Senate Bill 1866c1

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    Florida Senate - 2000                           CS for SB 1866

    By the Committee on Transportation and Senator Webster





    306-1791-00

  1                      A bill to be entitled

  2         An act relating to the operation of vehicles

  3         and vessels; amending s. 213.053, F.S.;

  4         authorizing the exchange of certain information

  5         between the Department of Revenue and the

  6         Department of Highway Safety and Motor

  7         Vehicles; amending s. 234.02, F.S.; updating

  8         the current allowable exception to the use of a

  9         school bus; amending s. 316.003, F.S.;

10         redefining the term "motor vehicle" to include

11         gopeds; amending s. 316.193, F.S.; revising

12         penalties for subsequent convictions of driving

13         under the influence; amending s. 316.1936,

14         F.S.; defining the term "road"; revising

15         provisions relating to the possession of open

16         containers of alcoholic beverages in vehicles;

17         providing penalties; amending s. 316.2065,

18         F.S.; providing for compliance with certain

19         federal safety standards with respect to

20         bicycle helmets; amending s. 316.212, F.S.;

21         providing that a person under the age of 14 may

22         not operate a golf cart on public roads;

23         amending s. 316.2125, F.S.; providing

24         restrictions on the operation of golf carts in

25         retirement communities; amending s. 316.228,

26         F.S.; providing for the use of strobe lamps on

27         certain motor vehicles and trailers;

28         establishing penalties for violation; amending

29         s. 316.251, F.S.; conforming a statutory

30         cross-reference; amending s. 316.515, F.S.;

31         providing an exception to length limitations

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  1         for certain boat trailers; amending s. 316.530,

  2         F.S.; providing that cables and certain safety

  3         devices comply with towing requirements;

  4         amending s. 316.613, F.S.; authorizing the

  5         expenditure of certain funds for safety and

  6         public awareness campaigns; amending s.

  7         318.1451, F.S.; eliminating a reference to

  8         traffic law and substance abuse education

  9         courses; amending s. 318.32, F.S.; authorizing

10         traffic infraction hearing officers to

11         administer oaths; amending s. 319.001, F.S.;

12         revising definitions with respect to major

13         component parts of vehicles; redefining the

14         term "new motor vehicle"; amending s. 319.14,

15         F.S.; authorizing the Department of Highway

16         Safety and Motor Vehicles to affix a decal on

17         rebuilt vehicles; providing a penalty for the

18         removal of rebuilt decals; revising provisions

19         relating to brands and certificates of

20         registration; revising definitions; amending s.

21         319.17, F.S.; providing for the use of

22         electronic records; amending s. 319.24;

23         revising record-retention requirements;

24         amending s. 319.27, F.S.; revising the process

25         for filing liens on motor vehicles and mobile

26         homes; amending s. 319.30, F.S.; redefining the

27         terms "major component parts" and "major part";

28         providing standards for the sale of certain

29         rebuilt vehicles; providing penalties; revising

30         provisions relating to change of identity of

31         motor vehicles or mobile homes; amending s.

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  1         319.33, F.S.; revising provisions relating to

  2         vehicle identification numbers; amending s.

  3         320.02, F.S.; requiring a driver's license or

  4         identification card for vehicle registration;

  5         amending s. 320.031, F.S.; providing for the

  6         deposit of certain fees into the Highway Safety

  7         Operating Trust Fund; amending s. 320.04;

  8         providing for the deposit of certain funds into

  9         the Highway Safety Operating Trust Fund;

10         amending s. 320.05, F.S.; providing for the use

11         of electronic records; amending s. 320.055,

12         F.S.; providing for registration periods;

13         amending s. 320.0605, F.S.; providing for the

14         issuance of a temporary receipt for electronic

15         registration renewal via the Internet; amending

16         s. 320.07, F.S.; providing for the expiration

17         of registration; amending s. 320.0805, F.S.;

18         revising provisions relating to personalized

19         prestige license plates; amending s. 320.08058,

20         F.S.; revising provisions relating to the

21         United States Marine Corp License Plate;

22         amending s. 320.083, F.S.; eliminating vehicle

23         weight restrictions relating to the amateur

24         radio operator's license plate; amending s.

25         320.089, F.S.; eliminating vehicle weight

26         restrictions relating to the Ex-POW and Purple

27         Heart license plates; amending s. 320.18, F.S.;

28         authorizing the suspension of registration and

29         driver's license for payment of fees by a

30         dishonored check; amending s. 320.27, F.S.;

31         providing for the issuance of a temporary

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  1         supplemental license to motor vehicle dealers;

  2         providing for indicia of ownership; amending s.

  3         320.60, F.S.; redefining the term "motor

  4         vehicle"; amending s. 320.61, F.S.; prohibiting

  5         the granting of a replacement application until

  6         the exhaustion of appellate remedies with

  7         respect to certain complaints against

  8         licensees; amending s. 320.641, F.S.; revising

  9         provisions relating to the unfair cancellation

10         of franchise agreements; providing

11         clarification regarding when a complaint may be

12         filed; establishing a burden of proof standard;

13         providing standards for determining when an

14         agreement is unfair; amending s. 320.645, F.S.;

15         restricting the ownership of dealerships by

16         licensees; prohibiting licensees from receiving

17         a motor vehicle dealer's license; defining

18         terms; providing exceptions; amending s.

19         320.695, F.S.; providing additional grounds for

20         issuing injunctions; amending s. 320.77, F.S.;

21         providing for the issuance of a temporary

22         supplemental license to mobile home dealers;

23         amending s. 320.771, F.S.; providing for the

24         issuance of a temporary supplemental license to

25         recreational vehicle dealers; amending s.

26         320.833, F.S.; providing for the electronic

27         retention of records; amending s. 320.865,

28         F.S.; providing for the electronic retention of

29         certain records; amending s. 322.01, F.S.;

30         redefining the term "motor vehicle" to include

31         gopeds; amending s. 322.025, F.S.; conforming a

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  1         statutory cross-reference; amending s. 322.051,

  2         F.S.; providing conditions for the issuance of

  3         identification cards; amending s. 322.08, F.S.;

  4         providing for proof of identity for the

  5         issuance of driver's licenses; amending s.

  6         322.161, F.S.; providing for the restriction of

  7         driving privileges; amending s. 322.22, F.S.;

  8         authorizing the suspension of registration for

  9         payment of fees by a dishonored check; amending

10         ss. 322.271, 322.291, F.S.; providing

11         conditions for the reinstatement of driving

12         privileges; amending ss. 325.203, 328.48,

13         328.72, 328.73, 328.735, F.S.; conforming

14         statutory cross-references; amending s. 328.15,

15         F.S.; revising records-retention requirements;

16         amending s. 328.40, F.S.; providing for

17         electronic retention of records; amending s.

18         713.585, F.S.; providing for the enforcement of

19         lien by sale; providing penalties; amending s.

20         713.78, F.S.; revising provisions relating to

21         liens for recovering, towing, or storing

22         vehicles and vessels; restricting the number of

23         reassignments allowable under a certificate of

24         destruction; authorizing the inspection of

25         records; providing penalties for failure to

26         maintain or produce required records; amending

27         s. 715.05, F.S.; providing for the reporting of

28         unclaimed vessels; amending s. 715.07, F.S.;

29         providing for the removal of certain vessels;

30         providing for the creation of the Used Motor

31         Vehicle Industry Task Force; providing for

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  1         membership and responsibilities; providing an

  2         effective date.

  3

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

  5

  6         Section 1.  Paragraph (r) is added to subsection (7) of

  7  section 213.053, Florida Statutes, to read:

  8         213.053  Confidentiality and information sharing.--

  9         (7)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this

10  section, the department may provide:

11         (r)  Names, addresses, and federal employer

12  identification numbers, or such similar identifiers, to the

13  Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles for use in the

14  conduct of its official business.

15

16  Disclosure of information under this subsection shall be

17  pursuant to a written agreement between the executive director

18  and the agency.  Such agencies, governmental or

19  nongovernmental, shall be bound by the same requirements of

20  confidentiality as the Department of Revenue.  Breach of

21  confidentiality is a misdemeanor of the first degree,

22  punishable as provided by s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

23         Section 2.  Subsection (1) of section 234.02, Florida

24  Statutes, is amended to read:

25         234.02  Safety and health of pupils.--Maximum regard

26  for safety and adequate protection of health are primary

27  requirements that must be observed by school boards in routing

28  buses, appointing drivers, and providing and operating

29  equipment, in accordance with all requirements of law and

30  regulations of the commissioner in providing transportation

31  pursuant to s. 234.01:

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  1         (1)  School boards shall use school buses, as defined

  2  in s. 234.051, for all regular transportation.  Regular

  3  transportation or regular use means transportation of students

  4  to and from school or school-related activities that are part

  5  of a scheduled series or sequence of events to the same

  6  location. "Students" means, for the purposes of this section,

  7  students enrolled in the public schools in prekindergarten

  8  programs through grade 12.  School boards may regularly use

  9  motor vehicles other than school buses only under the

10  following conditions:

11         (a)  When the transportation is for physically

12  handicapped or isolated students and the district has elected

13  to provide for the transportation of the student through

14  written or oral contracts or agreements.

15         (b)  When the transportation is a part of a

16  comprehensive contract for a specialized educational program

17  between a school board and a service provider who provides

18  instruction, transportation, and other services.

19         (c)  When the transportation is provided through a

20  public transit system.

21         (d)  When the transportation of students is necessary

22  or practical in a motor vehicle owned or operated by a school

23  board other than a school bus, and such transportation must be

24  is provided in designated seating positions in a passenger car

25  not to exceed 8 students or in a multipurpose passenger

26  vehicle any other motor vehicle designed to transport 10 or

27  fewer persons which meets all applicable federal motor vehicle

28  safety standards for passenger cars. Multipurpose passenger

29  vehicles classified as utility vehicles with a wheelbase of

30  110 inches or less which are required by federal motor vehicle

31  standards to display a rollover warning label may not be used.

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  1

  2  When students are transported in motor vehicles, the occupant

  3  crash protection system provided by the vehicle manufacturer

  4  must be used unless the student's physical condition prohibits

  5  such use.

  6         Section 3.  Subsection (21) of section 316.003, Florida

  7  Statutes, is amended to read:

  8         316.003  Definitions.--The following words and phrases,

  9  when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings

10  respectively ascribed to them in this section, except where

11  the context otherwise requires:

12         (21)  MOTOR VEHICLE.--Any self-propelled vehicle not

13  operated upon rails or guideway, but not including any

14  bicycle, goped, or moped.

15         Section 4.  Subsection (6) of section 316.193, Florida

16  Statutes, is amended to read:

17         316.193  Driving under the influence; penalties.--

18         (6)  With respect to any person convicted of a

19  violation of subsection (1), regardless of any penalty imposed

20  pursuant to subsection (2), subsection (3), or subsection (4):

21         (a)  For the first conviction, the court shall place

22  the defendant on probation for a period not to exceed 1 year

23  and, as a condition of such probation, shall order the

24  defendant to participate in public service or a community work

25  project for a minimum of 50 hours; or the court may order

26  instead, that any defendant pay an additional fine of $10 for

27  each hour of public service or community work otherwise

28  required, if, after consideration of the residence or location

29  of the defendant at the time public service or community work

30  is required, payment of the fine is in the best interests of

31  the state. However, the total period of probation and

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  1  incarceration may not exceed 1 year. The court must also, as a

  2  condition of probation, order the impoundment or

  3  immobilization of the vehicle that was operated by or in the

  4  actual control of the defendant or any one vehicle registered

  5  in the defendant's name at the time of impoundment or

  6  immobilization, for a period of 10 days or for the unexpired

  7  term of any lease or rental agreement that expires within 10

  8  days. The impoundment or immobilization must not occur

  9  concurrently with the incarceration of the defendant.  The

10  impoundment or immobilization order may be dismissed in

11  accordance with paragraph (e), paragraph (f), or paragraph

12  (g), or paragraph (h).

13         (b)  For the second conviction for an offense that

14  occurs within a period of 5 years after the date of a prior

15  conviction for violation of this section, the court shall

16  order imprisonment for not less than 10 days. The court must

17  also, as a condition of probation, order the impoundment or

18  immobilization of all vehicles owned by the defendant the

19  vehicle that was operated by or in the actual control of the

20  defendant or any one vehicle registered in the defendant's

21  name at the time of impoundment or immobilization, for a

22  period of 30 days or for the unexpired term of any lease or

23  rental agreement that expires within 30 days. The impoundment

24  or immobilization must not occur concurrently with the

25  incarceration of the defendant and must occur concurrently

26  with the driver's license revocation imposed under s.

27  322.28(2)(a)2.  The impoundment or immobilization order may be

28  dismissed in accordance with paragraph (e), paragraph (f), or

29  paragraph (g), or paragraph (h).  At least 48 hours of

30  confinement must be consecutive.

31

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  1         (c)  For the third or subsequent conviction for an

  2  offense that occurs within a period of 10 years after the date

  3  of a prior conviction for violation of this section, the court

  4  shall order imprisonment for not less than 30 days. The court

  5  must also, as a condition of probation, order the impoundment

  6  or immobilization of all vehicles owned by the defendant the

  7  vehicle that was operated by or in the actual control of the

  8  defendant or any one vehicle registered in the defendant's

  9  name at the time of impoundment or immobilization, for a

10  period of 90 days or for the unexpired term of any lease or

11  rental agreement that expires within 90 days. The impoundment

12  or immobilization must not occur concurrently with the

13  incarceration of the defendant and must occur concurrently

14  with the driver's license revocation imposed under s.

15  322.28(2)(a)3.  The impoundment or immobilization order may be

16  dismissed in accordance with paragraph (e), paragraph (f), or

17  paragraph (g), or paragraph (h). At least 48 hours of

18  confinement must be consecutive.

19         (d)  The court must at the time of sentencing the

20  defendant issue an order for the impoundment or immobilization

21  of a vehicle. Within 7 business days after the date that the

22  court issues the order of impoundment or immobilization, the

23  clerk of the court must send notice by certified mail, return

24  receipt requested, to the registered owner of each vehicle, if

25  the registered owner is a person other than the defendant, and

26  to each person of record claiming a lien against the vehicle.

27         (e)  A person who owns but was not operating the

28  vehicle when the offense occurred may submit to the court a

29  police report indicating that the vehicle was stolen at the

30  time of the offense or documentation of having purchased the

31  vehicle after the offense was committed from an entity other

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  1  than the defendant or the defendant's agent. If the court

  2  finds that the vehicle was stolen or that the sale was not

  3  made to circumvent the order and allow the defendant continued

  4  access to the vehicle, the order must be dismissed and the

  5  owner of the vehicle will incur no costs. If the court denies

  6  the request to dismiss the order of impoundment or

  7  immobilization, the petitioner may request an evidentiary

  8  hearing.

  9         (f)  A person who owns but was not operating the

10  vehicle when the offense occurred, and whose vehicle was

11  stolen or who purchased the vehicle after the offense was

12  committed directly from the defendant or the defendant's

13  agent, may request an evidentiary hearing to determine whether

14  the impoundment or immobilization should occur. If the court

15  finds that either the vehicle was stolen or the purchase was

16  made without knowledge of the offense, that the purchaser had

17  no relationship to the defendant other than through the

18  transaction, and that such purchase would not circumvent the

19  order and allow the defendant continued access to the vehicle,

20  the order must be dismissed and the owner of the vehicle will

21  incur no costs.

22         (g)  The court shall also dismiss the order of

23  impoundment or immobilization of the vehicle if the court

24  finds that the family of the owner of the vehicle has no other

25  private or public means of transportation.

