House Bill hb0665

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    Florida House of Representatives - 2001                 HB 665

        By the Committee on Rules, Ethics & Elections and
    Representative Goodlette





  1                 A reviser's bill to be entitled

  2         An act relating to the Florida Statutes;

  3         amending ss. 470.016, 471.025, 472.001,

  4         472.003, 472.005, 472.011, 472.015, 472.021,

  5         472.025, 472.027, 472.031, 472.037, 476.024,

  6         494.0017, 498.025, 499.015, 499.03, 499.05,

  7         501.34, 514.0231, 527.01, 527.02, 538.11,

  8         550.6305, 550.904, 550.912, 553.381, 553.507,

  9         553.902, 569.11, 570.21, 576.045, 589.065,

10         597.003, 597.0041, 607.1901, 617.1622,

11         620.8101, 620.9901, 626.112, 626.621, 626.6215,

12         626.797, 626.844, 626.8734, 626.909, 626.9911,

13         626.99275, 627.031, 627.062, 627.357, 627.481,

14         627.6487, 627.6699, 627.6735, 627.736,

15         627.9403, 627.9407, 627.94072, 627.944,

16         628.909, 631.718, and 631.911, F.S.; and

17         repealing ss. 489.1136(1)(g), 499.005(26),

18         550.2633(3) and (4), 624.408(1)(b)1., and

19         627.0661, F.S., pursuant to s. 11.242, F.S.;

20         deleting provisions which have expired, have

21         become obsolete, have had their effect, have

22         served their purpose, or have been impliedly

23         repealed or superseded; replacing incorrect

24         cross-references and citations; correcting

25         grammatical, typographical, and like errors;

26         removing inconsistencies, redundancies, and

27         unnecessary repetition in the statutes;

28         improving the clarity of the statutes and

29         facilitating their correct interpretation; and

30         confirming the restoration of provisions

31         unintentionally omitted from republication in

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  1         the acts of the Legislature during the

  2         amendatory process.

  3

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

  5

  6         Section 1.  Subsection (1) of section 470.016, Florida

  7  Statutes, is amended to read:

  8         470.016  Inactive status.--

  9         (1)  A funeral director or embalmer license that has

10  become inactive may be reactivated under s. 470.015 upon

11  application to the department. The board shall prescribe by

12  rule continuing education requirements as a condition of

13  reactivating a license. The continuing education requirements

14  for reactivating a license may not exceed 12 classroom hours,

15  and the board may by rule establish criteria for accepting

16  alternative nonclassroom continuing education on an

17  hour-for-hour basis, in addition to a board-approved course on

18  communicable diseases, for each year the license was inactive.

19

20         Reviser's note.--Amended to improve clarity and

21         facilitate correct interpretation.

22

23         Section 2.  Subsections (1) and (2) of section 471.025,

24  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

25         471.025  Seals.--

26         (1)  The board shall prescribe, by rule, a form of seal

27  to be used by registrants holding valid certificates of

28  registration.  Each registrant shall obtain an impression-type

29  metal seal in the form aforesaid and may, in addition,

30  register his or her seal electronically in accordance with ss.

31  668.001-668.006 282.70-282.75.  All final drawings,

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  1  specifications, plans, reports, or documents prepared or

  2  issued by the registrant and being filed for public record and

  3  all final bid documents provided to the owner or the owner's

  4  representative shall be signed by the registrant, dated, and

  5  stamped with said seal. Such signature, date, and seal shall

  6  be evidence of the authenticity of that to which they are

  7  affixed.  Drawings, specifications, plans, reports, final bid

  8  documents, or documents prepared or issued by a registrant may

  9  be transmitted electronically and may be signed by the

10  registrant, dated, and stamped electronically with said seal

11  in accordance with ss. 668.001-668.006 282.70-282.75.

12         (2)  It is unlawful for any person to stamp, seal, or

13  digitally sign any document with a seal or digital signature

14  after his or her certificate of registration has expired or

15  been revoked or suspended, unless such certificate of

16  registration has been reinstated or reissued. When the

17  certificate of registration of a registrant has been revoked

18  or suspended by the board, it shall be mandatory that the

19  registrant, within a period of 30 days after the revocation or

20  suspension has become effective, surrender his or her seal to

21  the secretary of the board and confirm to the secretary the

22  cancellation of the registrant's digital signature in

23  accordance with ss. 668.001-668.006 282.70-282.75.  In the

24  event the registrant's certificate has been suspended for a

25  period of time, his or her seal shall be returned to him or

26  her upon expiration of the suspension period.

27

28         Reviser's note.--Amended to conform to the

29         redesignation of ss. 282.70-282.75 as ss.

30         668.001-668.006 by the reviser incident to

31         compiling the Florida Statutes 2000.

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  1         Section 3.  Section 472.001, Florida Statutes, is

  2  amended to read:

  3         472.001  Purpose.--The Legislature deems it necessary

  4  to regulate surveyors and mappers as provided in ss.

  5  472.001-472.037 472.001-472.041.

  6

  7         Reviser's note.--Amended to conform to the

  8         repeal of ss. 472.039 and 472.041 by s. 8, ch.

  9         2000-332, Laws of Florida.

10

11         Section 4.  Section 472.003, Florida Statutes, is

12  amended to read:

13         472.003  Persons not affected by ss. 472.001-472.037

14  472.001-472.041.--Sections 472.001-472.037 472.001-472.041 do

15  not apply to:

16         (1)  Any surveyor and mapper working as a salaried

17  employee of the United States Government when engaged in work

18  solely for the United States Government.

19         (2)  A registered professional engineer who takes or

20  contracts for professional surveying and mapping services

21  incidental to her or his practice of engineering and who

22  delegates such surveying and mapping services to a registered

23  professional surveyor and mapper qualified within her or his

24  firm or contracts for such professional surveying and mapping

25  services to be performed by others who are registered

26  professional surveyors and mappers under the provisions of ss.

27  472.001-472.037 472.001-472.041.

28         (3)  The following persons when performing construction

29  layout from boundary, horizontal, and vertical controls that

30  have been established by a registered professional surveyor

31  and mapper:

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  1         (a)  Contractors performing work on bridges, roads,

  2  streets, highways, or railroads, or utilities and services

  3  incidental thereto, or employees who are subordinates of such

  4  contractors provided that the employee does not hold herself

  5  or himself out for hire or engage in such contracting except

  6  as an employee;

  7         (b)  Certified or registered contractors licensed

  8  pursuant to part I of chapter 489 or employees who are

  9  subordinates of such contractors provided that the employee

10  does not hold herself or himself out for hire or engage in

11  contracting except as an employee; and

12         (c)  Registered professional engineers licensed

13  pursuant to chapter 471 and employees of a firm, corporation,

14  or partnership who are the subordinates of the registered

15  professional engineer in responsible charge.

16         (4)  Persons employed by county property appraisers, as

17  defined at s. 192.001(3), and persons employed by the

18  Department of Revenue, to prepare maps for property appraisal

19  purposes only, but only to the extent that they perform

20  mapping services which do not include any surveying activities

21  as described in s. 472.005(4)(a) and (b).

22

23         Reviser's note.--Amended to conform to the

24         repeal of ss. 472.039 and 472.041 by s. 8, ch.

25         2000-332, Laws of Florida.

26

27         Section 5.  Section 472.005, Florida Statutes, is

28  amended to read:

29         472.005  Definitions.--As used in ss. 472.001-472.037

30  472.001-472.041:

31

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  1         (1)  "Board" means the Board of Professional Surveyors

  2  and Mappers.

  3         (2)  "Department" means the Department of Business and

  4  Professional Regulation.

  5         (3)  "Surveyor and mapper" includes the term

  6  "professional surveyor and mapper" and means a person who is

  7  registered to engage in the practice of surveying and mapping

  8  under ss. 472.001-472.037 472.001-472.041. For the purposes of

  9  this statute, a surveyor and mapper means a person who

10  determines and displays the facts of size, shape, topography,

11  tidal datum planes, legal or geodetic location or relation,

12  and orientation of improved or unimproved real property

13  through direct measurement or from certifiable measurement

14  through accepted photogrammetric procedures.

15         (4)(a)  "Practice of surveying and mapping" means,

16  among other things, any professional service or work, the

17  adequate performance of which involves the application of

18  special knowledge of the principles of mathematics, the

19  related physical and applied sciences, and the relevant

20  requirements of law for adequate evidence of the act of

21  measuring, locating, establishing, or reestablishing lines,

22  angles, elevations, natural and manmade features in the air,

23  on the surface and immediate subsurface of the earth, within

24  underground workings, and on the beds or surface of bodies of

25  water, for the purpose of determining, establishing,

26  describing, displaying, or interpreting the facts of size,

27  shape, topography, tidal datum planes, legal or geodetic

28  location or relocation, and orientation of improved or

29  unimproved real property and appurtenances thereto, including

30  acreage and condominiums.

31

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  1         (b)  The practice of surveying and mapping also

  2  includes, but is not limited to, photogrammetric control; the

  3  monumentation and remonumentation of property boundaries and

  4  subdivisions; the measurement of and preparation of plans

  5  showing existing improvements after construction; the layout

  6  of proposed improvements; the preparation of descriptions for

  7  use in legal instruments of conveyance of real property and

  8  property rights; the preparation of subdivision planning maps

  9  and record plats, as provided for in chapter 177; the

10  determination of, but not the design of, grades and elevations

11  of roads and land in connection with subdivisions or divisions

12  of land; and the creation and perpetuation of alignments

13  related to maps, record plats, field note records, reports,

14  property descriptions, and plans and drawings that represent

15  them.

