Senate Bill 0626c2

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    Florida Senate - 1998                     CS for CS for SB 626

    By the Committees on Judiciary, Regulated Industries and
    Senators Silver and Dyer




    308-1824-98

  1                      A bill to be entitled

  2         An act relating to timeshare plans; amending s.

  3         721.03, F.S.; revising provisions with respect

  4         to the scope of the chapter; providing for

  5         certain rules; amending s. 721.05, F.S.;

  6         defining the term "regulated short-term

  7         product"; amending s. 721.06, F.S.; revising

  8         provisions with respect to contracts for the

  9         purchase of timeshare periods; amending s.

10         721.07, F.S.; revising provisions with respect

11         to public offering statements; providing a time

12         period for amendments that add a new component

13         site to an approved multisite timeshare plan;

14         amending s. 721.075, F.S.; deleting provisions

15         with respect to certain incidental benefits

16         offered by a developer; amending s. 721.09,

17         F.S.; revising provisions with respect to

18         reservation agreements; providing for

19         cancellation of such agreements under certain

20         circumstances; amending s. 721.11, F.S.;

21         requiring that advertisements of regulated

22         short-term products be filed with the division;

23         requiring disclosure statements for purchase

24         agreements; amending s. 721.13, F.S.; revising

25         provisions with respect to management; amending

26         s. 721.15, F.S.; revising provisions with

27         respect to assessments for common expenses;

28         amending s. 721.18, F.S.; revising a time

29         period with respect to the filing of certain

30         information concerning exchange programs;

31         amending s. 721.26, F.S.; authorizing the

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  1         imposition of penalties with respect to certain

  2         rules; amending s. 721.265, F.S.; providing

  3         service of process in receivership proceedings;

  4         creating part III of chapter 721, F.S.;

  5         creating the "Timeshare Lien Foreclosure Act";

  6         providing legislative purpose; providing

  7         definitions; providing for a registered agent;

  8         providing for the consolidation of foreclosure

  9         actions; creating part IV of ch. 721, F.S.;

10         creating timeshare commissioners of deeds;

11         providing an effective date.

12

13  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:

14

15         Section 1.  Paragraphs (b) and (c) of subsection (1) of

16  section 721.03, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

17         721.03  Scope of chapter.--

18         (1)  This chapter applies to all timeshare plans

19  consisting of more than seven timeshare periods over a period

20  of at least 3 years in which the accommodations or facilities

21  are located within this state; provided that:

22         (b)  With respect to timeshare plans containing

23  accommodations or facilities located in this state which are

24  offered for sale outside the jurisdictional limits of the

25  United States, such offers shall be exempt from the

26  requirements of this chapter so long as the seller files the

27  information required by s. 721.07 or s. 721.55 with, and

28  obtains the approval of, the division complies with the

29  provisions of this paragraph. This exemption becomes effective

30  upon the filing of such information with the division, if

31  approval is obtained within 6 months after the initial filing

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  1  at which time the exemption will expire unless the division

  2  stipulates otherwise or approves the filing.  The fees set

  3  forth in s. 721.07(4) apply to all filings made hereunder.

  4  Each purchase contract utilized in any offer of a timeshare

  5  plan that occurs outside the jurisdictional limits of the

  6  United States shall contain the following disclosure in

  7  conspicuous type immediately above the space provided for the

  8  purchaser's signature:

  9

10  The offering of this timeshare plan outside the jurisdictional

11  limits of the United States of America is exempt from

12  regulation under Florida law, and any such purchase is not

13  protected by the State of Florida.  However, the management

14  and operation of any accommodations or facilities located in

15  Florida is subject to Florida law and may give rise to

16  enforcement action regardless of the location of any offer.

17

18  Purchaser should note that (name of developer or other person

19  or entity) at (address) has a (describe developer's or other

20  person's or entity's actual interest) in the accommodations

21  and facilities of the timeshare plan.

22

23         (c)  The exemption provided in paragraph (a) shall not

24  apply unless and until a claim of exemption from regulation

25  containing the information required by paragraph (a) and s.

26  721.51(3)(b) and accompanied by the fee required by s.

27  721.51(3)(b) is filed with and approved by the division. The

28  division may adopt rules designating those provisions of ss.

29  721.07 and 721.55 which need not be addressed in the filings

30  required in paragraph (b). The exemption provided in paragraph

31  (b) shall only apply to accommodations or facilities which

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  1  have first been filed with and approved by the division

  2  pursuant to s. 721.07 or s. 721.55.

  3         Section 2.  Present subsections (27), (28), (29), (30),

  4  (31), (32), (33), (34), (35), and (36) of section 721.05,

  5  Florida Statutes, are redesignated as subsections (28), (29),

  6  (30), (31), (32), (33), (34), (35), (36), and (37),

  7  respectively, and a new subsection (27) is added to that

  8  section to read:

  9         721.05  Definitions.--As used in this chapter, the

10  term:

11         (27)  "Regulated short-term product" means a

12  contractual right, offered by the seller, to use

13  accommodations of a timeshare plan, provided that:

14         (a)  The agreement to purchase the short-term right to

15  use is executed in this state on the same day that the

16  prospective purchaser receives an offer to acquire an interest

17  in a timeshare plan and does not execute a purchase contract,

18  after attending a sales presentation; and

19         (b)  The acquisition of the right to use includes an

20  agreement that all or a portion of the consideration paid by

21  the prospective purchaser for the right to use will be applied

22  to or credited against the price of a future purchase of a

23  timeshare interest, or that the cost of a future purchase of a

24  timeshare interest will be fixed or locked in at a specified

25  price.

26         Section 3.  Paragraph (f) of subsection (1) of section

27  721.06, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

28         721.06  Contracts for purchase of timeshare periods.--

29         (1)  Each seller shall utilize, and furnish each

30  purchaser a fully completed and executed copy of, a contract

31

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  1  pertaining to the sale, which contract shall include the

  2  following information:

  3         (f)  Immediately prior to the space reserved in the

  4  contract for the signature of the purchaser, in conspicuous

  5  type, substantially the following statements:

  6

  7         You may cancel this contract without any penalty or

  8  obligation within 10 calendar days after from the date you

  9  sign this contract, and within until 10 calendar days after

10  the date you receive the approved public offering statement,

11  whichever is later.

12         If you decide to cancel this contract, you must notify

13  the developer in writing of your intent to cancel.  Your

14  notice of cancellation shall be effective upon the date sent

15  and shall be sent to ...(Name of Developer)... at ...(Address

16  of Developer)....  Any attempt to obtain a waiver of your

17  cancellation right is unlawful.  While you may execute all

18  closing documents in advance, the closing, as evidenced by

19  delivery of the deed or other document, before expiration of

20  your 10-day cancellation period, is prohibited.