26         (h)  The court may also dismiss the order of

27  impoundment or immobilization of any vehicles that are owned

28  by the defendant but that are operated solely by the employees

29  of the defendant or any business owned by the defendant.

30         (i)(h)  All costs and fees for the impoundment or

31  immobilization, including the cost of notification, must be

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

  2  or rented, by the person leasing or renting the vehicle,

  3  unless the impoundment or immobilization order is dismissed.

  4  All provisions of s. 713.78 shall apply.

  5         (j)(i)  The person who owns a vehicle that is impounded

  6  or immobilized under this paragraph, or a person who has a

  7  lien of record against such a vehicle and who has not

  8  requested a review of the impoundment pursuant to paragraph

  9  (e), paragraph (f), or paragraph (g), may, within 10 days

10  after the date that person has knowledge of the location of

11  the vehicle, file a complaint in the county in which the owner

12  resides to determine whether the vehicle was wrongfully taken

13  or withheld from the owner or lienholder. Upon the filing of a

14  complaint, the owner or lienholder may have the vehicle

15  released by posting with the court a bond or other adequate

16  security equal to the amount of the costs and fees for

17  impoundment or immobilization, including towing or storage, to

18  ensure the payment of such costs and fees if the owner or

19  lienholder does not prevail. When the bond is posted and the

20  fee is paid as set forth in s. 28.24, the clerk of the court

21  shall issue a certificate releasing the vehicle. At the time

22  of release, after reasonable inspection, the owner or

23  lienholder must give a receipt to the towing or storage

24  company indicating any loss or damage to the vehicle or to the

25  contents of the vehicle.

26         (k)(j)  A defendant, in the court's discretion, may be

27  required to serve all or any portion of a term of imprisonment

28  to which the defendant has been sentenced pursuant to this

29  section in a residential alcoholism treatment program or a

30  residential drug abuse treatment program. Any time spent in

31

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  1  such a program must be credited by the court toward the term

  2  of imprisonment.

  3

  4  For the purposes of this section, any conviction for a

  5  violation of s. 327.35; a previous conviction for the

  6  violation of former s. 316.1931, former s. 860.01, or former

  7  s. 316.028; or a previous conviction outside this state for

  8  driving under the influence, driving while intoxicated,

  9  driving with an unlawful blood-alcohol level, driving with an

10  unlawful breath-alcohol level, or any other similar

11  alcohol-related or drug-related traffic offense, is also

12  considered a previous conviction for violation of this

13  section. However, in satisfaction of the fine imposed pursuant

14  to this section, the court may, upon a finding that the

15  defendant is financially unable to pay either all or part of

16  the fine, order that the defendant participate for a specified

17  additional period of time in public service or a community

18  work project in lieu of payment of that portion of the fine

19  which the court determines the defendant is unable to pay. In

20  determining such additional sentence, the court shall consider

21  the amount of the unpaid portion of the fine and the

22  reasonable value of the services to be ordered; however, the

23  court may not compute the reasonable value of services at a

24  rate less than the federal minimum wage at the time of

25  sentencing.

26         Section 5.  Subsections (1) and (2) of section

27  316.1936, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

28         316.1936  Possession of open containers of alcoholic

29  beverages in vehicles prohibited; penalties.--

30         (1)  As used in this section, the term:

31

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  1         (a)  "Open container" means any container of alcoholic

  2  beverage which is immediately capable of being consumed from,

  3  or the seal of which has been broken.

  4         (b)  "Road" means a way open to travel by the public,

  5  including, but not limited to, a street, highway, or alley.

  6  The term includes associated sidewalks, the roadbed, the

  7  right-of-way, and all culverts, drains, sluices, ditches,

  8  water storage areas, embankments, slopes, retaining walls,

  9  bridges, tunnels, and viaducts necessary for the maintenance

10  of travel and all ferries used in connection therewith.

11         (2)(a)  It is unlawful and punishable as provided in

12  this section for any person to possess an open container of an

13  alcoholic beverage or consume an alcoholic beverage while

14  operating a vehicle in the state or while a passenger in or on

15  a vehicle being operated in the state.

16         (b)  It is unlawful and punishable as provided in this

17  section for any person to possess an open container of an

18  alcoholic beverage or consume an alcoholic beverage while

19  seated in or on a motor vehicle that is parked or stopped

20  within a road as defined in this section.

21         Section 6.  Paragraph (d) of subsection (3) of section

22  316.2065, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

23         316.2065  Bicycle regulations.--

24         (3)

25         (d)  A bicycle rider or passenger who is under 16 years

26  of age must wear a bicycle helmet that is properly fitted and

27  is fastened securely upon the passenger's head by a strap, and

28  that meets the federal Safety Standard for Bicycle Helmets in

29  16 C.F.R., Part 1203. Helmets purchased before October 1,

30  2000, and that meet the standards of the American National

31  Standards Institute (ANSI Z 90.4 Bicycle Helmet Standards),

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  1  the standards of the Snell Memorial Foundation (1984 Standard

  2  for Protective Headgear for Use in Bicycling), or any other

  3  nationally recognized standards for bicycle helmets adopted by

  4  the department may continue to be worn by riders or passengers

  5  until March 9, 2009. As used in this subsection, the term

  6  "passenger" includes a child who is riding in a trailer or

  7  semitrailer attached to a bicycle.

  8         Section 7.  Section 316.212, Florida Statutes, is

  9  amended to read:

10         316.212  Operation of golf carts on certain

11  roadways.--The operation of a golf cart upon the public roads

12  or streets of this state is prohibited except as provided

13  herein:

14         (1)  A golf cart may be operated only upon a county

15  road that has been designated by a county, or a city street

16  that has been designated by a city, for use by golf carts.

17  Prior to making such a designation, the responsible local

18  governmental entity must first determine that golf carts may

19  safely travel on or cross the public road or street,

20  considering factors including the speed, volume, and character

21  of motor vehicle traffic using the road or street. Upon a

22  determination that golf carts may be safely operated on a

23  designated road or street, the responsible governmental entity

24  shall post appropriate signs to indicate that such operation

25  is allowed.

26         (2)  A golf cart may be operated on a part of the State

27  Highway System only under the following conditions:

28         (a)  To cross a portion of the State Highway System

29  which intersects a county road or city street that has been

30  designated for use by golf carts if the Department of

31  Transportation has reviewed and approved the location and

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  1  design of the crossing and any traffic control devices needed

  2  for safety purposes.

  3         (b)  To cross, at midblock, a part of the State Highway

  4  System where a golf course is constructed on both sides of the

  5  highway if the Department of Transportation has reviewed and

  6  approved the location and design of the crossing and any

  7  traffic control devices needed for safety purposes.

  8         (c)  A golf cart may be operated on a state road that

  9  has been designated for transfer to a local government unit

10  pursuant to s. 335.0415 if the Department of Transportation

11  determines that the operation of a golf cart within the

12  right-of-way of the road will not impede the safe and

13  efficient flow of motor vehicular traffic. The department may

14  authorize the operation of golf carts on such a road if:

15         1.  The road is the only available public road along

16  which golf carts may travel or cross or the road provides the

17  safest travel route among alternative routes available; and

18         2.  The speed, volume, and character of motor vehicular

19  traffic using the road is considered in making such a

20  determination.

21

22  Upon its determination that golf carts may be operated on a

23  given road, the department shall post appropriate signs on the

24  road to indicate that such operation is allowed.

25         (3)  Any other provision of this section to the

26  contrary notwithstanding, a golf cart may be operated for the

27  purpose of crossing a street or highway where a single mobile

28  home park is located on both sides of the street or highway

29  and is divided by that street or highway, provided that the

30  governmental entity having original jurisdiction over such

31  street or highway shall review and approve the location of the

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  1  crossing and require implementation of any traffic controls

  2  needed for safety purposes. This subsection shall apply only

  3  to residents or guests of the mobile home park. Any other

  4  provision of law to the contrary notwithstanding, if notice is

  5  posted at the entrance and exit to any mobile home park that

  6  residents of the park utilize golf carts or electric vehicles

  7  within the confines of the park it shall not be necessary that

  8  the park have a gate or other device at the entrance and exit

  9  in order for such golf carts or electric vehicles to be

10  lawfully operated in the park.

11         (4)  A golf cart may be operated only during the hours

12  between sunrise and sunset, unless the responsible

13  governmental entity has determined that a golf cart may be

14  operated during the hours between sunset and sunrise and the

15  golf cart is equipped with headlights, brake lights, turn

16  signals, and a windshield.

17         (5)  A golf cart must be equipped with efficient

18  brakes, reliable steering apparatus, safe tires, a rearview

19  mirror, and red reflectorized warning devices in both the

20  front and rear.

21         (6)  A golf cart may not be operated on public roads or

22  streets by any person under the age of 14.

23         (7)(6)  A violation of this section is a noncriminal

24  traffic infraction, punishable pursuant to chapter 318 as

25  either a moving violation for infractions of subsection (1),

26  subsection (2), subsection (3), or subsection (4), or as a

27  nonmoving violation for infractions of subsections subsection

28  (5) and (6).

29         Section 8.  Subsection (1) of section 316.2125, Florida

30  Statutes, is amended to read:

31

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  1         316.2125  Operation of golf carts within a retirement

  2  community.--

  3         (1)  Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 316.212, the

  4  reasonable operation of a golf cart, equipped and operated as

  5  provided in s. 316.212(4), (5), and (6) s. 316.212(5), within

  6  any self-contained retirement community is permitted unless

  7  prohibited under subsection (2).

  8         Section 9.  Section 316.228, Florida Statutes, is

  9  amended to read:

10         316.228  Lamps or flags on projecting load.--

11         (1)  Except as provided in subsection (2), whenever the

12  load upon any vehicle extends to the rear 4 feet or more

13  beyond the bed or body of such vehicle, there shall be

14  displayed at the extreme rear end of the load, at the times

15  specified in s. 316.217, two red lamps visible from a distance

16  of at least 500 feet to the rear, two red reflectors visible

17  at night from all distances within 600 feet to 100 feet to the

18  rear when directly in front of lawful lower beams of headlamps

19  and located so as to indicate maximum width, and on each side

20  one red lamp visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to

21  the side and located so as to indicate maximum overhang.

22  There shall be displayed at all other times on any vehicle

23  having a load which extends beyond its sides or more than 4

24  feet beyond its rear, red flags, not less than 12 inches

25  square, marking the extremities of such load, at each point

26  where a lamp would otherwise be required by this section.

27         (2)  Any motor vehicle or trailer, except as stated in

28  s. 316.515(7), transporting a load of logs, long pulpwood,

29  poles, or posts which extend more than 4 feet beyond the rear

30  of the body or bed of such vehicle must have securely affixed

31  as close as practical to the end of any such projection one

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  1  amber strobe-type lamp equipped with a multidirectional type

  2  lens so mounted as to be visible from the rear and both sides

  3  of the projecting load. The strobe lamp must flash at a rate

  4  of at least 60 flashes per minute and must be plainly visible

  5  from a distance of at least 500 feet to the rear and sides of

  6  the projection load any time of the day or night. The lamp

  7  must be operating at any time of the day or night when the

  8  vehicle is operated on any highway or parked on the shoulder

  9  or immediately adjacent to the traveled portion of any public

10  roadway.

11         (3)  A violation of this section is a noncriminal

12  traffic infraction, punishable as a nonmoving violation as

13  provided in chapter 318.

14         Section 10.  Subsection (2) of section 316.251, Florida

15  Statutes, is amended to read:

16         316.251  Maximum bumper heights.--

17         (2)  "New motor vehicles" as defined in s. 319.001(8)

18  s. 319.001(4), "antique automobiles" as defined in s. 320.08,

19  "horseless carriages" as defined in s. 320.086, and "street

20  rods" as defined in s. 320.0863 shall be excluded from the

21  requirements of this section.

22         Section 11.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (3) of section

23  316.515, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

24         316.515  Maximum width, height, length.--

25         (3)  LENGTH LIMITATION.--Except as otherwise provided

26  in this section, length limitations apply solely to a

27  semitrailer or trailer, and not to a truck tractor or to the

28  overall length of a combination of vehicles.  No combination

29  of commercial motor vehicles coupled together and operating on

30  the public roads may consist of more than one truck tractor

31  and two trailing units. Unless otherwise specifically provided

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  1  for in this section, a combination of vehicles not qualifying

  2  as commercial motor vehicles may consist of no more than two

  3  units coupled together; such nonqualifying combination of

  4  vehicles may not exceed a total length of 65 feet, inclusive

  5  of the load carried thereon, but exclusive of safety and

  6  energy conservation devices approved by the department for use

  7  on vehicles using public roads. Notwithstanding any other

  8  provision of this section, a truck tractor-semitrailer

  9  combination engaged in the transportation of automobiles or

10  boats may transport motor vehicles or boats on part of the

11  power unit; and, except as may otherwise be mandated under

12  federal law, an automobile or boat transporter semitrailer may

13  not exceed 50 feet in length, exclusive of the load; however,

14  the load may extend up to an additional 6 feet beyond the rear

15  of the trailer.  The 50-feet length limitation does not apply

16  to non-stinger-steered automobile or boat transporters that

17  are 65 feet or less in overall length, exclusive of the load

18  carried thereon, or to stinger-steered automobile or boat

19  transporters that are 75 feet or less in overall length,

20  exclusive of the load carried thereon. For purposes of this

21  subsection, a "stinger-steered automobile or boat transporter"

22  is an automobile or boat transporter configured as a

23  semitrailer combination wherein the fifth wheel is located on

24  a drop frame located behind and below the rearmost axle of the

25  power unit. Notwithstanding paragraphs (a) and (b), any

26  straight truck or truck tractor-semitrailer combination

27  engaged in the transportation of horticultural trees may allow

28  the load to extend up to an additional 10 feet beyond the rear

29  of the vehicle, provided said trees are resting against a

30  retaining bar mounted above the truck bed so that the root

31  balls of the trees rest on the floor and to the front of the

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  1  truck bed and the tops of the trees extend up over and to the

  2  rear of the truck bed, and provided the overhanging portion of

  3  the load is covered with protective fabric.

  4         (a)  Straight trucks.--No straight truck may exceed a

  5  length of 40 feet in extreme overall dimension, exclusive of

  6  safety and energy conservation devices approved by the

  7  department for use on vehicles using public roads. A straight

  8  truck may tow no more than one trailer, and such trailer may

  9  not exceed a length of 28 feet. However, such trailer

10  limitation does not apply if the overall length of the

11  truck-trailer combination is 65 feet or less, including the

12  load thereon. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this

13  section, a truck-trailer combination engaged in the

14  transportation of boats or boat trailers whose design dictates

15  a front-to-rear stacking method shall not exceed the length

16  limitations of this paragraph exclusive of the load; however,

17  the load may extend up to an additional 6 feet beyond the rear

18  of the trailer.

19         Section 12.  Subsection (2) of section 316.530, Florida

20  Statutes, is amended to read:

21         316.530  Towing requirements.--

22         (2)  When a vehicle is towing a trailer or semitrailer

23  on a public road or highway by means of a trailer hitch to the

24  rear of the vehicle, there shall be attached in addition

25  thereto safety chains, cables, or other safety devices that

26  comply with 49 C.F.R. sub f 393.71(g)(2)(1) and 393.71(h)(10)

27  from the trailer or semitrailer to the vehicle.  These safety

28  chains, cables, or other safety devices shall be of sufficient

29  strength to maintain connection of the trailer or semitrailer

30  to the pulling vehicle under all conditions while the trailer

31  or semitrailer is being towed by the vehicle.  The provisions

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  1  of this subsection shall not apply to trailers or semitrailers

  2  using a hitch known as a fifth wheel nor to farm equipment

  3  traveling less than 20 miles per hour.

