Florida Senate - 2008 COMMITTEE AMENDMENT

Bill No. SB 1030

831288

CHAMBER ACTION

Senate

Comm: RCS

3/4/2008

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House



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The Committee on Transportation (Webster) recommended the

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following amendment:

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     Senate Amendment (with title amendment)

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     Delete everything after the enacting clause

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and insert:

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     Section 1. This act may be cited as the "Deputy Michael

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Callin, Michael Haligowski, and Deputy Ryan C. Seguin Memorial

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Traffic Safety Act."

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     Section 2.  Subsection (11) of section 318.14, Florida

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Statutes, is amended to read:

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     318.14  Noncriminal traffic infractions; exception;

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procedures.--

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     (11)(a) If adjudication is withheld for any person

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pursuant to subsection (9) or subsection (10) charged or cited

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under this section, such action is not a conviction.

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     (b) If a person is cited for a violation of s.

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322.34(2)(a)1. or 2. with a license that has been suspended

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solely for failure to appear, failure to pay a civil penalty,

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failure to attend a driver improvement course pursuant to s.

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322.291, failure to pay child support, or failure to pay a

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judgment and such person provides to the court a valid or

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reinstated driver's license and proper proof of maintenance of

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security as required by s. 316.646, the court may withhold

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adjudication pursuant to this subsection. If adjudication is

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withheld for any person pursuant to this paragraph, such action

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is not a conviction if adjudication has not been withheld under

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this paragraph for a prior offense during the 3 years before the

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date of the cited offense. This paragraph does not affect the

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court's ability to grant a withhold of adjudication under any

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other provision currently in effect in any provision of traffic

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or criminal court rules.

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     Section 3.  Subsection (7) is added to section 322.03,

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Florida Statutes, to read:

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     322.03  Drivers must be licensed; penalties.--

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     (7) Every judgment for a violation of subsection (1),

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regardless of whether adjudication is withheld, shall be in

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writing, signed by the judge, and recorded by the clerk of the

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circuit court.

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     Section 4.  Subsections (1) and (6) of section 322.251,

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Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

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     322.251  Notice of cancellation, suspension, revocation, or

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disqualification of license.--

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     (1)  All orders of cancellation, suspension, revocation, or

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disqualification issued under the provisions of this chapter,

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chapter 318, chapter 324, or ss. 627.732-627.734 shall be given

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either by personal delivery thereof to the licensee whose

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license is being canceled, suspended, revoked, or disqualified

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or by deposit in the United States mail in an envelope, first

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class, postage prepaid, addressed to the licensee at his or her

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last known mailing address furnished to the department. Such

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mailing by the department constitutes notification, and any

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failure by the person to receive the mailed order will not

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affect or stay the effective date or term of the cancellation,

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suspension, revocation, or disqualification of the licensee's

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driving privilege. Notification of cancellation, suspension,

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revocation, or disqualification given by the department under

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this section shall also inform the person whose license or

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driving privilege has been canceled, suspended, revoked, or

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disqualified that any motor vehicle driven by or under the

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actual physical control of that person while the license or

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driving privilege is canceled, suspended, revoked, or

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disqualified is subject to impoundment and immobilization under

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s. 322.34; however, any failure by the department to include the

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impoundment and immobilization information with the notification

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or any failure by the person to receive that information will

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not affect or stay the effective date or term of the

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cancellation, suspension, revocation, or disqualification of the

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licensee's driving privilege and will not preclude, bar, or

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otherwise affect the impoundment or immobilization of a motor

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vehicle under s. 322.34.

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     (6)(a) Whenever a cancellation, suspension, revocation, or

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disqualification occurs, the department shall enter the

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cancellation, suspension, revocation, or disqualification order

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on the licensee's driver file 20 days after the notice was

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actually placed in the mail. Any inquiry into the file after the

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20-day period shall reveal that the license is canceled,

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suspended, revoked, or disqualified and whether the license has

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been received by the department.

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     (b) The department shall make available on its Internet

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website the means to determine the status of a person's driver's

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license by entering the driver's license number. The department

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shall also provide an automated telephone hotline to provide

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callers with the status of a person's driver's license.

