Senate Bill 2142c1

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    Florida Senate - 1999                           CS for SB 2142

    By the Committee on Governmental Oversight and Productivity;
    and Senator Webster




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  1                      A bill to be entitled

  2         An act relating to the Secretary of State;

  3         amending s. 15.01, F.S.; clarifying the

  4         location of the Secretary's office;

  5         establishing office hours; transferring the

  6         Division of Licensing of the Department of

  7         State to the Department of Business and

  8         Professional Regulation; transferring concealed

  9         weapons permitting to the Department of

10         Business and Professional Regulation;

11         transferring games promotions to the Department

12         of Agriculture and Consumer Services; amending

13         ss. 20.10, 493.6101, 790.06, 849.094, F.S., to

14         conform to changes made by this act; providing

15         an effective date.

16

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

18

19         Section 1.  Section 15.01, Florida Statutes, is amended

20  to read:

21         15.01  Residence, office, and duties.--The Secretary of

22  State shall reside at the seat of government of this state and

23  shall have her or his office in the Capitol and perform the

24  duties prescribed by the State Constitution. The Secretary of

25  State's office shall be open Monday through Friday of every

26  week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., except on legal holidays. The

27  Department of State shall have the custody of the constitution

28  and Great Seal of this state, and of the original statutes

29  thereof, and of the resolutions of the Legislature, and of all

30  the official correspondence of the Governor.  The department

31  shall keep in its office a register and an index of all

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  1  official letters, orders, communications, messages, documents,

  2  and other official acts issued or received by the Governor or

  3  the Secretary of State, and record these in a book numbered in

  4  chronological order.  The Governor, before issuing any order

  5  or transmission of any official letter, communication, or

  6  document from the executive office or promulgation of any

  7  official act or proceeding, except military orders, shall

  8  deliver the same or a copy thereof to the Department of State

  9  to be recorded.

10         Section 2.  The Division of Licensing of the Department

11  of State is transferred by a type two transfer, as defined in

12  section 20.06, Florida Statutes, to the Department of Business

13  and Professional Regulation.

14         Section 3.  Section 20.10, Florida Statutes, is amended

15  to read:

16         20.10  Department of State.--There is created a

17  Department of State.

18         (1)  The head of the Department of State is the

19  Secretary of State.

20         (2)  The following divisions of the Department of State

21  are established:

22         (a)  Division of Elections.

23         (b)  Division of Historical Resources.

24         (c)  Division of Corporations.

25         (d)  Division of Library and Information Services.

26         (e)  Division of Licensing.

27         (e)(f)  Division of Cultural Affairs.

28         (f)(g)  Division of Administration.

29         Section 4.  Subsection (1) of section 493.6101, Florida

30  Statutes, is amended to read:

31         493.6101  Definitions.--

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  1         (1)  "Department" means the Department of Business and

  2  Professional Regulation State.

  3         Section 5.  Section 790.06, Florida Statutes, 1998

  4  Supplement, is amended to read:

  5         790.06  License to carry concealed weapon or firearm.--

  6         (1)  The Department of Business and Professional

  7  Regulation State is authorized to issue licenses to carry

  8  concealed weapons or concealed firearms to persons qualified

  9  as provided in this section.  Each such license must bear a

10  color photograph of the licensee. For the purposes of this

11  section, concealed weapons or concealed firearms are defined

12  as a handgun, electronic weapon or device, tear gas gun,

13  knife, or billie, but the term does not include a machine gun

14  as defined in s. 790.001(9).  Such licenses shall be valid

15  throughout the state for a period of 5 years from the date of

16  issuance.  Any person in compliance with the terms of such

17  license may carry a concealed weapon or concealed firearm

18  notwithstanding the provisions of s. 790.01.  The licensee

19  must carry the license, together with valid identification, at

20  all times in which the licensee is in actual possession of a

21  concealed weapon or firearm and must display both the license

22  and proper identification upon demand by a law enforcement

23  officer. Violations of the provisions of this subsection shall

24  constitute a noncriminal violation with a penalty of $25,

25  payable to the clerk of the court.