  4         Section 13.  Subsection (4) of section 316.613, Florida

  5  Statutes, is amended to read:

  6         316.613  Child restraint requirements.--

  7         (4)(a)  It is the legislative intent that all state,

  8  county, and local law enforcement agencies, and safety

  9  councils, in recognition of the problems with child death and

10  injury from unrestrained occupancy in motor vehicles, conduct

11  a continuing safety and public awareness campaign as to the

12  magnitude of the problem.

13         (b)  The department may authorize the expenditure of

14  funds for the purchase of promotional items as part of the

15  public information and education campaigns provided for in

16  this subsection, s. 316.614, s. 322.025, and s. 403.7145.

17         Section 14.  Subsection (1) of section 318.1451,

18  Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

19         318.1451  Driver improvement schools.--

20         (1)  The Department of Highway Safety and Motor

21  Vehicles shall approve the courses of all driver improvement

22  schools, as the courses relate to ss. 318.14(9), 322.0261,

23  322.095, and 322.291. The chief judge of the applicable

24  judicial circuit may establish requirements regarding the

25  location of schools within the judicial circuit. A person may

26  engage in the business of operating a driver improvement

27  school that offers department-approved courses related to ss.

28  318.14(9), 322.0261, 322.095, and 322.291.

29         Section 15.  Subsection (4) is added to section 318.32,

30  Florida Statutes, to read:

31         318.32  Jurisdiction; limitations.--

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  1         (4)  Duly appointed traffic infraction hearing officers

  2  may administer oaths in the performance of their duties as

  3  hearing officers.

  4         Section 16.  Section 319.001, Florida Statutes, is

  5  amended to read:

  6         319.001  Definitions.--As used in this chapter, the

  7  term:

  8         (1)  "Department" means the Department of Highway

  9  Safety and Motor Vehicles.

10         (2)  "Front-end assembly" includes the fenders, hood,

11  grill, and bumper.

12         (3)(2)  "Licensed dealer," unless otherwise

13  specifically provided, means a motor vehicle dealer licensed

14  under s. 320.27, a mobile home dealer licensed under s.

15  320.77, or a recreational vehicle dealer licensed under s.

16  320.771.

17         (4)  "Motorcycle body assembly" includes the frame,

18  fenders, and gas tanks.

19         (5)  "Motorcycle engine" includes the engine block,

20  cylinders, and cylinder heads.

21         (6)  "Motorcycle transmission" includes the

22  transmission case and gear assembly.

23         (7)(3)  "New mobile home" means a mobile home the

24  equitable or legal title to which has never been transferred

25  by a manufacturer, distributor, importer, or dealer to an

26  ultimate purchaser.

27         (8)(4)  "New motor vehicle" means a motor vehicle the

28  equitable or legal title to which has never been transferred

29  by a manufacturer, distributor, importer, or dealer to an

30  ultimate purchaser; provided however, when legal title is not

31  transferred but possession of a motor vehicle is transferred

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  1  under a conditional sales contract or lease and the conditions

  2  are not satisfied and the vehicle is returned to the motor

  3  vehicle dealer, the motor vehicle may be resold by the motor

  4  vehicle dealer as a new motor vehicle if the selling motor

  5  vehicle dealer gives the following notice to the purchaser:

  6  "This Vehicle Was Delivered to a Previous Purchaser.".

  7         (9)  "Rear body section" includes both quarter panels,

  8  decklid, bumper, and floor pan.

  9         (10)(5)  "Satisfaction of lien" means full payment of a

10  debt or release of a debtor from a lien by the lienholder.

11         (11)(6)  "Used motor vehicle" means any motor vehicle

12  that is not a "new motor vehicle" as defined in subsection (8)

13  (4).

14         Section 17.  Subsections (1), (2), (3), and (4) of

15  section 319.14, Florida Statutes, are amended, present

16  subsections (6), (7), and (8) of that section are redesignated

17  as subsections (7), (8), and (9), respectively, and new

18  subsection (6) is added to that section to read:

19         319.14  Sale of motor vehicles registered or used as

20  taxicabs, police vehicles, lease vehicles, or rebuilt vehicles

21  and nonconforming vehicles.--

22         (1)(a)  No person shall knowingly offer for sale, sell,

23  or exchange any vehicle that has been licensed, registered, or

24  used as a taxicab, police vehicle, or short-term-lease

25  vehicle, or a vehicle that has been repurchased by a

26  manufacturer pursuant to a settlement, determination, or

27  decision under chapter 681, until the department has stamped

28  in a conspicuous place on the certificate of title of the

29  vehicle, or its duplicate, words stating the nature of the

30  previous use of the vehicle or the title has been stamped

31  "Manufacturer's Buy Back" to reflect that the vehicle is a

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  1  nonconforming vehicle. If the certificate of title or

  2  duplicate was not so stamped upon initial issuance thereof or

  3  if, subsequent to initial issuance of the title, the use of

  4  the vehicle is changed to a use requiring the notation

  5  provided for in this section, the owner or lienholder of the

  6  vehicle shall surrender the certificate of title or duplicate

  7  to the department prior to offering the vehicle for sale, and

  8  the department shall stamp the certificate or duplicate as

  9  required herein.  When a vehicle has been repurchased by a

10  manufacturer pursuant to a settlement, determination, or

11  decision under chapter 681, the title shall be stamped

12  "Manufacturer's Buy Back" to reflect that the vehicle is a

13  nonconforming vehicle.

14         (b)  No person shall knowingly offer for sale, sell, or

15  exchange a rebuilt vehicle until the department has stamped in

16  a conspicuous place on the certificate of title for the

17  vehicle words stating that the vehicle has been rebuilt, or

18  assembled from parts, or combined, or is a kit car, glider

19  kit, replica, or flood vehicle unless proper application for a

20  certificate of title for a vehicle that is rebuilt, or

21  assembled from parts, or combined, or is a kit car, glider

22  kit, replica, or flood vehicle has been made to the department

23  in accordance with this chapter and the department has

24  conducted the physical examination of the vehicle to assure

25  the identity of the vehicle and all major component parts, as

26  defined in s. 319.30(1)(e), which have been repaired or

27  replaced. Thereafter, the department shall affix a decal to

28  the vehicle, in the manner prescribed by the department,

29  showing that the vehicle was rebuilt.

30         (c)  As used in this section, the term:

31

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  1         1.  "Police vehicle" means a motor vehicle owned or

  2  leased by the state or a county or municipality and used in

  3  law enforcement.

  4         2.a.  "Short-term-lease vehicle" means a motor vehicle

  5  leased without a driver and under a written agreement to one

  6  or more persons from time to time for a period of less than 12

  7  months.

  8         b.  "Long-term-lease vehicle" means a motor vehicle

  9  leased without a driver and under a written agreement to one

10  person for a period of 12 months or longer.

11         c.  "Lease vehicle" includes both short-term-lease

12  vehicles and long-term-lease vehicles.

13         3.  "Rebuilt vehicle" means a motor vehicle or mobile

14  home built from salvage or junk, as defined in s. 319.30(1).

15         4.  "Assembled from parts" means a motor vehicle or

16  mobile home assembled from parts or combined from parts of

17  motor vehicles or mobile homes, new or used. "Assembled from

18  parts" does not mean a motor vehicle defined as a "rebuilt

19  vehicle" in subparagraph 3., which has been declared a total

20  loss pursuant to s. 319.30.

21         5.  "Combined" means assembled by combining two motor

22  vehicles neither of which has been titled and branded as

23  "Salvage Unrebuildable."

24         5.6.  "Kit car" means a motor vehicle assembled with a

25  kit supplied by a manufacturer to rebuild a wrecked or

26  outdated motor vehicle with a new body kit.

27         6.7.  "Glider kit" means a vehicle assembled with a kit

28  supplied by a manufacturer to rebuild a wrecked or outdated

29  truck or truck tractor.

30         7.8.  "Replica" means a complete new motor vehicle

31  manufactured to look like an old vehicle.

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  1         8.9.  "Flood vehicle" means a motor vehicle or mobile

  2  home that has been declared to be a total loss pursuant to s.

  3  319.30(3)(a) resulting from damage caused by water.

  4         9.10.  "Nonconforming vehicle" means a motor vehicle

  5  which has been purchased by a manufacturer pursuant to a

  6  settlement, determination, or decision under chapter 681.

  7         10.11.  "Settlement" means an agreement entered into

  8  between a manufacturer and a consumer that occurs after a

  9  dispute is submitted to a program, or an informal dispute

10  settlement procedure established by a manufacturer or is

11  approved for arbitration before the New Motor Vehicle

12  Arbitration Board as defined in s. 681.102.

13         (2)  No person shall knowingly sell, exchange, or

14  transfer a vehicle referred to in subsection (1) without,

15  prior to consummating the sale, exchange, or transfer,

16  disclosing in writing to the purchaser, customer, or

17  transferee the fact that the vehicle has previously been

18  titled, registered, or used as a taxicab, police vehicle, or

19  short-term-lease vehicle or is a vehicle that is rebuilt, or

20  assembled from parts, or combined, or is a kit car, glider

21  kit, replica, or flood vehicle, or is a nonconforming vehicle,

22  as the case may be.

23         (3)  Any person who, with intent to offer for sale or

24  exchange any vehicle referred to in subsection (1), knowingly

25  or intentionally advertises, publishes, disseminates,

26  circulates, or places before the public in any communications

27  medium, whether directly or indirectly, any offer to sell or

28  exchange the vehicle shall clearly and precisely state in each

29  such offer that the vehicle has previously been titled,

30  registered, or used as a taxicab, police vehicle, or

31  short-term-lease vehicle or that the vehicle or mobile home is

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  1  a vehicle that is rebuilt, or assembled from parts, or

  2  combined, or is a kit car, glider kit, replica, or flood

  3  vehicle, or a nonconforming vehicle, as the case may be.  Any

  4  person who violates this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor

  5  of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or

  6  s. 775.083.

  7         (4)  When a certificate of title, including a foreign

  8  certificate, is branded to reflect a condition or prior use of

  9  the titled vehicle, the brand must be noted, on the

10  registration certificate of the vehicle and such brand shall

11  be carried forward on all subsequent certificates of title and

12  registration certificates issued for the life of the vehicle.

13         (6)  Any person who removes a rebuilt decal from a

14  rebuilt vehicle or who knowingly possesses a rebuilt vehicle

15  from which a rebuilt decal has been removed commits a felony

16  of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s.

17  775.083, or s. 775.084.

18         Section 18.  Subsection (3) of section 319.17, Florida

19  Statutes, is amended to read:

20         319.17  Rules; forms; indexes and records.--

21         (3)  The department shall maintain indexes of motor

22  vehicles and mobile homes by name of owner, by title number,

23  and by manufacturer's motor number or vehicle identification

24  number.  The department shall keep an electronic a permanent

25  record of notices of liens and satisfactions thereof. Such

26  indexes and records shall be open to the inspection of the

27  public at all reasonable times, except as provided in chapter

28  119.

29         Section 19.  Subsections (8), (9), and (10) of section

30  319.24, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

31

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  1         319.24  Issuance in duplicate; delivery; liens and

  2  encumbrances.--

  3         (8)  The department shall not be required to retain on

  4  file any bill of sale or duplicate thereof, notice of lien, or

  5  satisfaction of lien covering any motor vehicle or mobile home

  6  for a period longer than 7 years after the date of the filing

  7  thereof; and thereafter the same may be destroyed.

  8         (8)(9)  Notwithstanding any requirements in this

  9  section or in s. 319.27 indicating that a lien on a motor

10  vehicle or mobile home shall be noted on the face of the

11  Florida certificate of title, if there are one or more liens

12  or encumbrances on the motor vehicle or mobile home, the

13  department may electronically transmit the lien to the first

14  lienholder and notify the first lienholder of any additional

15  liens.  Subsequent lien satisfactions may be electronically

16  transmitted to the department and shall include the name and

17  address of the person or entity satisfying the lien.  When

18  electronic transmission of liens and lien satisfactions are

19  used, the issuance of a certificate of title may be waived

20  until the last lien is satisfied and a clear certificate of

21  title is issued to the owner of the vehicle.  In subsequent

22  transfer of ownership of the motor vehicle it shall be

23  presumed that the motor vehicle title is subject to a lien as

24  set forth in s. 319.225(6)(a) until the title to be issued

25  pursuant to this subsection is received by the person or

26  entity satisfying the lien.

27         (9)(10)  The department shall in the sending of any

28  notice only be required to use the last known address as shown

29  by its records.

30         Section 20.  Subsections (2) and (4) of section 319.27,

31  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

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  1         319.27  Notice of lien on motor vehicles or mobile

  2  homes; notation on certificate; recording of lien.--

  3         (2)  No lien for purchase money or as security for a

  4  debt in the form of a security agreement, retain title

  5  contract, conditional bill of sale, chattel mortgage, or other

  6  similar instrument or any other lien, including a lien for

  7  child support, upon a motor vehicle or mobile home upon which

  8  a Florida certificate of title has been issued shall be

  9  enforceable in any of the courts of this state against

10  creditors or subsequent purchasers for a valuable

11  consideration and without notice, unless a sworn notice of

12  such lien has been filed in the department and such lien has

13  been noted upon the certificate of title of the motor vehicle

14  or mobile home. Such notice shall be effective as constructive

15  notice when filed. No interest of a statutory nonpossessory

16  lienor; the interest of a nonpossessory execution, attachment,

17  or equitable lienor; or the interest of a lien creditor as

18  defined in s. 679.301(3), if nonpossessory, shall be

19  enforceable against creditors or subsequent purchasers for a

20  valuable consideration unless such interest becomes a

21  possessory lien or is noted upon the certificate of title for

22  the subject motor vehicle or mobile home prior to the

23  occurrence of the subsequent transaction.  Provided the

24  provisions of this subsection relating to a nonpossessory

25  statutory lienor; a nonpossessory execution, attachment, or

26  equitable lienor; or the interest of a lien creditor as

27  defined in s. 679.301(3) shall not apply to liens validly

28  perfected prior to October 1, 1988.  The notice of lien shall

29  provide the following information:

30         (a)  The date of the lien if a security agreement,

31  retain title contract, conditional bill of sale, chattel

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  1  mortgage, or other similar instrument was executed prior to

  2  the filing of the notice of lien;

  3         (b)  The name and address of the registered owner;

  4         (c)  A description of the motor vehicle or mobile home,

  5  showing the make, type, and vehicle identification number; and

  6         (d)  The name and address of the lienholder.

  7         (4)(a)  Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection

  8  (2), any person holding a lien for purchase money or as

  9  security for a debt in the form of a security agreement,

10  retain title contract, conditional bill of sale, chattel

11  mortgage, or other similar instrument covering a motor vehicle

12  or mobile home previously titled or registered outside this

13  state upon which no Florida certificate of title has been

14  issued may use the facilities of the department for the

15  recording of such lien as constructive notice of such lien to

16  creditors and purchasers of such motor vehicle or mobile home

17  in this state provided such lienholder files a sworn notice of

18  such lien in the department, showing the following

19  information:

20         1.  The date of the lien;

21         2.  The name and address of the registered owner;

22         3.  A description of the motor vehicle or mobile home,

23  showing the make, type, and vehicle identification number; and

24         4.  The name and address of the lienholder.

