HB 0251

1	A bill to be entitled
2	An act relating to firefighter and municipal police
3	pensions; creating s. 175.025, F.S.; providing a short
4	title; creating s. 175.1015, F.S.; authorizing the
5	Department of Revenue to create and maintain a database
6	for use by insurers that report and remit an excise tax on
7	property insurance premiums; providing incentives to
8	insurers for using the database and penalties for failure
9	to use the database; requiring local governments to
10	provide information to the department; appropriating funds
11	to the department for the administration of the database;
12	authorizing the department to adopt rules; creating s.
13	185.015, F.S.; providing a short title; creating s.
14	185.085, F.S.; authorizing the Department of Revenue to
15	create and maintain a database for use by insurers that
16	report and remit an excise tax on casualty insurers
17	premiums; providing incentives to insurers for using the
18	database and penalties for failure to use the database;
19	requiring local governments to provide information to the
20	department; appropriating funds to the department for the
21	administration of the database; authorizing the department
22	to adopt rules; providing for distribution of tax revenues
23	through 2007; amending s. 175.351,, F.S.; providing for
24	the meaning of the term "extra benefits" with respect to
25	pension plans for firefighters; amending s. 185.35, F.S.;
26	providing for the meaning of the term "extra benefits"
27	with respect to pension plans for municipal police
28	officers; amending s. 175.061, F.S.; authorizing the plan
29	administrator to withhold certain funds; amending s.
30	185.05, F.S.; authorizing the plan administrator to
31	withhold certain funds; providing an appropriation to the
32	Department of Revenue; providing an effective date.
33
34	Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
35
36	Section 1.  Section 175.025, Florida Statutes, is created
37	to read:
38	175.025  Short title.--This chapter may be cited as the
39	"Marvin B. Clayton Firefighters Pension Trust Fund Act."
40	Section 2.  Section 175.1015, Florida Statutes, is created
41	to read:
42	175.1015  Determination of local premium tax situs.--
43	(1)(a)  Any insurance company that is obligated to report
44	and remit the excise tax on property insurance premiums imposed
45	under s. 175.101 shall be held harmless from any liability,
46	including, but not limited to, liability for taxes, interest, or
47	penalties that would otherwise be due solely as a result of an
48	assignment of an insured property to an incorrect local taxing
49	jurisdiction if the insurance company exercises due diligence in
50	applying an electronic database provided by the Department of
51	Revenue under subsection (2). Insurance companies that do not
52	use the electronic database provided by the Department of
53	Revenue or that do not exercise due diligence in applying the
54	electronic database for tax years on or after January 1, 2006,
55	are subject to a 0.5 percent penalty on the portion of the
56	premium pertaining to any insured risk that is improperly
57	assigned, whether assigned to an improper local taxing
58	jurisdiction, not assigned to a local taxing jurisdiction when
59	it should be assigned to a local taxing jurisdiction, or
60	assigned to a local taxing jurisdiction when it should not be
61	assigned to a local taxing jurisdiction.
62	(b)  Any insurance company that is obligated to report and
63	remit the excise tax on commercial property insurance premiums
64	imposed under s. 175.101 and is unable, after due diligence, to
65	assign an insured property to a specific local taxing
66	jurisdiction for purposes of complying with paragraph(a) shall
67	remit the excise tax on commercial property insurance premiums
68	using a methodology of apportionment in a manner consistent with
69	the remittance for the 2004 calendar year. An insurance company
70	which makes two contacts with the agent responsible for a
71	commercial property insurance application for the purpose of
72	verifying information on the application necessary for the
73	assignment to the appropriate taxing jurisdiction, shall be
74	considered to have exercised due diligence. Any insurance
75	company which complies with the provisions of this paragraph
76	shall not be subject to the penalty provided in paragraph (a).
77	(2)(a)  The Department of Revenue shall, subject to
78	legislative appropriation, create as soon as practical and
79	feasible, and thereafter shall maintain, an electronic database
80	that conforms to any format approved by the American National
81	Standards Institute's Accredited Standards Committee X12 and
82	that designates for each street address and address range in the
83	state, including any multiple postal street addresses applicable
84	to one street location, the local taxing jurisdiction in which
85	the street address and address range is located, and the
86	appropriate code for each such participating local taxing
87	jurisdiction, identified by one nationwide standard numeric
88	code. The nationwide standard numeric code must contain the same
89	number of numeric digits, and each digit or combination of
90	digits must refer to the same level of taxing jurisdiction
91	throughout the United States and must be in a format similar to
92	FIPS 55-3 or other appropriate standard approved by the
93	Federation of Tax Administrators and the Multistate Tax
94	Commission. Each address or address range must be provided in
95	standard postal format, including the street number, street
96	number range, street name, and zip code. Each year after the
97	creation of the initial database, the Department of Revenue
98	shall annually create and maintain a database for the current
99	tax year. Each annual database must be calendar-year specific.