26         (2)  The Department of Business and Professional

27  Regulation State shall issue a license if the applicant:

28         (a)  Is a resident of the United States or is a

29  consular security official of a foreign government that

30  maintains diplomatic relations and treaties of commerce,

31  friendship, and navigation with the United States and is

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  1  certified as such by the foreign government and by the

  2  appropriate embassy in this country;

  3         (b)  Is 21 years of age or older;

  4         (c)  Does not suffer from a physical infirmity which

  5  prevents the safe handling of a weapon or firearm;

  6         (d)  Is not ineligible to possess a firearm pursuant to

  7  s. 790.23 by virtue of having been convicted of a felony;

  8         (e)  Has not been committed for the abuse of a

  9  controlled substance or been found guilty of a crime under the

10  provisions of chapter 893 or similar laws of any other state

11  relating to controlled substances within a 3-year period

12  immediately preceding the date on which the application is

13  submitted;

14         (f)  Does not chronically and habitually use alcoholic

15  beverages or other substances to the extent that his or her

16  normal faculties are impaired. It shall be presumed that an

17  applicant chronically and habitually uses alcoholic beverages

18  or other substances to the extent that his or her normal

19  faculties are impaired if the applicant has been committed

20  under chapter 397 or under the provisions of former chapter

21  396 or has been convicted under s. 790.151 or has been deemed

22  a habitual offender under s. 856.011(3), or has had two or

23  more convictions under s. 316.193 or similar laws of any other

24  state, within the 3-year period immediately preceding the date

25  on which the application is submitted;

26         (g)  Desires a legal means to carry a concealed weapon

27  or firearm for lawful self-defense;

28         (h)  Demonstrates competence with a firearm by any one

29  of the following:

30

31

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  1         1.  Completion of any hunter education or hunter safety

  2  course approved by the Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission or

  3  a similar agency of another state;

  4         2.  Completion of any National Rifle Association

  5  firearms safety or training course;

  6         3.  Completion of any firearms safety or training

  7  course or class available to the general public offered by a

  8  law enforcement, junior college, college, or private or public

  9  institution or organization or firearms training school,

10  utilizing instructors certified by the National Rifle

11  Association, Criminal Justice Standards and Training

12  Commission, or the Department of State;

13         4.  Completion of any law enforcement firearms safety

14  or training course or class offered for security guards,

15  investigators, special deputies, or any division or

16  subdivision of law enforcement or security enforcement;

17         5.  Presents evidence of equivalent experience with a

18  firearm through participation in organized shooting

19  competition or military service;

20         6.  Is licensed or has been licensed to carry a firearm

21  in this state or a county or municipality of this state,

22  unless such license has been revoked for cause; or

23         7.  Completion of any firearms training or safety

24  course or class conducted by a state-certified or National

25  Rifle Association certified firearms instructor;

26

27  A photocopy of a certificate of completion of any of the

28  courses or classes; or an affidavit from the instructor,

29  school, club, organization, or group that conducted or taught

30  said course or class attesting to the completion of the course

31  or class by the applicant; or a copy of any document which

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  1  shows completion of the course or class or evidences

  2  participation in firearms competition shall constitute

  3  evidence of qualification under this paragraph; any person who

  4  conducts a course pursuant to subparagraph 2., subparagraph

  5  3., or subparagraph 7., or who, as an instructor, attests to

  6  the completion of such courses, must maintain records

  7  certifying that he or she observed the student safely handle

  8  and discharge the firearm;

  9         (i)  Has not been adjudicated an incapacitated person

10  under s. 744.331, or similar laws of any other state, unless 5

11  years have elapsed since the applicant's restoration to

12  capacity by court order;

13         (j)  Has not been committed to a mental institution

14  under chapter 394, or similar laws of any other state, unless

15  the applicant produces a certificate from a licensed

16  psychiatrist that he or she has not suffered from disability

17  for at least 5 years prior to the date of submission of the

18  application;

19         (k)  Has not had adjudication of guilt withheld or

20  imposition of sentence suspended on any felony or misdemeanor

21  crime of domestic violence unless 3 years have elapsed since

22  probation or any other conditions set by the court have been

23  fulfilled, or the record has been sealed or expunged; and

24         (l)  Has not been issued an injunction that is

25  currently in force and effect and that restrains the applicant

26  from committing acts of domestic violence or acts of repeat

27  violence.