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     Section 5.  Effective October 1, 2008, subsections (1),

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(2), (4), (5), and (6) of section 322.34, Florida Statutes, are

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amended, and subsection (10) is added to that section, to read:

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     322.34  Driving while license suspended, revoked, canceled,

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or disqualified.--

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     (1) Except as provided in subsection (2) and s. 322.341,

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any person whose driver's license or driving privilege has been

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canceled, suspended, or revoked, or disqualified, except a

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"habitual traffic offender" as defined in s. 322.264, who drives

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a vehicle upon the highways of this state while such license or

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privilege is canceled, suspended, or revoked, or disqualified

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commits is guilty of a moving violation, punishable as provided

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in chapter 318.

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     (2)(a) Except as provided in s. 322.341, any person whose

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driver's license or driving privilege has been canceled,

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suspended, or revoked, or disqualified as provided by law,

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except persons defined in s. 322.264, who, knowing of such

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cancellation, suspension, or revocation, or disqualification,

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drives any motor vehicle upon the highways of this state while

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such license or privilege is canceled, suspended, or revoked, or

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disqualified, or any person who drives any motor vehicle upon

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the highways of this state without having a valid driver's

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license as required under s. 322.03, upon:

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     1.(a) A first conviction is guilty of a misdemeanor of the

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second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s.

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775.083, except that any person whose driver's license or

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driving privilege was canceled, suspended, revoked, or

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disqualified under s. 322.2615 relating to unlawful blood-

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alcohol level or breath-alcohol level or for refusal to submit

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to a breath, urine, or blood test authorized by s. 316.1932, s.

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322.28(2)(a) for a violation of s. 316.193 or s. 316.1931

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prohibiting driving under the influence, s. 316.655(2) for an

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alcohol-related or drug-related conviction, or s. 316.1939 for

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refusal to submit to testing is guilty of a misdemeanor of the

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first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s.

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775.083.

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     2.(b) A second conviction is guilty of a misdemeanor of

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the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s.

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775.083.

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     3.(c) A third or subsequent conviction is guilty of a

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felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s.

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775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

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     (b) If any person whose driver's license or driving

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privilege was canceled, suspended, revoked, or disqualified

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under s. 322.2615 relating to unlawful blood-alcohol level or

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breath-alcohol level or for refusal to submit to a breath,

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urine, or blood test authorized by s. 316.1932, s. 322.28(2)(a)

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for a violation of s. 316.193 or s. 316.1931 prohibiting driving

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under the influence, s. 316.655(2) for an alcohol-related or

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drug-related conviction, or s. 316.1939 for refusal to submit to

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testing is convicted under this subsection, the court must order

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imprisonment for not less than 30 days or a probationary period

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of not less than 90 days requiring the same level of supervision

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as community control with electronic monitoring as described in

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chapter 948 and the use of a continuous alcohol monitor device.

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     (c) The element of knowledge is satisfied if the person

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has been previously cited as provided in subsection (1); or the

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person admits to knowledge of the cancellation, suspension, or

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revocation, or disqualification; or the person received notice

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as provided in subsection (4). There shall be a rebuttable

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presumption that the knowledge requirement is satisfied if a

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judgment or order or a cancellation, suspension, revocation, or

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disqualification by the department as provided in subsection (4)

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appears in the department's records for any case except for one

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involving a suspension by the department for failure to pay a

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traffic fine or for a financial responsibility violation.

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     (4)  Any judgment or order rendered by a court or

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adjudicatory body, any cancellation, suspension, revocation, or

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disqualification by the department, or any uniform traffic

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citation that cancels, suspends, or revokes, or disqualifies a

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person's driver's license must contain a provision notifying the

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person that his or her driver's license has been canceled,

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suspended, or revoked, or disqualified and must inform the

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person that any motor vehicle driven by that person while the

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license is canceled, suspended, revoked, or disqualified shall

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be impounded or immobilized pursuant to this section.

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     (5)  Any person whose driver's license has been revoked

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pursuant to s. 322.264 (habitual offender) and who drives any

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motor vehicle upon the highways of this state while such license

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is revoked commits is guilty of a felony of the third degree,

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punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084,

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and the court must order imprisonment for not less than 60 days.

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     (6)  Any person who operates a motor vehicle:

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     (a)  Without having a driver's license as required under s.