21         Section 4.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (3) of section

22  721.07, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

23         721.07  Public offering statement.--Prior to offering

24  any timeshare plan, the developer must file a public offering

25  statement with the division for approval as prescribed by s.

26  721.03, s. 721.55, or this section.  Until the division

27  approves such filing, any contract regarding the sale of the

28  timeshare plan which is the subject of the public offering

29  statement is voidable by the purchaser.

30         (3)(a)1.  Any change to an approved filing shall be

31  filed with the division for approval as an amendment prior to

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  1  becoming effective.  The division shall have 20 days after

  2  receipt of a proposed amendment to approve or cite

  3  deficiencies in the proposed amendment.  If the division fails

  4  to act within 20 days, the amendment will be deemed approved.

  5  If the proposed amendment adds a new component site to an

  6  approved multisite timeshare plan, the division's initial

  7  period in which to approve or cite deficiencies is 45 days. If

  8  the developer fails to adequately respond to any deficiency

  9  notice within 30 days, the division may reject the amendment.

10  Subsequent to such rejection, a new filing fee pursuant to

11  subsection (4) and a new division initial review period

12  pursuant to this paragraph shall apply to any refiling or

13  further review of the rejected amendment.

14         2.  For filings only subject to this part, each

15  approved amendment, other than an amendment made only for the

16  purpose of the addition of a phase or phases to the timeshare

17  plan in the manner described in the timeshare instrument,

18  shall be delivered to a purchaser no later than 10 days prior

19  to closing. For filings made under part II, each approved

20  amendment to the multisite timeshare plan public offering

21  statement, other than an amendment made only for the purpose

22  of the addition, substitution, or deletion of a component site

23  pursuant to part II or the addition of a phase or phases to a

24  component site of a multisite timeshare plan in the manner

25  described in the timeshare instrument, shall be delivered to a

26  purchaser no later than 10 days prior to closing.

27         3.  Amendments made to a timeshare instrument for a

28  component site located in this state shall only be delivered

29  to those purchasers who will receive a timeshare estate or a

30  specific timeshare license in that component site.  Amendments

31  made to a timeshare instrument for a component site not

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  1  located in this state are not required to be delivered to

  2  purchasers.

  3         Section 5.  Section 721.075, Florida Statutes, is

  4  amended to read:

  5         721.075  Incidental benefits.--Incidental benefits

  6  shall be offered only as provided in this section.

  7         (1)  Accommodations, facilities, products, services,

  8  discounts, or other benefits which satisfy the requirements of

  9  this subsection shall be subject to the provisions of this

10  section and exempt from the other provisions of this part

11  which would otherwise apply to accommodations and facilities

12  if and only if:

13         (a)  The use of or participation in the incidental

14  benefit by the prospective purchaser is completely voluntary,

15  and payment of any fee or other cost associated with the

16  incidental benefit is required only upon such use or

17  participation.

18         (b)  No costs of acquisition, operation, maintenance,

19  or repair of the incidental benefit are passed on to

20  purchasers of the timeshare plan as common expenses of the

21  timeshare plan or as common expenses of a component site of a

22  multisite timeshare plan.

23         (c)  The continued availability of the incidental

24  benefit is not necessary in order for any accommodation or

25  facility of the timeshare plan to be available for use by

26  purchasers of the timeshare plan in a manner consistent in all

27  material respects with the manner portrayed by any promotional

28  material, advertising, or public offering statement.

29         (d)  The continued availability to purchasers of

30  timeshare plan accommodations on no greater than a one-to-one

31

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  1  purchaser to accommodation ratio is not dependent upon

  2  continued availability of the incidental benefit.

  3         (e)  The incidental benefit will continue to be

  4  available in the manner represented to prospective purchasers

  5  for no less than 6 months but less than 3 years after the

  6  first date that the timeshare plan is available for use by the

  7  purchaser.  The developer shall not be required to make the

  8  incidental benefit available for longer than 18 months after

  9  the date of purchase. Nothing herein shall prevent the renewal

10  or extension of the availability of an incidental benefit

11  after the expiration of its term, provided that any ability to

12  renew is not represented or otherwise portrayed to a

13  prospective purchaser or to a purchaser prior to the

14  expiration of his or her initial 10-day voidability period.

15         (f)  The aggregate represented value of all incidental

16  benefits offered by a developer to a purchaser may not exceed

17  15 percent of the purchase price paid by the purchaser for his

18  or her timeshare period.

19         (g)  The incidental benefit is filed with the division

20  in conjunction with the filing of a timeshare plan or in

21  connection with a previously filed timeshare plan.

22         (2)  Each purchaser shall execute a separate

23  acknowledgment and disclosure statement with respect to all

24  incidental benefits, which statement shall include the

25  following information:

26         (a)  A fair description of the incidental benefit,

27  including, but not limited to, the represented value of the

28  benefit; any user fees or costs associated therewith; and any

29  restrictions upon use or availability.

30         (b)  A statement that use of or participation in the

31  incidental benefit by the prospective purchaser is completely

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  1  voluntary, and that payment of any fee or other cost

  2  associated with the incidental benefit is required only upon

  3  such use or participation.

  4         (c)  A statement that the incidental benefit is not

  5  assignable or otherwise transferable by the prospective

  6  purchaser or purchaser.

  7         (d)  The following disclosure in conspicuous type

  8  immediately above the space for the purchaser's signature:

  9

10         [Describe incidental benefit] is an incidental benefit

11  offered to prospective purchasers of the timeshare plan [or

12  other permitted reference pursuant to s. 721.11(5)(a)].  This

13  benefit is available for your use for a term of [minimum of 6

14  months but less than 3 years] after the first date that the

15  timeshare plan is available for your use. The availability of

16  the incidental benefit may or may not be renewed or extended.

17  You should not purchase an interest in the timeshare plan in

18  reliance upon the continued availability or renewal or

19  extension of this benefit.

20

21  The acknowledgment and disclosure statement for each

22  incidental benefit shall be filed with the division prior to

23  use.  Each purchaser shall receive a copy of his or her

24  executed acknowledgment and disclosure statement as a document

25  required to be provided to him or her pursuant to s.

26  721.10(1)(b).

27         (3)(a)  In the event that an incidental benefit becomes

28  unavailable to purchasers in the manner represented by the

29  developer in the acknowledgment and disclosure statement, the

30  developer shall pay the purchaser the greater of twice the

31  verifiable retail value or twice the represented value of the

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  1  unavailable incidental benefit in cash within 30 days of the

  2  date that the unavailability of the incidental benefit was

  3  made known to the developer unless the developer has reserved

  4  a substitution right pursuant to paragraph (b) by making the

  5  required disclosure in the acknowledgment and disclosure

  6  statement and timely makes the substitution as required by

  7  paragraph (b). The developer shall promptly notify the

  8  division upon learning of the unavailability of any incidental

  9  benefit.