28         (3)  The Department of Business and Professional

29  Regulation State shall deny a license if the applicant has

30  been found guilty of, had adjudication of guilt withheld for,

31  or had imposition of sentence suspended for one or more crimes

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  1  of violence constituting a misdemeanor, unless 3 years have

  2  elapsed since probation or any other conditions set by the

  3  court have been fulfilled or the record has been sealed or

  4  expunged. The Department of Business and Professional

  5  Regulation State shall revoke a license if the licensee has

  6  been found guilty of, had adjudication of guilt withheld for,

  7  or had imposition of sentence suspended for one or more crimes

  8  of violence within the preceding 3 years.  The department

  9  shall, upon notification by a law enforcement agency, a court,

10  or the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and subsequent

11  written verification, suspend a license or the processing of

12  an application for a license if the licensee or applicant is

13  arrested or formally charged with a crime that would

14  disqualify such person from having a license under this

15  section, until final disposition of the case. The department

16  shall suspend a license or the processing of an application

17  for a license if the licensee or applicant is issued an

18  injunction that restrains the licensee or applicant from

19  committing acts of domestic violence or acts of repeat

20  violence.

21         (4)  The application shall be completed, under oath, on

22  a form promulgated by the Department of Business and

23  Professional Regulation State and shall include:

24         (a)  The name, address, place and date of birth, race,

25  and occupation of the applicant;

26         (b)  A statement that the applicant is in compliance

27  with criteria contained within subsections (2) and (3);

28         (c)  A statement that the applicant has been furnished

29  a copy of this chapter and is knowledgeable of its provisions;

30         (d)  A conspicuous warning that the application is

31  executed under oath and that a false answer to any question,

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  1  or the submission of any false document by the applicant,

  2  subjects the applicant to criminal prosecution under s.

  3  837.06; and

  4         (e)  A statement that the applicant desires a concealed

  5  weapon or firearms license as a means of lawful self-defense.

  6         (5)  The applicant shall submit to the Department of

  7  Business and Professional Regulation State:

  8         (a)  A completed application as described in subsection

  9  (4).

10         (b)  A nonrefundable license fee not to exceed $85, if

11  he or she has not previously been issued a statewide license,

12  or a nonrefundable license fee not to exceed $70 for renewal

13  of a statewide license. Costs for processing the set of

14  fingerprints as required in paragraph (c) shall be borne by

15  the applicant. However, an individual holding an active

16  certification from the Criminal Justice Standards and Training

17  Commission as a "law enforcement officer," "correctional

18  officer," or "correctional probation officer" as defined in s.

19  943.10(1), (2), (3), (6), (7), (8), or (9) is exempt from the

20  licensing requirements of this section.  If any individual

21  holding an active certification from the Criminal Justice

22  Standards and Training Commission as a "law enforcement

23  officer," a "correctional officer," or a "correctional

24  probation officer" as defined in s.  943.10(1), (2), (3), (6),

25  (7), (8), or (9) wishes to receive a concealed weapons or

26  firearms license, such person is exempt from the background

27  investigation and all background investigation fees, but shall

28  pay the current license fees regularly required to be paid by

29  nonexempt applicants. Further, a law enforcement officer, a

30  correctional officer, or a correctional probation officer as

31  defined in s. 943.10(1), (2), or (3) is exempt from the

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  1  required fees and background investigation for a period of 1

  2  year subsequent to the date of retirement of said officer as a

  3  law enforcement officer, a correctional officer, or a

  4  correctional probation officer.

  5         (c)  A full set of fingerprints of the applicant

  6  administered by a law enforcement agency.

  7         (d)  A photocopy of a certificate or an affidavit or

  8  document as described in paragraph (2)(h).

  9         (e)  A full frontal view color photograph of the

10  applicant taken within the preceding 30 days, in which the

11  head, including hair, measures  7/8  of an inch wide and 1 1/8

12   inches high.