16         (5)  The term "surveyor and mapper intern" includes the

17  term "surveyor-mapper-in-training" and means a person who

18  complies with the requirements provided by ss. 472.001-472.037

19  472.001-472.041 and who has passed an examination as provided

20  by rules adopted by the board.

21         (6)  The term "responsible charge" means direct control

22  and personal supervision of surveying and mapping work, but

23  does not include experience as a chainperson, rodperson,

24  instrumentperson, ordinary draftsperson, digitizer, scriber,

25  photo lab technician, ordinary stereo plotter operator, aerial

26  photo pilot, photo interpreter, and other positions of routine

27  work.

28         (7)  The term "license" means the registration of

29  surveyors and mappers or the certification of businesses to

30  practice surveying and mapping in this state.

31

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  1         (8)  "Photogrammetric mapper" means any person who

  2  engages in the practice of surveying and mapping using aerial

  3  or terrestrial photography or other sources of images.

  4

  5         Reviser's note.--Amended to conform to the

  6         repeal of ss. 472.039 and 472.041 by s. 8, ch.

  7         2000-332, Laws of Florida.

  8

  9         Section 6.  Subsection (1) of section 472.011, Florida

10  Statutes, is amended to read:

11         472.011  Fees.--

12         (1)  The board, by rule, may establish fees to be paid

13  for applications, examination, reexamination, licensing and

14  renewal, inactive status application and reactivation of

15  inactive licenses, recordmaking and recordkeeping, and

16  applications for providers of continuing education. The board

17  may also establish by rule a delinquency fee. The board shall

18  establish fees that are adequate to ensure the continued

19  operation of the board. Fees shall be based on department

20  estimates of the revenue required to implement ss.

21  472.001-472.037 472.001-472.041 and the provisions of law with

22  respect to the regulation of surveyors and mappers.

23

24         Reviser's note.--Amended to conform to the

25         repeal of ss. 472.039 and 472.041 by s. 8, ch.

26         2000-332, Laws of Florida.

27

28         Section 7.  Subsection (4) of section 472.015, Florida

29  Statutes, is amended to read:

30         472.015  Licensure.--

31

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  1         (4)  The department shall not issue a license by

  2  endorsement to any applicant who is under investigation in

  3  another state for any act that would constitute a violation of

  4  ss. 472.001-472.037 472.001-472.041 or chapter 455 until such

  5  time as the investigation is complete and disciplinary

  6  proceedings have been terminated.

  7

  8         Reviser's note.--Amended to conform to the

  9         repeal of ss. 472.039 and 472.041 by s. 8, ch.

10         2000-332, Laws of Florida.

11

12         Section 8.  Subsection (1) of section 472.021, Florida

13  Statutes, is amended to read:

14         472.021  Certification of partnerships and

15  corporations.--

16         (1)  The practice of or the offer to practice surveying

17  and mapping by registrants through a corporation or

18  partnership offering surveying and mapping services to the

19  public, or by a corporation or partnership offering said

20  services to the public through registrants under ss.

21  472.001-472.037 472.001-472.041 as agents, employees,

22  officers, or partners, is permitted subject to the provisions

23  of ss. 472.001-472.037 472.001-472.041, provided that one or

24  more of the principal officers of the corporation or one or

25  more partners of the partnership and all personnel of the

26  corporation or partnership who act in its behalf as surveyors

27  and mappers in this state are registered as provided by ss.

28  472.001-472.037 472.001-472.041, and, further, provided that

29  the corporation or partnership has been issued a certificate

30  of authorization by the board as provided in this section. All

31  final drawings, specifications, plans, reports, or other

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  1  papers or documents involving the practice of surveying and

  2  mapping which are prepared or approved for the use of the

  3  corporation or partnership or for delivery to any person or

  4  for public record within the state must be dated and must bear

  5  the signature and seal of the registrant who prepared or

  6  approved them. Nothing in this section shall be construed to

  7  allow a corporation to hold a certificate of registration to

  8  practice surveying and mapping. No corporation or partnership

  9  shall be relieved of responsibility for the conduct or acts of

10  its agents, employees, or officers by reason of its compliance

11  with this section, nor shall any individual practicing

12  surveying and mapping be relieved of responsibility for

13  professional services performed by reason of his or her

14  employment or relationship with a corporation or partnership.

15

16         Reviser's note.--Amended to conform to the

17         repeal of ss. 472.039 and 472.041 by s. 8, ch.

18         2000-332, Laws of Florida.

19

20         Section 9.  Subsections (1) and (2) of section 472.025,

21  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

22         472.025  Seals.--

23         (1)  The board shall prescribe, by rule, a form of seal

24  to be used by all registrants holding valid certificates of

25  registration, whether the registrants are corporations,

26  partnerships, or individuals.  Each registrant shall obtain an

27  impression-type metal seal in that form; and all final

28  drawings, plans, specifications, plats, or reports prepared or

29  issued by the registrant in accordance with minimum technical

30  standards set by the board shall be signed by the registrant,

31  dated, and stamped with his or her seal. This signature, date,

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  1  and seal shall be evidence of the authenticity of that to

  2  which they are affixed.  Each registrant may in addition

  3  register his or her seal electronically in accordance with ss.

  4  668.001-668.006 282.70-282.75.  Drawings, plans,

  5  specifications, reports, or documents prepared or issued by a

  6  registrant may be transmitted electronically and may be signed

  7  by the registrant, dated, and stamped electronically with such

  8  seal in accordance with ss. 668.001-668.006 282.70-282.75.

  9         (2)  It is unlawful for any person to stamp, seal, or

10  digitally sign any document with a seal or digital signature

11  after his or her certificate of registration has expired or

12  been revoked or suspended, unless such certificate of

13  registration has been reinstated or reissued. When the

14  certificate of registration of a registrant has been revoked

15  or suspended by the board, the registrant shall, within a

16  period of 30 days after the revocation or suspension has

17  become effective, surrender his or her seal to the secretary

18  of the board and confirm to the secretary the cancellation of

19  the registrant's digital signature in accordance with ss.

20  668.001-668.006 282.70-282.75.  In the event the registrant's

21  certificate has been suspended for a period of time, his or

22  her seal shall be returned to him or her upon expiration of

23  the suspension period.

24

25         Reviser's note.--Amended to conform to the

26         redesignation of ss. 282.70-282.75 as ss.

27         668.001-668.006 by the reviser incident to

28         compiling the Florida Statutes 2000.

29

30         Section 10.  Section 472.027, Florida Statutes, is

31  amended to read:

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  1         472.027  Minimum technical standards for surveying and

  2  mapping.--The board shall adopt rules relating to the practice

  3  of surveying and mapping which establish minimum technical

  4  standards to ensure the achievement of no less than minimum

  5  degrees of accuracy, completeness, and quality in order to

  6  assure adequate and defensible real property boundary

  7  locations and other pertinent information provided by

  8  surveyors and mappers under the authority of ss.

  9  472.001-472.037 472.001-472.041.

10

11         Reviser's note.--Amended to conform to the

12         repeal of ss. 472.039 and 472.041 by s. 8, ch.

13         2000-332, Laws of Florida.

14

15         Section 11.  Paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (1)

16  of section 472.031, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

17         472.031  Prohibitions; penalties.--

18         (1)  No person shall:

19         (a)  Practice surveying and mapping unless such person

20  is registered pursuant to ss. 472.001-472.037 472.001-472.041;

21         (b)  Use the name or title "registered surveyor and

22  mapper" when such person has not registered pursuant to ss.

23  472.001-472.037 472.001-472.041;

24

25         Reviser's note.--Amended to conform to the

26         repeal of ss. 472.039 and 472.041 by s. 8, ch.

27         2000-332, Laws of Florida.

28

29         Section 12.  Section 472.037, Florida Statutes, is

30  amended to read:

31

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  1         472.037  Application of ss. 472.001-472.037

  2  472.001-472.041.--

  3         (1)  Nothing contained in ss. 472.001-472.037

  4  472.001-472.041 shall be construed to repeal, amend, limit, or

  5  otherwise affect any local building code or zoning law or

  6  ordinance, now or hereafter enacted, which is more restrictive

  7  with respect to the services of registered surveyors and

  8  mappers than the provisions of ss. 472.001-472.037

  9  472.001-472.041.

10         (2)  In counties or municipalities that issue building

11  permits, such permits shall not be issued in any case where it

12  is apparent from the application for such building permit that

13  the provisions of ss. 472.001-472.037 472.001-472.041 have

14  been violated. However, this shall not authorize the

15  withholding of building permits in any cases within the exempt

16  classes set forth in ss. 472.001-472.037 472.001-472.041.

17

18         Reviser's note.--Amended to conform to the

19         repeal of ss. 472.039 and 472.041 by s. 8, ch.

20         2000-332, Laws of Florida.

21

22         Section 13.  Section 476.024, Florida Statutes, is

23  amended to read:

24         476.024  Purpose.--The Legislature deems it necessary

25  in the interest of public health, safety, and welfare to

26  regulate the practice of barbering in this state. However,

27  restrictions should be imposed only to the extent necessary to

28  protect the public from these recognized dangers and in a

29  manner which will not unreasonably affect the competitive

30  market.

31

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  1         Reviser's note.--Amended to improve clarity.

  2

  3         Section 14.  Paragraph (g) of subsection (1) of section

  4  489.1136, Florida Statutes, is repealed.