10         (b)  If an incidental benefit becomes unavailable as a

11  result of events beyond the control of the developer, the

12  developer may reserve the right to substitute a replacement

13  incidental benefit of a type, quality, value, and term

14  reasonably similar to the unavailable incidental benefit by

15  including the following language in the disclosure required by

16  paragraph (2)(d):

17

18         In the event [describe incidental benefit] becomes

19  unavailable as a result of events beyond the control of the

20  developer, the developer reserves the right to substitute a

21  replacement incidental benefit of a type, quality, value, and

22  term reasonably similar to the unavailable incidental benefit.

23

24  The substituted incidental benefit shall be delivered to the

25  purchaser within 30 days after the date that the

26  unavailability of the incidental benefit was made known to the

27  developer.

28         (4)  If the aggregate represented value of all

29  incidental benefits offered by a developer to a purchaser

30  exceeds 5 percent of the purchase price paid by that

31  purchaser, then, prior to offering the incidental benefits,

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  1  the developer must file an irrevocable letter of credit,

  2  surety bond, or other assurance acceptable to the director of

  3  the division that will reasonably assure the delivery of the

  4  promised incidental benefits to the purchaser; provided,

  5  however, that the maximum amount of such assurance shall equal

  6  the portion of the aggregate represented value of the offered

  7  incidental benefits which exceeds 5 percent of the purchase

  8  price contracted for by that purchaser.  Proceeds from any

  9  assurance accepted by the division shall be used to provide

10  refunds to purchasers pursuant to this section.  If the

11  aggregate represented value of all incidental benefits offered

12  by a developer to a purchaser is equal to or less than 5

13  percent of the purchase price paid by that purchaser, no

14  assurance shall be required from the developer prior to

15  offering any incidental benefit.

16         (4)(5)  All purchaser remedies pursuant to s. 721.21

17  shall be available for any violation of the provisions of this

18  section.

19         Section 6.  Subsection (1) of section 721.09, Florida

20  Statutes, is amended to read:

21         721.09  Reservation agreements; escrows.--

22         (1)(a)  Prior to filing the public offering statement

23  with the division, a seller shall not offer a timeshare plan

24  for sale but may accept reservation deposits and advertise the

25  reservation deposit program upon approval by the division of a

26  fully executed escrow agreement and reservation agreement

27  properly filed with the division.

28         (b)  Reservations shall not be taken on a timeshare

29  plan unless the seller has an ownership interest or leasehold

30  interest, of a duration at least equal to the duration of the

31

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  1  proposed timeshare plan, in the land upon which the timeshare

  2  plan is to be developed.

  3         (c)  If the timeshare plan subject to the reservation

  4  agreement has not been filed with the division under s.

  5  721.07(5) or s. 721.55 within 90 days after the date the

  6  division approves the reservation agreement filing, the seller

  7  must immediately cancel all outstanding reservation

  8  agreements, refund all escrowed funds to prospective

  9  purchasers, and discontinue accepting reservation deposits or

10  advertising the availability of reservation agreements.

11         (d)  A seller who has filed a reservation agreement and

12  an escrow agreement under this section may advertise the

13  reservation agreement program if the advertising material

14  meets the following requirements:

15         1.  The seller complies with the provisions of s.

16  721.11 with respect to such advertising material.

17         2.  The advertising material is limited to a general

18  description of the proposed timeshare plan, including, but not

19  limited to, a general description of the type, number, and

20  size of accommodations and facilities and the name of the

21  proposed timeshare plan.

22         3.  The advertising material contains a statement that

23  the advertising material is being distributed in connection

24  with an approved reservation agreement filing only and that

25  the seller cannot offer an interest in the timeshare plan for

26  sale until a public offering statement has been filed with the

27  division under this chapter.

28         Section 7.  Subsection (6) is added to section 721.11,

29  Florida Statutes, to read:

30         721.11  Advertising materials; oral statements.--

31

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  1         (6)  Failure to provide cancellation rights or

  2  disclosures as required by this subsection in connection with

  3  the sale of a regulated short-term product constitutes

  4  misrepresentation in accordance with paragraph (4)(a). Any

  5  agreement relating to the sale of a regulated short-term

  6  product must be regulated as advertising material and is

  7  subject to the following:

  8         (a)  A standard form of any agreement relating to the

  9  sale of a regulated short-term product must be filed 10 days

10  prior to use with the division as advertising material under

11  this section. Each seller shall furnish each purchaser of a

12  regulated short-term product with a fully completed and

13  executed copy of the agreement at the time of execution.

14         (b)  A purchaser of a regulated short-term product has

15  the right to cancel the agreement until midnight of the 10th

16  calendar day following the execution date of the agreement.

17  The right of cancellation may not be waived by the prospective

18  purchaser or by any other person on behalf of the prospective

19  purchaser. Notice of cancellation must be given in the same

20  manner prescribed for giving notice of cancellation under s.

21  721.10(2). If the prospective purchaser gives a valid notice

22  of cancellation or is otherwise entitled to cancel the sale,

23  the funds or property received from or on behalf of the

24  prospective purchaser, or the proceeds thereof, must be

25  returned to the prospective purchaser. Such refund must be

26  made in the same manner prescribed for refunds under s.

27  721.10.

28         (c)  An agreement for purchase of a regulated

29  short-term product must contain substantially the following

30  statements, given at the time the agreement is made:

31

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  1         1.  A statement that if the purchaser of a regulated

  2  short-term product cancels the agreement during the 10-day

  3  cancellation period, the seller will refund to the prospective

  4  purchaser the total amount of all payments made by the

  5  prospective purchaser under the agreement, reduced by the

  6  proportion of any benefits the prospective purchaser has

  7  actually received under the agreement prior to the effective

  8  date of the cancellation; and

  9         2.  A statement that the specific value for each

10  benefit received by the prospective purchaser under the

11  agreement will be as agreed to between the prospective

12  purchaser and the seller.

13         (d)  An agreement for purchase of a regulated

14  short-term product must contain substantially the following

15  statements in conspicuous type immediately above the space

16  reserved in the agreement for the signature of the prospective

17  purchaser:

18              You may cancel this agreement without any

19         penalty or obligation within 10 calendar days

20         [or specify a longer time period represented to

21         the purchaser] after the date you sign this

22         agreement. If you decide to cancel this

23         agreement, you must notify the seller in

24         writing of your intent to cancel. Your notice

25         of cancellation is effective upon the date sent

26         and must be sent to ...(Name of Seller)... at

27         ...(Address of Seller).... Any attempt to

28         obtain a waiver of your cancellation right is

29         unlawful.