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322.03; or

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     (b)  While his or her driver's license or driving privilege

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is canceled, suspended, or revoked, or disqualified pursuant to

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s. 316.655, s. 322.26(8), s. 322.27(2), or s. 322.28(2) or (4),

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and who by careless or negligent operation of the motor vehicle

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causes the death of or serious bodily injury to another human

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being, commits is guilty of a felony of the third degree,

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punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

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     (10) With respect to any offense governed by this section,

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regardless of whether adjudication is withheld, every judgment

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shall be in writing, signed by the judge, and recorded by the

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clerk of the circuit court.

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     Section 6.  Effective July 1, 2009, subsections (3) and (8)

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of section 322.34, Florida Statutes, as amended by this act, are

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amended to read:

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     322.34  Driving while license suspended, revoked, canceled,

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or disqualified.--

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     (3)  In any proceeding for a violation of this section, a

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court may consider evidence, other than that specified in

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subsection (2) or subsection (11), that the person knowingly

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violated this section.

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     (8)(a)1. If a law enforcement officer determines that a

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motor vehicle is being driven by or is under the actual physical

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control of a person whose driver's license or driving privilege

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is canceled, suspended, revoked, or disqualified, the officer

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shall immediately impound the motor vehicle or immobilize the

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motor vehicle by installing an immobilization device on the

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vehicle. The officer shall serve notice of the impoundment or

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immobilization upon the driver. The notice shall include the

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location where the motor vehicle is being held and information

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on the procedures to have the motor vehicle released from

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impoundment or immobilization by a department-approved vendor. A

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law enforcement agency or officer who proceeds in good faith to

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immobilize or impound a vehicle under this section shall not be

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responsible for any towing, immobilizing, or impounding fees. A

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law enforcement officer may leave the scene of the impoundment

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without completing the impoundment process if the officer is

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ordered elsewhere by his superior officer or an emergency

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elsewhere arises, or due to other exigent circumstances.

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     2. A law enforcement officer impounding or immobilizing a

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motor vehicle under subparagraph 1. shall notify the department

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or the department's agent within 24 hours to effect impoundment

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or immobilization under this paragraph. The department or the

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department's agent shall remove and impound or immobilize the

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motor vehicle at another location. The motor vehicle may be

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immobilized by installation of an immobilization device on the

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vehicle; however, the impounding company shall not release the

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motor vehicle for immobilization at another location without

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proof that the immobilization vendor is approved by the

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department. The motor vehicle shall remain in impound or

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immobilized until the owner or lessee receives authorization

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from the department for release of the motor vehicle under the

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provisions of this subsection. The department is authorized to

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adopt by rule procedures for removal and immobilization of the

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motor vehicle by a department-approved vendor from the location

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where the motor vehicle was impounded or immobilized by the law

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enforcement officer under subparagraph 1.

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     3. A motor vehicle impounded or immobilized under this

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paragraph that, according to the records of the department, is

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owned or leased by the person who was driving or in actual

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physical control of the motor vehicle when it was stopped and

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impounded or immobilized under subparagraph 1. shall remain

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impounded or immobilized until the person's license and driving

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privilege are reinstated and payment of the fees imposed under

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paragraph (c) and all costs of towing, impoundment,

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immobilization, and storage has been made. If department records

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show a different owner or lessee, the motor vehicle shall be

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released to that owner or lessee or the owner's or lessee's

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agent upon payment of the fees imposed under paragraph (c) and

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all costs of towing, impoundment, immobilization, and storage.

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The department's records shall reflect that the motor vehicle is

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immobilized or impounded.

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     (b) Within 7 business days after the date the law

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enforcement agency or the department impounds or immobilizes the

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motor vehicle under this subsection, the department shall send

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notice of the impoundment or immobilization by certified mail,

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return receipt requested, to any registered owners or coowners

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of the motor vehicle other than the driver and to each person of

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record claiming a lien against the motor vehicle. The notice

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shall include the location where the motor vehicle is being held

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and information on the procedures to have the motor vehicle

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released from impoundment or immobilization by a department-

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approved vendor. All costs and fees for the impoundment or

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immobilization, including the cost of notification, must be paid

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by the owner of the motor vehicle or, if the motor vehicle is

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leased, by the person leasing the motor vehicle.