100	(b)1.  Each participating local taxing jurisdiction shall
101	furnish to the Department of Revenue all information needed to
102	create the electronic database as soon as practical and
103	feasible. The information furnished to the Department of Revenue
104	must specify an effective date.
105	2.  Each participating local taxing jurisdiction shall
106	furnish to the Department of Revenue all information needed to
107	create and update the current year's database, including changes
108	in annexations, incorporations, and reorganizations and any
109	other changes in jurisdictional boundaries, as well as changes
110	in eligibility to participate in the excise tax imposed under
111	this chapter. The information must specify an effective date and
112	must be furnished to the Department of Revenue by July 1 of the
113	current year.
114	3.  The Department of Revenue shall create and update the
115	current year's database in accordance with the information
116	furnished by participating local taxing jurisdictions under
117	subparagraph 1. or subparagraph 2., as appropriate. To the
118	extent practicable, the Department of Revenue shall post each
119	new annual database on a web site by September 1 of each year.
120	Each participating local taxing jurisdiction shall have access
121	to this web site and, within 30 days thereafter, shall provide
122	any corrections to the Department of Revenue. The Department of
123	Revenue shall finalize the current year's database and post it
124	on a web site by November 1 of the current year. If a dispute in
125	jurisdictional boundaries cannot be resolved so that changes in
126	boundaries may be included, as appropriate, in the database by
127	November 1, the changes may not be retroactively included in the
128	current year's database and the boundaries will remain the same
129	as in the previous year's database. The finalized database must
130	be used in assigning policies and premiums to the proper local
131	taxing jurisdiction for the insurance premium tax return due on
132	the following March 1 for the tax year 2005. For subsequent tax
133	years, the finalized database must be used in assigning policies
134	and premiums to the proper local taxing jurisdiction for the
135	insurance premium tax return due for the tax year beginning on
136	or after the January 1 following the website posting of the
137	database. Information contained in the electronic database is
138	conclusive for purposes of this chapter. The electronic database
139	is not an order, a rule, or a policy of general applicability.
140	4.  Each annual database must identify the additions,
141	deletions, and other changes to the preceding version of the
142	database.
143	(3)(a)  As used in this section, the term "due diligence"
144	means the care and attention that is expected from and is
145	ordinarily exercised by a reasonable and prudent person under
146	the circumstances.
147	(b)  Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, an insurance
148	company is exercising due diligence if the insurance company
149	complies with the provisions of paragraph (1)(b) or if the
150	insurance company assigns an insured's premium to local taxing
151	jurisdictions in accordance with the Department of Revenue's
152	annual database and with respect to such database:
153	1.  Expends reasonable resources to accurately and reliably
154	implement such method;
155	2.  Maintains adequate internal controls to correctly
156	include in its database of policyholders the location of the
157	property insured, in the proper address format, so that matching
158	with the department's database is accurate; and
159	3.  Corrects errors in the assignment of addresses to local
160	taxing jurisdictions within 120 days after the insurance company
161	discovers the errors.
162	(4)  There is annually appropriated from the moneys
163	collected under this chapter and deposited in the Police and
164	Firefighter's Premium Tax Trust Fund an amount sufficient to pay
165	the expenses of the Department of Revenue in administering this
166	section, but not to exceed $50,000 annually, adjusted annually
167	by the lesser of a 5 percent increase or the percentage of
168	growth in the total collections.
169	(5)  The Department of Revenue shall adopt rules necessary
170	to administer this section, including rules establishing
171	procedures and forms.
