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The Florida Senate

2011 Florida Statutes

Title XXXIII REGULATION OF TRADE, COMMERCE, INVESTMENTS, AND SOLICITATIONS
Chapter 531
WEIGHTS, MEASURES, AND STANDARDS
CHAPTER 531
CHAPTER 531
WEIGHTS, MEASURES, AND STANDARDS
531.36 Title.
531.37 Definitions.
531.38 Systems of weights and measures.
531.39 State standards.
531.40 Technical requirements for commercial devices.
531.41 Powers and duties of the department.
531.415 Fees.
531.42 Special police powers.
531.421 Powers and duties of local officials.
531.43 Misrepresentation of quantity.
531.44 Misrepresentation of pricing; verification procedures.
531.45 Method of sale.
531.46 Bulk sale.
531.47 Information required on packages.
531.48 Declarations of unit price on random packages.
531.49 Advertising packages for sale.
531.50 Administrative fine, penalties, and offenses.
531.51 Injunction.
531.52 Presumptive evidence.
531.53 Regulations to be unaffected by repeal of prior enabling statute.
531.60 Permit for commercially operated or tested weights or measures instrument or devices.
531.61 Exemptions from permit requirement.
531.62 Permit application and renewal.
531.63 Maximum permit fees.
531.64 Suspension and revocation of permits.
531.65 Unauthorized use; penalties.
531.66 Forms; rules.
531.36 Title.—This act may be cited as the “Weights and Measures Act of 1971.”
History.—s. 1, ch. 72-101.
531.37 Definitions.—As used in this chapter:
(1) “Weights and measures” means all weights and measures of every kind, instruments, and devices for weighing and measuring, and any appliance and accessories associated with any or all such instruments and devices.
(2) “Weight” in connection with any commodity means net weight.
(3) “Correct” in connection with weights and measures means conformance to all applicable requirements of this chapter.
(4) “Primary standards” means the physical standards of the state which serve as the legal reference from which all other standards, weights, and measures are derived.
(5) “Secondary standards” means the physical standards which are traceable to the primary standards through comparisons, using acceptable laboratory procedures.
(6) “Department” means the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
(7) “Person” includes both plural and singular, as the case demands, and includes individuals, partnerships, corporations, companies, societies, and associations.
(8) “Sale from bulk” means the sale of commodities when the quantity is determined at the time of sale.
(9) “Package” means any container or wrapping in which any commodity is enclosed for use in the delivery or display of that commodity to purchasers.
History.—s. 1, ch. 72-101.
531.38 Systems of weights and measures.—The system of weights and measures in customary use in the United States and the metric system of weights and measures are jointly recognized, and either one or both of these systems shall be used for all commercial purposes in this state. The definitions of basic units of weight and measure, the tables of weight and measure, and weight and measure equivalents as published by the National Institute of Standards and Technology are recognized and shall govern weighing and measuring equipment and transactions in the state.
History.—s. 1, ch. 72-101; s. 6, ch. 90-320.
531.39 State standards.—Weights and measures that are traceable to the United States prototype standards supplied by the Federal Government, or approved as being satisfactory by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, shall be the state primary standards of weights and measures, and shall be maintained in such calibration as prescribed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology. In addition, there shall be provided by the state such secondary standards as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter. The secondary standards shall be verified upon their initial receipt and as often thereafter as deemed necessary by the department.
History.—s. 1, ch. 72-101; s. 7, ch. 90-320; s. 11, ch. 2005-210.
531.40 Technical requirements for commercial devices.—The specifications, tolerances, and other technical requirements for commercial weighing and measuring devices, as determined by regulations adopted by the department, which regulations shall afford the greatest degree of protection to the public, shall conform to those adopted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology to the extent possible. The department, notwithstanding the provisions of chapter 120, shall have the power to adopt by reference in a regulation or regulations adopted by it the specifications, tolerances, and technical requirements approved by the National Conference on Weights and Measures and published in Handbook 44 of the National Institute of Standards and Technology. The department may, from time to time, adopt such regulations as may be necessary to conform the state standards to those of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, which may be adopted by reference to supplements to, or revisions of, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Handbook 44.
History.—s. 1, ch. 72-101; s. 8, ch. 90-320.
531.41 Powers and duties of the department.—The department shall:
(1) Maintain traceability of the state standards to the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
(2) Enforce the provisions of this chapter.
(3) Adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to implement the provisions of this chapter.
(4) Establish, by rule, standards of weight, measure, or count and reasonable standards of fill for any commodity in package form, as necessary.
(5) Make, by rule, any exemptions from the provisions of this chapter when appropriate to the maintenance of good commercial practices within this state.
(6) Conduct investigations necessary to ensure compliance with this chapter.
(7) Delegate to appropriate personnel all duties and responsibilities necessary for the proper administration of this chapter.
(8) Test annually the standards of weight and measure used by any city or county and approve the same when found to be correct and reject same when found to be incorrect.
(9) Have the authority to inspect and test all weights and measures kept or offered or exposed for sale.
(10) Inspect and test, to ascertain if they are correct, all weights and measures commercially used:
(a) In determining the weight, measure, or count of commodities or things sold or offered or exposed for sale, on the basis of weight, measure, or count; or
(b) In computing the basic charge or payment for services rendered on the basis of weight, measure or count.