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     (c)1. The department shall collect a $30 processing fee

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from the owner or lessee prior to release of any motor vehicle

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immobilized or impounded under this subsection. Moneys collected

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under this subparagraph shall be forwarded to the Department of

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Revenue, which shall deposit $28 of the fee into the State

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Transportation Trust Fund created under s. 206.46 to be used to

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carry out public transit responsibilities of the Department of

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Transportation under s. 341.041. The Department of Revenue shall

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remit the remaining $2 to the Florida Law Enforcement Memorial

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Fund of the Florida State Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police

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to be used to carry out the purposes of that fund in this state.

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     2. The department shall charge a reasonable fee, not to

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exceed $6, to the owner or lessee of the motor vehicle to cover

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the operational costs of the program and the cost of

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immobilizing or impounding the motor vehicle. Fees collected

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under this subparagraph shall be deposited in the Highway Safety

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Operating Trust Fund of the Department of Highway Safety and

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Motor Vehicles.

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     (d) The department shall authorize release of the motor

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vehicle to the owner or lessee:

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     1. Upon satisfaction of all of the requirements under this

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subsection for release of the motor vehicle; or

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     2. Upon request by the owner or lessee and a statement

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that the family of the owner or lessee living in the same

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household has no other private or public means of transportation

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and at least one household member has a valid driver's license

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that is not canceled, suspended, revoked, or disqualified. The

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department shall verify the statement using department records

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prior to authorization of release.

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     (e) A motor vehicle immobilized under this subsection may

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not be operated in this state until released from immobilization

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by the department or the department's agent. A motor vehicle

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immobilized under this subsection that is found being operated

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upon any street or highway in this state before being released

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by the department or the department's agent shall be seized and

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removed from the street or highway and may be forfeited pursuant

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to ss. 932.701-932.704.

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     (f) The department may contract with vendors to carry out

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the provisions of this subsection.

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     (g) Notification of cancellation, suspension, revocation,

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or disqualification given by the department under s. 322.251

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shall also inform the person whose driver's license or driving

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privilege has been canceled, suspended, revoked, or disqualified

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that any motor vehicle driven by or under the actual physical

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control of that person while the license or driving privilege is

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canceled, suspended, revoked, or disqualified is subject to

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impoundment and immobilization under this subsection; however,

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failure to receive the information shall not preclude, bar, or

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otherwise affect the impoundment or immobilization of a motor

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vehicle under this subsection.

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     (h) The department shall make available on its Internet

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website the means to determine the status of a person's driver's

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license by entering the driver's license number. The department

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shall also provide an automated telephone hotline to provide

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callers with the status of a person's driver's license.

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     (i) The department may adopt rules pursuant to ss.

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120.536(1) and 120.54 to implement the provisions of this

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subsection. Upon the arrest of a person for the offense of

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driving while the person's driver's license or driving privilege

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is suspended or revoked, the arresting officer shall determine:

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     1. Whether the person's driver's license is suspended or

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revoked.

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     2. Whether the person's driver's license has remained

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suspended or revoked since a conviction for the offense of

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driving with a suspended or revoked license.

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     3. Whether the suspension or revocation was made under s.

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316.646 or s. 627.733, relating to failure to maintain required

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security, or under s. 322.264, relating to habitual traffic

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offenders.

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     4. Whether the driver is the registered owner or coowner

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of the vehicle.

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     (b) If the arresting officer finds in the affirmative as

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to all of the criteria in paragraph (a), the officer shall

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immediately impound or immobilize the vehicle.

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     (c) Within 7 business days after the date the arresting

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agency impounds or immobilizes the vehicle, either the arresting

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agency or the towing service, whichever is in possession of the

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vehicle, shall send notice by certified mail, return receipt

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requested, to any coregistered owners of the vehicle other than

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the person arrested and to each person of record claiming a lien

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against the vehicle. All costs and fees for the impoundment or

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immobilization, including the cost of notification, must be paid

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by the owner of the vehicle or, if the vehicle is leased, by the

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person leasing the vehicle.