172	(6)  Any insurer that is obligated to collect and remit the
173	tax on property insurance imposed under s. 175.101 shall be held
174	harmless from any liability, including, but not limited to,
175	liability for taxes, interest, or penalties that would otherwise
176	be due solely as a result of an assignment of an insured
177	property to an incorrect local taxing jurisdiction, based on the
178	collection and remission of the tax accruing before January 1,
179	2005, if the insurer collects and reports this tax consistent
180	with filings for periods before January 1, 2005. Further, any
181	insurer that is obligated to collect and remit the tax on
182	property insurance imposed under this section is not subject to
183	an examination under s. 624.316 or s. 624.3161 which would occur
184	solely as a result of an assignment of an insured property to an
185	incorrect local taxing jurisdiction, based on the collection and
186	remission of such tax accruing before January 1, 2005.
187	Section 3.  Section 185.015, Florida Statutes, is created
188	to read:
189	185.015  Short title.--This chapter may be cited as the
190	"Marvin B. Clayton Police Officers Pension Trust Fund Act."
191	Section 4.  Section 185.085, Florida Statutes, is created
192	to read:
193	185.085  Determination of local premium tax situs.--
194	(1)(a)  Any insurance company that is obligated to report
195	and remit the excise tax on casualty insurance premiums imposed
196	under s. 185.08 shall be held harmless from any liability,
197	including, but not limited to, liability for taxes, interest, or
198	penalties that would otherwise be due solely as a result of an
199	assignment of an insured property to an incorrect local taxing
200	jurisdiction if the insurance company exercises due diligence in
201	applying an electronic database provided by the Department of
202	Revenue under subsection (2). Insurance companies that do not
203	use the electronic database provided by the Department of
204	Revenue or that do not exercise due diligence in applying the
205	electronic database for tax years on or after January 1, 2006,
206	are subject to a 0.5 percent penalty on the portion of the
207	premium pertaining to any insured risk that is improperly
208	assigned, whether assigned to an improper local taxing
209	jurisdiction, not assigned to a local taxing jurisdiction when
210	it should be assigned to a local taxing jurisdiction, or
211	assigned to a local taxing jurisdiction when it should not be
212	assigned to a local taxing jurisdiction.
213	(b)  Any insurance company that is obligated to report and
214	remit the excise tax on commercial casualty insurance premiums
215	imposed under s. 185.08 and is unable, after due diligence, to
216	assign an insured property to a specific local taxing
217	jurisdiction for purposes of complying with paragraph(a) shall
218	remit the excise tax on commercial casualty insurance premiums
219	using a methodology of apportionment in a manner consistent with
220	the remittance for the 2004 calendar year. An insurance company
221	which makes two contacts with the agent responsible for a
222	commercial casualty insurance application for the purpose of
223	verifying information on the application necessary for the
224	assignment to the appropriate taxing jurisdiction, shall be
225	considered to have exercised due diligence. Any insurance
226	company which complies with the provisions of this paragraph
227	shall not be subject to the penalty provided in paragraph (a).
228	(2)(a)  The Department of Revenue shall, subject to
229	legislative appropriation, create as soon as practical and
230	feasible, and thereafter shall maintain, an electronic database
231	that conforms to any format approved by the American National
232	Standards Institute's Accredited Standards Committee X12 and
233	that designates for each street address and address range in the
234	state, including any multiple postal street addresses applicable
235	to one street location, the local taxing jurisdiction in which
236	the street address and address range is located, and the
237	appropriate code for each such participating local taxing
238	jurisdiction, identified by one nationwide standard numeric
239	code. The nationwide standard numeric code must contain the same
240	number of numeric digits, and each digit or combination of
241	digits must refer to the same level of taxing jurisdiction
242	throughout the United States and must be in a format similar to
243	FIPS 55-3 or other appropriate standard approved by the
244	Federation of Tax Administrators and the Multistate Tax
245	Commission. Each address or address range must be provided in
246	standard postal format, including the street number, street
247	number range, street name, and zip code. Each year after the
248	creation of the initial database, the Department of Revenue
249	shall annually create and maintain a database for the current
250	tax year. Each annual database must be calendar-year specific.
251	(b)1.  Each participating local taxing jurisdiction shall
252	furnish to the Department of Revenue all information needed to
253	create the electronic database as soon as practical and
254	feasible. The information furnished to the Department of Revenue
255	must specify an effective date.
256	2.  Each participating local taxing jurisdiction shall
257	furnish to the Department of Revenue all information needed to
258	create and update the current year's database, including changes
259	in annexations, incorporations, and reorganizations and any
260	other changes in jurisdictional boundaries, as well as changes
261	in eligibility to participate in the excise tax imposed under
262	this chapter. The information must specify an effective date and
263	must be furnished to the Department of Revenue by July 1 of the
264	current year.