25

26  Upon the filing of such notice of lien and the payment of the

27  fee provided in s. 319.32, the lien shall be recorded in the

28  department.

29         (a)(b)  When a Florida certificate of title is first

30  issued on a motor vehicle or mobile home previously titled or

31

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  1  registered outside this state, the department shall note on

  2  the Florida certificate of title the following liens:

  3         1.  Any lien shown on the application for Florida

  4  certificate of title; and

  5         2.  Any lien filed in the department in accordance with

  6  paragraph (a); and

  7         2.3.  Any lien shown on the existing certificate of

  8  title issued by another state.

  9         (b)(c)  When a Florida certificate of title has been

10  issued on a motor vehicle or mobile home previously titled or

11  registered outside this state, liens valid in and registered

12  under the law of the state wherein such liens were created are

13  not valid in this state unless filed and noted upon the

14  certificate of title under the provisions of this section.

15         Section 21.  Paragraphs (e) and (f) of subsection (1)

16  and subsections (3), (4), (5), and (7) of section 319.30,

17  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

18         319.30  Definitions; dismantling, destruction, change

19  of identity of motor vehicle or mobile home; salvage.--

20         (1)  As used in this section, the term:

21         (e)  "Major component parts";

22         1.  For motor vehicles other than motorcycles, includes

23  the front-end assembly, fenders, hood, grill, bumper, cowl

24  assembly, rear body section, both quarter panels, decklid,

25  bumper, floor pan, door assemblies, engine, frame,

26  transmission, radiator support, dashboard, hard-top roof,

27  sunroof, t-top, airbag, wheels, windshield, and interior.

28         2.  For trucks, in addition to the items specified in

29  subparagraph 1. includes the truck bed.

30         3.  For motorcycles, includes the body assembly, frame,

31  fenders, gas tanks, engine block, cylinder heads, crank case,

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  1  transmission, case and gear assembly, front fork assembly, and

  2  wheels.

  3         4.  For mobile homes, includes the frame. means the

  4  front-end assembly (fenders, hood, grill, and bumper); cowl

  5  assembly; rear body section (both quarter panels, decklid,

  6  bumper, and floor pan); door assemblies; engine; frame; or

  7  transmission.

  8         (f)  "Major part" means the front-end assembly

  9  (fenders, hood, grill, and bumper); cowl assembly; or rear

10  body section (both quarter panels, decklid, bumper, and floor

11  pan).

12         (3)(a)  As used in this section, a motor vehicle or

13  mobile home is a "total loss":

14         1.  When an insurance company pays the vehicle owner to

15  replace the wrecked or damaged vehicle with one of like kind

16  and quality or when an insurance company pays the owner upon

17  the theft of the motor vehicle or mobile home; a motor vehicle

18  or mobile home shall not be considered a "total loss" if the

19  insurance company and the owner agree to repair, rather than

20  to replace, the motor vehicle or mobile home; or

21         2.  When an uninsured motor vehicle or mobile home is

22  wrecked or damaged and the cost, at the time of loss, of

23  repairing or rebuilding the vehicle is 80 percent or more of

24  the cost to the owner of replacing the wrecked or damaged

25  motor vehicle or mobile home with one of like kind and

26  quality.

27         (b)  The owner of any motor vehicle or mobile home

28  which is considered to be salvage shall, within 72 hours after

29  the motor vehicle or mobile home becomes salvage, forward the

30  title to the motor vehicle or mobile home to the department

31  for processing. However, an insurance company which pays money

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  1  as compensation for total loss of a motor vehicle or mobile

  2  home shall obtain the certificate of title for the motor

  3  vehicle or mobile home and, within 72 hours after receiving

  4  such certificate of title, shall forward such title to the

  5  department for processing.  The owner or insurance company, as

  6  the case may be, may not dispose of a vehicle or mobile home

  7  that is a total loss before it has obtained a salvage

  8  certificate of title from the department.  When applying for a

  9  salvage certificate of title, the owner or insurance company

10  must provide the department with an estimate of the costs of

11  repairing the physical and mechanical damage suffered by the

12  vehicle for which a salvage certificate of title is sought.

13  If the estimated costs of repairing the physical and

14  mechanical damage to the vehicle is equal to 80 percent or

15  more of the current retail cost of the vehicle, as established

16  in any official used car or used mobile home guide, the

17  department shall declare the vehicle unrebuildable and print

18  notice on the salvage certificate of title that the vehicle is

19  unrebuildable; and, thereafter, the vehicle may not be rebuilt

20  or sold in a rebuilt condition, and the department shall

21  refuse issuance of any certificate of title for that vehicle.

22  Nothing in this subsection applies to shall be applicable when

23  a vehicle is worth less than $1,500 retail in undamaged

24  condition in any official used motor vehicle guide or used

25  mobile home guide or to when a stolen motor vehicle or mobile

26  home that is recovered in substantially intact condition and

27  is readily resalable without extensive repairs to or

28  replacement of the frame or engine. Any person who willfully

29  and deliberately violates this paragraph or falsifies any

30  document to avoid the requirements of this paragraph commits a

31

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  1  misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s.

  2  775.082 or s. 775.083.

  3         (4)  It is unlawful for any person to have in his or

  4  her possession any motor vehicle or mobile home when the

  5  manufacturer's or state-assigned identification number plate

  6  or serial plate has been removed therefrom. However, nothing

  7  in this subsection shall be applicable when a vehicle defined

  8  in this section as a derelict or salvage was purchased or

  9  acquired from a foreign state requiring such vehicle's

10  identification number plate to be surrendered to such state,

11  provided the person shall have an affidavit from the seller

12  describing the vehicle by manufacturer's serial number and the

13  state to which such vehicle's identification number plate was

14  surrendered.

15         (5)(a)  It is unlawful for any person to knowingly

16  possess, sell, or exchange, offer to sell or exchange, or give

17  away any certificate of title or manufacturer's or

18  state-assigned identification number plate or serial plate of

19  any motor vehicle, mobile home, or derelict that has been sold

20  as salvage contrary to the provisions of this section, and it

21  is unlawful for any person to authorize, direct, aid in, or

22  consent to the possession, sale, or exchange or to offer to

23  sell, exchange, or give away such certificate of title or

24  manufacturer's or state-assigned identification number plate

25  or serial plate.

26         (b)  It is unlawful for any person to knowingly

27  possess, sell, or exchange, offer to sell or exchange, or give

28  away any manufacturer's or state-assigned identification

29  number plate or serial plate of any motor vehicle or mobile

30  home that has been removed from the motor vehicle or mobile

31  home for which it was manufactured, and it is unlawful for any

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  1  person to authorize, direct, aid in, or consent to the

  2  possession, sale, or exchange or to offer to sell, exchange,

  3  or give away such manufacturer's or state-assigned

  4  identification number plate or serial plate.

  5         (c)  This chapter does not apply to anyone who removes,

  6  possesses, or replaces a manufacturer's or state-assigned

  7  identification number plate, in the course of performing

  8  repairs on a vehicle, that require such removal or

  9  replacement.  If the repair requires replacement of a vehicle

10  part that contains the manufacturer's or state-assigned

11  identification number plate, the manufacturer's or

12  state-assigned identification number plate that is assigned to

13  the vehicle being repaired will be installed on the

14  replacement part. The manufacturer's or state-assigned

15  identification number plate that was removed from this

16  replacement part will be installed on the part that was

17  removed from the vehicle being repaired.

18         (7)  In the event of a purchase by a secondary metals

19  recycler, that has been issued a certificate of registration

20  number, of:

21         (a)  Materials, prepared materials, or parts from any

22  seller for purposes other than the processing of such

23  materials, prepared materials, or parts, the purchaser shall

24  obtain such documentation as may be required by this section,

25  and shall record the seller's name and address, date of

26  purchase, and the personal identification card number of the

27  person delivering such items.

28         (b)  Parts or prepared materials from any seller for

29  purposes of the processing of such parts or prepared

30  materials, the purchaser shall record the seller's name and

31  address and date of purchase; and, in the event of a purchase

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  1  transaction consisting primarily of parts or prepared

  2  materials, the personal identification card number of the

  3  person delivering such items.

  4         (c)  Materials from another secondary metals recycler

  5  for purposes of the processing of such materials, the

  6  purchaser shall record the seller's name, address, and date of

  7  purchase.

  8         (d)  Motor vehicles, mobile homes, or derelicts from

  9  other than a secondary metals recycler for purposes of the

10  processing of such motor vehicles, mobile homes, or derelicts,

11  the purchaser shall record the seller's name, address, date of

12  purchase, and the personal identification card number of the

13  person delivering such items, and shall obtain the following

14  documentation from the seller with respect to each item

15  purchased:

16         1.  A valid certificate of title issued in the name of

17  the seller or properly endorsed over to the seller;

18         2.  A valid certificate of destruction issued in the

19  name of the seller or properly endorsed over to the seller; or

20         3.  If a valid certificate of title or a valid

21  certificate of destruction is not available, an affidavit

22  signed by the seller stating that the seller returned the

23  certificate of title to the State of Florida pursuant to

24  subsection (2) and the date on which such return was made, and

25  setting forth the vehicle identification number of such motor

26  vehicle, mobile home, or derelict.

27         (e)  Major parts from other than a secondary metals

28  recycler for purposes of the processing of such major parts,

29  the purchaser shall record the seller's name, address, date of

30  purchase, and the personal identification card number of the

31  person delivering such items, as well as the vehicle

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  1  identification number, if available, of each major part

  2  purchased.

  3

  4  Any person who violates this subsection, including the

  5  falsification of a required affidavit or knowingly causing

  6  another to falsify a required affidavit, commits a felony of

  7  the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s.

  8  775.083, or s. 775.084.

  9         Section 22.  Subsections (5) and (7) of section 319.33,

10  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

11         319.33  Offenses involving vehicle identification

12  numbers, applications, certificates, papers; penalty.--

13         (5)  It is unlawful for any person, firm, or

14  corporation to knowingly possess, manufacture, sell or

15  exchange, offer to sell or exchange, supply in blank, or give

16  away any counterfeit manufacturer's or state-assigned

17  identification number plates or serial plates or any decal

18  used for the purpose of identification of any motor vehicle;

19  or for any officer, agent, or employee of any person, firm, or

20  corporation, or any person who shall authorize, direct, aid in

21  exchange, or give away such counterfeit manufacturer's or

22  state-assigned identification number plates or serial plates

23  or any decal; or conspire to do any of the foregoing.

24  However, nothing in this subsection shall be applicable to any

25  approved replacement manufacturer's identification number

26  plates or serial plates or any decal issued by the department

27  or any state.

28         (7)(a)  If all identifying numbers of a motor vehicle

29  or mobile home do not exist or have been destroyed, removed,

30  covered, altered, or defaced, or if the real identity of the

31  motor vehicle or mobile home cannot be determined, the motor

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  1  vehicle or mobile home shall constitute contraband and shall

  2  be subject to forfeiture by a seizing law enforcement agency,

  3  pursuant to applicable provisions of ss. 932.701-932.704.

  4  Such motor vehicle shall not be operated on the streets and

  5  highways of the state unless, by written order of a court of

  6  competent jurisdiction, the department is directed to assign

  7  to the vehicle a replacement vehicle identification number

  8  which shall thereafter be used for identification purposes.

  9  If the motor vehicle is confiscated from a licensed motor

10  vehicle dealer as defined in s. 320.27, the dealer's license

11  shall be revoked.

12         (b)  If all numbers or other identifying marks

13  manufactured on a major component part on a mobile home or on

14  a motor vehicle other than a motorcycle have been altered,

15  defaced, destroyed, or otherwise removed for the purpose of

16  concealing the identity of the major component part, the part

17  shall constitute contraband and shall be subject to forfeiture

18  by a seizing law enforcement agency, pursuant to applicable

19  provisions of ss. 932.701-932.704.  Any major component part

20  forfeited under this subsection shall be destroyed or disposed

21  of in a manner so as to make it unusable.

22         (c)  If all numbers or other identifying marks

23  manufactured on a major component part of a motorcycle have

24  been altered, defaced, destroyed or otherwise removed, there

25  is no property right in that major component part. The part

26  shall be confiscated by a seizing law enforcement agency as

27  contraband and may not, under any circumstances, be released.

28  Any confiscated major component part must be retained until

29  the seizing agency is advised by a prosecuting officer having

30  jurisdiction within the county in which the confiscation

31  occurred that the part is no longer required as evidence.

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  1  Thereafter, upon order of a court of competent jurisdiction,

  2  any major component part confiscated under this section must

  3  be destroyed or disposed of in a manner so as to make it

  4  unusable.

  5         Section 23.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section

  6  320.02, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

  7         320.02  Registration required; application for

  8  registration; forms.--

  9         (2)(a)  The application for registration shall include

10  the street address of the owner's permanent residence or the

11  address of his or her permanent place of business and shall be

12  accompanied by personal or business identification information

13  which must may include, but need not be limited to, a driver's

14  license number, or Florida identification card number, or

15  federal employer identification number. If the owner does not

16  have a permanent residence or permanent place of business or

17  if the owner's permanent residence or permanent place of

18  business cannot be identified by a street address, in addition

19  to a driver's license number, or Florida identification

20  number, the application shall include:

21         1.  If the vehicle is registered to a business, the

22  federal employer identification number and the name and street

23  address of the permanent residence of an owner of the

24  business, an officer of the corporation, or an employee who is

25  in a supervisory position.

26         2.  If the vehicle is registered to an individual, the

27  name and street address of the permanent residence of a close

28  relative or friend who is a resident of this state.

29         Section 24.  Subsection (2) of section 320.031, Florida

30  Statutes, is amended to read:

31

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  1         320.031  Mailing of registration certificates, license

  2  plates, and validation stickers.--

  3         (2)  A mail service charge may be collected for each

  4  registration certificate, license plate, mobile home sticker,

  5  and validation sticker mailed by the department or any tax

  6  collector. Each registration certificate, license plate,

  7  mobile home sticker, and validation sticker shall be mailed by

  8  first-class mail unless otherwise requested by the applicant.

  9  The amount of the mail service charge shall be the actual

10  postage required, rounded to the nearest 5 cents, plus a

11  25-cent handling charge.  The mail service charge is in

12  addition to the service charge provided by s. 320.04. All

13  charges collected by the department under this section shall

14  be deposited into the Highway Safety Operating Trust Fund.

15         Section 25.  Subsection (2) of section 320.04, Florida

16  Statutes, is amended to read:

17         320.04  Registration service charge.--

18         (2)  The service charges shall be collected by the

19  department on all applications handled directly from its

20  office; and the proceeds thereof, together with any fees

21  returned to it by the tax collector, shall be paid into the

22  Highway Safety Operating Trust General Revenue Fund. No tax

23  collector, deputy tax collector, or employee of the state or

24  any county shall charge, collect, or receive any fee or

25  compensation for services performed as notary public in

26  connection with or incidental to the issuance of license

27  plates or titles. The provisions of this subsection and of s.

28  116.38(2) prohibiting the charging, collecting, or receiving

29  of notary public fees do not apply to any privately owned

30  license plate agency appointed by the county manager of a

31  charter county which has an appointed tax collector.

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  1         320.04  Registration service charge.--

  2         (1)(a)  There shall be a service charge of $2.50 for

  3  each application which is handled in connection with original

  4  issuance, duplicate issuance, or transfer of any license

  5  plate, mobile home sticker, or validation sticker or with

  6  transfer or duplicate issuance of any registration

  7  certificate.  There may also be a service charge of up to $1

  8  for the issuance of each license plate validation sticker,

  9  vessel decal, and mobile home sticker issued from an automated

10  vending facility or printer dispenser machine which shall be

11  payable to and retained by the department to provide for

12  automated vending facilities or printer dispenser machines

13  used to dispense such stickers and decals by each tax

14  collector's or license tag agent's employee.