13         (6)(a)  The Department of Business and Professional

14  Regulation State, upon receipt of the items listed in

15  subsection (5), shall forward the full set of fingerprints of

16  the applicant to the Department of Law Enforcement for state

17  and federal processing, provided the federal service is

18  available, to be processed for any criminal justice

19  information as defined in s. 943.045. The cost of processing

20  such fingerprints shall be payable to the Department of Law

21  Enforcement by the Department of Business and Professional

22  Regulation.

23         (b)  The sheriff's office shall provide fingerprinting

24  service if requested by the applicant and may charge a fee not

25  to exceed $5 for this service.

26         (c)  The Department of Business and Professional

27  Regulation State shall, within 90 days after the date of

28  receipt of the items listed in subsection (5):

29         1.  Issue the license; or

30         2.  Deny the application based solely on the ground

31  that the applicant fails to qualify under the criteria listed

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  1  in subsection (2) or subsection (3).  If the Department of

  2  Business and Professional Regulation State denies the

  3  application, it shall notify the applicant in writing, stating

  4  the ground for denial and informing the applicant of any right

  5  to a hearing pursuant to chapter 120.

  6         3.  In the event the department receives criminal

  7  history information with no final disposition on a crime which

  8  may disqualify the applicant, the time limitation prescribed

  9  by this paragraph may be suspended until receipt of the final

10  disposition or proof of restoration of civil and firearm

11  rights.

12         (d)  In the event a legible set of fingerprints, as

13  determined by the Department of Business and Professional

14  Regulation State or the Federal Bureau of Investigation,

15  cannot be obtained after two attempts, the Department of

16  Business and Professional Regulation State shall determine

17  eligibility based upon the name checks conducted by the

18  Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

19         (e)  A consular security official of a foreign

20  government that maintains diplomatic relations and treaties of

21  commerce, friendship, and navigation with the United States

22  and is certified as such by the foreign government and by the

23  appropriate embassy in this country must be issued a license

24  within 20 days after the date of the receipt of a completed

25  application, certification document, color photograph as

26  specified in paragraph (5)(e), and a nonrefundable license fee

27  of $300. Consular security official licenses shall be valid

28  for 1 year and may be renewed upon completion of the

29  application process as provided in this section.

30         (7)  The Department of Business and Professional

31  Regulation State shall maintain an automated listing of

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  1  licenseholders and pertinent information, and such information

  2  shall be available on-line, upon request, at all times to all

  3  law enforcement agencies through the Florida Crime Information

  4  Center.

  5         (8)  Within 30 days after the changing of a permanent

  6  address, or within 30 days after having a license lost or

  7  destroyed, the licensee shall notify the Department of

  8  Business and Professional Regulation State of such change.

  9  Failure to notify the Department of Business and Professional

10  Regulation State pursuant to the provisions of this subsection

11  shall constitute a noncriminal violation with a penalty of

12  $25.

13         (9)  In the event that a concealed weapon or firearm

14  license is lost or destroyed, the license shall be

15  automatically invalid, and the person to whom the same was

16  issued may, upon payment of $15 to the Department of Business

17  and Professional Regulation State, obtain a duplicate, or

18  substitute thereof, upon furnishing a notarized statement to

19  the Department of Business and Professional Regulation State

20  that such license has been lost or destroyed.

21         (10)  A license issued under this section shall be

22  suspended or revoked pursuant to chapter 120 if the licensee:

23         (a)  Is found to be ineligible under the criteria set

24  forth in subsection (2);

25         (b)  Develops or sustains a physical infirmity which

26  prevents the safe handling of a weapon or firearm;

27         (c)  Is convicted of a felony which would make the

28  licensee ineligible to possess a firearm pursuant to s.