265	3.  The Department of Revenue shall create and update the
266	current year's database in accordance with the information
267	furnished by participating local taxing jurisdictions under
268	subparagraph 1. or subparagraph 2., as appropriate. To the
269	extent practicable, the Department of Revenue shall post each
270	new annual database on a web site by September 1 of each year.
271	Each participating local taxing jurisdiction shall have access
272	to this web site and, within 30 days thereafter, shall provide
273	any corrections to the Department of Revenue. The Department of
274	Revenue shall finalize the current year's database and post it
275	on a web site by November 1 of the current year. If a dispute in
276	jurisdictional boundaries cannot be resolved so that changes in
277	boundaries may be included, as appropriate, in the database by
278	November 1, the changes may not be retroactively included in the
279	current year's database and the boundaries will remain the same
280	as in the previous year's database. The finalized database must
281	be used in assigning policies and premiums to the proper local
282	taxing jurisdiction for the insurance premium tax return due on
283	the following March 1 for the tax year 2005. For subsequent tax
284	years, the finalized database must be used in assigning policies
285	and premiums to the proper local taxing jurisdiction for the
286	insurance premium tax return due for the tax year beginning on
287	or after the January 1 following the website posting of the
288	database. Information contained in the electronic database is
289	conclusive for purposes of this chapter. The electronic database
290	is not an order, a rule, or a policy of general applicability.
291	4.  Each annual database must identify the additions,
292	deletions, and other changes to the preceding version of the
293	database.
294	(3)(a)  As used in this section, the term "due diligence"
295	means the care and attention that is expected from and is
296	ordinarily exercised by a reasonable and prudent person under
297	the circumstances.
298	(b)  Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, an insurance
299	company is exercising due diligence if the insurance company
300	complies with the provisions of paragraph (1)(b) or if the
301	insurance company assigns an insured's premium to local taxing
302	jurisdictions in accordance with the Department of Revenue's
303	annual database and with respect to such database:
304	1.  Expends reasonable resources to accurately and reliably
305	implement such method;
306	2.  Maintains adequate internal controls to correctly
307	include in its database of policyholders the location of the
308	property insured, in the proper address format, so that matching
309	with the department's database is accurate; and
310	3.  Corrects errors in the assignment of addresses to local
311	taxing jurisdictions within 120 days after the insurance company
312	discovers the errors.
313	(4)  There is annually appropriated from the moneys
314	collected under this chapter and deposited in the Police and
315	Firefighter's Premium Tax Trust Fund an amount sufficient to pay
316	the expenses of the Department of Revenue in administering this
317	section, but not to exceed $50,000 annually, adjusted annually
318	by the lesser of a 5 percent increase or the percentage of
319	growth in the total collections.
320	(5)  The Department of Revenue shall adopt rules necessary
321	to administer this section, including rules establishing
322	procedures and forms.
323	(6)(a)  Notwithstanding any other law, a methodology,
324	formula, or database that is adopted in any year after January
325	1, 2005, may not result in a distribution to a participating
326	municipality that has a retirement plan created pursuant to this
327	chapter of an amount of excise tax which is less than the amount
328	distributed to such participating municipality for calendar year
329	2004. However, if the total proceeds to be distributed for the
330	current year from the excise tax imposed under s. 185.08 are
331	less than the total amount distributed for calendar year 2004,
332	each participating municipality shall receive a current year
333	distribution that is proportionate to its share of the total
334	2004 calendar year distribution. If the total proceeds to be
335	distributed for the current year from the excise tax imposed
336	under s. 185.08 are greater than or equal to the total amount
337	distributed for calendar year 2004, each participating
338	municipality shall initially be distributed a minimum amount
339	equal to the amount received for calendar year 2004. The
340	remaining amount to be distributed for the current year, which
341	equals the total to be distributed for the current year, less
342	minimum distribution amount, shall be distributed to those
343	municipalities with an amount reported for the current year
344	which is greater than the amount distributed to such
345	municipality for calendar year 2004. Each municipality eligible
346	for distribution of this remaining amount shall receive its
347	proportionate share of the remaining amount based upon the
348	amount reported for that municipality, above the calendar year
349	2004 distribution for the current year, to the total amount over
350	the calendar year 2004 distribution for all municipalities with
351	an amount reported for the current year which is greater than
352	the calendar year 2004 distribution.