15         (b)  In addition to the fees provided in paragraph (a),

16  any tax collector may impose an additional service charge of

17  not more than 50 cents on any transaction specified in

18  paragraph (a) or on any transaction specified in s.

19  319.32(2)(a) or s. 328.48 when such transaction occurs at any

20  tax collector's branch office.

21         (c)  The service charges prescribed by paragraphs (a)

22  and (b) shall be collected from the applicant as compensation

23  for all services rendered in connection with the handling of

24  the application.  Such fees shall be retained by the

25  department or by the tax collector, as the case may be, as

26  other fees accruing to those offices.

27         (2)  The service charges shall be collected by the

28  department on all applications handled directly from its

29  office; and the proceeds thereof, together with any fees

30  returned to it by the tax collector, shall be paid into the

31  General Revenue Fund. No tax collector, deputy tax collector,

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  1  or employee of the state or any county shall charge, collect,

  2  or receive any fee or compensation for services performed as

  3  notary public in connection with or incidental to the issuance

  4  of license plates or titles. The provisions of this subsection

  5  and of s. 116.38(2) prohibiting the charging, collecting, or

  6  receiving of notary public fees do not apply to any privately

  7  owned license plate agency appointed by the county manager of

  8  a charter county which has an appointed tax collector.

  9         Section 26.  Subsection (2) of section 320.05, Florida

10  Statutes, is amended to read:

11         320.05  Records of the department; inspection

12  procedure; lists and searches; fees.--

13         (2)  Upon receipt of an application for the

14  registration of a motor vehicle or mobile home, as herein

15  provided for, the department shall register the motor vehicle

16  or mobile home under the distinctive number assigned to such

17  motor vehicle or mobile home by the department. Electronic,

18  which registration records record shall be open to the

19  inspection of the public during business hours. Information on

20  a motor vehicle registration may not be made available to a

21  person unless the person requesting the information furnishes

22  positive proof of identification. The agency that furnishes a

23  motor vehicle registration record shall record the name and

24  address of any person other than a representative of a law

25  enforcement agency who requests and receives information from

26  a motor vehicle registration record and shall also record the

27  name and address of the person who is the subject of the

28  inquiry or other information identifying the entity about

29  which information is requested. A record of each such inquiry

30  must be maintained for a period of 6 months from the date upon

31  which the information was released to the inquirer. Nothing in

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  1  this section shall prohibit any financial institution,

  2  insurance company, motor vehicle dealer, licensee under

  3  chapter 493, attorney, or other agency which the department

  4  determines has the right to know from obtaining, for

  5  professional or business use only, information in such records

  6  from the department through any means of telecommunication

  7  pursuant to a code developed by the department providing all

  8  fees specified in subsection (3) have been paid. The

  9  department shall disclose records or information to the child

10  support enforcement agency to assist in the location of

11  individuals who owe or potentially owe child support or to

12  whom such an obligation is owed pursuant to Title IV-D of the

13  Social Security Act.

14         Section 27.  Subsection (5) of section 320.055, Florida

15  Statutes, is amended to read:

16         320.055  Registration periods; renewal periods.--The

17  following registration periods and renewal periods are

18  established:

19         (5)  For a vehicle subject to apportioned registration

20  under s. 320.08(4), (5)(a)1., (e), (6)(b), or (14), the

21  registration period shall be a period of 12 months beginning

22  in a month designated by the department and ending on the last

23  day of the 12th month.  For a vehicle subject to this

24  registration period, the renewal period is the last month of

25  the registration period. The registration period may be

26  shortened or extended at the discretion of the department, on

27  receipt of the appropriate prorated fees, in order to evenly

28  distribute such registrations on a monthly basis. For vehicles

29  subject to registration other than those apportioned under s.

30  320.08(4), (5)(a)1., (6)(b), or (14) the registration period

31

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  1  begins December 1 and ends November 30. The renewal period is

  2  the 31-day period beginning December 1.

  3         Section 28.  Section 320.0605, Florida Statutes, is

  4  amended to read:

  5         320.0605  Certificate of registration; possession

  6  required; exception.--The registration certificate or an

  7  official copy thereof, a true copy of a rental or lease

  8  agreement issued for a motor vehicle or issued for a

  9  replacement vehicle in the same registration period, a

10  temporary receipt printed upon self-initiated electronic

11  renewal of a registration via the Internet, or a cab card

12  issued for a vehicle registered under the International

13  Registration Plan shall, at all times while the vehicle is

14  being used or operated on the roads of this state, be in the

15  possession of the operator thereof or be carried in the

16  vehicle for which issued and shall be exhibited upon demand of

17  any authorized law enforcement officer or any agent of the

18  department. The provisions of this section do not apply during

19  the first 30 days after purchase of a replacement vehicle. A

20  violation of this section is a noncriminal traffic infraction,

21  punishable as a nonmoving violation as provided in chapter

22  318.

23         Section 29.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (4) of section

24  320.07, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

25         320.07  Expiration of registration; annual renewal

26  required; penalties.--

27         (4)(a)  In addition to a penalty provided in subsection

28  (3), a delinquent fee based on the following schedule of

29  license taxes shall be imposed on any applicant who fails to

30  renew a registration prior to the end of the month in which

31  renewal registration is due.  The delinquent fee shall be

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  1  applied beginning at 12:01 a.m. on the first day of the month

  2  succeeding the renewal period on the 11th calendar day of the

  3  month succeeding the renewal period. The delinquent fee shall

  4  not apply to those vehicles which have not been required to be

  5  registered during the preceding registration period or as

  6  provided in s. 320.18(2).  The delinquent fee shall be imposed

  7  as follows:

  8         1.  License tax of $5 but not more than $25:  $5 flat.

  9         2.  License tax over $25 but not more than $50:  $10

10  flat.

11         3.  License tax over $50 but not more than $100:  $15

12  flat.

13         4.  License tax over $100 but not more than $400: $50

14  flat.

15         5.  License tax over $400 but not more than $600:  $100

16  flat.

17         6.  License tax over $600 and up: $250 flat.

18         Section 30.  Subsection (6) of section 320.0805,

19  Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

20         320.0805  Personalized prestige license plates.--

21         (6)  A personalized prestige license plate shall be

22  issued for the exclusive continuing use of the applicant.  An

23  exact duplicate of any plate may not be issued to any other

24  applicant during the same registration period. An exact

25  duplicate may not be issued for any succeeding year unless the

26  previous owner of a specific plate relinquishes it by failure

27  to apply for renewal within 90 days after the expiration of

28  the registration period or reissuance for three consecutive

29  annual registration periods following the original year of

30  issuance.

31

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  1         Section 31.  Subsection (29) of section 320.08058,

  2  Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

  3         320.08058  Specialty license plates.--

  4         (29)  UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS LICENSE PLATES.--

  5         (a)  The department shall develop a United States

  6  Marine Corps license plate as provided in this section. The

  7  word "Florida" must appear at the top center of the plate, and

  8  the words "Marine Corps" "First to Fight" must appear at the

  9  bottom center of the plate. The United States Marine Corps

10  logo, 3 inches in diameter, must appear on the left side

11  centered top to bottom of the plate in proper colors.

12         (b)  The department shall distribute the United States

13  Marine Corps license plate annual use fees in the following

14  manner:

15         1.  The first $50,000 collected annually shall be

16  deposited in the State Homes for Veterans Trust Fund and must

17  be used solely for the purpose of constructing, operating, and

18  maintaining domiciliary and nursing homes for veterans subject

19  to the requirements of chapter 216.

20         2.  Any additional fees collected annually shall be

21  deposited in the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, Inc.,

22  successor to the USMC USMV Tag/Scholarship Fund, Inc., which

23  shall use the fees to fund scholarships and assist Marine

24  Corps Junior ROTC and Young Marine programs of this state. The

25  foundation shall develop a plan to distribute the funds to

26  recipients nominated by residents of the state to receive

27  scholarships, and to the Marine Corps Junior ROTC and Young

28  Marine programs in the state.

29         Section 32.  Subsection (1) of section 320.083, Florida

30  Statutes, is amended to read:

31

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  1         320.083  Amateur radio operators; special license

  2  plates; fees.--

  3         (1)  A person who is the owner or lessee of an

  4  automobile or truck for private use, a truck weighing not more

  5  than 5,000 pounds, or a recreational vehicle as specified in

  6  s. 320.08(9)(c) or (d), which is not used for hire or

  7  commercial use; who is a resident of the state; and who holds

  8  a valid official amateur radio station license issued by the

  9  Federal Communications Commission shall be issued a special

10  license plate upon application, accompanied by proof of

11  ownership of such radio station license, and payment of the

12  following tax and fees:

13         (a)  The license tax required for the vehicle, as

14  prescribed by s. 320.08(2), (3)(a), (b), or (c), (4)(a), (b),

15  (c), (d), (e), or (f), or (9); and

16         (b)  An initial additional fee of $5, and an additional

17  fee of $1.50 thereafter.

18         Section 33.  Subsection (2) and (3) of section 320.089,

19  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

20         320.089  Members of National Guard and active United

21  States Armed Forces reservists; former prisoners of war;

22  survivors of Pearl Harbor; Purple Heart medal recipients;

23  special license plates; fee.--

24         (2)  Each owner or lessee of an automobile or truck for

25  private use, truck weighing not more than 5,000 pounds, or

26  recreational vehicle as specified in s. 320.08(9)(c) or (d),

27  which is not used for hire or commercial use, who is a

28  resident of the state and who is a former prisoner of war, or

29  their unremarried surviving spouse, shall, upon application

30  therefor to the department, be issued a license plate as

31  provided in s. 320.06, on which license plate are stamped the

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  1  words "Ex-POW" followed by the serial number. Each application

  2  shall be accompanied by proof that the applicant meets the

  3  qualifications specified in paragraph (a) or paragraph (b).

  4         (a)  A citizen of the United States who served as a

  5  member of the Armed Forces of the United States or the armed

  6  forces of a nation allied with the United States who was held

  7  as a prisoner of war at such time as the Armed Forces of the

  8  United States were engaged in combat, or their unremarried

  9  surviving spouse, may be issued the special license plate

10  provided for in this subsection without payment of the license

11  tax imposed by s. 320.08.

12         (b)  A person who was serving as a civilian with the

13  consent of the United States Government, or a person who was a

14  member of the Armed Forces of the United States who was not a

15  United States citizen and was held as a prisoner of war when

16  the Armed Forces of the United States were engaged in combat,

17  or their unremarried surviving spouse, may be issued the

18  special license plate provided for in this subsection upon

19  payment of the license tax imposed by s. 320.08.

20         (3)  Each owner or lessee of an automobile or truck for

21  private use, truck weighing not more than 5,000 pounds, or

22  recreational vehicle as specified in s. 320.08(9)(c) or (d),

23  which is not used for hire or commercial use, who is a

24  resident of this state and who is the unremarried surviving

25  spouse of a recipient of the Purple Heart medal shall, upon

26  application therefor to the department, with the payment of

27  the required fees, be issued a license plate as provided in s.

28  320.06, on which license plate are stamped the words "Purple

29  Heart" and the likeness of the Purple Heart medal followed by

30  the serial number.  Each application shall be accompanied by

31

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  1  proof that the applicant is the unremarried surviving spouse

  2  of a recipient of the Purple Heart medal.

  3         Section 34.  Subsection (1) of section 320.18, Florida

  4  Statutes, is amended to read:

  5         320.18  Withholding registration.--

  6         (1)  The department may withhold the registration of

  7  any motor vehicle or mobile home the owner of which has failed

  8  to register it under the provisions of law for any previous

  9  period or periods for which it appears registration should

10  have been made in this state, until the tax for such period or

11  periods is paid. The department may cancel any license plate

12  or fuel-use tax decal if the owner pays for the license plate,

13  fuel-use tax decal, or any tax liability, penalty, or interest

14  specified in chapter 207 by a dishonored check. The department

15  may suspend all other motor vehicle registrations and the

16  driver's license of any person who pays for a license plate,

17  fuel-use tax decal, or any tax liability, penalty, or interest

18  specified in chapter 207 by a dishonored check. The suspension

19  remains in effect until the registration fee and service

20  charges or the tax liability, as the case may be, and all

21  applicable penalties, service charges, and reinstatement fees

22  have been paid for by certified funds. The Department of

23  Transportation and the Department of Highway Safety and Motor

24  Vehicles may impound any commercial motor vehicle that has a

25  canceled license plate or fuel-use tax decal until the tax

26  liability, penalty, and interest specified in chapter 207, the

27  license tax, or the fuel-use decal fee, and applicable

28  administrative fees have been paid for by certified funds.

29         Section 35.  Subsections (5) and (7) of section 320.27,

30  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

31         320.27  Motor vehicle dealers.--

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  1         (5)  SUPPLEMENTAL LICENSE.--Any person licensed

  2  hereunder shall obtain a supplemental license for each

  3  permanent additional place or places of business not

  4  contiguous to the premises for which the original license is

  5  issued, on a form to be furnished by the department, and upon

  6  payment of a fee of $50 for each such additional location.

  7  Upon making renewal applications for such supplemental

  8  licenses, such applicant shall pay $50 for each additional

  9  location. The department shall issue, at no charge to the

10  dealer, a supplemental license authorizing, for a period not

11  to exceed 10 consecutive calendar days, off-premises sales. To

12  obtain such a temporary supplemental license for off-premises

13  sales, the applicant must be a licensed dealer, notify the

14  applicable local department office of the specific dates and

15  location for which such licenses are requested, display a sign

16  at the licensed location clearly identifying the dealer,

17  provide staff to work at the temporary location for the

18  duration of the off-premises sale, meet any local-government

19  permitting requirements, and have the permission of the

20  property owner to sell at that location.

21         (7)  CERTIFICATE OF TITLE REQUIRED.--For each used

22  motor vehicle in the possession of a licensee and offered for

23  sale by him or her, the licensee either shall have in his or

24  her possession a duly assigned certificate of title from the

25  owner in accordance with the provisions of chapter 319, from

26  the time when the motor vehicle is delivered to the licensee

27  and offered for sale by him or her until it has been disposed

28  of by the licensee, or shall have reasonable indicia of

29  ownership or right of possession, or shall have made proper

30  application for a certificate of title or duplicate

31  certificate of title in accordance with the provisions of

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  1  chapter 319.  A motor vehicle dealer may not sell or offer for

  2  sale a vehicle in his or her possession unless the dealer

  3  satisfies the requirements of this subsection. For the purpose

  4  of this subsection, reasonable indicia of ownership shall

  5  include:

  6         (a)  A duly assigned certificate of title;

  7         (b)  In the case of a new vehicle, a Manufacturer's

  8  Statement of Origin issued to or reassigned to the dealer;

  9         (c)  A consignment contract between the owner and the

10  dealer along with a power of attorney from the owner to the

11  dealer authorizing the dealer to apply for duplicate

12  certificate of title and assign the title on behalf of the

13  owner;

14         (d)  A certificate of right of possession issued under

15  s. 319.36;

16         (e)  A court order awarding title of the vehicle to the

17  dealer;

18         (f)  A salvage certificate of title;

19         (g)  A photocopy of a duly assigned certificate of

20  title being held by a financial institution as collateral for

21  a business loan of money to the dealer (floor plan);

22         (h)  A canceled check or other documentation evidencing

23  that an outstanding lien on a vehicle taken in trade by a

24  licensed dealer has been satisfied and that the certificate of

25  title will be but has not yet been received by the dealer;

26         (i)  A vehicle purchase order or installment contract

27  for a vehicle that indicates the specifically identified

28  subject vehicle as a trade-in on a replacement vehicle; or

29         (j)  A duly executed federal odometer disclosure

30  statement, as defined in subsection (4), bearing the

31  signatures of the title owners of a traded-in vehicle.

