right-of-ways, see Fla. Stat. § 479.261, and highway rest area information panels, see Fla. Stat. § 479.28(3). Florida's contract with Imagitas stated [t]he purpose of the sale of advertisements for inclusion in the mailings is to secure the distribution of public information materials free to the public, and at no cost to the state.... ITN No. 010-04 § 4.7. As such, the DriverSource program is carrying out a function of the Florida DHSMV.