353	(b)  If a new municipality elects to participate under this
354	chapter during any year after January 1, 2005, such municipality
355	shall receive the total amount reported for the current- year
356	for such municipality. All other participating municipalities
357	shall receive a current year distribution, calculated as
358	provided in this section, which is proportionate to their share
359	of the total 2004 calendar year distribution after subtracting
360	the amount paid to the new participating plans.
361	(c)  This subsection expires January 1, 2008.
362	(7)  Any insurer that is obligated to collect and remit the
363	tax on casualty insurance imposed under s. 185.08 shall be held
364	harmless from any liability, including, but not limited to,
365	liability for taxes, interest, or penalties that would otherwise
366	be due solely as a result of an assignment of an insured risk to
367	an incorrect local taxing jurisdiction, based on the collection
368	and remission of the tax accruing before January 1, 2005, if the
369	insurer collects and reports this tax consistent with filings
370	for periods before January 1, 2005. Further, any insurer that is
371	obligated to collect and remit the tax on casualty insurance
372	imposed under this section is not subject to an examination
373	under s. 624.316 or s. 624.3161 which would occur solely as a
374	result of an assignment of an insured risk to an incorrect local
375	taxing jurisdiction, based on the collection and remission of
376	such tax accruing before January 1, 2005.
377	Section 5.  Subsection (1) of section 175.351, Florida
378	Statutes, is amended to read:
379	175.351  Municipalities and special fire control districts
380	having their own pension plans for firefighters.--For any
381	municipality, special fire control district, local law
382	municipality, local law special fire control district, or local
383	law plan under this chapter, in order for municipalities and
384	special fire control districts with their own pension plans for
385	firefighters, or for firefighters and police officers, where
386	included, to participate in the distribution of the tax fund
387	established pursuant to s. 175.101, local law plans must meet
388	the minimum benefits and minimum standards set forth in this
389	chapter.
390	(1)  PREMIUM TAX INCOME.--If a municipality has a pension
391	plan for firefighters, or a pension plan for firefighters and
392	police officers, where included, which in the opinion of the
393	division meets the minimum benefits and minimum standards set
394	forth in this chapter, the board of trustees of the pension
395	plan, as approved by a majority of firefighters of the
396	municipality, may:
397	(a)  Place the income from the premium tax in s. 175.101 in
398	such pension plan for the sole and exclusive use of its
399	firefighters, or for firefighters and police officers, where
400	included, where it shall become an integral part of that pension
401	plan and shall be used to pay extra benefits to the firefighters
402	included in that pension plan; or
403	(b)  Place the income from the premium tax in s. 175.101 in
404	a separate supplemental plan to pay extra benefits to
405	firefighters, or to firefighters and police officers where
406	included, participating in such separate supplemental plan.
407
408	The premium tax provided by this chapter shall in all cases be
409	used in its entirety to provide extra benefits to firefighters,
410	or to firefighters and police officers, where included.
411	However, local law plans in effect on October 1, 1998, shall be
412	required to comply with the minimum benefit provisions of this
413	chapter only to the extent that additional premium tax revenues
414	become available to incrementally fund the cost of such
415	compliance as provided in s. 175.162(2)(a). When a plan is in
416	compliance with such minimum benefit provisions, as subsequent
417	additional premium tax revenues become available, they shall be
418	used to provide extra benefits. For the purpose of this chapter,
419	"additional premium tax revenues" means revenues received by a
420	municipality or special fire control district pursuant to s.
421	175.121 which that exceed that amount received for calendar year
422	1997, and the term "extra benefits" means benefits in addition
423	to or greater than those provided to general employees of the
424	municipality and in addition to those in existence for
425	firefighters on March 12, 1999. Local law plans created by
426	special act before May 23, 1939, shall be deemed to comply with
427	this chapter.
428	Section 6.  Subsection (1) of section 185.35, Florida
429	Statutes, is amended to read:
430	185.35  Municipalities having their own pension plans for
431	police officers.--For any municipality, chapter plan, local law
432	municipality, or local law plan under this chapter, in order for
433	municipalities with their own pension plans for police officers,
434	or for police officers and firefighters where included, to
435	participate in the distribution of the tax fund established
436	pursuant to s. 185.08, local law plans must meet the minimum
437	benefits and minimum standards set forth in this chapter:
438	(1)  PREMIUM TAX INCOME.--If a municipality has a pension
439	plan for police officers, or for police officers and
440	firefighters where included, which, in the opinion of the
441	division, meets the minimum benefits and minimum standards set
442	forth in this chapter, the board of trustees of the pension
443	plan, as approved by a majority of police officers of the
444	municipality, may:
445	(a)  Place the income from the premium tax in s. 185.08 in
446	such pension plan for the sole and exclusive use of its police
447	officers, or its police officers and firefighters where
448	included, where it shall become an integral part of that pension
449	plan and shall be used to pay extra benefits to the police
450	officers included in that pension plan; or
451	(b)  May place the income from the premium tax in s. 185.08
452	in a separate supplemental plan to pay extra benefits to the
453	police officers, or police officers and firefighters where
454	included, participating in such separate supplemental plan.