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     (d) Either the arresting agency or the towing service,

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whichever is in possession of the vehicle, shall determine

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whether any vehicle impounded or immobilized under this section

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has been leased or rented or if there are any persons of record

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with a lien upon the vehicle. Either the arresting agency or the

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towing service, whichever is in possession of the vehicle, shall

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notify by express courier service with receipt or certified

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mail, return receipt requested, within 7 business days after the

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date of the immobilization or impoundment of the vehicle, the

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registered owner and all persons having a recorded lien against

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the vehicle that the vehicle has been impounded or immobilized.

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A lessor, rental car company, or lienholder may then obtain the

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vehicle, upon payment of any lawful towing or storage charges.

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If the vehicle is a rental vehicle subject to a written

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contract, the charges may be separately charged to the renter,

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in addition to the rental rate, along with other separate fees,

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charges, and recoupments disclosed on the rental agreement. If

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the storage facility fails to provide timely notice to a lessor,

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rental car company, or lienholder as required by this paragraph,

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the storage facility shall be responsible for payment of any

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towing or storage charges necessary to release the vehicle to a

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lessor, rental car company, or lienholder that accrue after the

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notice period, which charges may then be assessed against the

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driver of the vehicle if the vehicle was lawfully impounded or

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immobilized.

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     (e) Except as provided in paragraph (d), the vehicle shall

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remain impounded or immobilized for any period imposed by the

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court until:

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     1. The owner presents proof of insurance to the arresting

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agency; or

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     2. The owner presents proof of sale of the vehicle to the

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arresting agency and the buyer presents proof of insurance to

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the arresting agency.

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If proof is not presented within 35 days after the impoundment

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or immobilization, a lien shall be placed upon such vehicle

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pursuant to s. 713.78.

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     (f) The owner of a vehicle that is impounded or

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immobilized under this subsection may, within 10 days after the

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date the owner has knowledge of the location of the vehicle,

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file a complaint in the county in which the owner resides to

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determine whether the vehicle was wrongfully taken or withheld.

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Upon the filing of a complaint, the owner may have the vehicle

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released by posting with the court a bond or other adequate

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security equal to the amount of the costs and fees for

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impoundment or immobilization, including towing or storage, to

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ensure the payment of such costs and fees if the owner does not

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prevail. When the vehicle owner does not prevail on a complaint

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that the vehicle was wrongfully taken or withheld, he or she

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must pay the accrued charges for the immobilization or

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impoundment, including any towing and storage charges assessed

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against the vehicle. When the bond is posted and the fee is paid

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as set forth in s. 28.24, the clerk of the court shall issue a

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certificate releasing the vehicle. At the time of release, after

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reasonable inspection, the owner must give a receipt to the

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towing or storage company indicating any loss or damage to the

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vehicle or to the contents of the vehicle.

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     Section 7.  Section 322.3402, Florida Statutes, is created

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to read:

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     322.3402 State attorney Drive Legal program.--

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     (1) The state attorney may establish a Drive Legal program

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for a person accused of a violation of the misdemeanor offense

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of driving while license suspended if the person's license was

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suspended at the time of the offense for failure to pay a

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penalty, failure to appear, failure to complete a driver

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improvement program, failure to pay child support, or failure to

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satisfy financial responsibility requirements, insurance

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requirements, or judgments. The program may divert the person

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from prosecution or offer a negotiated disposition to an offense

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other than the one charged. The program may be established

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within the state attorney's office or through an independent

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contractor. The use of such a diversion program shall not affect

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the authority of the state attorney to prosecute any person for

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any such violation. Exceptions to any program criteria,

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policies, or procedures shall be made solely at the discretion

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of the state attorney.

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     (2) In establishing the criteria for admission to the

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program, for the effective administration of the program, and

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for the protection of the public, the state attorney may exclude

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any applicant, including, but not limited to, an applicant:

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     (a) Who has been previously or is currently classified as

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a habitual traffic offender.

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     (b) Whose license has been previously or is currently

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permanently suspended or revoked.

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     (c) Who has any convictions or suspensions on his or her

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license for the offense of DUI or a violation of chapter 893.

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     (d) Who has been adjudicated or has had adjudication of

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guilt withheld for a felony driving or traffic offense in this

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state or any other jurisdiction.

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     (e) Who is deemed at fault by a law enforcement officer in

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a traffic crash in the instant offense.

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     (f) Who is charged with another misdemeanor or felony

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violation emanating out of the instant offense.

