The Florida Senate

553.721  Surcharge.--

(1)  In order for the Department of Community Affairs to administer and carry out the purposes of this part and related activities, there is hereby created a surcharge, to be assessed at the rate of one-half cent per square foot under-roof floor space permitted pursuant to s. 125.56(4) or s. 166.201 However, for additions, alterations, or renovations to existing buildings, the surcharge shall be computed on the basis of the square footage being added, altered, or renovated. The unit of government responsible for collecting a permit fee pursuant to s. 125.56(4) or s. 166.201 shall collect such surcharge and remit the funds collected to the department on a quarterly calendar basis, and such unit of government may retain an amount up to 5 percent of the surcharge collected to cover costs associated with the collection and remittance of such surcharge. All funds remitted to the department pursuant to this subsection shall be deposited in the Operating Trust Fund. Funds collected from such surcharge shall not be used to fund research on techniques for mitigation of radon in existing buildings. Funds used by the department as well as funds to be transferred to the Department of Health shall be as prescribed in the annual General Appropriations Act. The department shall adopt rules governing the collection and remittance of surcharges in accordance with chapter 120.

(2)  Notwithstanding subsection (1), and for the 2008-2009 fiscal year only, the amount transferred from the Operating Trust Fund to the Grants and Donations Trust Fund of the Department of Community Affairs pursuant to the General Appropriations Act for the 2008-2009 fiscal year shall be used for the regional planning councils, civil legal assistance, and the Front Porch Florida Initiative.

History.--s. 1, ch. 88-285; s. 4, ch. 91-429; s. 28, ch. 92-173; s. 19, ch. 93-120; s. 33, ch. 93-166; s. 2, ch. 94-284; s. 1, ch. 95-339; s. 2, ch. 98-145; s. 32, ch. 2008-153.

Note.--Former s. 404.056(3).