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  1         Section 36.  Subsection (10) of section 320.60, Florida

  2  Statutes, is amended to read:

  3         320.60  Definitions for ss. 320.61-320.70.--Whenever

  4  used in ss. 320.61-320.70, unless the context otherwise

  5  requires, the following words and terms have the following

  6  meanings:

  7         (10)  "Motor vehicle" means any new automobile,

  8  motorcycle, or truck the equitable or legal title to which has

  9  never been transferred by a manufacturer, distributor,

10  importer, or dealer to an ultimate purchaser; however, when

11  legal title is not transferred but possession of a motor

12  vehicle is transferred under a conditional sales contract or

13  lease and the conditions are not satisfied and the vehicle is

14  returned to the motor vehicle dealer, the motor vehicle may be

15  resold by the motor vehicle dealer as a new motor vehicle if

16  the selling motor vehicle dealer gives the following notice to

17  the purchaser: "This Vehicle Was Delivered to a Previous

18  Purchaser.".

19         Section 37.  Subsection (4) of section 320.61, Florida

20  Statutes, is amended to read:

21         320.61  Licenses required of motor vehicle

22  manufacturers, distributors, importers, etc.--

23         (4)  When a complaint of unfair cancellation of a

24  dealer agreement is made by a motor vehicle dealer against a

25  licensee and is in the process of being heard pursuant to ss.

26  320.60-320.70 by the department, a no replacement application

27  for such agreement may not shall be granted until a final

28  decision is rendered by the department on the complaint and

29  all appellate remedies have been exhausted by the licensee or

30  motor vehicle dealer other than as provided in s. 320.641 of

31  unfair cancellation.

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  1         Section 38.  Subsection (3) of section 320.641, Florida

  2  Statutes, is amended to read:

  3         320.641  Unfair cancellation of franchise agreements.--

  4         (3)  Any motor vehicle dealer who receives a notice

  5  from the licensee of its intent to discontinue, cancel, not

  6  renew, modify, or replace the dealer's franchise agreement

  7  whose franchise agreement is discontinued, canceled, not

  8  renewed, modified, or replaced may, within the 90-day notice

  9  period, file a petition or complaint for a determination of

10  whether such action is an unfair or prohibited

11  discontinuation, cancellation, nonrenewal, modification, or

12  replacement. In such action, the licensee has the burden of

13  proving that the action is fair and not prohibited. Agreements

14  and certificates of appointment shall continue in effect until

15  final determination of the issues raised in such petition or

16  complaint by the motor vehicle dealer, including the

17  exhaustion of all appellate remedies by the licensee or motor

18  vehicle dealer, except for the conviction of a dealer or

19  dealer owner of any felony, a fraudulent misrepresentation

20  that is material to the franchise, the suspension or

21  revocation of a license that a dealer is required to have to

22  operate a dealership, or the abandonment of a franchise under

23  s. 320.641(4). A discontinuation, cancellation, or nonrenewal

24  of a franchise agreement is unfair if it is not clearly

25  permitted by the franchise agreement; is not undertaken in

26  good faith; is not undertaken for good cause; or is based on

27  an alleged breach of the franchise agreement which is not in

28  fact a material and substantial breach. A modification or

29  replacement of a franchise agreement is unfair if it is not

30  permitted by the franchise agreement; is not undertaken in

31  good faith; or is not undertaken for good cause. A termination

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  1  based on the failure of a dealer to meet performance goals of

  2  the manufacturer due to the failure of the franchisor to offer

  3  new motor vehicles in quantities reasonably necessary to meet

  4  the performance goals of the manufacturer shall be unfair.  As

  5  used in this subsection, the term "good faith" means that the

  6  provisions or standards relied upon by the licensee to

  7  establish grounds for termination are reasonable and have been

  8  applied by the licensee in a uniform, consistent, and

  9  nondiscriminatory manner, considering action taken by the

10  licensee when similar conduct was committed by other motor

11  vehicle dealers; and the term "good cause" means a material

12  and substantial breach of the franchise agreement which is

13  significantly detrimental to the licensee's business interest.

14         Section 39.  Section 320.645, Florida Statutes, is

15  amended to read:

16         320.645  Restriction upon ownership of dealership by

17  licensee.--

18         (1)  A No licensee, including a manufacturer or agent

19  of a manufacturer, or any parent, subsidiary, common entity,

20  or officer or representative of the licensee may not shall own

21  any interest in, control, or operate, either directly or

22  indirectly, a motor vehicle dealership in this state for the

23  sale or service of motor vehicles that which have been or are

24  offered for sale under a franchise agreement with a motor

25  vehicle dealer in this state. A licensee may not be issued a

26  motor vehicle dealer license pursuant to s. 320.27. However, a

27  no such licensee will not be deemed to be in violation of this

28  section:

29         (a)  When operating a motor vehicle dealership for a

30  temporary period, not to exceed 1 year, during the transition

31  from one owner of the motor vehicle dealership to another;

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  1         (b)  When operating a motor vehicle dealership

  2  temporarily for the exclusive purpose of broadening the

  3  diversity of its dealer body and enhancing opportunities for

  4  qualified persons who are part of a group that has

  5  historically been underrepresented in its dealer body, or for

  6  other qualified persons who lack the resources to purchase or

  7  capitalize a dealership outright for a reasonable period, not

  8  to exceed 1 year, or in a bona fide relationship with an

  9  independent person, other than a licensee or its agent or

10  affiliate, who has made a significant investment that is

11  subject to loss in the dealership and who can reasonably

12  expect to acquire full ownership of the dealership on

13  reasonable terms and conditions; or

14         (c)  If the department determines, after a hearing on

15  the matter, pursuant to chapter 120, at the request of any

16  person, that there is no independent person available in the

17  community or territory to own and operate the motor vehicle

18  dealership in a manner consistent with the public interest.

19

20  In any such case in which paragraph (a) or paragraph (c)

21  applies, the licensee must continue to make the motor vehicle

22  dealership available for sale to an independent person at a

23  fair and reasonable price. Approval of the sale of such a

24  motor vehicle dealership to a proposed motor vehicle dealer

25  must shall not be unreasonably withheld. The licensee must

26  certify, in writing, to the department that the provisions of

27  paragraph (b) have been satisfied for the purpose of complying

28  with this section and that the relationship is not an attempt

29  to own, operate, or control one or more dealerships.

30         (2)  As used in the section, the term:

31

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  1         (a)  "Agent" means a person who is employed by or

  2  affiliated with a licensee or who directly or through an

  3  intermediary is controlled by or under common control of a

  4  licensee.

  5         (b)  "Control" means the direct or indirect possession

  6  of the power to direct or cause the direction of the

  7  management or policies of a person, whether through the

  8  ownership of voting securities, by contract, or otherwise.

  9         (c)  "Independent person" means a person who is not an

10  officer, director, or employee of the licensee or otherwise

11  associated with the licensee through agreements or

12  understanding, other than the franchise agreement.

13         (d)  "Reasonable terms and conditions" requires that

14  profits from dealership operation will be sufficient to allow

15  full ownership of the dealership by the independent person

16  within a reasonable time period not to exceed 10 years, absent

17  exceptional circumstances demonstrated by the independent

18  person or the licensee; that the independent person has

19  sufficient control to permit acquisition of ownership; and

20  that the relationship may not be terminated to avoid full

21  ownership. The terms and conditions are not reasonable if they

22  preclude the independent person from an expedited purchase of

23  the dealership using a monetary source other than profits from

24  dealership operation.

25         (e)  "Significant investment" means a reasonable

26  amount, considering the fair market value of the dealership,

27  acquired and obtained from sources other than the licensee or

28  any of its affiliates and not encumbered by the person's

29  interest in the dealership.

30

31

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  1         (3)  This section does not apply to any dealership that

  2  is owned, controlled, or operated by a licensee on July 1,

  3  2000.

  4         (2)  This section shall not be construed to prohibit

  5  any licensee from owning or operating a motor vehicle

  6  dealership in this state if such dealership was owned or

  7  operated by the licensee on May 31, 1984.

  8         Section 40.  Section 320.695, Florida Statutes, is

  9  amended to read:

10         320.695  Injunction.--In addition to the remedies

11  provided in this chapter, and notwithstanding the existence of

12  any adequate remedy at law, the department, or any motor

13  vehicle dealer, association of motor vehicle dealers,

14  licensee, or association of licensees, in the name of the

15  department and state and for the use and benefit of a the

16  motor vehicle dealer or licensee, may apply is authorized to

17  make application to any circuit court of the state for the

18  grant, upon a hearing and for cause shown, of a temporary or

19  permanent injunction, or both, restraining any person from

20  acting as a licensee under the terms of ss. 320.60-320.70

21  without being properly licensed hereunder, or from violating

22  or continuing to violate any of the provisions of ss.

23  320.60-320.70, or from failing or refusing to comply with the

24  requirements of this law or any rule or regulation adopted

25  hereunder.  Such injunction shall be issued without bond.  A

26  single act in violation of the provisions of ss. 320.60-320.70

27  shall be sufficient to authorize the issuance of an

28  injunction.  However, this statutory remedy shall not be

29  applicable to any motor vehicle dealer after final

30  determination by the department under s. 320.641(3).

31

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  1         Section 41.  Subsection (7) of section 320.77, Florida

  2  Statutes, is amended to read:

  3         320.77  License required of mobile home dealers.--

  4         (7)  SUPPLEMENTAL LICENSE.--Any person licensed

  5  pursuant to this section shall be entitled to operate one or

  6  more additional places of business under a supplemental

  7  license for each such business if the ownership of each

  8  business is identical to that of the principal business for

  9  which the original license is issued. Each supplemental

10  license shall run concurrently with the original license and

11  shall be issued upon application by the licensee on a form to

12  be furnished by the department and payment of a fee of $50 for

13  each such license.  Only one licensed dealer shall operate at

14  the same place of business.  A supplemental license

15  authorizing off-premises sales shall be issued, at no charge

16  to the dealer, for a period not to exceed 10 consecutive

17  calendar days. To obtain a temporary supplemental license for

18  off-premises sales, the applicant must be a licensed dealer,

19  notify the applicable local department office of the specific

20  dates and location for which the license is requested, display

21  a sign at the licensed location clearly identifying the

22  dealer, provide staff to work at the temporary location for

23  the duration of the off-premises sale, meet any

24  local-government permitting requirements, and have permission

25  of the property owner to sell at that location.

26         Section 42.  Subsection (7) of section 320.771, Florida

27  Statutes, is amended to read:

28         320.771  License required of recreational vehicle

29  dealers.--

30         (7)  SUPPLEMENTAL LICENSE.--Any person licensed

31  pursuant to this section shall be entitled to operate one or

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  1  more additional places of business under a supplemental

  2  license for each such business if the ownership of each

  3  business is identical to that of the principal business for

  4  which the original license is issued.  Each supplemental

  5  license shall run concurrently with the original license and

  6  shall be issued upon application by the licensee on a form to

  7  be furnished by the department and payment of a fee of $50 for

  8  each such license.  Only one licensed dealer shall operate at

  9  the same place of business.  A supplemental license

10  authorizing off-premises sales shall be issued, at no charge

11  to the dealer, for a period not to exceed 10 consecutive

12  calendar days. To obtain a temporary supplemental license for

13  off-premises sales, the applicant must be a licensed dealer,

14  notify the applicable local department office of the specific

15  dates and location for which such licenses are requested,

16  display a sign at the licensed location clearly identifying

17  the dealer, provide staff to work at the temporary location

18  for the duration of the off-premises sale, meet any

19  local-government permitting requirements, and have the

20  permission of the property owner to sell at that location.

21         Section 43.  Section 320.833, Florida Statutes, is

22  amended to read:

23         320.833  Retention, destruction, and reproduction of

24  records; electronic retention.--Records and documents of the

25  Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, created in

26  compliance with, and in the implementation of, chapter 319 and

27  this chapter, shall be retained by the department as specified

28  in record retention schedules established under the general

29  provisions of chapter 119. Further, the department is hereby

30  authorized:

31

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  1         (1)  To destroy, or otherwise dispose of, those records

  2  and documents, in conformity with the approved retention

  3  schedules.

  4         (2)  To photograph, microphotograph, or reproduce on

  5  film, as authorized and directed by the approved retention

  6  schedules, whereby each page will be exposed in exact

  7  conformity with the original records and documents retained in

  8  compliance with the provisions of this section.  Photographs

  9  or microphotographs in the form of film or print of any

10  records, made in compliance with the provisions of this

11  section, shall have the same force and effect as the originals

12  thereof would have and shall be treated as originals for the

13  purpose of their admissibility in evidence.  Duly certified or

14  authenticated reproductions of such photographs or

15  microphotographs shall be admitted in evidence equally with

16  the original photographs or microphotographs.

17         (3)  Beginning December 1, 2001, the department may

18  maintain all records required or obtained in compliance with,

19  and in the implementation of, chapter 319 and this chapter

20  exclusively by electronic means.

21         Section 44.  Section 320.865, Florida Statutes, is

22  amended to read:

23         320.865  Maintenance of records by the

24  department.--Beginning December 1, 2001, the department shall

25  maintain electronic uniform records of all complaints filed

26  against licensees licensed under the provisions of ss. 320.27,

27  320.61, 320.77, 320.771, and 320.8225, any other provision of

28  this chapter to the contrary notwithstanding. The records

29  shall contain all enforcement actions taken against licensees

30  and against unlicensed persons acting in a capacity which

31  would require them to be licensed under those sections.  The

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  1  electronic permanent file of each licensee and unlicensed

  2  person shall contain a record of any complaints filed against

  3  him or her and a record of any enforcement actions taken

  4  against him or her.  All complaints and satisfactions thereof

  5  and enforcement actions on each licensee and unlicensed person

  6  shall be entered into the central database in such a manner

  7  that rapid retrieval will be facilitated.  The complainant and

  8  the referring agency, if there is one, shall be advised of the

  9  disposition by the department of the complaint within 10 days

10  of such action.

11         Section 45.  Subsection (26) of section 322.01, Florida

12  Statutes, is amended to read:

13         322.01  Definitions.--As used in this chapter:

14         (26)  "Motor vehicle" means any self-propelled vehicle,

15  including a motor vehicle combination, not operated upon rails

16  or guideway, excluding vehicles moved solely by human power,

17  motorized wheelchairs, gopeds, and motorized bicycles as

18  defined in s. 316.003.

19         Section 46.  Section 322.025, Florida Statutes, is

20  amended to read:

21         322.025  Driver improvement.--The department may

22  implement programs to improve the driving ability of the

23  drivers of this state.  Such programs may include, but shall

24  not be limited to, safety awareness campaigns, driver

25  training, and licensing improvement.  Motorcycle driver

26  improvement programs implemented pursuant to this section or

27  s. 322.0255 shall be funded by the motorcycle safety education

28  fee collected pursuant to s. 320.08(1)(c) s. 320.08(1)(d),

29  which shall be deposited in the Highway Safety Operating Trust

30  Fund of the department and appropriated for that purpose.

31

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  1         Section 47.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section

  2  322.051, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

  3         322.051  Identification cards.--

  4         (1)

  5         (a)  Each such application shall include the following

  6  information regarding the applicant:

  7         1.  Full name (first, middle or maiden, and last),

  8  gender, social security card number, residence and mailing

  9  address, and a brief description.