In compliance with rules of the department, tests may be made on representative samples of such devices, and the lots of which samples are representative shall be held to be correct or incorrect on the basis of the results of the inspection and tests of such samples.

(11) Test all weights and measures used in checking the receipt or disbursement of supplies in every institution for the maintenance of which funds are appropriated by the Legislature of this state.
(12) Approve for use, and mark, the weights and measures it finds to be correct, and reject and order to be corrected the weights and measures it finds to be incorrect. Weights and measures that have been rejected may be seized if not corrected within the timeframe as determined by departmental rule, or if used or disposed of in a manner not specifically authorized by the department. The department shall condemn, and may seize, weights and measures found to be incorrect that are not capable of being made correct.
(13) Weigh, measure, or inspect packaged commodities kept or offered or exposed for sale, sold, or in the process of delivery, to determine whether they contain the amounts represented and whether they are kept or offered or exposed for sale in accordance with this chapter or the rules adopted pursuant thereto. In carrying out the provisions of this subsection, the department may employ recognized sampling procedures that are designated in the National Institute of Standards and Technology Handbook 133, “Checking the Net Contents of Packaged Goods.”
(14) Prescribe, by rule, the appropriate term or unit of weight or measure to be used, whenever it determines in the case of a specific commodity that an existing practice of declaring net quantity of contents by weight, measure, numerical count, or combination thereof does not facilitate value comparisons by consumers or offers an opportunity for consumer confusion.
(15) Inspect and test every grain moisture measuring device used to determine the moisture of corn, soybeans, and grains offered for sale, sold, purchased, or in the process of being purchased. The department shall also have authority to establish tolerances and specifications for the accuracy and condition of these devices.
(16) Provide by rule for the voluntary registration with the department of private weighing and measuring device service agencies or personnel. Such rule shall grant private agencies and personnel that meet all registration requirements and maintain current registered status with the department the authority to place devices that meet all state requirements into commercial service until such time as the devices can be inspected and tested as provided for in subsection (10), provided such devices are reported to the department as prescribed by the rule.

The provisions of this chapter and rules adopted thereunder notwithstanding, scales routinely used by providers of weight control services shall not be considered commercial weights and measures when used to determine human weight or to compute charges or payments for services rendered by such providers on the basis of said weight, measure, or count.