30              If you execute a purchase contract for a

31         timeshare period, section 721.08, Florida

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  1         Statutes, (escrow accounts) will apply to any

  2         funds or other property received from you or on

  3         your behalf. Section 721.10, Florida Statutes,

  4         (cancellation) will apply to the purchase and

  5         you will not be entitled to a cancellation

  6         refund of the short-term product [or specify an

  7         alternate refund policy under these

  8         circumstances].

  9         (e)  If the seller provides the purchaser with the

10  right to cancel the purchase of a regulated short-term product

11  at any time up to 7 days prior to the purchaser's reserved use

12  of the accommodations, but in no event less than 10 days, and

13  if the seller refunds the total amount of all payments made by

14  the purchaser reduced by the proportion of any benefits the

15  purchaser has actually received prior to the effective date of

16  the cancellation, the specific value of which has been agreed

17  to between the purchaser and the seller, the short-term

18  product offer shall be exempt from the requirements of

19  paragraphs (b), (c), and (d). An agreement relating to the

20  sale of the regulated short-term product made pursuant to this

21  paragraph must contain a statement setting forth the

22  cancellation and refund rights of the prospective purchaser in

23  a manner that is consistent with this section and s. 721.10,

24  including a description of the length of the cancellation

25  right, a statement that the purchaser's intent to cancel must

26  be in writing and sent to the seller at a specified address, a

27  statement that the notice of cancellation is effective upon

28  the date sent, and a statement that any attempt to waive the

29  cancellation right is unlawful. The right of cancellation

30  provided to the purchaser pursuant to this paragraph may not

31  be waived by the prospective purchaser or by any other person

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  1  on behalf of the prospective purchaser. Notice of cancellation

  2  must be given in the same manner prescribed for giving notice

  3  of cancellation pursuant to s. 721.10(2). If the prospective

  4  purchaser gives a valid notice of cancellation, or is

  5  otherwise entitled to cancel the sale, the funds or property

  6  received from or on behalf of the prospective purchaser, or

  7  the proceeds thereof, shall be returned to the prospective

  8  purchaser. Such refund shall be made in the manner prescribed

  9  for refunds under s. 721.10.

10         Section 8.  Paragraphs (c), (e), and (i) of subsection

11  (3) and subsection (4) of section 721.13, Florida Statutes,

12  are amended to read:

13         721.13  Management.--

14         (3)  The duties of the managing entity include, but are

15  not limited to:

16         (c)1.  Providing each year to all purchasers an

17  itemized annual budget which shall include all estimated

18  revenues and expenses. The budget shall be in the form

19  required by s. 721.07(5)(x) and shall be the final budget

20  adopted by the managing entity for the current fiscal year.

21  The budget shall contain, as a footnote or otherwise, any

22  related party transaction disclosures or notes which appear in

23  the audited financial statements of the managing entity for

24  the previous budget year as required by paragraph (e). A copy

25  of the final budget shall be filed with the division within 30

26  days after its adoption by the managing entity together with a

27  statement of the number of periods of 7-day annual use

28  availability that exist within the timeshare plan, including

29  those periods filed for sale by the developer but not yet

30  committed to the timeshare plan, for which annual fees are

31  required to be paid to the division under s. 721.27.

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  1         2.  Notwithstanding anything contained in chapter 718

  2  or chapter 719 to the contrary, the board of administration of

  3  an owners' association which serves as managing entity may

  4  from time to time reallocate reserves for deferred maintenance

  5  and capital expenditures required by s. 721.07(5)(x)3.a.(XI)

  6  from any deferred maintenance or capital expenditure reserve

  7  account to any other deferred maintenance or capital

  8  expenditure reserve account or accounts in its discretion

  9  without the consent of purchasers of the timeshare plan.

10  Funds in any deferred maintenance or capital expenditure

11  reserve account may not be transferred to any operating

12  account without the consent of a majority of the purchasers of

13  the timeshare plan.

14         (e)  Arranging for an annual independent audit of the

15  financial statements all the books and financial records of

16  the timeshare plan by a certified public accountant licensed

17  by the Board of Accountancy of the Department of Business and

18  Professional Regulation, in accordance with generally accepted

19  auditing standards as defined by the rules of the Board of

20  Accountancy of the Department of Business and Professional

21  Regulation. The financial statements required by this section

22  must be prepared on an accrual basis using fund accounting,

23  and must be presented in accordance with generally accepted

24  accounting principles. A copy of the audited financial

25  statements audit must shall be filed with the division and

26  forwarded to the board of directors and officers of the

27  owners' association, or, if one exists, no later than 5

28  calendar months after the end of the timeshare plan's fiscal

29  year. If no owners' association exists, the owner of each

30  purchaser timeshare period must shall be notified, no later

31  than 5 months after the end of the timeshare plan's fiscal

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  1  year, that a copy of the audited financial statements such

  2  audit is available upon request to the managing entity.

  3  Notwithstanding any requirement of s. 718.111(13) or (14), the

  4  audited financial statements required by this section are the

  5  only annual financial reporting requirements for timeshare

  6  condominiums.

  7         (i)  Submitting to the division the statement of

  8  receipts and disbursements regarding the ad valorem tax escrow

  9  account as required by s. 192.037(6)(e). The statement of

10  receipts and disbursements must also include a statement

11  disclosing that all ad valorem taxes have been paid in full to

12  the tax collector through the current assessment year, or, if

13  all such ad valorem taxes have not been paid in full to the

14  tax collector, a statement disclosing those assessment years

15  for which there are outstanding ad valorem taxes due and the

16  total amount of all delinquent taxes, interest, and penalties

17  for each such assessment year as of the date of the statement

18  of receipts and disbursements.

19         (4)  The managing entity shall maintain among its

20  records and provide to the division upon request a complete

21  list of the names and addresses of all purchasers and owners

22  of timeshare units in the timeshare plan.  The managing entity

23  shall update this list no less frequently than quarterly.

24  Pursuant to paragraph (3)(d), the managing entity may not

25  publish this owner's list or provide a copy of it to any

26  purchaser or to any third party other than the division.

27  However, if the managing entity includes a condominium

28  association subject to the provisions of chapter 718 or a

29  cooperative association subject to the provisions of chapter

30  719, the managing entity shall initiate a mailing to those

31  persons listed on the owner's list upon the written request of

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  1  any purchaser if the purpose of the mailing is to advance

  2  legitimate association business, such as a proxy solicitation

  3  for any purpose, including the recall of one or more board

  4  members or the discharge of the manager or management firm.