  5

  6         Reviser's note.--The cited paragraph requires

  7         medical gas system licensees to meet specified

  8         training requirements by October 1, 2000.

  9

10         Section 15.  Subsections (1) and (4) of section

11  494.0017, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

12         494.0017  Mortgage Brokerage Guaranty Fund.--

13         (1)  The department shall make transfers from the

14  Regulatory Trust Fund to the Mortgage Brokerage Guaranty Fund

15  to pay valid claims arising under former ss. 494.042, 494.043,

16  and 494.044, as provided in former s. 494.00171.

17         (4)  Notwithstanding s. 215.965 216.331, the department

18  may disburse funds to a court or court-appointed person for

19  distribution, if the conditions precedent for recovery exist

20  and the distribution would be the fairest and most equitable

21  manner of distributing the funds.

22

23         Reviser's note.--Subsection (1) is amended to

24         improve clarity, facilitate correct

25         interpretation, and take into account any

26         claims that have been filed and are still

27         pending. Section 494.00171 was repealed by s.

28         70, ch. 2000-158, Laws of Florida. Subsection

29         (4) is amended to conform to the redesignation

30         of s. 216.331 as s. 215.965 by s. 59, ch.

31         2000-371, Laws of Florida.

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  1         Section 16.  Paragraph (n) of subsection (1) of section

  2  498.025, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

  3         498.025  Exemptions.--

  4         (1)  Except as provided in s. 498.022, the provisions

  5  of this chapter do not apply to:

  6         (n)  An offer or disposition of any interest in a

  7  subdivision that has received a development order pursuant to

  8  s. 380.06 380.060 or s. 380.061, or the offer or disposition

  9  of any interest in subdivided lands by a person who has

10  entered into a development agreement with local government in

11  accordance with part II of chapter 163, subject to the

12  following conditions:

13         1.  All funds or property paid by a purchaser are

14  escrowed until closing; and

15         2.  Closing shall not occur until all promised

16  improvements including infrastructure, facilities, and

17  amenities represented by the seller or the seller's agent are

18  deemed complete and the plat of same is recorded in the

19  official records of the county in which the subdivision is

20  located.

21

22         Reviser's note.--Amended to conform to the

23         correct citation to the referenced material; s.

24         380.060 does not exist.

25

26         Section 17.  Subsection (26) of section 499.005,

27  Florida Statutes, is repealed.

28

29         Reviser's note.--Repeals a provision that has

30         served its purpose. Section 499.018, which

31         detailed the investigational drug application

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  1         process, was repealed by s. 10, ch. 2000-326,

  2         Laws of Florida.

  3

  4         Section 18.  Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section

  5  499.015, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

  6         499.015  Registration of drugs, devices, and cosmetics;

  7  issuance of certificates of free sale.--

  8         (1)

  9         (b)  The department may not register any product that

10  does not comply with the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act,

11  as amended, or Title 21 C.F.R., or that is not an approved

12  investigational drug as provided for in s. 499.018.

13  Registration of a product by the department does not mean that

14  the product does in fact comply with all provisions of the

15  Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, as amended.

16

17         Reviser's note.--Amended to delete language

18         that has served its purpose. Section 499.018,

19         which detailed the investigational drug

20         application process, was repealed by s. 10, ch.

21         2000-326, Laws of Florida.

22

23         Section 19.  Subsection (1) of section 499.03, Florida

24  Statutes, is amended to read:

25         499.03  Possession of new drugs or legend drugs without

26  prescriptions unlawful; exemptions and exceptions.--

27         (1)  A person may not possess, or possess with intent

28  to sell, dispense, or deliver, any habit-forming, toxic,

29  harmful, or new drug subject to s. 499.003(22), or legend drug

30  as defined in s. 499.003(19) 499.003(18), unless the

31  possession of the drug has been obtained by a valid

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  1  prescription of a practitioner licensed by law to prescribe

  2  the drug. However, this section does not apply to the delivery

  3  of such drugs to persons included in any of the classes named

  4  in this subsection, or to the agents or employees of such

  5  persons, for use in the usual course of their businesses or

  6  practices or in the performance of their official duties, as

  7  the case may be; nor does this section apply to the possession

  8  of such drugs by those persons or their agents or employees

  9  for such use:

10         (a)  A licensed pharmacist or any person under the

11  licensed pharmacist's supervision while acting within the

12  scope of the licensed pharmacist's practice;

13         (b)  A licensed practitioner authorized by law to

14  prescribe legend drugs or any person under the licensed

15  practitioner's supervision while acting within the scope of

16  the licensed practitioner's practice;

17         (c)  A qualified person who uses legend drugs for

18  lawful research, teaching, or testing, and not for resale;

19         (d)  A licensed hospital or other institution that

20  procures such drugs for lawful administration or dispensing by

21  practitioners;

22         (e)  An officer or employee of a federal, state, or

23  local government; or

24         (f)  A person that holds a valid permit issued by the

25  department pursuant to ss. 499.001-499.081 which authorizes

26  that person to possess prescription drugs.

27

28         Reviser's note.--Amended to conform to the

29         correct citation to the referenced material.

30         Section 14, ch. 2000-326, Laws of Florida,

31         redesignated a reference to s. 499.003 as s.

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  1         499.003(18), accounting for the deletion of

  2         former s. 499.003(16) by that law. Section 34,

  3         ch. 2000-242, Laws of Florida, added a new s.

  4         499.003(11). The term "legend drug" continues

  5         to be defined at s. 499.003(19).

  6

  7         Section 20.  Paragraph (c) of subsection (1) of section

  8  499.05, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

  9         499.05  Rules.--

10         (1)  The department shall adopt rules to implement and

11  enforce ss. 499.001-499.081 with respect to:

12         (c)  Application requirements, protocols, reporting

13  requirements, and requirements for submitting other

14  information to the department and the Florida Drug Technical

15  Review Panel, as required under the investigational drug

16  program.

17

18         Reviser's note.--Amended to delete obsolete

19         language. Provisions relating to the

20         investigational drug program and to the Florida

21         Drug Technical Review Panel were repealed by s.

22         10, ch. 2000-326, Laws of Florida.

23

24         Section 21.  Subsection (1) of section 501.34, Florida

25  Statutes, is amended to read:

26         501.34  Enforcement.--

27         (1)  Any violation of this part by an insurer shall be

28  deemed a violation of the Unfair Insurance Trade Practices

29  Act, part IX X, chapter 626.

30

31

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  1         Reviser's note.--Amended to conform to the

  2         redesignation of part X of chapter 626 as part

  3         IX necessitated by the transfer of ss.

  4         626.941-626.945, comprising former part IX, by

  5         ch. 98-89, Laws of Florida.

  6

  7         Section 22.  Section 514.0231, Florida Statutes, is

  8  amended to read:

  9         514.0231  Advisory committee to oversee sampling of

10  beach waters.--The Department of Health shall form an

11  interagency technical advisory committee to oversee the

12  performance of the study studies required in s. 514.023 and

13  section 6 of this act, and to advise it in rulemaking

14  pertaining to standards for public bathing places along the

15  coastal and intracoastal beaches and shores of the state.

16  Membership on the committee shall consist of equal numbers of

17  staff of the Department of Health and the Department of

18  Environmental Protection with expertise in the subject matter

19  of the study studies. Members shall be appointed by the

20  respective secretaries of these departments. The committee

21  shall be chaired by a representative from the Department of

22  Health.

23

24         Reviser's note.--Amended to conform to the veto

25         of section 6 of C.S. for S.B. 1412 (ch.

26         2000-309, Laws of Florida) by the Governor on

27         June 16, 2000.

28

29         Section 23.  Subsection (9) of section 527.01, Florida

30  Statutes, is amended to read:

31         527.01  Definitions.--As used in this chapter:

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  1         (9)  "Category IV liquefied petroleum gas dispenser and

  2  recreational vehicle servicer" means any person engaging in

  3  the business of operating a liquefied petroleum gas dispensing

  4  unit for the purpose of serving liquid product to the ultimate

  5  consumer for industrial, commercial, or domestic use, and

  6  selling or offering to sell, or leasing or offering to lease,

  7  apparatus, appliances, and equipment for the use of liquefied

  8  petroleum gas, and whose services include the installation,

  9  service, or repair of recreational vehicle liquefied petroleum

10  gas appliances and equipment.

11

12         Reviser's note.--Amended to improve clarity.

13

14         Section 24.  Paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of section

15  527.02, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

16         527.02  License; penalty; fees.--

17         (2)  In addition to the requirements of subsection (1),

18  any person applying for a license to engage in the activities

19  of a pipeline system operator, category I liquefied petroleum

20  gas dealer, category II liquefied petroleum gas dispenser,

21  category IV liquefied petroleum gas dispenser and recreational

22  vehicle servicer, LP gas installer, specialty installer,

23  requalification of cylinders, or fabricator, repairer, and

24  tester of vehicles and cargo tanks, must prove competency by

25  passing a written examination administered by the department

26  or its agent with a grade of 75 percent or above. Each

27  applicant for examination shall submit a $20 nonrefundable

28  fee. The department shall by rule specify the general areas of

29  competency to be covered by each examination and the relative

30  weight to be assigned in grading each area tested.