History.—s. 1, ch. 72-101; s. 1, ch. 77-217; s. 9, ch. 90-320; s. 3, ch. 91-275; s. 10, ch. 91-294; s. 81, ch. 92-291; s. 182, ch. 98-200; s. 22, ch. 2000-308.
531.415 Fees.—
(1) The department shall charge and collect the following fees for actual metrology laboratory calibration and testing services rendered:
(a) For each mass standard that is tested or certified to meet tolerances less stringent than American National Standards Institute/American Society for Testing and Materials (ANSI/ASTM) Standard E617 Class 4, the department shall charge a fee of not more than:

Weight     Fee/Unit

0 - 2 lb.     $6

3 - 10 lb.     $8

11 - 50 lb.     $12

51 - 500 lb.     $20

501 - 1000 lb.     $30

1001 - 2500 lb.     $40

2501 - 5000 lb.     $50

(b) For each mass standard that is tested or certified to meet ANSI/ASTM Standard Class 4 or National Institute of Standards and Technology Class P tolerances, the department shall charge a fee of not more than:

Weight     Fee/Unit

0 - 10 lb.     $20

11 - 50 lb.     $30

51 - 500 lb.     $40

501 - 1000 lb.     $50

1001 - 2500 lb.     $60

2501 - 5000 lb.     $75

(c) For each mass standard that is calibrated to determine actual mass or apparent mass values, the department shall charge a fee of not more than:

Weight     Fee/Unit

0 - 20 lb.     $40

21 - 50 lb.     $50

51 - 1000 lb.     $70

1001 - 2500 lb.     $150

2501 - 5000 lb.     $250

(d) For each volumetric flask, graduate, or test measure, the department shall charge a fee of not more than:

Vessel     Fee/Test Point

0 - 5 gal.     $35

Over 5 gal.     Plus $0.75 for each additional gallon

(e) For each linear measure that is tested or certified, the department shall charge a fee of not more than $75.
(f) For each linear measure that is calibrated to determine actual values, the department shall charge a fee of not more than $100.
(g) For each liquid-in-glass or electronic thermometer that is tested or certified, the department shall charge a fee of not more than $50.
(h) For each liquid-in-glass or electronic thermometer that is calibrated to determine actual values, the department shall charge a fee of not more than $100.
(i) For each special test or special preparation, the department shall charge a fee of not more than $50 per hour.
(2) Each fee is payable to the department at the time the testing is done, regardless of whether the item tested is certified. The department may refuse to accept for testing any item deemed by the department to be unsuitable for its intended use. The department shall deposit all fees collected under this section into the General Inspection Trust Fund.
(3) Any petroleum product taxed under s. 525.09 and any petroleum equipment owned by a person licensed pursuant to chapter 206 is exempt from the fees established in this section.
History.—s. 5, ch. 93-142; s. 152, ch. 2010-102.
531.42 Special police powers.—With respect to the enforcement of this chapter and rules pursuant thereto, the department is:
(1) Empowered to seize, for use as evidence, without formal warrant, any incorrect or unapproved weight, measure, package, or commodity found to be used, retained, offered, or exposed for sale, or sold in violation of the provisions of this chapter or rules adopted pursuant thereto.
(2) Authorized to enter any commercial premises during normal business hours for the purpose of performing its duties.
(a) In the event that such premises, or part thereof, are not open to the public, the representative of the department shall first present his or her credentials before seeking entry thereto.
(b) Any person refusing authorized entry is in violation of this chapter and shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.083. Such fine shall not be construed to be an elected alternative negating the authority to enter the establishment.
(c) In the event that such entry is denied, the representative of the department may apply for a search warrant from any person authorized to issue the same.
(3) On probable cause of violation of this chapter, empowered to stop any commercial vehicle, and the representative of the department may, after presentment of his or her credentials, inspect the contents, require that the person in charge of that vehicle produce any documents in that person’s possession concerning the contents, and require him or her to proceed with the vehicle to some specified place for inspection. Any person refusing such inspection or failing to comply with any proper instructions is in violation of this chapter and shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.083. Such fine shall not be construed to be an elected alternative negating the authority to stop the vehicle, inspect the contents, or order that it be taken to a specified place.
(4) Empowered to issue stop-use, hold, and removal orders with respect to any weights and measures commercially used, and stop-sale, hold, and removal orders with respect to any packaged commodities or bulk commodities kept or offered or exposed for sale.
History.—ss. 1, 1A, ch. 72-101; s. 729, ch. 97-103.
531.421 Powers and duties of local officials.—Any weights and measures official appointed for a county or city may exercise, in cooperation with the state, the duties enumerated in s. 531.41(9)-(13) and the powers enumerated in s. 531.42. These powers and duties shall extend to their respective jurisdictions, except that the jurisdiction of a county official shall not extend to any city for which a weights and measures official has been appointed.
History.—s. 1, ch. 72-101.
531.43 Misrepresentation of quantity.—No person shall sell or offer or expose for sale less than the quantity he or she represents, nor take any more than the quantity he or she represents, when, as buyer, the person furnishes the weight or measure by means of which the quantity is determined.
History.—s. 1, ch. 72-101; s. 730, ch. 97-103.
531.44 Misrepresentation of pricing; verification procedures.—
(1) No person shall misrepresent the price of any commodity or service sold or offered, exposed, or advertised for sale by weight, measure, or count, nor represent the price in any manner calculated or tending to mislead or in any way deceive a person. Whenever an advertised, posted, or labeled price per unit of weight, measure, or count includes a fraction of a cent, all elements of a fraction shall be prominently displayed, and the numeral or numerals expressing the fraction shall be immediately adjacent to, of the same general design and style as, and at least one-half the height and width of, the numerals representing the whole cent.
(2) The department may adopt, by rule, sampling procedures for determining acceptable pricing practices. Sampling procedures for determining acceptable pricing practices may include, but are not limited to, those procedures adopted by the National Conference on Weights and Measures.
History.—s. 1, ch. 72-101; s. 27, ch. 97-220.
531.45 Method of sale.—Except as otherwise provided by rule of the department, commodities in liquid form shall be sold by liquid measure or by weight, and commodities not in liquid form shall be sold only by weight, by area or volume measure, or by count, so long as the method of sale provides accurate quantity information.
History.—s. 1, ch. 72-101.
531.46 Bulk sale.—Bulk sales in excess of $20 shall be accompanied by a delivery ticket containing the following information:
(1) The name and address of the vendor and purchaser;
(2) The date delivered;
(3) The net quantity delivered and the net quantity upon which the price is based, if this differs from the delivered quantity;
(4) The identity of commodity in the most descriptive terms commercially practicable including any quality representation made in connection with the sale; and
(5) The count of individually wrapped packages, if there are more than one of such packages.
History.—s. 1, ch. 72-101.
531.47 Information required on packages.—Except as otherwise provided in this chapter or by rules adopted pursuant thereto, any package kept for the purpose of sale or offered or exposed for sale shall bear on the outside of the package a definite, plain, and conspicuous declaration of:
(1) The identity of the commodity in the package, unless the same can easily be identified through the wrapper or container.
(2) The net quantity of contents in terms of weight, measure, or count.
(3) The name and place of business of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor, in the case of any package kept or offered or exposed for sale or sold in any place other than on the premises where packed.
History.—s. 1, ch. 72-101; s. 12, ch. 2005-210.
531.48 Declarations of unit price on random packages.—In addition to the declarations required by s. 531.47, any package being one of a lot containing random weights of the same commodity and bearing the total selling price of the package shall bear on the outside of the package a plain and conspicuous declaration of the price per single unit of weight.
History.—s. 1, ch. 72-101.
531.49 Advertising packages for sale.—Whenever a packaged commodity is advertised in any manner with the retail price stated, there shall be closely and conspicuously associated with the retail price a declaration of quantity as is required by law or rule to appear on the package.
History.—s. 1, ch. 72-101; s. 13, ch. 2005-210.
531.50 Administrative fine, penalties, and offenses.—
(1) The department may enter an order imposing one or more of the following penalties against any person who violates any provision of this chapter or rule adopted under this chapter or impedes, obstructs, or hinders the department in the performance of its duties in connection with the provisions of this chapter:
(a) Issuance of a warning letter or notice.
(b) Imposition of an administrative fine of:
1. Up to $1,000 for a first violation;
2. Up to $2,500 for a second violation within 2 years after the first violation; or
3. Up to $5,000 for a third violation within 2 years after the first violation.