  5  The use of any proxies solicited in this manner must comply

  6  with the provisions of the timeshare instrument and this

  7  chapter.  The board of administration of the association shall

  8  be responsible for determining the appropriateness of any

  9  mailing requested pursuant to this subsection, and it shall be

10  a violation of this chapter and of part VIII of chapter 468

11  for the board of administration and/or the manager or

12  management firm to refuse to initiate any mailing requested

13  for the purpose of advancing legitimate association business.

14  The purchaser who requests the mailing must reimburse the

15  association in advance for the association's actual costs in

16  performing the mailing.

17         Section 9.  Subsection (1) of section 721.15, Florida

18  Statutes, is amended to read:

19         721.15  Assessments for common expenses.--

20         (1)(a)  Until a managing entity is created or provided

21  pursuant to s. 721.13, the developer shall pay all common

22  expenses. The timeshare instrument shall provide for the

23  allocation of common expenses among all timeshare units or

24  timeshare periods on a reasonable basis, as appropriate,

25  including timeshare periods owned or not yet sold by the

26  developer. The timeshare instrument may provide that the

27  common expenses allocated may differ between those units that

28  are part of the timeshare plan and those units that are not

29  part of the timeshare plan; however, the different proportion

30  of expenses must be based upon reasonable differences in the

31  benefit provided to each. The timeshare instrument shall

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  1  allocate common expenses to timeshare periods owned or not yet

  2  sold by the developer on the same basis that common expenses

  3  are allocated to similar or equivalent timeshare periods sold

  4  to purchasers.  Timeshare plans that are also governed by

  5  chapter 718 or chapter 719 shall allocate common expenses

  6  among the timeshare units in the manner required by those

  7  chapters.

  8         (b)  Notwithstanding any provision of chapter 718 or

  9  chapter 719 to the contrary, the allocation of total common

10  expenses for a condominium or a cooperative timeshare plan may

11  vary on any reasonable basis including, but not limited to,

12  unit size, unit type, unit location, specific identification,

13  or a combination of these factors, if the percentage interest

14  in the common elements attributable to each timeshare

15  condominium parcel or timeshare cooperative parcel equals the

16  share of the total common expenses allocable to that parcel.

17  The share of a timeshare interest in the common expenses

18  allocable to the timeshare condominium parcel or the timeshare

19  cooperative parcel containing such interest may vary on any

20  reasonable basis if the timeshare interest's share of its

21  parcel's common expense allocation is equal to that timeshare

22  interest's share of the percentage interest in common elements

23  attributable to such parcel.

24         Section 10.  Subsection (2) of section 721.18, Florida

25  Statutes, is amended to read:

26         721.18  Exchange programs; filing of information and

27  other materials; filing fees; unlawful acts in connection with

28  an exchange program.--

29         (2)  Each exchange company offering an exchange program

30  to purchasers in this state shall file the information

31  specified in subsection (1) and the audit specified in

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  1  subsection (1) on or before June 1 at least 20 days prior to

  2  July 1 of each year. However, an exchange company shall make

  3  its initial filing at least 20 days prior to offering an

  4  exchange program to any purchaser in this state.  Each filing

  5  shall be accompanied by an annual filing fee of $500.  Within

  6  20 days of receipt of such filing, the division shall

  7  determine whether the filing is adequate to meet the

  8  requirements of this section and shall notify the exchange

  9  company in writing that the division has either approved the

10  filing or found specified deficiencies in the filing. If the

11  division fails to respond within 20 days, the filing shall be

12  deemed approved. The exchange company may correct the

13  deficiencies; and, within 10 days after receipt of corrections

14  from the exchange company, the division shall notify the

15  exchange company in writing that the division has either

16  approved the filing or found additional specified deficiencies

17  in the filing. If at any time the division determines that any

18  of such information supplied by an exchange company fails to

19  meet the requirements of this section, the division may

20  undertake enforcement action against the exchange company in

21  accordance with the provision of s. 721.26.

22         Section 11.  Section 721.26, Florida Statutes, is

23  amended to read:

24         721.26  Regulation by division.--The division has the

25  power to enforce and ensure compliance with the provisions of

26  this chapter, except for part III and part IV, using the

27  powers provided in this chapter, as well as the powers

28  prescribed in chapters 498, 718, and 719. In performing its

29  duties, the division shall have the following powers and

30  duties:

31

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  1         (1)  To aid in the enforcement of this chapter, or any

  2  division rule or order promulgated or issued pursuant to this

  3  chapter, the division may make necessary public or private

  4  investigations within or outside this state to determine

  5  whether any person has violated or is about to violate this

  6  chapter, or any division rule or order promulgated or issued

  7  pursuant to this chapter.

  8         (2)  The division may require or permit any person to

  9  file a written statement under oath or otherwise, as the

10  division determines, as to the facts and circumstances

11  concerning a matter under investigation.

12         (3)  For the purpose of any investigation under this

13  chapter, the director of the division or any officer or

14  employee designated by the director may administer oaths or

15  affirmations, subpoena witnesses and compel their attendance,

16  take evidence, and require the production of any matter which

17  is relevant to the investigation, including the identity,

18  existence, description, nature, custody, condition, and

19  location of any books, documents, or other tangible things and

20  the identity and location of persons having knowledge of

21  relevant facts or any other matter reasonably calculated to

22  lead to the discovery of material evidence. Failure to obey a

23  subpoena or to answer questions propounded by the

24  investigating officer and upon reasonable notice to all

25  persons affected thereby shall be a violation of this chapter.

26  In addition to the other enforcement powers authorized in this

27  subsection, the division may, at its discretion, apply to the

28  circuit court for an order compelling compliance.

29         (4)  The division may prepare and disseminate a

30  prospectus and other information to assist prospective

31  purchasers, sellers, and managing entities of timeshare plans

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  1  in assessing the rights, privileges, and duties pertaining

  2  thereto.

  3         (5)  Notwithstanding any remedies available to

  4  purchasers, if the division has reasonable cause to believe

  5  that a violation of this chapter, or of any division rule or

  6  order promulgated or issued pursuant to this chapter, has

  7  occurred, the division may institute enforcement proceedings

  8  in its own name against any regulated party, as such term is

  9  defined in this subsection:

10         (a)1.  "Regulated party," for purposes of this section,

11  means any developer, exchange company, seller, managing

12  entity, association, association director, association

13  officer, management firm, escrow agent, trustee, any

14  respective assignees or agents, or any other person having

15  duties or obligations pursuant to this chapter.