31

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  1         (b)  Qualifier cards issued to category I liquefied

  2  petroleum gas dealers and liquefied petroleum gas installers

  3  shall expire 3 years after the date of issuance. All category

  4  I liquefied petroleum gas dealer qualifiers and liquefied

  5  petroleum gas installer qualifiers holding a valid qualifier

  6  card upon the effective date of this act shall retain their

  7  qualifier status until July 1, 2003, and may sit for the

  8  master qualifier examination at any time during that time

  9  period. Alternatively, all category I liquefied petroleum gas

10  dealer qualifiers and liquefied petroleum gas installer

11  qualifiers may renew their qualification on or before July 1,

12  2003, upon application to the department, payment of a $20

13  renewal fee, and documentation of the completion of a minimum

14  of 12 hours approved continuing continuous education courses,

15  as defined by department rule, during the previous 3-year

16  period. Applications for renewal must be made 30 calender days

17  prior to expiration. Persons failing to renew prior to the

18  expiration date must reapply and take a qualifier competency

19  examination in order to reestablish category I liquefied

20  petroleum gas dealer qualifier and liquefied petroleum gas

21  installer qualifier status. In the event a category I

22  liquefied petroleum gas qualifier or liquefied petroleum gas

23  installer qualifier becomes a master qualifier at any time

24  during the effective date of the qualifier card, the card

25  shall remain in effect until expiration of the master

26  qualifier certification.

27

28         Reviser's note.--Amended to improve clarity and

29         facilitate correct interpretation.

30

31

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  1         Section 25.  Section 538.11, Florida Statutes, is

  2  amended to read:

  3         538.11  Powers and duties of department; rules.--The

  4  same duties and privileges imposed by chapter 212 upon dealers

  5  of tangible personal property respecting the keeping of books

  6  and records and accounts and compliance with rules of the

  7  department shall apply to and be binding upon all persons who

  8  are subject to the provisions of this chapter. The department

  9  shall administer, collect, and enforce the registration

10  authorized under this chapter pursuant to the same procedures

11  used in the administration, collection, and enforcement of the

12  general state sales tax imposed under chapter 212, except as

13  provided in this section.  The provisions of chapter 212

14  regarding the keeping of records and books shall apply.  The

15  department, under the applicable rules of the Career Service

16  Commission, is authorized to employ persons and incur other

17  expenses for which funds are appropriated by the Legislature.

18  The department is empowered to adopt such rules, and shall

19  prescribe and publish such forms, as may be necessary to

20  effectuate the purposes of this chapter.  The Legislature

21  hereby finds that the failure to promptly implement the

22  provisions of this chapter would present an immediate threat

23  to the welfare of the state. Therefore, the executive director

24  of the department is hereby authorized to adopt emergency

25  rules pursuant to s. 120.54(4), for purposes of implementing

26  this chapter. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, such

27  emergency rules shall remain effective for 6 months from the

28  date of adoption. Other rules of the department related to and

29  in furtherance of the orderly implementation of the chapter

30  shall not be subject to a rule challenge under s. 120.56(2) or

31  a drawout proceeding under s. 120.54(3)(c)2. but, once

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  1  adopted, shall be subject to an invalidity challenge under s.

  2  120.56(3).  Such rules shall be adopted by the Governor and

  3  Cabinet and shall become effective upon filing with the

  4  Department of State, notwithstanding the provisions of s.

  5  120.54(3)(e)6.

  6

  7         Reviser's note.--Amended to delete language

  8         that has served its purpose. The Career Service

  9         Commission was repealed by s. 87, ch. 86-163,

10         Laws of Florida.

11

12         Section 26.  Subsections (3) and (4) of section

13  550.2633, Florida Statutes, are repealed.

14

15         Reviser's note.--The cited subsections relate

16         to payment of moneys that escheated to the

17         state during specified time periods in 1992.

18

19         Section 27.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (9) of section

20  550.6305, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

21         550.6305  Intertrack wagering; guest track payments;

22  accounting rules.--

23         (9)  A host track that has contracted with an

24  out-of-state horse track to broadcast live races conducted at

25  such out-of-state horse track pursuant to s. 550.3551(5) may

26  broadcast such out-of-state races to any guest track and

27  accept wagers thereon in the same manner as is provided in s.

28  550.3551.

29         (a)  For purposes of this section, "net proceeds" means

30  the amount of takeout remaining after the payment of state

31  taxes, purses required pursuant to s. 550.0951(3)(c)1., the

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  1  cost to the permitholder required to be paid to the

  2  out-of-state horse track, breeders' awards paid to the Florida

  3  Thoroughbred Breeders' Association and the Florida

  4  Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association, to be used as

  5  set forth in s. 550.625(2)(a) and (b), and the deduction of

  6  any amount retained pursuant to s. 550.615(11) 550.615(12).

  7

  8         Reviser's note.--Amended to conform to the

  9         redesignation of s. 550.615(12) as s.

10         550.615(11) by the reviser incident to

11         compiling the Florida Statutes 2000.

12

13         Section 28.  Section 550.904, Florida Statutes, is

14  amended to read:

15         550.904  Entry into force.--This compact shall come

16  into force when enacted by any four states. Thereafter, this

17  compact shall become effective in any other state upon that

18  state's enactment of this compact and upon the affirmative

19  vote of a majority of the officials on the compact committee

20  as provided in s. 550.909 section 41.

21

22         Reviser's note.--Amended to correct an apparent

23         error and facilitate correct interpretation.

24         Section 41, ch. 2000-354, Laws of Florida, was

25         codified as s. 550.911 and relates to immunity

26         from liability for specified compact committee

27         personnel. Section 39, ch. 2000-354, codified

28         as s. 550.909, relates to voting requirements

29         for the compact committee.

30

31

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  1         Section 29.  Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section

  2  550.912, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

  3         550.912  Rights and responsibilities of each party

  4  state.--

  5         (1)  By enacting this compact, each party state:

  6         (b)  Agrees not to treat a notification to an applicant

  7  by the compact committee described in s. 550.908 subsection

  8  (3) of section 42 as the denial of a license, or to penalize

  9  such an applicant in any other way based solely on such a

10  decision by the compact committee.

11

12         Reviser's note.--Amended to correct an apparent

13         error. Subsection (3) of s. 42, ch. 2000-354,

14         Laws of Florida, does not exist. Section 38,

15         ch. 2000-354, codified as s. 550.908, does

16         contain a subsection (3) relating to agreement

17         not to treat notification to an applicant by

18         the compact committee as denial of a license.

19

20         Section 30.  Effective July 1, 2001, subsection (3) of

21  section 553.381, Florida Statutes, as amended by section 62 of

22  chapter 2000-141, Laws of Florida, is amended to read:

23         553.381  Manufacturer certification.--

24         (3)  Certification of manufacturers under this section

25  shall be for a period of 3 years, subject to renewal by the

26  manufacturer. Upon application for renewal, the manufacturer

27  must submit the information described in subsection (1) (2) or

28  a sworn statement that there has been no change in the status

29  or content of that information since the manufacturer's last

30  submittal. Fees for renewal of manufacturers' certification

31  shall be established by the commission by rule.

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  1         Reviser's note.--Amended to correct an apparent

  2         error. Subsection (1) describes information to

  3         be submitted. Subsection (2) relates to

  4         revocation of certification.

  5

  6         Section 31.  Section 553.507, Florida Statutes, is

  7  amended to read:

  8         553.507  Exemptions.--Sections 553.501-553.513 and s.

  9  553.5041(4) 316.1955(4) do not apply to any of the following:

10         (1)  Buildings, structures, or facilities that were

11  either under construction or under contract for construction

12  on October 1, 1997.

13         (2)  Buildings, structures, or facilities that were in

14  existence on October 1, 1997, unless:

15         (a)  The building, structure, or facility is being

16  converted from residential to nonresidential or mixed use, as

17  defined by local law;

18         (b)  The proposed alteration or renovation of the

19  building, structure, or facility will affect usability or

20  accessibility to a degree that invokes the requirements of s.

21  303(a) of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; or

22         (c)  The original construction or any former alteration

23  or renovation of the building, structure, or facility was

24  carried out in violation of applicable permitting law.

25

26         Reviser's note.--Amended to conform to the

27         repeal of former s. 316.1955(4) by s. 16, ch.

28         2000-141, Laws of Florida, and the enactment of

29         s. 553.5041(4), containing identical

30         provisions, by s. 66, ch. 2000-141.

31

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  1         Section 32.  Paragraph (d) of subsection (1) of section

  2  553.902, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

  3         553.902  Definitions.--For the purposes of this part:

  4         (1)  "Exempted building" means:

  5         (d)  Any historical building as described in s.

  6  267.021(3) 267.021(6).

  7

  8         Reviser's note.--Amended to conform to the

  9         redesignation of s. 267.021(6) as s. 267.021(3)

10         by s. 43, ch. 86-163, Laws of Florida.

11

12         Section 33.  Effective July 1, 2001, paragraph (d) of

13  subsection (1) of section 553.902, Florida Statutes, as

14  amended by section 94 of chapter 2000-141, Laws of Florida, is

15  amended to read:

16         553.902  Definitions.--For the purposes of this part:

17         (1)  "Exempted building" means:

18         (d)  Any historical building as described in s.

19  267.021(3) 267.021(6).

20

21  The Florida Building Commission may recommend to the

22  Legislature additional types of buildings which should be

23  exempted from compliance with the Florida Energy Efficiency

24  Code for Building Construction.

25

26         Reviser's note.--Amended to conform to the

27         redesignation of s. 267.021(6) as s. 267.021(3)

28         by s. 43, ch. 86-163, Laws of Florida.