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     (g) Who has previously applied to, and successfully or

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unsuccessfully completed, the program or a comparable program in

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another jurisdiction.

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     (h) Who has a significant prior criminal history.

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     (3) Policies for the administration of the program should

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include provisions requiring the applicant to:

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     (a) Apply to the program within a specified period of

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time.

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     (b) Knowingly and intelligently waive his or her rights to

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speedy trial and discovery.

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     (c) Take all necessary steps to obtain a valid Florida

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driver's license, including paying or satisfying all outstanding

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citations, fines, court costs and fees, child support payments,

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and judgments, within a specified period of time.

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     (d) Attend an appropriate educational program.

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     (e) Obtain and maintain for a specified period of time

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valid motor vehicle insurance for all vehicles owned and

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operated by the applicant.

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     (f) Correct all previously cited equipment violations for

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all vehicles owned and operated by the applicant.

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     (g) Complete any driving schools required by the

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Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles or the program.

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     (h) Pay a reasonable application fee to cover the costs of

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the program.

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     (4) Polices for the administration of the program should

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include provisions that would make the applicant no longer

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eligible for successful completion of the program, including,

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but not limited to:

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     (a) Any arrest or charge for any criminal offense or any

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traffic offense that is a moving violation.

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     (b) Any failure to continue to make good faith efforts to

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comply with the requirements set forth in subsection (3).

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     (5) For the effective administration of the state

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attorney's program, the county courts and the clerks of court

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shall cooperate with the state attorney to facilitate the

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consolidation of all of an applicant's pending traffic matters

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before one judge of the county court. Additionally, in order to

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assist indigent applicants obtain a valid Florida driver's

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license, all such parties shall develop a process for the

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disposition of pending outstanding monetary obligations by

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ordering public works or community service as provided by law.

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     Section 8.  Effective October 1, 2008, section 322.341,

475

Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

476

     322.341  Driving while license permanently revoked.--Any

477

person whose driver's license or driving privilege has been

478

permanently revoked pursuant to s. 322.26 or s. 322.28 and who

479

drives a motor vehicle upon the highways of this state commits

480

is guilty of a felony of the third degree, punishable as

481

provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084, and the court

482

must order:

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     (1) Imprisonment for not less than 90 days; or

484

     (2) Imprisonment for not less than 30 days followed by a

485

minimum of 180 days of community control with electronic

486

monitoring as provided for in chapter 948 and the use of a

487

continuous alcohol monitor device.

488

     Section 9. The Department of Highway Safety and Motor

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Vehicles shall inform the motoring public of the changes to s.

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322.34, Florida Statutes, made by this act relating to

491

impoundment or immobilization of a motor vehicle being driven by

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a person whose driver license is canceled, suspended, revoked,

493

or disqualified and shall provide such information in newly

494

printed driver license educational materials after July 1, 2008,

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and in public service announcements produced in cooperation with

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the Florida Highway Patrol.

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     Section 10. During the period from July 1, 2008, to July

498

1, 2009, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles

499

shall notify by mail persons whose driver license or driving

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privilege has been canceled, suspended, revoked, or disqualified

501

of the changes to s. 322.34, Florida Statutes, made by this act

502

relating to impoundment or immobilization of a motor vehicle

503

being driven by such person; however, failure to receive such

504

notification shall not preclude, bar, or otherwise affect the

505

impoundment or immobilization of a motor vehicle under s.

506

322.34, Florida Statutes.

507

     Section 11.  Except as otherwise expressly provided in this

508

act, this act shall take effect July 1, 2008.

509

510

================ T I T L E  A M E N D M E N T ================

511

And the title is amended as follows:

512

     Delete everything before the enacting clause

513

and insert:

514

A bill to be entitled

515

An act relating to highway safety; creating the "Deputy

516

Michael Callin, Michael Haligowski, and Deputy Ryan C.

517

Seguin Memorial Traffic Safety Act"; amending s. 318.14,

518

F.S.; authorizing the court to withhold adjudication of

519

certain violations related to driving without a valid

520

license if the person cited meets certain conditions;

521

providing that the withholding of adjudication is not a

522

conviction under certain circumstances; amending s.