16         2.  Any person who materially participates in any offer

17  or disposition of any interest in, or the management or

18  operation of, a timeshare plan in violation of this chapter or

19  relevant rules involving fraud, deception, false pretenses,

20  misrepresentation, or false advertising or the disbursement,

21  concealment, or diversion of any funds or assets, which

22  conduct adversely affects the interests of a purchaser, and

23  which person directly or indirectly controls a regulated party

24  or is a general partner, officer, director, agent, or employee

25  of such regulated party, shall be jointly and severally liable

26  under this subsection with such regulated party, unless such

27  person did not know, and in the exercise of reasonable care

28  could not have known, of the existence of the facts giving

29  rise to the violation of this chapter.  A right of

30  contribution shall exist among jointly and severally liable

31  persons pursuant to this paragraph.

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  1         (b)  The division may permit any person whose conduct

  2  or actions may be under investigation to waive formal

  3  proceedings and enter into a consent proceeding whereby an

  4  order, rule, or letter of censure or warning, whether formal

  5  or informal, may be entered against that person.

  6         (c)  The division may issue an order requiring a

  7  regulated party to cease and desist from an unlawful practice

  8  under this chapter and take such affirmative action as in the

  9  judgment of the division will carry out the purposes of this

10  chapter.

11         (d)1.  The division may bring an action in circuit

12  court for declaratory or injunctive relief or for other

13  appropriate relief, including restitution.

14         2.  The division shall have broad authority and

15  discretion to petition the circuit court to appoint a receiver

16  with respect to any managing entity which fails to perform its

17  duties and obligations under this chapter with respect to the

18  operation of a timeshare plan.  The circumstances giving rise

19  to an appropriate petition for receivership under this

20  subparagraph include, but are not limited to:

21         a.  Damage to or destruction of any of the

22  accommodations or facilities of a timeshare plan, where the

23  managing entity has failed to repair or reconstruct same.

24         b.  A breach of fiduciary duty by the managing entity,

25  including, but not limited to, undisclosed self-dealing or

26  failure to timely assess, collect, or disburse the common

27  expenses of the timeshare plan.

28         c.  Failure of the managing entity to operate the

29  timeshare plan in accordance with the timeshare instrument and

30  this chapter.

31

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  1  If, under the circumstances, it appears that the events giving

  2  rise to the petition for receivership cannot be reasonably and

  3  timely corrected in a cost-effective manner consistent with

  4  the timeshare instrument, the receiver may petition the

  5  circuit court to implement such amendments or revisions to the

  6  timeshare instrument as may be necessary to enable the

  7  managing entity to resume effective operation of the timeshare

  8  plan, or to enter an order terminating the timeshare plan, or

  9  to enter such further orders regarding the disposition of the

10  timeshare property as the court deems appropriate.  All

11  reasonable costs and fees of the receiver relating to the

12  receivership shall become common expenses of the timeshare

13  plan upon order of the court.

14         3.  The division may revoke its approval of any filing

15  for any timeshare plan for which a petition for receivership

16  has been filed pursuant to this paragraph.

17         (e)1.  The division may impose a penalty against any

18  regulated party for a violation of this chapter or any rule

19  adopted thereunder.  A penalty may be imposed on the basis of

20  each day of continuing violation, but in no event may the

21  penalty for any offense exceed $10,000.  All accounts

22  collected shall be deposited with the Treasurer to the credit

23  of the Division of Florida Land Sales, Condominiums, and

24  Mobile Homes Trust Fund.

25         2.a.  If a regulated party fails to pay a penalty, the

26  division shall thereupon issue an order directing that such

27  regulated party cease and desist from further operation until

28  such time as the penalty is paid; or the division may pursue

29  enforcement of the penalty in a court of competent

30  jurisdiction.

31

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  1         b.  If an association or managing entity fails to pay a

  2  civil penalty, the division may pursue enforcement in a court

  3  of competent jurisdiction.

  4         (f)  In order to permit the regulated party an

  5  opportunity either to appeal such decision administratively or

  6  to seek relief in a court of competent jurisdiction, the order

  7  imposing the penalty or the cease and desist order shall not

  8  become effective until 20 days after the date of such order.

  9         (g)  Any action commenced by the division shall be

10  brought in the county in which the division has its executive

11  offices or in the county where the violation occurred.

12         (h)  Notice to any regulated party shall be complete

13  when delivered by United States mail, return receipt

14  requested, to the party's address currently on file with the

15  division or to such other address at which the division is

16  able to locate the party. Every regulated party has an

17  affirmative duty to notify the division of any change of

18  address at least 5 business days prior to such change.

19         (6)  The division is authorized to adopt, amend, or

20  repeal rules pursuant to chapter 120 as necessary to

21  implement, enforce, and interpret this chapter.

22         (7)(a)  The use of any unfair or deceptive act or

23  practice by any person in connection with the sales or other

24  operations of an exchange program or timeshare plan is a

25  violation of this chapter.

26         (b)  Any violation of the Florida Deceptive and Unfair

27  Trade Practices Act, ss. 501.201 et seq., relating to the

28  creation, promotion, sale, operation, or management of any

29  timeshare plan shall also be a violation of this chapter.

30         (c)  The division is authorized to institute

31  proceedings against any such person and take any appropriate

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  1  action authorized in this section in connection therewith,

  2  notwithstanding any remedies available to purchasers.

  3         (8)  The failure of any person to comply with any order

  4  of the division is a violation of this chapter.

  5         Section 12.  Subsection (3) is added to section

  6  721.265, Florida Statutes, to read:

  7         721.265  Service of process.--

  8         (3)  In addition to any means recognized by law,

  9  substituted service of process on timeshare purchasers in

10  receivership proceedings may be made in accordance with s.

11  721.85(1).

12         Section 13.  Part III of chapter 721, Florida Statutes,

13  consisting of sections 721.80, 721.81, 721.82, 721.83, 721.84,

14  721.85, and 721.86, Florida Statutes, is created to read:

15                             Part III

16            FORECLOSURE OF LIENS ON TIMESHARE ESTATES

17         721.80  Short title.--This part may be cited as the

18  "Timeshare Lien Foreclosure Act."

19         721.81  Legislative purpose.--The purposes of this part

20  are to:

21         (1)  Recognize that timeshare estates are parcels of

22  real property used for vacation experience rather than for

23  homestead purposes and that there are numerous timeshare

24  estates in the state.

25         (2)  Recognize that the economic health and efficient

26  operation of the vacation ownership industry are in part

27  dependent upon the availability of an efficient and economical

28  process for foreclosure.

29         (3)  Recognize the need to assist vacation ownership

30  resort owners' associations and mortgagees by simplifying and

31

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  1  expediting the process of foreclosure of assessment liens and

  2  mortgage liens against timeshare estates.