29

30         Section 34.  Subsection (6) of section 569.11, Florida

31  Statutes, is amended to read:

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  1         569.11  Possession, misrepresenting age or military

  2  service to purchase, and purchase of tobacco products by

  3  persons under 18 years of age prohibited; penalties;

  4  jurisdiction; disposition of fines.--

  5         (6)  Eighty percent of all civil penalties received by

  6  a county court pursuant to this section shall be transferred

  7  to the Department of Education to provide for teacher training

  8  and for research and evaluation to reduce and prevent the use

  9  of tobacco products by children, pursuant to s. 233.067(4).

10  The remaining 20 percent of civil penalties received by a

11  county court pursuant to this section shall remain with the

12  clerk of the county court to cover administrative costs.

13

14         Reviser's note.--Amended to conform to the

15         repeal of s. 233.067 by s. 38, ch. 97-190, Laws

16         of Florida.

17

18         Section 35.  Paragraph (h) of subsection (1) of section

19  570.21, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

20         570.21  Publication of department's bulletins,

21  publications, and reports.--

22         (1)  The Divisions of Administration and Marketing and

23  Development may publish bulletins or other publications and

24  reports containing data and statistics and information

25  relating to:

26         (h)  Any other matter of an agricultural nature which

27  the department deems proper and that is not within the

28  jurisdiction of the agricultural experiment station or the,

29  agricultural extension service, or the Division of Economic

30  Development of the Department of Commerce.

31

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  1         Reviser's note.--Amended to delete obsolete

  2         language relating to the Department of Commerce

  3         as created by s. 20.17. Section 20.17 was

  4         repealed by s. 3, ch. 96-320, Laws of Florida.

  5

  6         Section 36.  Subsection (8) of section 576.045, Florida

  7  Statutes, is amended to read:

  8         576.045  Nitrate; findings and intent; fees; purpose;

  9  best-management practices; waiver of liability; compliance;

10  rules; report; exclusions; expiration.--

11         (8)  EXPIRATION OF PROVISIONS.--Subsections (1), (2),

12  (3), (4), and (6), and (7) expire on December 31, 2003.

13  Subsections (5) and (7) (8) expire on December 31, 2008.

14

15         Reviser's note.--Amended to conform to the

16         repeal of former subsection (7) by s. 77, ch.

17         2000-158, Laws of Florida, and to conform to

18         the redesignation of subsection (8) as

19         subsection (7) necessitated by that repeal.

20

21         Section 37.  Subsection (1) of section 589.065, Florida

22  Statutes, is amended to read:

23         589.065  Florida Forever Program Trust Fund of the

24  Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.--

25         (1)  There is created a Florida Forever Program Trust

26  Fund within the Department of Agriculture and Consumer

27  Services to carry out the duties of the department under the

28  Florida Forever Act as specified in s. 259.105(3)(f)

29  259.105(3)(e). The trust fund shall receive funds pursuant to

30  s. 259.105(3)(f) 259.105(3)(e).

31

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  1         Reviser's note.--Amended to conform to the

  2         redesignation of s. 259.105(3)(e) as s.

  3         259.105(3)(f) by s. 11, ch. 2000-170, Laws of

  4         Florida.

  5

  6         Section 38.  Paragraph (k) of subsection (1) of section

  7  597.003, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

  8         597.003  Powers and duties of Department of Agriculture

  9  and Consumer Services.--

10         (1)  The department is hereby designated as the lead

11  agency in encouraging the development of aquaculture in the

12  state and shall have and exercise the following functions,

13  powers, and duties with regard to aquaculture:

14         (k)  Make available state lands and the water column

15  for the purpose of producing aquaculture products when the

16  aquaculture activity is compatible with state resource

17  management goals, environmental protection, and proprietary

18  propriety interest and when such state lands and waters are

19  determined to be suitable for aquaculture development by the

20  Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund

21  pursuant to s. 253.68; and be responsible for all saltwater

22  aquaculture activities located on sovereignty submerged land

23  or in the water column above such land and adjacent facilities

24  directly related to the aquaculture activity.

25         1.  The department shall act in cooperation with other

26  state and local agencies and programs to identify and

27  designate sovereignty lands and waters that would be suitable

28  for aquaculture development.

29         2.  The department shall identify and evaluate specific

30  tracts of sovereignty submerged lands and water columns in

31  various areas of the state to determine where such lands and

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  1  waters are suitable for leasing for aquaculture purposes.

  2  Nothing in this subparagraph or subparagraph 1. shall preclude

  3  the applicant from applying for sites identified by the

  4  applicant.

  5         3.  The department shall provide assistance in

  6  developing technologies applicable to aquaculture activities,

  7  evaluate practicable production alternatives, and provide

  8  agreements to develop innovative culture practices.

  9

10         Reviser's note.--Amended to improve clarity and

11         facilitate correct interpretation.

12

13         Section 39.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section

14  597.0041, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

15         597.0041  Prohibited acts; penalties.--

16         (2)(a)  Any person who violates any provision of this

17  chapter or any rule promulgated hereunder is subject to a

18  suspension or revocation of his or her certificate of

19  registration or license under this chapter.  The department

20  may, in lieu of, or in addition to the suspension or of

21  revocation, impose on the violator an administrative fine in

22  an amount not to exceed $1,000 per violation per day.

23

24         Reviser's note.--Amended to improve clarity and

25         facilitate correct interpretation.

26

27         Section 40.  Paragraph (g) of subsection (2) of section

28  607.1901, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

29         607.1901  Corporations Trust Fund creation; transfer of

30  funds.--

31         (2)

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  1         (g)  The division shall transfer from the trust fund to

  2  the Historical Resources Operating Trust Fund, quarterly,

  3  prorations transferring $2 million each fiscal year, to be

  4  used as provided in s. 267.0617 267.0671.

  5

  6         Reviser's note.--Amended to improve clarity and

  7         facilitate correct interpretation. Section

  8         267.0671 does not exist; s. 267.0617 relates to

  9         the Historic Preservation Grant Program and the

10         Historical Resources Operating Trust Fund.

11

12         Section 41.  Subsection (9) of section 617.1622,

13  Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

14         617.1622  Annual report for Department of State.--

15         (9)  The department shall prescribe the forms on which

16  to make the annual report called for in this section and may

17  substitute the uniform business report, pursuant to s. 606.06,

18  as a means of satisfying the requirement of this section part.

19

20         Reviser's note.--Amended to correct an apparent

21         error. Chapter 617 is not divided into parts.

22

23         Section 42.  Subsection (6) of section 620.8101,

24  Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

25         620.8101  Definitions.--As used in this act, the term:

26         (6)  "Limited liability partnership" means a registered

27  limited liability partnership registered under former ss.

28  620.78-620.789 immediately prior to the effective date of this

29  act or a partnership that has filed a statement of

30  qualification under s. 620.9001 and has not filed a similar

31  statement in any other jurisdiction.

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  1         Reviser's note.--Amended to conform to the

  2         repeal of ss. 620.78-620.789 by s. 36, ch.

  3         99-285, Laws of Florida.

  4

  5         Section 43.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section

  6  620.9901, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

  7         620.9901  Applicability.--

  8         (1)  Beginning January 1, 1996, and ending January 1,

  9  1998, the Revised Uniform Partnership Act of 1995 governs only

10  a partnership formed:

11         (a)  On or after January 1, 1996, unless such

12  partnership is continuing the business of a dissolved

13  partnership under former s. 620.76; and

14

15         Reviser's note.--Amended to conform to the

16         repeal of s. 620.76 by s. 24, ch. 99-4, Laws of

17         Florida.

18

19         Section 44.  Subparagraph 1. of paragraph (b) of

20  subsection (1) of section 624.408, Florida Statutes, is

21  repealed.

22

23         Reviser's note.--Repealed to delete a provision

24         that has served its purpose. The cited

25         subparagraph sets a required amount of surplus

26         for December 31, 1999, through December 30,

27         2000, for casualty insurers holding a

28         certificate of authority on December 1, 1993.

29

30         Section 45.  Paragraph (b) of subsection (7) of section

31  626.112, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

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  1         626.112  License and appointment required; agents,

  2  customer representatives, solicitors, adjusters, insurance

  3  agencies, service representatives, managing general agents.--

  4         (7)

  5         (b)  An insurance agency shall, as a condition

  6  precedent to continuing business, obtain an insurance agency

  7  license if the department finds that, with respect to any

  8  majority owner, partner, manager, director, officer, or other

  9  person who manages or controls the agency, any person has,

10  subsequent to the effective date of this act:

11         1.  Been found guilty of, or has pleaded guilty or nolo

12  contendere to, a felony in this state or any other state

13  relating to the business of insurance or to an insurance

14  agency, without regard to whether a judgment of conviction has

15  been entered by the court having jurisdiction of the cases.

16         2.  Employed any individual in a managerial capacity or

17  in a capacity dealing with the public who is under an order of

18  revocation or suspension issued by the department.  An

19  insurance agency may request, on forms prescribed by the

20  department, verification of any person's license status. If a

21  request is mailed within 5 working days after an employee is

22  hired, and the employee's license is currently suspended or

23  revoked, the agency shall not be required to obtain a license,

24  if the unlicensed person's employment is immediately

25  terminated.

26         3.  Operated the agency or permitted the agency to be

27  operated in violation of s. 626.747.

28         4.  With such frequency as to have made the operation

29  of the agency hazardous to the insurance-buying public or

30  other persons:

31

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  1         a.  Solicited or handled controlled business.  This

  2  subparagraph shall not prohibit the licensing of any lending

  3  or financing institution or creditor, with respect to

  4  insurance only, under credit life or disability insurance

  5  policies of borrowers from the institutions, which policies

  6  are subject to part IX of chapter 627.