29  790.23;

30

31

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  1         (d)  Is found guilty of a crime under the provisions of

  2  chapter 893, or similar laws of any other state, relating to

  3  controlled substances;

  4         (e)  Is committed as a substance abuser under chapter

  5  397, or is deemed a habitual offender under s. 856.011(3), or

  6  similar laws of any other state;

  7         (f)  Is convicted of a second violation of s. 316.193,

  8  or a similar law of another state, within 3 years of a

  9  previous conviction of such section, or similar law of another

10  state, even though the first violation may have occurred prior

11  to the date on which the application was submitted;

12         (g)  Is adjudicated an incapacitated person under s.

13  744.331, or similar laws of any other state; or

14         (h)  Is committed to a mental institution under chapter

15  394, or similar laws of any other state.

16         (11)  No less than 90 days prior to the expiration date

17  of the license, the Department of Business and Professional

18  Regulation State shall mail to each licensee a written notice

19  of the expiration and a renewal form prescribed by the

20  Department of Business and Professional Regulation State. The

21  licensee must renew his or her license on or before the

22  expiration date by filing with the Department of Business and

23  Professional Regulation State the renewal form containing a

24  notarized affidavit stating that the licensee remains

25  qualified pursuant to the criteria specified in subsections

26  (2) and (3), a color photograph as specified in paragraph

27  (5)(e), and the required renewal fee. Out-of-state residents

28  must also submit a completed fingerprint card and fingerprint

29  processing fee.  The license shall be renewed upon receipt of

30  the completed renewal form, color photograph, appropriate

31  payment of fees, and, if applicable, a completed fingerprint

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  1  card. Additionally, a licensee who fails to file a renewal

  2  application on or before its expiration date must renew his or

  3  her license by paying a late fee of $15.  No license shall be

  4  renewed 6 months or more after its expiration date, and such

  5  license shall be deemed to be permanently expired. A person

  6  whose license has been permanently expired may reapply for

  7  licensure; however, an application for licensure and fees

  8  pursuant to subsection (5) must be submitted, and a background

  9  investigation shall be conducted pursuant to the provisions of

10  this section. Persons who knowingly file false information

11  pursuant to this subsection shall be subject to criminal

12  prosecution under s. 837.06.

13         (12)  No license issued pursuant to this section shall

14  authorize any person to carry a concealed weapon or firearm

15  into any place of nuisance as defined in s. 823.05; any

16  police, sheriff, or highway patrol station; any detention

17  facility, prison, or jail; any courthouse; any courtroom,

18  except that nothing in this section would preclude a judge

19  from carrying a concealed weapon or determining who will carry

20  a concealed weapon in his or her courtroom; any polling place;

21  any meeting of the governing body of a county, public school

22  district, municipality, or special district; any meeting of

23  the Legislature or a committee thereof; any school, college,

24  or professional athletic event not related to firearms; any

25  school administration building; any portion of an

26  establishment licensed to dispense alcoholic beverages for

27  consumption on the premises, which portion of the

28  establishment is primarily devoted to such purpose; any

29  elementary or secondary school facility; any area technical

30  center; any college or university facility unless the licensee

31  is a registered student, employee, or faculty member of such

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  1  college or university and the weapon is a stun gun or

  2  nonlethal electric weapon or device designed solely for

  3  defensive purposes and the weapon does not fire a dart or

  4  projectile; inside the passenger terminal and sterile area of

  5  any airport, provided that no person shall be prohibited from

  6  carrying any legal firearm into the terminal, which firearm is

  7  encased for shipment for purposes of checking such firearm as

  8  baggage to be lawfully transported on any aircraft; or any

  9  place where the carrying of firearms is prohibited by federal

10  law.  Any person who willfully violates any provision of this

11  subsection commits a misdemeanor of the second degree,

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

13         (13)  All moneys collected by the department pursuant

14  to this section shall be deposited in the Business and

15  Professional Regulation Division of Licensing Trust Fund, and

16  the Legislature shall appropriate from the fund those amounts

17  deemed necessary to administer the provisions of this section.

18  All revenues collected, less those costs determined by the

19  Department of Business and Professional Regulation State to be

20  nonrecurring or one-time costs, shall be deferred over the

21  3-year licensure period. Notwithstanding the provisions of s.