  3         (4)  Reduce court congestion and the cost to taxpayers

  4  by establishing streamlined procedures for the foreclosure of

  5  assessment liens and mortgage liens against timeshare estates.

  6         721.82  Definitions.--As used in this part, the term:

  7         (1)  "Assessment lien" means:

  8         (a)  A lien for delinquent assessments as provided in

  9  ss. 721.16 and 718.116 as to timeshare condominiums; or

10         (b)  A lien for unpaid taxes and special assessments as

11  provided in s. 192.037(8).

12         (2)  "Junior interestholder" means any person who has a

13  lien or interest of record against a timeshare estate in the

14  county in which the timeshare estate is located, which is

15  inferior to the mortgage lien or assessment lien being

16  foreclosed under this part.

17         (3)  "Lienholder" means a holder of an assessment lien

18  or a holder of a mortgage lien, as applicable. A receiver

19  appointed under s. 721.26 is a lienholder for purposes of this

20  part.

21         (4)  "Mortgage" has the same meaning set forth in s.

22  697.01.

23         (5)  "Mortgage lien" means a security interest in a

24  timeshare estate created by a mortgage encumbering the

25  timeshare estate.

26         (6)  "Mortgagee" means a person holding a mortgage

27  lien.

28         (7)  "Mortgagor" means a person granting a mortgage

29  lien or a person who has assumed the obligation secured by a

30  mortgage lien.

31         (8)  "Notice address" means:

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  1         (a)  As to an assessment lien, the address of the

  2  current owner of a timeshare estate as reflected by the books

  3  and records of the timeshare plan under ss. 721.13(4) and

  4  721.15(7).

  5         (b)  As to a mortgage lien:

  6         1.  The address of the mortgagor as set forth in the

  7  mortgage, the promissory note or a separate document executed

  8  by the mortgagor at the time the mortgage lien was created, or

  9  the most current address of the mortgagor according to the

10  records of the mortgagee; and

11         2.  If the current owner of the timeshare estate is

12  different from the mortgagor, the address of the current owner

13  of the timeshare estate as reflected by the books and records

14  of the mortgagee.

15         (c)  As to a junior interestholder, the address as set

16  forth in the recorded instrument creating the junior interest

17  or lien, or any recorded supplement thereto changing the

18  address, or written notification by the junior interestholder

19  to the foreclosing lienholder of such change in address.

20         (9)  "Obligor" means the mortgagor, the person subject

21  to an assessment lien, or the record owner of the timeshare

22  estate.

23         (10)  "Registered agent" means an agent duly appointed

24  by the obligor under s. 721.84 for the purpose of accepting

25  all notices and service of process under this part. A

26  registered agent may be an individual resident in this state

27  whose business office qualifies as a registered office, or a

28  domestic or foreign corporation or a not-for-profit

29  corporation as defined in chapter 617 authorized to transact

30  business or to conduct its affairs in this state, whose

31  business office qualifies as a registered office. A registered

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  1  agent for any obligor may not be the lienholder or the

  2  attorney for the lienholder.

  3         (11)  "Registered office" means the street address of

  4  the business office of the registered agent appointed under s.

  5  721.84, located in this state.

  6         721.83  Consolidation of foreclosure actions.--

  7         (1)  A complaint in a foreclosure proceeding involving

  8  timeshare estates may join in the same action multiple

  9  defendant obligors and junior interestholders of separate

10  timeshare estates, provided:

11         (a)  The foreclosure proceeding involves a single

12  timeshare property;

13         (b)  The foreclosure proceeding is filed by a single

14  plaintiff;

15         (c)  The default and remedy provisions in the written

16  instruments on which the foreclosure proceeding is based are

17  substantially the same for each defendant; and

18         (d)  The nature of the defaults alleged are the same

19  for each defendant.

20         (2)  In any foreclosure proceeding involving multiple

21  defendants filed under subsection (1), the court shall sever

22  for separate trial any count of the complaint in which a

23  defense or counterclaim is timely raised by a defendant.

24         721.84  Appointment of a registered agent; duties.--

25         (1)  Any obligor may appoint a registered agent on whom

26  notices and process may be served under s. 721.85. The

27  statement of appointment must be in writing signed by the

28  obligor and must:

29         (a)  Provide the name of the registered agent and the

30  street address for the registered office;

31

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  1         (b)  Identify the obligor for whom the registered agent

  2  serves;

  3         (c)  Indicate the purpose of the appointment;

  4         (d)  Specify the instruments out of which the liens

  5  arise;

  6         (e)  Designate the address the obligor wishes to use to

  7  receive mail from the registered agent; and

  8         (f)  Contain the obligor's undertaking to inform the

  9  registered agent of any change in such designated address.

10

11  The statement of appointment must also provide for the

12  registered agent's acceptance of the appointment, which must

13  confirm that the registered agent is familiar with and accepts

14  the obligations of that position as set forth in this section.

15         (2)  An obligor may change but not revoke its

16  appointment of registered agent and registered office under

17  this chapter by executing a written statement of change that

18  identifies the former registered agent and registered address

19  and also satisfies all of the requirements of subsection (1).

20  A copy of the statement of change must be promptly provided to

21  the former registered agent and the affected lienholder and

22  becomes effective upon receipt by the affected lienholder.

23         (3)  A registered agent appointed under subsection (1)

24  or a successor registered agent appointed under subsection (2)

25  shall provide the lienholder with a copy of the obligor's

26  appointment and the executed acceptance of the appointment by

27  the registered agent promptly following the registered agent's

28  receipt of the statement of appointment or statement of change

29  executed by the obligor. The statement of appointment or

30  statement of change becomes effective upon receipt by the

31  lienholder of the fully executed form. A successor registered

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  1  agent shall promptly provide a copy of a statement of change

  2  to the former registered agent.

  3         (4)  A registered agent may change its business name or

  4  the street address of the registered office for any obligor

  5  for which it serves as registered agent by:

  6         (a)  Notifying all obligors of the specific change in

  7  writing at the address such obligor designated for receipt of

  8  mail from the registered agent; and

  9         (b)  Delivering to each respective lienholder a

10  statement that updates the information on the original

11  appointment or change of appointment, identifies the names of

12  all affected obligors, and states that each such affected

13  obligor has been notified of the change.