  7         b.  Misappropriated, converted, or unlawfully withheld

  8  moneys belonging to insurers, insureds, beneficiaries, or

  9  others and received in the conduct of business under the

10  license.

11         c.  Unlawfully rebated, attempted to unlawfully rebate,

12  or unlawfully divided or offered to divide commissions with

13  another.

14         d.  Misrepresented any insurance policy or annuity

15  contract, or used deception with regard to any policy or

16  contract, done either in person or by any form of

17  dissemination of information or advertising.

18         e.  Violated any provision of this code or any other

19  law applicable to the business of insurance in the course of

20  dealing under the license.

21         f.  Violated any lawful order or rule of the

22  department.

23         g.  Failed or refused, upon demand, to pay over to any

24  insurer he or she represents or has represented any money

25  coming into his or her hands belonging to the insurer.

26         h.  Violated the provision against twisting as defined

27  in s. 626.9541(1)(l).

28         i.  In the conduct of business, engaged in unfair

29  methods of competition or in unfair or deceptive acts or

30  practices, as prohibited under part IX X of this chapter.

31         j.  Willfully overinsured any property insurance risk.

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  1         k.  Engaged in fraudulent or dishonest practices in the

  2  conduct of business arising out of activities related to

  3  insurance or the insurance agency.

  4         l.  Demonstrated lack of fitness or trustworthiness to

  5  engage in the business of insurance arising out of activities

  6  related to insurance or the insurance agency.

  7         m.  Authorized or knowingly allowed individuals to

  8  transact insurance who were not then licensed as required by

  9  this code.

10         5.  Knowingly employed any person who within the

11  preceding 3 years has had his or her relationship with an

12  agency terminated in accordance with paragraph (d).

13         6.  Willfully circumvented the requirements or

14  prohibitions of this code.

15

16         Reviser's note.--Amended to conform to the

17         redesignation of part X of chapter 626 as part

18         IX necessitated by the transfer of ss.

19         626.941-626.945, comprising former part IX, by

20         ch. 98-89, Laws of Florida.

21

22         Section 46.  Subsection (6) of section 626.621, Florida

23  Statutes, is amended to read:

24         626.621  Grounds for discretionary refusal, suspension,

25  or revocation of agent's, solicitor's, adjuster's, customer

26  representative's, service representative's, or managing

27  general agent's license or appointment.--The department may,

28  in its discretion, deny an application for, suspend, revoke,

29  or refuse to renew or continue the license or appointment of

30  any applicant, agent, solicitor, adjuster, customer

31  representative, service representative, or managing general

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  1  agent, and it may suspend or revoke the eligibility to hold a

  2  license or appointment of any such person, if it finds that as

  3  to the applicant, licensee, or appointee any one or more of

  4  the following applicable grounds exist under circumstances for

  5  which such denial, suspension, revocation, or refusal is not

  6  mandatory under s. 626.611:

  7         (6)  In the conduct of business under the license or

  8  appointment, engaging in unfair methods of competition or in

  9  unfair or deceptive acts or practices, as prohibited under

10  part IX X of this chapter, or having otherwise shown himself

11  or herself to be a source of injury or loss to the public or

12  detrimental to the public interest.

13

14         Reviser's note.--Amended to conform to the

15         redesignation of part X of chapter 626 as part

16         IX necessitated by the transfer of ss.

17         626.941-626.945, comprising former part IX, by

18         ch. 98-89, Laws of Florida.

19

20         Section 47.  Paragraph (h) of subsection (5) of section

21  626.6215, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

22         626.6215  Grounds for discretionary refusal,

23  suspension, or revocation of insurance agency license.--The

24  department may, in its discretion, deny, suspend, revoke, or

25  refuse to continue the license of any insurance agency if it

26  finds, as to any insurance agency or as to any majority owner,

27  partner, manager, director, officer, or other person who

28  manages or controls such insurance agency, that any one or

29  more of the following applicable grounds exist:

30

31

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  1         (5)  Committing any of the following acts with such

  2  frequency as to have made the operation of the agency

  3  hazardous to the insurance-buying public or other persons:

  4         (h)  In the conduct of business under the license,

  5  engaging in unfair methods of competition or in unfair or

  6  deceptive acts or practices as prohibited under part IX X of

  7  this chapter.

  8

  9         Reviser's note.--Amended to conform to the

10         redesignation of part X of chapter 626 as part

11         IX necessitated by the transfer of ss.

12         626.941-626.945, comprising former part IX, by

13         ch. 98-89, Laws of Florida.

14

15         Section 48.  Subsection (2) of section 626.797, Florida

16  Statutes, is amended to read:

17         626.797  Code of ethics.--

18         (2)  The code of ethics shall apply standards of

19  conduct designed to avoid the commission of acts or the

20  existence of circumstances which would constitute grounds for

21  suspension, revocation, or refusal of license under ss.

22  626.611 and 626.621 and to avoid the use of unfair trade

23  practices and unfair methods of competition which would be in

24  violation of any provision of part IX X.

25

26         Reviser's note.--Amended to conform to the

27         redesignation of part X of chapter 626 as part

28         IX necessitated by the transfer of ss.

29         626.941-626.945, comprising former part IX, by

30         ch. 98-89, Laws of Florida.

31

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  1         Section 49.  Subsection (5) of section 626.844, Florida

  2  Statutes, is amended to read:

  3         626.844  Grounds for discretionary refusal, suspension,

  4  or revocation of license or appointment.--The department may,

  5  in its discretion, deny, suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew

  6  or continue the license or appointment of any title insurance

  7  agent or agency, and it may suspend or revoke the eligibility

  8  to hold a license or appointment of any such title insurance

  9  agent or agency if it finds that as to the applicant or

10  licensee or appointee, or any principal thereof, any one or

11  more of the following grounds exist under circumstances for

12  which such denial, suspension, revocation, or refusal is not

13  mandatory under s. 626.8437:

14         (5)  Engaging in unfair methods of competition or in

15  unfair or deceptive acts or practices in the conduct of

16  business, as prohibited under part IX X of this chapter, or

17  having otherwise shown himself or herself to be a source of

18  injury or loss to the public or to be detrimental to the

19  public interest.

20

21         Reviser's note.--Amended to conform to the

22         redesignation of part X of chapter 626 as part

23         IX necessitated by the transfer of ss.

24         626.941-626.945, comprising former part IX, by

25         ch. 98-89, Laws of Florida.

26

27         Section 50.  Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section

28  626.8734, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

29         626.8734  Nonresident independent adjuster's

30  qualifications.--

31

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  1         (1)  The department shall, upon application therefor,

  2  issue a license to an applicant for a nonresident independent

  3  adjuster's license upon determining that the applicant has

  4  paid the applicable license fees required under s. 624.501

  5  and:

  6         (b)  Has passed to the satisfaction of the department a

  7  written Florida independent adjuster's examination of the

  8  scope prescribed in s. 626.241(6) 626.214(6); however, the

  9  requirement for the examination does not apply to any of the

10  following:

11         1.  An applicant who is licensed as a resident

12  independent adjuster in his or her state of residence when

13  that state requires the passing of a written examination in

14  order to obtain the license and a reciprocal agreement with

15  the appropriate official of that state has been entered into

16  by the department; or

17         2.  An applicant who is licensed as a nonresident

18  independent adjuster in a state other than his or her state of

19  residence when the state of licensure requires the passing of

20  a written examination in order to obtain the license and a

21  reciprocal agreement with the appropriate official of the

22  state of licensure has been entered into by the department.

23

24         Reviser's note.--Amended to facilitate correct

25         interpretation. Section 626.214 does not exist;

26         s. 626.241(6) provides for the scope of the

27         examination.

28

29         Section 51.  Subsection (2) of section 626.909, Florida

30  Statutes, is amended to read:

31

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  1         626.909  Jurisdiction of department; service of process

  2  on Secretary of State.--

  3         (2)  In addition to the procedure for service of

  4  process on unauthorized insurers or persons representing or

  5  aiding such insurers contained in ss. 626.906 and 626.907, the

  6  department shall have the right to bring any action, suit, or

  7  proceeding in the name of the state or conduct any proceeding,

  8  examination, or hearing provided for in this code against any

  9  unauthorized insurer or person representing or aiding such

10  insurer for violation of any lawful order of the department or

11  any provision of this code, specifically including but not

12  limited to the regulation of trade practices provided for in

13  part IX X of this chapter, if the insurer or person

14  representing or aiding such insurer transacts insurance in

15  this state as defined in ss. 624.10 and 626.906 and the

16  insurer does not transact such business under a subsisting

17  certificate of authority as required by s. 624.401.  In the

18  event the transaction of business is done by mail, the venue

19  of the act is at the point where the matter transmitted by

20  mail is delivered and takes effect.

21

22         Reviser's note.--Amended to conform to the

23         redesignation of part X of chapter 626 as part

24         IX necessitated by the transfer of ss.

25         626.941-626.945, comprising former part IX, by

26         ch. 98-89, Laws of Florida.