22  493.6117, all moneys collected pursuant to this section shall

23  not revert to the General Revenue Fund; however, this shall

24  not abrogate the requirement for payment of the service charge

25  imposed pursuant to chapter 215.

26         (14)  All funds received by the sheriff pursuant to the

27  provisions of this section shall be deposited into the general

28  revenue fund of the county and shall be budgeted to the

29  sheriff.

30         (15)  The Legislature finds as a matter of public

31  policy and fact that it is necessary to provide statewide

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  1  uniform standards for issuing licenses to carry concealed

  2  weapons and firearms for self-defense and finds it necessary

  3  to occupy the field of regulation of the bearing of concealed

  4  weapons or firearms for self-defense to ensure that no honest,

  5  law-abiding person who qualifies under the provisions of this

  6  section is subjectively or arbitrarily denied his or her

  7  rights.  The Department of Business and Professional

  8  Regulation State shall implement and administer the provisions

  9  of this section.  The Legislature does not delegate to the

10  Department of Business and Professional Regulation State the

11  authority to regulate or restrict the issuing of licenses

12  provided for in this section, beyond those provisions

13  contained in this section.  Subjective or arbitrary actions or

14  rules which encumber the issuing process by placing burdens on

15  the applicant beyond those sworn statements and specified

16  documents detailed in this section or which create

17  restrictions beyond those specified in this section are in

18  conflict with the intent of this section and are prohibited.

19  This section shall be liberally construed to carry out the

20  constitutional right to bear arms for self-defense. This

21  section is supplemental and additional to existing rights to

22  bear arms, and nothing in this section shall impair or

23  diminish such rights.

24         (16)  The Department of Business and Professional

25  Regulation State shall maintain statistical information on the

26  number of licenses issued, revoked, suspended, and denied.

27         (17)  As amended by chapter 87-24, Laws of Florida,

28  this section shall be known and may be cited as the "Jack

29  Hagler Self Defense Act."

30         Section 6.  Subsections (3), (4), (5), (6), (8), and

31  (9) of section 849.094, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

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  1         849.094  Game promotion in connection with sale of

  2  consumer products or services.--

  3         (3)  The operator of a game promotion in which the

  4  total announced value of the prizes offered is greater than

  5  $5,000 shall file with the Department of Agriculture and

  6  Consumer Services State a copy of the rules and regulations of

  7  the game promotion and a list of all prizes and prize

  8  categories offered at least 7 days before the commencement of

  9  the game promotion.  Such rules and regulations may not

10  thereafter be changed, modified, or altered.  The operator of

11  a game promotion shall conspicuously post the rules and

12  regulations of such game promotion in each and every retail

13  outlet or place where such game promotion may be played or

14  participated in by the public and shall also publish the rules

15  and regulations in all advertising copy used in connection

16  therewith.  Radio and television announcements may indicate

17  that the rules and regulations are available at retail outlets

18  or from the operator of the promotion. A nonrefundable filing

19  fee of $100 shall accompany each filing and shall be deposited

20  into the Division of Licensing Trust Fund to be used to pay

21  the costs incurred in administering and enforcing the

22  provisions of this section.

23         (4)(a)  Every operator of such a game promotion in

24  which the total announced value of the prizes offered is

25  greater than $5,000 shall establish a trust account, in a

26  national or state-chartered financial institution, with a

27  balance sufficient to pay or purchase the total value of all

28  prizes offered. On a form supplied by the Department of

29  Agriculture and Consumer Services State, an official of the

30  financial institution holding the trust account shall set

31  forth the dollar amount of the trust account, the identity of

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    Florida Senate - 1999                           CS for SB 2142
    302-2075B-99




  1  the entity or individual establishing the trust account, and

  2  the name of the game promotion for which the trust account has

  3  been established.  Such form shall be filed with the

  4  Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services State at least

  5  7 days in advance of the commencement of the game promotion.

  6  In lieu of establishing such trust account, the operator may

  7  obtain a surety bond in an amount equivalent to the total

  8  value of all prizes offered; and such bond shall be filed with

  9  the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services State at

10  least 7 days in advance of the commencement of the game

11  promotion.