14         (5)  A registered agent may resign his agency

15  appointment for any obligor for which he serves as registered

16  agent, provided that:

17         (a)  The resigning registered agent executes a written

18  statement of resignation that identifies himself or herself

19  and the street address of his or her registered office, and

20  identifies the obligors affected by his or her resignation;

21         (b)  A successor registered agent is appointed and such

22  successor registered agent executes an acceptance of

23  appointment as successor registered agent and satisfies all of

24  the requirements of subsection (1). The resigning registered

25  agent may designate the successor registered agent; however,

26  if the resigning registered agent fails to designate a

27  successor registered agent or the designated successor

28  registered agent fails to accept, the successor registered

29  agent for the affected obligors may be designated by the

30  mortgagee as to the mortgagee lien and by the association of

31  the timeshare plan as to the assessment lien; and

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  1         (c)  Copies of the statement of resignation and

  2  acceptance of appointment as successor registered agent are

  3  promptly mailed to the affected obligors at the obligors' last

  4  designated address shown on the records of the resigning

  5  registered agent and to the affected lienholders. The agency

  6  and registered office of the resigning registered agent are

  7  terminated and the agency and registered office of the

  8  successor registered agent are effective as of the 10th day

  9  after the date on which the statement of resignation and

10  acceptance of appointment as successor registered agent are

11  received by the lienholder, unless a longer period is provided

12  in the statement of resignation and acceptance of appointment

13  as successor registered agent.

14         (6)  Unless otherwise provided in this section, a

15  registered agent in receipt of any notice or other document

16  addressed from the lienholder to the obligor in care of the

17  registered agent at the registered office must mail, by first

18  class mail if the obligor's address is within the United

19  States, and by international air mail if the obligor's address

20  is outside the United States, with postage fees prepaid, such

21  notice or documents to the obligor at the obligor's last

22  designated address within 5 days of receipt.

23         (7)  In the absence of a written agreement to the

24  contrary, a registered agent is not liable for the failure to

25  give notice to the obligor of the receipt of any document

26  under this part if, such registered agent has complied in a

27  timely manner with the procedures and duties in this section.

28         721.85  Service to notice address or on registered

29  agent.--

30          (1)  Service of process for a foreclosure proceeding

31  involving a timeshare estate may be made by any means

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  1  recognized by law. In addition, substituted service on a party

  2  who has appointed a registered agent under s. 721.84 may be

  3  made on such registered agent at the registered office. Also,

  4  when using s. 48.194 where in rem or quasi in rem relief only

  5  is sought, such service of process provisions are modified in

  6  connection with a foreclosure proceeding against a timeshare

  7  estate to provide that:

  8         (a)  Such service of process may be made on any person

  9  whether the person is located inside or outside this state, by

10  certified or registered mail, addressed to the person to be

11  served at the notice address, or on the party's registered

12  agent duly appointed under s. 721.84, at the registered

13  office; and

14         (b)  Service shall be considered obtained upon the

15  signing of the return receipt by any person at the notice

16  address, or by the registered agent.

17         (2)  The current owner and the mortgagor of a timeshare

18  estate must promptly notify the association of the timeshare

19  plan and the mortgagee of any change of address.

20         721.86  Miscellaneous provisions.--

21         (1)  The procedures in this part must be given effect

22  in the context of any foreclosure proceedings against

23  timeshare estates governed by this chapter, chapter 702, or

24  chapter 718.

25         (2)  If any provision of this part, or the application

26  thereof to any person or circumstances, is held invalid, such

27  invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications of

28  this part which can be given effect without the invalid

29  provision or application. To this end, the provisions of this

30  part are declared severable.

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  1         (3)  The division has no authority to regulate,

  2  enforce, or ensure compliance with any provision of this part.

  3         (4)  In addition to assessment liens and mortgage liens

  4  arising after the effective date of this part, the provisions

  5  of this part apply to all assessment liens and mortgage liens

  6  existing prior to the effective date of this act regarding

  7  which a foreclosure proceeding has not yet commenced.

  8         Section 14.  Part IV of chapter 721, Florida Statutes,

  9  consisting of sections 721.96, 721.97, and 721.98, is created

10  to read:

11                             Part IV

12                      COMMISSIONER OF DEEDS

13         721.96  Purpose.--The purpose of this part is to

14  provide for the appointment of commissioners of deeds to take

15  acknowledgments, proofs of execution, and oaths outside the

16  United States in connection with the execution of any deed,

17  mortgage, deed of trust, contract, power of attorney, or any

18  other agreement, instrument or writing concerning, relating

19  to, or to be used or recorded in connection with a timeshare

20  estate, timeshare license, any property subject to a timeshare

21  plan, or the operation of a timeshare plan located within this

22  state.

23         721.97  Timeshare commissioner of deeds.--

24         (1)  The Governor may appoint commissioners of deeds to

25  take acknowledgments, proofs of execution, or oaths in any

26  foreign country. The term of office is 4 years. Commissioners

27  of deeds shall have authority to take acknowledgments, proofs

28  of execution, and oaths in connection with the execution of

29  any deed, mortgage, deed of trust, contract, power of

30  attorney, or any other writing to be used or recorded in

31  connection with a timeshare estate, timeshare license, any

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  1  property subject to a timeshare plan, or the operation of a

  2  timeshare plan located within this state; provided such

  3  instrument or writing is executed outside the United States.

  4  Such acknowledgments, proofs of execution, and oaths must be

  5  taken or made in the manner directed by the laws of this

  6  state, including but not limited to s. 117.05(4), (5)(a) and

  7  (6) and certified by a commissioner of deeds. The

  8  certification must be endorsed on or annexed to the instrument

  9  or writing aforesaid and has the same effect as if made or

10  taken by a notary public licensed in this state.

11         (2)  Any person seeking to be appointed a commissioner

12  of deeds must take and subscribe to an oath, before a notary

13  public in this state or any other state, or a person

14  authorized to take oaths in another country, to well and

15  faithfully execute and perform the duties of such commissioner

16  of deeds. The oath must be filed with the Department of State

17  prior to the person being commissioned.

18         (3)  Official acts performed by any previously

19  appointed commissioners of deeds, between May 30, 1997, and

20  the effective date of this part, are declared valid as though

21  such official acts were performed in accordance with and under

22  the authority of this part.

23         721.98  Powers of the division.--The division has no

24  duty or authority to regulate, enforce, or ensure compliance

25  with any provision of this part.

26         Section 15.  This act shall take effect upon becoming a

27  law; however, with respect to any timeshare plan filing

28  approved by the division prior to the date this act becomes a

29  law, the amendment to s. 721.06(1)(f), Florida Statutes, shall

30  not apply to such filing until January 1, 1999, unless and

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  1  only to the extent that the developer otherwise voluntarily

  2  agrees to comply with all or a portion of such provisions.

  3

  4          STATEMENT OF SUBSTANTIAL CHANGES CONTAINED IN
                       COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR
  5                          CS for SB 626

  6

  7  The Committee Substitute for Committee Substitute for Senate
    Bill 626 provides that the right of cancellation of the
  8  purchase of a short-term product cannot be waived by the
    purchaser or by any other person on the purchaser's behalf.
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