27

28         Section 52.  Subsection (10) of section 626.9911,

29  Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

30         626.9911  Definitions.--As used in this act, the term:

31

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  1         (10)  "Viatical settlement purchaser" means a person,

  2  other than a licensee under this part, an accredited investor

  3  as defined in Rule 501, Regulation D of the Securities Act

  4  Rules, or a qualified institutional buyer as defined by Rule

  5  144(a) of the Federal Securities Act, or a special purpose

  6  entity who gives a sum of money as consideration for a life

  7  insurance policy or an equitable or legal interest in the

  8  death benefits of a life insurance policy which has been or

  9  will be the subject of a viatical settlement contract, for the

10  purpose of deriving an economic benefit. The above references

11  to Rule 501, Regulation D and Rule 144(a) of the Federal

12  Securities Act are used strictly for defining purposes and

13  shall not be interpreted in any other manner. Any person who

14  claims to be an accredited investor shall sign an affidavit

15  stating that he or she is an accredited investor, the basis of

16  that claim, and that he or she understands that as an

17  accredited investor he or she will not be entitled to certain

18  protections of the Viatical Settlement Act. This affidavit

19  must be kept with other documents required to be maintained by

20  this act.

21

22         Reviser's note.--Amended to improve clarity.

23         The full title of material relating to viatical

24         settlements in part X of chapter 626 is the

25         "Viatical Settlement Act."

26

27         Section 53.  Subsection (2) of section 626.99275,

28  Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

29         626.99275  Prohibited practices; penalties.--

30         (2)  A person who violates any provision of this

31  section commits:

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  1         (a)  A felony of the third degree, punishable as

  2  provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083 774.083, or s. 775.084, if

  3  the insurance policy involved is valued at any amount less

  4  than $20,000.

  5         (b)  A felony of the second degree, punishable as

  6  provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083 774.083, or s. 775.084, if

  7  the insurance policy involved is valued at $20,000 or more,

  8  but less than $100,000.

  9         (c)  A felony of the first degree, punishable as

10  provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083 774.083, or s. 775.084, if

11  the insurance policy involved is valued at $100,000 or more.

12

13         Reviser's note.--Amended to facilitate correct

14         interpretation. Section 774.083 does not exist;

15         s. 775.083 relates to fines for criminal acts.

16

17         Section 54.  Subsection (3) of section 627.031, Florida

18  Statutes, is amended to read:

19         627.031  Purposes of this part; interpretation.--

20         (3)  Nothing in this part shall be construed to repeal

21  or modify the provisions of part IX X of chapter 626, relating

22  to unfair trade practices.

23

24         Reviser's note.--Amended to conform to the

25         redesignation of part X of chapter 626 as part

26         IX necessitated by the transfer of ss.

27         626.941-626.945, comprising former part IX, by

28         ch. 98-89, Laws of Florida.

29

30         Section 55.  Subsection (4) of section 627.062, Florida

31  Statutes, is amended to read:

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  1         627.062  Rate standards.--

  2         (4)  The establishment of any rate, rating

  3  classification, rating plan or schedule, or variation thereof

  4  in violation of part IX X of chapter 626 is also in violation

  5  of this section.

  6

  7         Reviser's note.--Amended to conform to the

  8         redesignation of part X of chapter 626 as part

  9         IX necessitated by the transfer of ss.

10         626.941-626.945, comprising former part IX, by

11         ch. 98-89, Laws of Florida.

12

13         Section 56.  Section 627.0661, Florida Statutes, is

14  repealed.

15

16         Reviser's note.--Repealed to delete obsolete

17         language relating to insurers exempt from the

18         excess profit requirements. Section

19         624.509(10), describing these insurers, was

20         repealed by s. 39, ch. 92-173, Laws of Florida.

21

22         Section 57.  Subsection (4) of section 627.357, Florida

23  Statutes, is amended to read:

24         627.357  Medical malpractice self-insurance.--

25         (4)  The fund is subject to regulation and

26  investigation by the department.  The fund is subject to rules

27  of the department and to part IX X of chapter 626, relating to

28  trade practices and frauds.

29

30         Reviser's note.--Amended to conform to the

31         redesignation of part X of chapter 626 as part

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  1         IX necessitated by the transfer of ss.

  2         626.941-626.945, comprising former part IX, by

  3         ch. 98-89, Laws of Florida.

  4

  5         Section 58.  Subsection (10) of section 627.481,

  6  Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

  7         627.481  Requirements for certain annuity agreements.--

  8         (10)  The provisions of part IX X of chapter 626, apply

  9  to issuers of annuity agreements under this section.

10

11         Reviser's note.--Amended to conform to the

12         redesignation of part X of chapter 626 as part

13         IX necessitated by the transfer of ss.

14         626.941-626.945, comprising former part IX, by

15         ch. 98-89, Laws of Florida.

16

17         Section 59.  Paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of section

18  627.6487, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

19         627.6487  Guaranteed availability of individual health

20  insurance coverage to eligible individuals.--

21         (2)  For the purposes of this section:

22         (b)  "Individual health insurance" means health

23  insurance, as defined in s. 627.6561(5)(a)2., which is offered

24  to an individual, including certificates of coverage offered

25  to individuals in this state as part of a group policy issued

26  to an association outside this state, but the term does not

27  include short-term limited duration insurance or excepted

28  benefits specified in s. 627.6561(5)(b) 624.6561(5)(b) or, if

29  the benefits are provided under a separate policy,

30  certificate, or contract, the term does not include excepted

31  benefits specified in s. 627.6561(5)(c), (d), or (e).

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  1         Reviser's note.--Amended to facilitate correct

  2         interpretation. Section 624.6561(5)(b) does not

  3         exist; s. 627.6561(5)(b) relates to excepted

  4         benefits.

  5

  6         Section 60.  Paragraph (i) of subsection (11) and

  7  paragraph (e) of subsection (12) of section 627.6699, Florida

  8  Statutes, are amended to read:

  9         627.6699  Employee Health Care Access Act.--

10         (11)  SMALL EMPLOYER HEALTH REINSURANCE PROGRAM.--

11         (i)  If a health benefit plan for a small employer

12  issued in accordance with this subsection is entirely or

13  partially reinsured with the program, the premium charged to

14  the small employer for any rating period for the coverage

15  issued must be consistent with the requirements relating to

16  premium rates set forth in this section s. 627.4106.

17         (12)  STANDARD, BASIC, AND LIMITED HEALTH BENEFIT

18  PLANS.--

19         (e)  A small employer carrier may not use any policy,

20  contract, form, or rate under this section, including

21  applications, enrollment forms, policies, contracts,

22  certificates, evidences of coverage, riders, amendments,

23  endorsements, and disclosure forms, until the insurer has

24  filed it with the department and the department has approved

25  it under ss. 627.410, 627.4106, and 627.411 and this section.

26

27         Reviser's note.--Amended to conform to the

28         repeal of s. 627.4106 by s. 83, ch. 93-129,

29         Laws of Florida. Material relating to small

30         employer health benefit plan rates and filing

31         was added to s. 627.6699 by s. 65, ch. 93-129.

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  1         Section 61.  Section 627.6735, Florida Statutes, is

  2  amended to read:

  3         627.6735  Order to discontinue certain advertising.--An

  4  insurer must file with the department all advertisements for

  5  Medicare supplement policies pursuant to rules adopted by the

  6  department.  If, in the opinion of the department, any

  7  advertisement by a Medicare supplement policy insurer violates

  8  any of the provisions of part IX X of chapter 626 or any rule

  9  of the department, the department may enter an immediate order

10  requiring that the use of the advertisement be discontinued.

11  If requested by the insurer, the department shall conduct a

12  hearing within 10 days of the entry of such order.  If, after

13  the hearing or by agreement with the insurer, a final

14  determination is made that the advertising was in fact

15  violative of any provision of part IX X of chapter 626 or of

16  any rule of the department, the department may, in lieu of

17  revocation of the certificate of authority, require the

18  publication of a corrective advertisement; impose an

19  administrative penalty of up to $10,000; and, in the case of

20  an initial solicitation, require that the insurer, prior to

21  accepting any application received in response to the

22  advertisement, provide an acceptable clarification of the

23  advertisement to each individual applicant.

24

25         Reviser's note.--Amended to conform to the

26         redesignation of part X of chapter 626 as part

27         IX necessitated by the transfer of ss.

28         626.941-626.945, comprising former part IX, by

29         ch. 98-89, Laws of Florida.

30

31

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  1         Section 62.  Subsection (1) of section 627.736, Florida

  2  Statutes, is amended to read:

  3         627.736  Required personal injury protection benefits;

  4  exclusions; priority; claims.--

  5         (1)  REQUIRED BENEFITS.--Every insurance policy

  6  complying with the security requirements of s. 627.733 shall

  7  provide personal injury protection to the named insured,

  8  relatives residing in the same household, persons operating

  9  the insured motor vehicle, passengers in such motor vehicle,

10  and other persons struck by such motor vehicle and suffering

11  bodily injury while not an occupant of a self-propelled

12  vehicle, subject to the provisions of subsection (2) and

13  paragraph (4)(d), to a limit of $10,000 for loss sustained by

14  any such person as a result of bodily injury, sickness,

15  disease, or death arising out of the ownership, maintenance,

16  or use of a motor vehicle as follows:

17         (a)  Medical benefits.--Eighty percent of all

18  reasonable expenses for necessary medical, surgical, X-ray,

19  dental, and rehabilitative services, including prosthetic

20  devices, and necessary ambulance, hospital, and nursing

21  services.  Such benefits shall also include necessary remedial

22  treatment and services recognized and permitted under the laws

23  of the state for an injured person who relies upon spiritual

24  means through prayer alone for healing, in accordance with his

25  or her religious beliefs.

26         (b)  Disability benefits.--Sixty percent of any loss of

27  gross income and loss of earning capacity per individual from

28  inability to work proximately caused by the injury sustained

29  by the injured person, plus all expenses reasonably incurred

30  in obtaining from others ordinary and necessary services in

31  lieu of those that, but for the injury, the injured person

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  1  would have performed without income for the benefit of his or

  2  her household. All disability benefits payable under this

  3  provision shall be paid not less than every 2 weeks.