10         2.  Proof of birth date satisfactory to the department.

11         3.  Proof of identity satisfactory to the department.

12  Such proof must include one of the following unless a driver's

13  license record or identification card record has already been

14  established, including one of the following: a certified copy

15  of a United States birth certificate, a valid United States

16  passport, an alien registration receipt card (green card), an

17  employment authorization card issued by the United States

18  Department of Justice, or proof of nonimmigrant classification

19  provided by the United States Department of Justice, for an

20  original identification card.

21         Section 48.  Paragraph (c) of subsection (2) of section

22  322.08, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

23         322.08  Application for license.--

24         (2)  Each such application shall include the following

25  information regarding the applicant:

26         (c)  Proof of identity satisfactory to the department.

27  Such proof must include one of the following unless a driver's

28  license record or identification card record has already been

29  established, including one of the following: a certified copy

30  of a United States birth certificate, a valid United States

31  passport, an alien registration receipt card (green card), an

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  1  employment authorization card issued by the United States

  2  Department of Justice, or proof of nonimmigrant classification

  3  provided by the United States Department of Justice, for an

  4  original license.

  5         Section 49.  Subsections (1) and (2) of section

  6  322.161, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

  7         322.161  High-risk drivers; restricted licenses.--

  8         (1)(a)  Notwithstanding any provision of law to the

  9  contrary, the department shall restrict the driving privilege

10  of any Class D or Class E licensee who is age 15 through 17

11  and who has accumulated five four or more points pursuant to

12  s. 318.14, excluding parking violations, within a 12-month

13  period.

14         (b)  Upon determination that any person has accumulated

15  five four or more points, the department shall notify the

16  licensee and issue the licensee a restricted license for

17  business purposes only.  The licensee must appear before the

18  department within 10 days after notification to have this

19  restriction applied.  The period of restriction shall be for a

20  period of no less than 1 year beginning on the date it is

21  applied by the department.

22         (c)  The restriction shall be automatically withdrawn

23  by the department after 1 year if the licensee does not

24  accumulate any additional points.  If the licensee accumulates

25  any additional points, then the period of restriction shall be

26  extended 90 days for each point.  The restriction shall also

27  be automatically withdrawn upon the licensee's 18th birthday

28  if no other grounds for restriction exist.  The licensee must

29  appear before the department to have the restriction removed

30  and a duplicate license issued.

31

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  1         (2)(a)  Any Class E licensee who is age 15 through 17

  2  and who has accumulated five four or more points pursuant to

  3  s. 318.14, excluding parking violations, within a 12-month

  4  period shall not be eligible to obtain a Class D license for a

  5  period of no less than 1 year.  The period of ineligibility

  6  shall begin on the date of conviction for the violation that

  7  results in the licensee's accumulation of five four or more

  8  points.

  9         (b)  The period of ineligibility shall automatically

10  expire after 1 year if the licensee does not accumulate any

11  additional points.  If the licensee accumulates any additional

12  points, then the period of ineligibility shall be extended 90

13  days for each point.  The period of ineligibility shall also

14  automatically expire upon the licensee's 18th birthday if no

15  other grounds for ineligibility exist.

16         Section 50.  Subsection (1) of section 322.22, Florida

17  Statutes, is amended to read:

18         322.22  Authority of department to cancel license.--

19         (1)  The department is authorized to cancel any

20  driver's license, upon determining that the licensee was not

21  entitled to the issuance thereof, or that the licensee failed

22  to give the required or correct information in his or her

23  application or committed any fraud in making such application,

24  or that the licensee has two or more licenses on file with the

25  department, each in a different name but bearing the

26  photograph of the licensee, unless the licensee has complied

27  with the requirements of this chapter in obtaining the

28  licenses. The department may cancel any driver's license if

29  the licensee fails to pay the correct fee or pays for the

30  license or pays any administrative, delinquency, or

31  reinstatement fee by a dishonored check. The department may

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  1  suspend all motor vehicle registrations of any person who pays

  2  any administrative, delinquency, or reinstatement fee by a

  3  dishonored check. The suspension remains in effect until the

  4  administrative, delinquency, or reinstatement fee, as the case

  5  may be, and all applicable penalties, service charges, and

  6  reinstatement fees have been paid for by certified funds.

  7         Section 51.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section

  8  322.271, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

  9         322.271  Authority to modify revocation, cancellation,

10  or suspension order.--

11         (2)(a)  Upon such hearing, the person whose license has

12  been suspended, canceled, or revoked may show that such

13  suspension, cancellation, or revocation of his or her license

14  causes a serious hardship and precludes the person's carrying

15  out his or her normal business occupation, trade, or

16  employment and that the use of the person's license in the

17  normal course of his or her business is necessary to the

18  proper support of the person or his or her family.  Except as

19  otherwise provided in this subsection, the department shall

20  require proof of the successful completion of the applicable

21  department-approved driver training course operating pursuant

22  to s. 318.1451 or DUI program substance abuse education course

23  and evaluation as provided in s. 316.193(5). Letters of

24  recommendation from respected business persons in the

25  community, law enforcement officers, or judicial officers may

26  also be required to determine whether such person should be

27  permitted to operate a motor vehicle on a restricted basis for

28  business or employment use only and in determining whether

29  such person can be trusted to so operate a motor vehicle. If a

30  driver's license has been suspended under the point system or

31  pursuant to s. 322.2615, the department shall require proof of

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  1  enrollment in the applicable department-approved driver

  2  training course or licensed DUI program substance abuse

  3  education course, including evaluation and treatment, if

  4  referred, and may require letters of recommendation described

  5  in this subsection to determine if the driver should be

  6  reinstated on a restricted basis. A person whose license has

  7  been suspended pursuant to s. 322.2616, shall, before the

  8  driving privilege may be reinstated, present to the department

  9  proof of current enrollment in a department-approved basic

10  driver improvement or traffic-law and substance-abuse

11  education course.  If such person fails to complete the

12  approved course within 90 days after reinstatement or

13  subsequently fails to complete treatment, if applicable, the

14  department shall cancel his or her driver's license until the

15  course and treatment, if applicable, is successfully

16  completed, notwithstanding the terms of the court order or any

17  suspension or revocation of the driving privilege. The

18  department may temporarily reinstate the driving privilege on

19  a restricted basis upon verification from the DUI program that

20  the offender has reentered and is currently participating in

21  treatment and has completed the DUI education course and

22  evaluation requirement. If the DUI program notifies the

23  department of the second failure to complete treatment, the

24  department shall reinstate the driving privilege only after

25  notice of completion of treatment from the DUI program.  The

26  privilege of driving on a limited or restricted basis for

27  business or employment use shall not be granted to a person

28  who has been convicted of a violation of s. 316.193 until

29  completion of the DUI program substance abuse education course

30  and evaluations as provided in s. 316.193(5). Except as

31  provided in paragraph (b), the privilege of driving on a

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  1  limited or restricted basis for business or employment use

  2  shall not be granted to a person whose license is revoked

  3  pursuant to s. 322.28 or suspended pursuant to s. 322.2615 and

  4  who has been convicted of a violation of s. 316.193 two or

  5  more times or whose license has been suspended two or more

  6  times for refusal to submit to a test pursuant to s. 322.2615

  7  or former s. 322.261.

  8         Section 52.  Subsection (2) of section 322.291, Florida

  9  Statutes, is amended to read:

10         322.291  Driver improvement schools or DUI programs;

11  required in certain suspension and revocation cases.--Except

12  as provided in s. 322.03(2), any person:

13         (2)  Whose license was suspended under the point

14  system, was suspended for driving with an unlawful

15  blood-alcohol level of 0.10 percent or higher before January

16  1, 1994, was suspended for driving with an unlawful

17  blood-alcohol level of 0.08 percent or higher after December

18  31, 1993, was suspended for a violation of s. 316.193(1), or

19  was suspended for refusing to submit to a lawful breath,

20  blood, or urine test as provided in s. 322.2615

21

22  shall, before the driving privilege may be reinstated, present

23  to the department proof of enrollment in a department-approved

24  advanced driver improvement course operating pursuant to s.

25  318.1451 or a substance abuse education course conducted by a

26  DUI program licensed pursuant to s. 322.292, which shall

27  include a psychosocial evaluation and treatment, if referred.

28  A person whose license has been suspended pursuant to s.

29  322.2616, shall, before the driving privilege may be

30  reinstated, present to the department proof of current

31  enrollment in a department-approved basic driver improvement

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  1  or traffic-law and substance-abuse education course.  If the

  2  person fails to complete such course or evaluation within 90

  3  days after reinstatement, or subsequently fails to complete

  4  treatment, if referred, the DUI program shall notify the

  5  department of the failure. Upon receipt of the notice, the

  6  department shall cancel the offender's driving privilege,

  7  notwithstanding the expiration of the suspension or revocation

  8  of the driving privilege. The department may temporarily

  9  reinstate the driving privilege upon verification from the DUI

10  program that the offender has completed the education course

11  and evaluation requirement and has reentered and is currently

12  participating in treatment. If the DUI program notifies the

13  department of the second failure to complete treatment, the

14  department shall reinstate the driving privilege only after

15  notice of completion of treatment from the DUI program.

16         Section 53.  Paragraphs (k) and (l) of subsection (4)

17  of section 325.203, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

18         325.203  Motor vehicles subject to annual inspection;

19  exemptions.--

20         (4)  The following motor vehicles are not subject to

21  inspection:

22         (k)  New motor vehicles, as defined in s. 319.001(8) s.

23  319.001(4).  Such vehicles are exempt from the inspection

24  requirements of this act at the time of the first registration

25  by the original owner and, thereafter, are subject to the

26  inspection requirements of this act. Beginning May 1, 2000,

27  such vehicles are exempt from those inspection requirements

28  for a period of 2 years from the date of purchase.

29         (l)  New motor vehicles as defined in s. 319.001(8) s.

30  319.001(4) which are utilized as short-term rental vehicles

31  and licensed under s. 320.08(6)(a). Such vehicles are exempt

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  1  from the inspection requirements of this act at the time of

  2  the first registration. Said vehicles are also exempt from the

  3  inspection requirements of this act at the time of the first

  4  registration renewal by the original owner, provided this

  5  renewal occurs prior to the expiration of 12 months from the

  6  date of first registration of the motor vehicle. Beginning May

  7  1, 2000, such vehicles are exempt from those inspection

  8  requirements for a period of 2 years from the date of

  9  purchase.

10         Section 54.  Subsection (10) of section 328.15, Florida

11  Statutes, is repealed.

12         Section 55.  Subsections (2) and (3) of section 328.40,

13  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

14         328.40  Administration of vessel registration and

15  titling laws; records.--

16         (2)  The Department of Highway Safety and Motor

17  Vehicles shall keep electronic records and perform such other

18  clerical duties as required pertaining to:

19         (a)  Vessel registration and titling.

20         (b)  Suspension of the vessel operating privilege under

21  ss. 327.35-327.355.

22         (3)  All records made or kept by the Department of

23  Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles under this law are public

24  records except for confidential reports.

25         Section 56.  Subsection (3) of section 328.48, Florida

26  Statutes, is amended to read:

27         328.48  Vessel registration, application, certificate,

28  number, decal, duplicate certificate.--

29         (3)  The Department of Highway Safety and Motor

30  Vehicles shall issue certificates of registration and numbers

31  for municipal city, county, and state-owned vessels, charging

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  1  only the service fees required in s. 328.72(7) and (8) s.

  2  327.25(7) and (8), provided that the vessels are used for

  3  purposes other than recreation.

  4         Section 57.  Paragraph (c) of subsection (2) of section

  5  328.72, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

  6         328.72  Classification; registration; fees and charges;

  7  surcharge; disposition of fees; fines; marine turtle

  8  stickers.--

  9         (2)  ANTIQUE VESSEL REGISTRATION FEE.--

10         (c)  The Department of Highway Safety and Motor

11  Vehicles may issue a decal identifying the vessel as an

12  antique vessel. The decal shall be displayed as provided in

13  ss. 328.48 and 328.54 ss. 327.11 and 327.14.

14         Section 58.  Subsection (3) of section 328.73, Florida

15  Statutes, is amended to read:

16         328.73  Registration; duties of tax collectors.--

17         (3)  A fee of 50 cents shall be charged in addition to

18  the fees required under s. 328.72 s. 327.25 on every vessel

19  decal registration sold to cover the cost of the Florida Real

20  Time Vehicle Information System. The fees collected under this

21  section shall be deposited into the Highway Safety Operating

22  Trust Fund and shall be used to fund that system and may be

23  used to fund the general operations of the department.

24         Section 59.  Subsection (2) of section 328.735, Florida

25  Statutes, is amended to read:

26         328.735  Advanced registration renewal; procedures.--

27         (2)  Upon the filing of the application and payment of

28  the appropriate vessel registration fee and service charges

29  required by s. 328.72 s. 327.25 and any additional fees

30  required by law, the department or its agents shall issue to

31  the owner of the vessel a decal and registration. When the

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  1  decal is affixed to the vessel, the registration is renewed

  2  for the appropriate registration period.

  3         Section 60.  Subsections (1), (3), and (8) of section

  4  713.585, Florida Statutes, are amended, and subsection (14) is

  5  added to that section to read:

  6         713.585  Enforcement of lien by sale of motor

  7  vehicle.--A person claiming a lien under s. 713.58 for

  8  performing labor or services on a motor vehicle may enforce

  9  such lien by sale of the vehicle in accordance with the

10  following procedures:

11         (1)  The lienor must give notice, by certified mail,

12  return receipt requested, within 15 business days, excluding

13  Saturday and Sunday, from the beginning date of the assessment

14  of storage charges on said motor vehicle, to the registered

15  owner of the vehicle, to the customer at the address as

16  indicated on the order for repair, and to all other persons

17  claiming an interest in or lien thereon, as disclosed by the

18  records of the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles

19  or of a corresponding agency of any other state in which the

20  vehicle appears registered. Notice must also be sent to the

21  registered owner at the most current known address even if

22  different from that disclosed by the records of the Department

23  of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles or of a corresponding

24  agency of any other state in which the vehicle is registered.

25  Such notice must contain:

26         (a)  A description of the vehicle (year, make, vehicle

27  identification number) and its location.

28         (b)  The name and address of the owner of the vehicle,

29  the customer as indicated on the order for repair, and any

30  person claiming an interest in or lien thereon.

31

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  1         (c)  The name, address, and telephone number of the

  2  lienor.

  3         (d)  Notice that the lienor claims a lien on the

  4  vehicle for labor and services performed and storage charges,

  5  if any, and the cash sum which, if paid to the lienor, would

  6  be sufficient to redeem the vehicle from the lien claimed by

  7  the lienor.

  8         (e)  Notice that the lien claimed by the lienor is

  9  subject to enforcement pursuant to this section and that the

10  vehicle may be sold to satisfy the lien.

11         (f)  If known, the date, time, and location of any

12  proposed or scheduled sale of the vehicle. No vehicle may be

13  sold earlier than 60 days after completion of the repair work.

14         (g)  Notice that the owner of the vehicle or any person

15  claiming an interest in or lien thereon has a right to a

16  hearing at any time prior to the scheduled date of sale by

17  filing a demand for hearing with the clerk of the circuit

18  court in the county in which the vehicle is held and mailing

19  copies of the demand for hearing to all other owners and

20  lienors as reflected on the notice.