455
456	The premium tax provided by this chapter shall in all cases be
457	used in its entirety to provide extra benefits to police
458	officers, or to police officers and firefighters, where
459	included.  However, local law plans in effect on October 1,
460	1998, shall be required to comply with the minimum benefit
461	provisions of this chapter only to the extent that additional
462	premium tax revenues become available to incrementally fund the
463	cost of such compliance as provided in s. 185.16(2). When a plan
464	is in compliance with such minimum benefit provisions, as
465	subsequent additional tax revenues become available, they shall
466	be used to provide extra benefits. For the purpose of this
467	chapter, "additional premium tax revenues" means revenues
468	received by a municipality pursuant to s. 185.10 which that
469	exceed the amount received for calendar year 1997, and the term
470	"extra benefits" means benefits in addition to or greater than
471	those provided to general employees of the municipality and in
472	addition to those in existence for police officers on March 12,
473	1999. Local law plans created by special act before May 23,
474	1939, shall be deemed to comply with this chapter.
475	Section 7.  Subsection (7) is added to section 175.061,
476	Florida Statutes, to read:
477	175.061  Board of trustees; members; terms of office;
478	meetings; legal entity; costs; attorney's fees.--For any
479	municipality, special fire control district, chapter plan, local
480	law municipality, local law special fire control district, or
481	local law plan under this chapter:
482	(7)  The board of trustees may, upon written request by the
483	retiree of the plan, or by a dependent, when authorized by the
484	retiree or the retiree's beneficiary, authorize the plan
485	administrator to withhold from the monthly retirement payment
486	those funds that are necessary to pay for the benefits being
487	received through the governmental entity from which the employee
488	retired, to pay the certified bargaining agent of the
489	governmental entity, and to make any payments for child support
490	or alimony.
491	Section 8.  Present subsection (6) of section 185.05,
492	Florida Statutes, is redesignated as subsection (7), and a new
493	subsection (6) is added to that section, to read:
494	185.05  Board of trustees; members; terms of office;
495	meetings; legal entity; costs; attorney's fees.--For any
496	municipality, chapter plan, local law municipality, or local law
497	plan under this chapter:
498	(6)  The board of trustees may, upon written request by the
499	retiree of the plan, or by a dependent, when authorized by the
500	retiree or the retiree's beneficiary, authorize the plan
501	administrator to withhold from the monthly retirement payment
502	those funds that are necessary to pay for the benefits being
503	received through the governmental entity from which the employee
504	retired, to pay the certified bargaining agent of the
505	governmental entity, and to make any payments for child support
506	or alimony.
507	Section 9.  The sum of $300,000 is appropriated from the
508	General Revenue Fund to the Department of Revenue for the one-
509	time expense of creating the original database called for by
510	sections 1 and 2 of this act and to support the implementation
511	process for use of the database. It is the intent of the
512	Legislature in providing this appropriation that the database
513	for sections 1 and 2 of this act be available for use in
514	determining the allocation of premiums to the various
515	municipalities and special fire control districts for the 2005
516	insurance premium tax return that is due by March 1, 2006.
517	Section 10.  The Legislature finds that a proper and
518	legitimate state purpose is served when employees and retirees
519	of the state and its political subdivisions, and the dependents,
520	survivors, and beneficiaries of such employees and retirees, are
521	extended the basic protections afforded by governmental
522	retirement systems. These persons must be provided benefits that
523	are fair and adequate and that are managed, administered, and
524	funded in an actuarially sound manner, as required by Section
525	14, Article X of the State Constitution, and part VII of chapter
526	112, Florida Statutes. Therefore, the Legislature determines and
527	declares that this act fulfills an important state interest.
528	Section 11.  This act shall take effect upon becoming a
529	law.

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.