  4         (c)  Death benefits.--Death benefits of $5,000 per

  5  individual.  The insurer may pay such benefits to the executor

  6  or administrator of the deceased, to any of the deceased's

  7  relatives by blood or legal adoption or connection by

  8  marriage, or to any person appearing to the insurer to be

  9  equitably entitled thereto.

10

11  Only insurers writing motor vehicle liability insurance in

12  this state may provide the required benefits of this section,

13  and no such insurer shall require the purchase of any other

14  motor vehicle coverage other than the purchase of property

15  damage liability coverage as required by s. 627.7275 as a

16  condition for providing such required benefits. Insurers may

17  not require that property damage liability insurance in an

18  amount greater than $10,000 be purchased in conjunction with

19  personal injury protection.  Such insurers shall make benefits

20  and required property damage liability insurance coverage

21  available through normal marketing channels. Any insurer

22  writing motor vehicle liability insurance in this state who

23  fails to comply with such availability requirement as a

24  general business practice shall be deemed to have violated

25  part IX X of chapter 626, and such violation shall constitute

26  an unfair method of competition or an unfair or deceptive act

27  or practice involving the business of insurance; and any such

28  insurer committing such violation shall be subject to the

29  penalties afforded in such part, as well as those which may be

30  afforded elsewhere in the insurance code.

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  1         Reviser's note.--Amended to conform to the

  2         redesignation of part X of chapter 626 as part

  3         IX necessitated by the transfer of ss.

  4         626.941-626.945, comprising former part IX, by

  5         ch. 98-89, Laws of Florida.

  6

  7         Section 63.  Section 627.9403, Florida Statutes, is

  8  amended to read:

  9         627.9403  Scope.--The provisions of this part shall

10  apply to long-term care insurance policies delivered or issued

11  for delivery in this state, and to policies delivered or

12  issued for delivery outside this state to the extent provided

13  in s. 627.9406, by an insurer, a fraternal benefit society as

14  defined in s. 632.601, a health care services plan as defined

15  in s. 641.01, a health maintenance organization as defined in

16  s. 641.19, a prepaid health clinic as defined in s. 641.402,

17  or a multiple-employer welfare arrangement as defined in s.

18  624.437. A policy which is advertised, marketed, or offered as

19  a long-term care policy and as a Medicare supplement policy

20  shall meet the requirements of this part and the requirements

21  of ss. 627.671-627.675 and, to the extent of a conflict, be

22  subject to the requirement that is more favorable to the

23  policyholder or certificateholder.  The provisions of this

24  part shall not apply to a continuing care contract issued

25  pursuant to chapter 651 and shall not apply to guaranteed

26  renewable policies issued prior to October 1, 1988.  Any

27  limited benefit policy that limits coverage to care in a

28  nursing home or to one or more lower levels of care required

29  or authorized to be provided by this part or by department

30  rule must meet all requirements of this part that apply to

31  long-term care insurance policies, except ss. 627.9407(3)(c),

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  1  (9), (10)(f), and (12) and 627.94073(2).  If the limited

  2  benefit policy does not provide coverage for care in a nursing

  3  home, but does provide coverage for one or more lower levels

  4  of care, the policy shall also be exempt from the requirements

  5  of s. 627.9407(3)(d).

  6

  7         Reviser's note.--Amended to conform to the

  8         repeal of s. 641.01 by s. 185, ch. 91-108, Laws

  9         of Florida.

10

11         Section 64.  Subsection (2) of section 627.9407,

12  Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

13         627.9407  Disclosure, advertising, and performance

14  standards for long-term care insurance.--

15         (2)  ADVERTISING.--The department shall adopt rules

16  setting forth standards for advertising, marketing, and sale

17  of long-term care policies in order to protect applicants from

18  unfair or deceptive sales or enrollment practices.  An insurer

19  shall file with the department any long-term care insurance

20  advertising material intended for use in this state at least

21  30 days before the date of use of the advertisement in this

22  state.  Within 30 days after the date of receipt of the

23  advertising material, the department shall review the material

24  and shall disapprove any advertisement if, in the opinion of

25  the department, such advertisement violates any of the

26  provisions of this part or of part IX X of chapter 626 or any

27  rule of the department.  The department may disapprove an

28  advertisement at any time and enter an immediate order

29  requiring that the use of the advertisement be discontinued if

30  it determines that the advertisement violates any of the

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  1  provisions of this part or of part IX X of chapter 626 or any

  2  rule of the department.

  3

  4         Reviser's note.--Amended to conform to the

  5         redesignation of part X of chapter 626 as part

  6         IX necessitated by the transfer of ss.

  7         626.941-626.945, comprising former part IX, by

  8         ch. 98-89, Laws of Florida.

  9

10         Section 65.  Paragraph (h) of subsection (3) of section

11  627.94072, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

12         627.94072  Mandatory offers.--

13         (3)  For purposes of this section, the nonforfeiture

14  protection provision providing a shortened benefit period

15  shall, at a minimum, provide the following:

16         (h)  Premiums charged for a policy or certificate

17  containing nonforfeiture benefits shall be subject to the loss

18  ratio requirements of s. 627.9407(6) 626.9407(6) treating the

19  policy as a whole.

20

21         Reviser's note.--Amended to facilitate correct

22         interpretation. Section 626.9407(6) does not

23         exist; s. 627.9407(6) relates to loss ratio and

24         reserve standards.

25

26         Section 66.  Subsection (5) of section 627.944, Florida

27  Statutes, is amended to read:

28         627.944  Risk retention groups not certificated in this

29  state.--Risk retention groups certificated or licensed in

30  states other than this state and seeking to do business as a

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  1  risk retention group in this state must observe and abide by

  2  the laws of this state as follows:

  3         (5)  DECEPTIVE, FALSE, OR FRAUDULENT PRACTICES.--Any

  4  risk retention group shall comply with and be subject to the

  5  laws of this state regarding deceptive, false, or fraudulent

  6  acts or practices, including the provisions of part IX X of

  7  chapter 626. If the department seeks an injunction regarding

  8  conduct in violation of these laws, the injunction may be

  9  obtained from any Florida court of competent jurisdiction.

10

11         Reviser's note.--Amended to conform to the

12         redesignation of part X of chapter 626 as part

13         IX necessitated by the transfer of ss.

14         626.941-626.945, comprising former part IX, by

15         ch. 98-89, Laws of Florida.

16

17         Section 67.  Paragraph (c) of subsection (2) and

18  paragraph (c) of subsection (3) of section 628.909, Florida

19  Statutes, are amended to read:

20         628.909  Applicability of other laws.--

21         (2)  The following provisions of the Florida Insurance

22  Code shall apply to captive insurers who are not industrial

23  insured captive insurers to the extent that such provisions

24  are not inconsistent with this part:

25         (c)  Chapter 626, part IX X.

26         (3)  The following provisions of the Florida Insurance

27  Code shall apply to industrial insured captive insurers to the

28  extent that such provisions are not inconsistent with this

29  part:

30         (c)  Chapter 626, part IX X.

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  1         Reviser's note.--Amended to conform to the

  2         redesignation of part X of chapter 626 as part

  3         IX necessitated by the transfer of ss.

  4         626.941-626.945, comprising former part IX, by

  5         ch. 98-89, Laws of Florida.

  6

  7         Section 68.  Subsection (8) of section 631.718, Florida

  8  Statutes, is amended to read:

  9         631.718  Assessments.--

10         (8)  The association shall issue to each insurer paying

11  an assessment under this part, other than a Class A

12  assessment, a certificate of contribution, in a form

13  prescribed by the department, for the amount of the assessment

14  so paid.  All outstanding certificates are of equal dignity

15  and priority without reference to amounts or dates of issue.

16  A certificate of contribution may be shown by the insurer in

17  its financial statement as an asset in such form and for such

18  amount, if any, and period of time as the department approves.

19  However, any amount offset pursuant to s. 631.72 631.720 may

20  not be shown as an asset of the insurer on any of its

21  financial statements.

22

23         Reviser's note.--Amended to facilitate correct

24         interpretation. Section 631.720 does not exist;

25         s. 631.72 relates to offset.

26

27         Section 69.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section

28  631.911, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

29         631.911  Creation of the Florida Workers' Compensation

30  Insurance Guaranty Association, Incorporated; merger; effect

31  of merger.--

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  1         (1)(a)  The Florida Self-Insurance Fund Guaranty

  2  Association established in former part V of chapter 631 and

  3  the workers' compensation insurance account, which includes

  4  excess workers' compensation insurance, established in former

  5  s. 631.55(2)(a) shall be merged, effective October 1, 1997, or

  6  as provided in paragraph (b), in accordance with the plan of

  7  operation adopted by the interim board of directors.  The

  8  successor nonprofit corporation shall be known as the "Florida

  9  Workers' Compensation Insurance Guaranty Association,

10  Incorporated."

11

12         Reviser's note.--Amended to improve clarity and

13         facilitate correct interpretation. Sections

14         comprising former part V of chapter 631, the

15         Florida Self-Insurance Fund Guaranty Act, were

16         repealed and transferred and a new part V, the

17         Florida Workers' Compensation Insurance

18         Guaranty Association Act, was created pursuant

19         to ch. 97-262, Laws of Florida. Section

20         631.55(2)(a) was repealed by s. 18, ch. 97-262.

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

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