523

322.03, F.S.; requiring a written judgment signed by the

524

judge and recorded by the clerk for cases involving a

525

violation of requirements to possess a valid driver

526

license; amending s. 322.251, F.S.; requiring impoundment

527

and immobilization information to be included with notice

528

to a person whose driver license or driving privilege is

529

being canceled, suspended, revoked, or disqualified;

530

requiring the Department of Highway Safety and Motor

531

Vehicles to make driver license status information

532

available to the public through the Internet and a

533

telephone hotline; amending s. 322.34, F.S.; providing for

534

application of certain penalty provisions to a person who

535

does not have a valid driver license or whose driver

536

license or driving privilege has been disqualified;

537

revising penalties for driving without a valid license or

538

knowingly driving while driver license or driving

539

privilege is canceled, suspended, revoked, or disqualified

540

for specified alcohol-related or drug-related convictions

541

or refusal to submit to certain testing; revising

542

provisions for satisfaction of the element of knowledge;

543

requiring a cancellation, suspension, revocation, or

544

disqualification by the department or a uniform traffic

545

citation to contain notice that the person's driver

546

license or driving privilege has been canceled, suspended,

547

revoked, or disqualified; requiring impoundment and

548

immobilization information to be included with notice to a

549

person whose driver license or driving privilege has been

550

canceled, suspended, revoked, or disqualified; revising

551

penalty provisions for a habitual offender driving while

552

his or her license is revoked; providing that a person who

553

causes the death of or serious bodily injury to another

554

person by careless or negligent operation of a motor

555

vehicle while his or her license or driving privilege is

556

canceled, suspended, revoked, or disqualified commits a

557

felony of the third degree; requiring a written judgment

558

signed by the judge and recorded by the clerk for cases

559

involving a violation of requirements to possess a valid

560

driver license; amending s. 322.34, F.S.; requiring a law

561

enforcement officer who determines that a motor vehicle is

562

being driven by or is under the actual physical control of

563

a person whose driver license or driving privilege is

564

canceled, suspended, revoked, or disqualified to impound

565

or immobilize the motor vehicle; providing for notice to

566

the driver; providing for impoundment and immobilization

567

of the motor vehicle by the department; providing for

568

notice to registered owners of the motor vehicle and

569

lienholders; providing for the department to commence

570

impoundment or immobilization at the scene where the motor

571

vehicle was immobilized; providing procedures; providing

572

for release of the motor vehicle; requiring department

573

records to contain impoundment and immobilization

574

information; providing for payment of costs; providing for

575

certain fees and distribution of moneys collected;

576

requiring the department to authorize release of the motor

577

vehicle under certain circumstances; prohibiting operation

578

of an immobilized motor vehicle; providing for an

579

immobilized motor vehicle that is found being operated

580

upon any street or highway in this state before release

581

from immobilization to be seized and subject to forfeit;

582

authorizing the department to contract with vendors;

583

directing the department to inform the person whose driver

584

license or driving privilege has been canceled, suspended,

585

revoked, or disqualified that any motor vehicle driven by

586

or under the actual physical control of that person is

587

subject to impoundment and immobilization; requiring the

588

department to make driver license status information

589

available to the public through the Internet and a

590

telephone hotline; authorizing the department to adopt

591

rules; creating s. 322.3402, F.S.; authorizing the state

592

attorney to establish a Drive Legal program for certain

593

persons accused of a misdemeanor offense of driving while

594

license suspended to divert the person from prosecution or

595

offer a negotiated disposition; providing for exceptions

596

to be made by the state attorney; providing for criteria

597

for admission to the program; providing for program

598

administration policies; requiring county courts and

599

clerks of court to cooperate with the state attorney to

600

consolidate an applicant's pending traffic matters and to

601

assist indigent applicants obtain a valid Florida driver's

602

license by disposing of outstanding monetary obligations

603

by ordering public works or community service; amending s.

604

322.341, F.S.; revising penalty provisions for a person

605

who drives a motor vehicle when his or her driver license

606

has been permanently revoked; directing the department to

607

inform drivers whose license or driving privilege has been

608

canceled, suspended, revoked, or disqualified and the

609

motoring public of the provisions for impoundment and

610

immobilization of motor vehicles under this act; providing

611

effective dates.

3/3/2008  12:23:00 PM     596-04344A-08

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