When imposing any fine under this section, the department shall consider the degree and extent of potential harm caused by the violation, the amount of money by which the violator benefited from noncompliance, whether the violation was committed willfully, and the compliance record of the violator. All fines, monetary penalties, and costs received by the department shall be deposited in the General Inspection Trust Fund for the purpose of administering the provisions of this chapter.

(2) Any person who willfully and knowingly violates any provision of this chapter or rule adopted by the department pursuant to this chapter commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. Upon a subsequent conviction, a person commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
(3) No person shall:
(a) Use, or have in possession for use, in commerce any weight or measure not approved or corrected as provided in s. 531.41(12).
(b) Use or dispose of any rejected or condemned weight or measure without specific authorization from the rejecting authority.
(c) Remove any mark of rejection from a rejected weight or measure without specific authorization from the rejecting authority.
History.—ss. 1, 1A, ch. 72-101; s. 731, ch. 97-103; s. 28, ch. 97-220.
531.51 Injunction.—The department is authorized, without bond, to apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for a temporary or permanent injunction restraining any person from violating any provision of this chapter.
History.—s. 1, ch. 72-101.
531.52 Presumptive evidence.—Whenever there shall exist a weight or measure or weighing or measuring device in or about any place in which or from which buying or selling is commonly carried on, there shall be a rebuttable presumption that such weight or measure or weighing or measuring device is regularly used for the business purposes of that place.
History.—s. 1, ch. 72-101.
531.53 Regulations to be unaffected by repeal of prior enabling statute.—The enactment of this chapter or any of its provisions shall not affect any rule adopted pursuant to the authority of any earlier enabling statute unless inconsistent with this chapter or modified or revoked by rule of the department.
History.—s. 1, ch. 72-101.
1531.60 Permit for commercially operated or tested weights or measures instrument or devices.—
(1) A weights and measures instrument or device may not operate or be used for commercial purposes, as defined by department rule, within this state without a valid commercial use permit issued by the department, unless exempted as provided in s. 531.61. Such permit applies only to the specific instrument or device for which the permit was issued. However, the department may allow such permit to be applicable to a replacement for the original instrument or device.
(2) If ownership of an instrument or device for which a permit has been issued changes and the instrument or device:
(a) Remains in the same location, the permit transfers to the new owner and remains in effect until its original expiration date. Within 30 days after the change in ownership, the new owner shall notify the department of the change and provide the pertinent information regarding the change in ownership and an updated replacement permit shall be issued if needed.
(b) Moves to a new location, the permit automatically expires and a new permit must be issued which will expire 1 year following the date of issuance.
(3) Weights and measures instruments or devices that are not used commercially may be tested by the department under this chapter only if they are permitted and appropriate fees paid as prescribed by this section and adopted rules.
History.—ss. 33, 40, ch. 2009-66.
1Note.—Repealed July 1, 2014, by s. 40, ch. 2009-66.
1531.61 Exemptions from permit requirement.—Commercial weights or measures instruments or devices are exempt from the permit requirements of ss. 531.60-531.66 if:
(1) The device is a taximeter that is licensed, permitted, or registered by a municipality, county, or other local government and is tested for accuracy and compliance with state standards by the local government in cooperation with the state as authorized in s. 531.421.
(2) The device is used exclusively for weighing railroad cars and is tested for accuracy and compliance with state standards by a private testing agency.
(3) The device is used exclusively for measuring petroleum products taxed under s. 525.09.
History.—ss. 34, 40, ch. 2009-66.
1Note.—Repealed July 1, 2014, by s. 40, ch. 2009-66.
1531.62 Permit application and renewal.—
(1) An application for a weights and measures commercial use permit shall be submitted to the department on a form prescribed and furnished by the department and must contain such information as the department may require by rule.
(2) The application must be accompanied by a fee in an amount determined by department rule. However, the fee for each instrument or device may not exceed the maximum limits set forth in s. 531.63.
(3) The department shall issue a permit and such other identification tags or stickers as necessary to provide evidence of compliance with ss. 531.60-531.66.
(4) A permit expires 1 year following its date of issue and must be renewed annually. If an application for renewal is not received by the department within 30 days after its due date, a late fee of up to $100 must be paid in addition to the annual commercial use permit fee.
(5) All permit fees shall be deposited into the General Inspection Trust Fund and used to carry out and enforce the provisions of this chapter relating to testing, inspection, licensing, and regulation of commercial weights and measures instruments or devices and practices in the state.
History.—ss. 35, 40, ch. 2009-66.
1Note.—Repealed July 1, 2014, by s. 40, ch. 2009-66.
1531.63 Maximum permit fees.—The commercial use permit fees established for weights or measures instruments or devices shall be in an amount necessary to administer this chapter but may not exceed the amounts provided in this section.
(1) For weighing devices, the fees must be based on the manufacturer’s rated capacity or the device’s design and use and whether measuring by inch or pounds or the metric equivalent:
(a) For weighing devices of up to and including the 100-pound capacity which are used during any portion of the period covered by the permit, the maximum annual fees per retail establishment may not exceed the following:

Number of devices
in a single retail
establishment     Maximum Fee

1 to 5     $60

6 to 10     $150

11 to 30     $200

More than 30     $300

(b) For weighing devices of greater than the 100-pound capacity, the maximum annual registration fees may not exceed the following amounts per device:

Manufacturer’s rated
capacity     Maximum Fee Per Device

100-5,000 pounds     $200

5,000-20,000 pounds     $300

20,000 pounds or more     $400

Wheel load weighers     $35

Static railroad track scales     $1,000

Belt-conveyor scales     $500

In-motion railroad track scales     $1,000

(2) For other measuring devices, the annual permit fees per device may not exceed the following:
(a) Mass flow meters having a maximum flow rate of up to 150 pounds per minute..........$100.
(b) Mass flow meters having a maximum flow rate greater than 150 pounds per minute..........$500.
(c) Volumetric flow meters having a maximum flow rate of up to 20 gallons per minute..........$50.
(d) Volumetric flow meters having a maximum flow rate greater than 20 gallons per minute..........$100.
(e) Tanks, under 500 gallons capacity, used as measure containers, with or without gage rods or markers..........$100.
(f) Tanks, 500 or more gallons capacity, used as measure containers, with or without gage rods or markers..........$200.
(g) Taximeters..........$50.
(h) Grain moisture meters..........$25.
(i) Multiple-dimension measuring
devices..........$100.
(3) The owner or person in possession of a weight or measures instrument or device for which the permit fees have not been paid in accordance with this section may not use such instrument or device for commercial purposes.
History.—ss. 36, 40, ch. 2009-66.
1Note.—Repealed July 1, 2014, by s. 40, ch. 2009-66.
1531.64 Suspension and revocation of permits.—Any permit issued under s. 531.62 may be suspended or revoked by the department if the devices or instruments for which the permit is issued are operated or used contrary to this chapter or adopted rules.
History.—ss. 37, 40, ch. 2009-66.
1Note.—Repealed July 1, 2014, by s. 40, ch. 2009-66.
1531.65 Unauthorized use; penalties.—If a weights or measures instrument or device is used commercially without a valid commercial use permit, the department may:
(1) Prohibit the further commercial use of the unpermitted instrument or device until the proper permit has been issued;
(2) Employ and attach to the instrument or device such form, notice, tag, or seal to prevent the continued unauthorized use of the instrument or device;
(3) In addition to the permit fees prescribed by rule for the commercial use of a weights and measures instrument or device, assess the late fee authorized under s. 531.62; or
(4) Impose penalties as prescribed in s. 531.50 in addition to the payment of appropriate permit fees for the commercial use of a weights and measures instrument or device.
History.—ss. 38, 40, ch. 2009-66.
1Note.—Repealed July 1, 2014, by s. 40, ch. 2009-66.
1531.66 Forms; rules.—
(1) The department shall prescribe such forms, permits, certificates, and identification tags or stickers it considers necessary to carry out the permitting provisions of ss. 531.60-531.66.
(2) The department shall adopt rules necessary to administer ss. 531.60-531.66.
History.—ss. 39, 40, ch. 2009-66.
1Note.—Repealed July 1, 2014, by s. 40, ch. 2009-66.