12         1.  The moneys held in the trust account may be

13  withdrawn in order to pay the prizes offered only upon

14  certification to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer

15  Services State of the name of the winner or winners and the

16  amount of the prize or prizes and the value thereof.

17         2.  If the operator of a game promotion has obtained a

18  surety bond in lieu of establishing a trust account, the

19  amount of the surety bond shall equal at all times the total

20  amount of the prizes offered.

21         (b)  The Department of  Agriculture and Consumer

22  Services State may waive the provisions of this subsection for

23  any operator who has conducted game promotions in the state

24  for not less than 5 consecutive years and who has not had any

25  civil, criminal, or administrative action instituted against

26  him or her by the state or an agency of the state for

27  violation of this section within that 5-year period. Such

28  waiver may be revoked upon the commission of a violation of

29  this section by such operator, as determined by the Department

30  of  Agriculture and Consumer Services State.

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    Florida Senate - 1999                           CS for SB 2142
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  1         (5)  Every operator of a game promotion in which the

  2  total announced value of the prizes offered is greater than

  3  $5,000 shall provide the Department of Agriculture and

  4  Consumer Services State with a certified list of the names and

  5  addresses of all persons, whether from this state or from

  6  another state, who have won prizes which have a value of more

  7  than $25, the value of such prizes, and the dates when the

  8  prizes were won within 60 days after such winners have been

  9  finally determined. The operator shall provide a copy of the

10  list of winners, without charge, to any person who requests

11  it.  In lieu of the foregoing, the operator of a game

12  promotion may, at his or her option, publish the same

13  information about the winners in a Florida newspaper of

14  general circulation within 60 days after such winners have

15  been determined and shall provide to the Department of

16  Agriculture and Consumer Services State a certified copy of

17  the publication containing the information about the winners.

18  The operator of a game promotion is not required to notify a

19  winner by mail or by telephone when the winner is already in

20  possession of a game card from which the winner can determine

21  that he or she has won a designated prize.  All winning

22  entries shall be held by the operator for a period of 90 days

23  after the close or completion of the game.

24         (6)  The Department of Agriculture and Consumer

25  Services State shall keep the certified list of winners for a

26  period of at least 6 months after receipt of the certified

27  list. The department thereafter may dispose of all records and

28  lists.

29         (8)(a)  The Department of Agriculture and Consumer

30  Services State shall have the power to promulgate such rules

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    Florida Senate - 1999                           CS for SB 2142
    302-2075B-99




  1  and regulations respecting the operation of game promotions as

  2  it may deem advisable.

  3         (b)  Whenever the Department of  Agriculture and

  4  Consumer Services State or the Department of Legal Affairs has

  5  reason to believe that a game promotion is being operated in

  6  violation of this section, it may bring an action in the

  7  circuit court of any judicial circuit in which the game

  8  promotion is being operated in the name and on behalf of the

  9  people of the state against any operator thereof to enjoin the

10  continued operation of such game promotion anywhere within the

11  state.

12         (9)(a)  Any person, firm, or corporation, or

13  association or agent or employee thereof, who engages in any

14  acts or practices stated in this section to be unlawful, or

15  who violates any of the rules and regulations made pursuant to

16  this section, is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree,

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

18         (b)  Any person, firm, corporation, association, agent,

19  or employee who violates any provision of this section or any

20  of the rules and regulations made pursuant to this section

21  shall be liable for a civil penalty of not more than $1,000

22  for each such violation, which shall accrue to the state and

23  may be recovered in a civil action brought by the Department

24  of Agriculture and Consumer Services State or the Department

25  of Legal Affairs.

26         Section 7.  This act shall take effect July 1, 2000.

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    Florida Senate - 1999                           CS for SB 2142
    302-2075B-99




  1          STATEMENT OF SUBSTANTIAL CHANGES CONTAINED IN
                       COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR
  2                             SB 2142

  3

  4  Transfers the Division of Licensing of the Department of State
    to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
  5
    Transfers responsibility for games promotions or sweepstakes
  6  regulation to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer
    Services.
  7
    Provides an effective date of July 1, 2000.
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