21         (h)  Notice that the owner of the vehicle has a right

22  to recover possession of the vehicle without instituting

23  judicial proceedings by posting bond in accordance with the

24  provisions of s. 559.917.

25         (i)  Notice that any proceeds from the sale of the

26  vehicle remaining after payment of the amount claimed to be

27  due and owing to the lienor will be deposited with the clerk

28  of the circuit court for disposition upon court order pursuant

29  to subsection (8).

30         (3)  If the date of the sale was not included in the

31  notice required in subsection (1), notice of the sale must be

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  1  sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, not less

  2  than 15 days before the date of sale, to the customer as

  3  indicated on the order for repair, and to all other persons

  4  claiming an interest in or lien on the motor vehicle, as

  5  disclosed by the records of the Department of Highway Safety

  6  and Motor Vehicles or of a corresponding agency of any other

  7  state in which the vehicle appears to have been registered or

  8  at the most current known address even if different from that

  9  disclosed by the records of the Department of Highway Safety

10  and Motor Vehicles or of a corresponding agency of any other

11  state in which the vehicle is registered. After diligent

12  search and inquiry, if the name and address of the registered

13  owner or the owner of the recorded lien cannot be ascertained,

14  the requirements for this notice may be disregarded.

15         (8)  A vehicle subject to lien enforcement pursuant to

16  this section must be sold by the lienor at public sale. The

17  sale must be held in the county in which the notice of sale

18  was published and in which the vehicle is held. The vehicle

19  must be physically present for inspection at the time of the

20  public sale. Immediately upon the sale of the vehicle and

21  payment in cash of the purchase price, the lienor shall

22  deposit with the clerk of the circuit court the proceeds of

23  the sale less the amount claimed by the lienor for work done

24  and storage, if any, and all reasonable costs and expenses

25  incurred in conducting the sale, including any attorney's fees

26  and costs ordered by the court. Simultaneously with depositing

27  the proceeds of sale remaining after payment to the lienor,

28  the lienor shall file with the clerk a verified report of the

29  sale stating a description of the vehicle sold, including the

30  vehicle identification number; the name and address of the

31  purchaser; the date of the sale; and the selling price. The

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  1  report shall also itemize the amount retained by the lienor

  2  pursuant to this section and shall indicate whether a hearing

  3  was demanded and held. All proceeds held by the court shall be

  4  held for the benefit of the owner of the vehicle or any

  5  lienholder whose lien is discharged by the sale and shall be

  6  disbursed only upon order of the court. Unless a proceeding is

  7  initiated to validate a claim to such proceeds within 1 year

  8  and a day from the date of the sale, the proceeds shall be

  9  deemed abandoned property and disposition thereof shall be

10  governed by s. 705.103. The clerk shall receive 5 percent of

11  the proceeds deposited with her or him, not to exceed $25, for

12  her or his services under this section.

13         (14)  Any person who violates this section commits a

14  misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s.

15  775.082 or s. 775.083. However, any person who uses a false or

16  fictitious name, gives a false or fictitious address, or makes

17  any false statements regarding the requirements of this

18  section commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as

19  provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

20         Section 61.  Subsections (4), (6), (11), and (12) of

21  section 713.78, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

22         713.78  Liens for recovering, towing, or storing

23  vehicles and undocumented vessels.--

24         (4)(a)  Any person regularly engaged in the business of

25  recovering, towing, or storing vehicles or vessels who comes

26  into possession of a vehicle or vessel pursuant to subsection

27  (2), and who claims a lien for recovery, towing, or storage

28  services, shall give notice to the registered owner and to all

29  persons claiming a lien thereon, as disclosed by the records

30  in the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles or of a

31  corresponding agency in any other state.

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  1         (b)  Notice by certified mail, return receipt

  2  requested, shall be sent within 7 business days after the date

  3  of storage of the vehicle or vessel to the registered owner

  4  and to all persons of record claiming a lien against the

  5  vehicle or vessel after a good-faith effort at the most

  6  current known address even if different from that disclosed by

  7  the records of the Department of Highway Safety and Motor

  8  Vehicles.  It shall state the fact of possession of the

  9  vehicle or vessel, that a lien as provided in subsection (2)

10  is claimed, that charges have accrued and the amount thereof,

11  that the lien is subject to enforcement pursuant to law, and

12  that the owner or lienholder, if any, has the right to a

13  hearing as set forth in subsection (5), and that any vehicle

14  or vessel which remains unclaimed, or for which the charges

15  for recovery, towing, or storage services remain unpaid, may

16  be sold after 35 days free of all prior liens.

17         (c)  If attempts to locate the owner or lienholder

18  prove unsuccessful, the towing-storage operator shall, after 7

19  working days, excluding Saturday and Sunday, of the initial

20  tow or storage, notify the public agency of jurisdiction in

21  writing by certified mail or acknowledged hand delivery that

22  the towing-storage company has been unable to locate the owner

23  or lienholder and a physical search of the vehicle or vessel

24  has disclosed no ownership information and a good-faith good

25  faith effort has been made.  For purposes of this paragraph,

26  subsection (9), and s. 715.05, "good-faith "good faith effort"

27  means that the following checks have been performed by the

28  company to establish prior state of registration and for

29  title:

30         1.  Check of vehicle or vessel for any type of tag, tag

31  record, temporary tag, or regular tag.

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  1         2.  Check of law enforcement report for tag number or

  2  other information identifying the vehicle or vessel, if the

  3  vehicle or vessel was towed at the request of a law

  4  enforcement officer.

  5         3.  Check of trip sheet or tow ticket of tow truck

  6  operator to see if a tag was on vehicle at beginning of tow,

  7  if private tow.

  8         4.  If there is no address of the owner on the impound

  9  report, check of law enforcement report to see if an

10  out-of-state address is indicated from driver license

11  information.

12         5.  Check of vehicle or vessel for inspection sticker

13  or other stickers and decals that may indicate a state of

14  possible registration.

15         6.  Check of the interior of the vehicle or vessel for

16  any papers that may be in the glove box, trunk, or other areas

17  for a state of registration.

18         7.  Check of vehicle for vehicle identification number.

19         8.  Check of vessel for vessel registration number.

20         9.  Check of vessel hull for a hull identification

21  number which should be carved, burned, stamped, embossed, or

22  otherwise permanently affixed to the outboard side of the

23  transom or, if there is no transom, to the outmost seaboard

24  side at the end of the hull that bears the rudder or other

25  steering mechanism.

26         (6)  Any vehicle or vessel which is stored pursuant to

27  subsection (2) and which remains unclaimed, or for which

28  reasonable charges for recovery, towing, or storing remain

29  unpaid or for which a lot rental amount is due and owing to

30  the mobile home park owner, as evidenced by a judgment for

31  unpaid rent, and any contents not released pursuant to

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  1  subsection (10), may be sold by the owner or operator of the

  2  storage space for such towing or storage charge or unpaid lot

  3  rental amount after 35 days from the time the vehicle or

  4  vessel is stored therein. The sale shall be at public auction

  5  for cash. The vehicle or vessel must be physically present for

  6  inspection with the sale at public auction. If the date of the

  7  sale was not included in the notice required in subsection

  8  (4), notice of the sale shall be given to the person in whose

  9  name the vehicle, vessel, or mobile home is registered, to the

10  mobile home park owner, and to all persons claiming a lien on

11  the vehicle or vessel as shown on the records of the

12  Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles or of the

13  corresponding agency in any other state. Notice shall be sent

14  by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the owner of

15  the vehicle or vessel and the person having the recorded lien

16  on the vehicle or vessel at the address shown on the records

17  of the registering agency or at the most current known address

18  if different from that disclosed by the records of the

19  registering agency and shall be mailed not less than 15 days

20  before the date of the sale. After diligent search and

21  inquiry, if the name and address of the registered owner or

22  the owner of the recorded lien cannot be ascertained, the

23  requirements of notice by mail may be dispensed with.  In

24  addition to the notice by mail, public notice of the time and

25  place of sale shall be made by publishing a notice thereof one

26  time, at least 10 days prior to the date of the sale, in a

27  newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the

28  sale is to be held. Within 5 business days following the sale,

29  the proceeds of the sale, after payment of reasonable towing

30  and storage charges, costs of the sale, and the unpaid lot

31  rental amount, in that order of priority, shall be deposited

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  1  with the clerk of the circuit court for the county if the

  2  owner is absent, and the clerk shall hold such proceeds

  3  subject to the claim of the person legally entitled thereto.

  4  The clerk shall be entitled to receive 5 percent of such

  5  proceeds for the care and disbursement thereof.  The

  6  certificate of title issued under this law shall be discharged

  7  of all liens unless otherwise provided by court order.

  8         (11)(a)  Any person regularly engaged in the business

  9  of recovering, towing, or storing vehicles or vessels who

10  comes into possession of a vehicle or vessel pursuant to

11  subsection (2) and who has complied with the provisions of

12  subsections (3) and (6), when such vehicle or vessel is to be

13  sold for purposes of being dismantled, destroyed, or changed

14  in such manner that it is not the motor vehicle, vessel, or

15  mobile home described in the certificate of title, shall apply

16  to the county tax collector for a certificate of destruction.

17  A certificate of destruction, which authorizes the dismantling

18  or destruction of the vehicle or vessel described therein,

19  shall be reassignable a maximum of two times before the

20  dismantling or destruction of the vehicle is required, and

21  shall accompany the vehicle or vessel for which it is issued,

22  when such vehicle or vessel is sold for such purposes, in lieu

23  of a certificate of title.  The application for a certificate

24  of destruction must include an affidavit from the applicant

25  that it has complied with all applicable requirements of this

26  section and, if the vehicle or vessel is not registered in

27  this state, by a statement from a law enforcement officer that

28  the vehicle or vessel is not reported stolen, and shall be

29  accompanied by such documentation as may be required by the

30  department.

31

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  1         (b)  The Department of Highway Safety and Motor

  2  Vehicles shall charge a fee of $3 for each certificate of

  3  destruction.  A service charge of $4.25 shall be collected and

  4  retained by the tax collector who processes the application.

  5         (c)  The Department of Highway Safety and Motor

  6  Vehicles may adopt such rules as it deems necessary or proper

  7  for the administration of this subsection.

  8         (12)(a)  Any person who violates any provision of

  9  subsection (1), subsection (2), subsection (4), subsection

10  (5), subsection (6), or subsection (7) is guilty of a

11  misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s.

12  775.082 or s. 775.083.

13         (b)  Any person who violates the provisions of

14  subsections (8) through (11) is guilty of a felony of the

15  third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s.

16  775.083, or s. 775.084.

17         (c)  Any person who uses a false or fictitious name,

18  gives a false or fictitious address, or makes any false

19  statement in any application or affidavit required under the

20  provisions of this section is guilty of a felony of the third

21  degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or

22  s. 775.084.

23         (d)  Employees of the Department of Highway Safety and

24  Motor Vehicles and law enforcement officers may inspect the

25  records of any person who is regularly engaged in the business

26  of recovering, towing, or storing vehicles or vessels or

27  transporting vehicles or vessels by wrecker, tow truck, or car

28  carrier to ensure compliance with the requirements of this

29  section. Any person who fails to maintain records or fails to

30  produce records when required in a reasonable manner and at a

31

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  1  reasonable time commits a misdemeanor of the first degree,

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

  3         Section 62.  Section 715.05, Florida Statutes, is

  4  amended to read:

  5         715.05  Reporting of unclaimed motor vehicles or

  6  vessels.--

  7         (1)  Whenever any law enforcement agency authorizes the

  8  removal of a vehicle or vessel or whenever any towing service,

  9  garage, repair shop, marina, or automotive service, storage,

10  or parking place notifies the law enforcement agency of

11  possession of a vehicle or vessel pursuant to s.

12  715.07(2)(a)2., the applicable law enforcement agency shall

13  contact the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles,

14  or the appropriate agency of the state of registration, if

15  known, within 24 hours through the medium of electronic

16  communications giving the full description of the vehicle or

17  vessel.  Upon receipt of the full description of the vehicle

18  or vessel, the department shall search its files to determine

19  the owner's name and whether any person has filed a lien upon

20  the vehicle or vessel as provided in s. 319.27(2) and (3) or

21  s. 328.15(1) and notify the applicable law enforcement agency

22  within 72 hours.  The person in charge of the towing service,

23  garage, repair shop, marina, or automotive service, storage,

24  or parking place shall obtain such information from the

25  applicable law enforcement agency within 5 days from the date

26  of storage and shall, by certified mail, return receipt

27  requested, notify the owner and all lienholders of the

28  location of the vehicle or vessel and of the fact that it is

29  unclaimed.  Such notice shall be given within 7 days,

30  excluding Saturday and Sunday, from the date of storage and

31  shall be complete upon mailing; however, if the state of

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  1  registration is unknown, the person in charge of the towing

  2  service, garage, repair shop, marina, or automotive service,

  3  storage, or parking place shall make a good faith best effort

  4  in so notifying the owner and any lienholders, and such notice

  5  shall be given within a reasonable period of time from the

  6  date of storage.

  7         (2)  Nothing herein contained shall apply to any

  8  licensed public lodging establishment.

  9         (3)  Failure to make good faith best efforts to comply

10  with the notice requirement of this section or of s.

11  715.07(2)(a)2., as appropriate, shall preclude the imposition

12  of any storage charges against such vehicle or vessel.

13         Section 63.  Effective July 1, 2000, subsection (1) of

14  section 715.05, Florida Statutes, as amended by section 318 of

15  chapter 99-248, Laws of Florida, is amended to read:

16         715.05  Reporting of unclaimed motor vehicles.--

17         (1)  Whenever any law enforcement agency authorizes the

18  removal of a vehicle or vessel or whenever any towing service,

19  garage, repair shop, marina, or automotive service, storage,

20  or parking place notifies the law enforcement agency of

21  possession of a vehicle or vessel pursuant to s.

22  715.07(2)(a)2., the applicable law enforcement agency shall

23  contact the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles,

24  or the appropriate agency of the state of registration, if

25  known, within 24 hours through the medium of electronic

26  communications giving the full description of the vehicle or

27  vessel.  Upon receipt of the full description of the vehicle

28  or vessel, the department shall search its files to determine

29  the owner's name, the name of the insurance company insuring

30  the vehicle, and whether any person has filed a lien upon the

31  vehicle or vessel as provided in s. 319.27(2) and (3) or s.

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  1  328.15(1) and notify the applicable law enforcement agency

  2  within 72 hours.  The person in charge of the towing service,

  3  garage, repair shop, marina, or automotive service, storage,

  4  or parking place shall obtain such information from the

  5  applicable law enforcement agency within 5 days from the date

  6  of storage and shall, by certified mail, return receipt

  7  requested, notify the owner, the insurer, and all lienholders

  8  of the location of the vehicle or vessel and of the fact that

  9  it is unclaimed.  Such notice shall be given within 7 days,

10  excluding Saturday and Sunday, from the date of storage and

11  shall be complete upon mailing; however, if the state of

12  registration is unknown, the person in charge of the towing

13  service, garage, repair shop, marina, or automotive service,

14  storage, or parking place shall make a good faith best effort

15  in so notifying the owner, the insurer, and any lienholders,

16  and such notice shall be given within a reasonable period of

17  time from the date of storage.

18         Section 64.  Section 715.07, Florida Statutes, is

19  amended to read:

20         715.07  Vehicles or vessels parked on private property;

21  towing.--

22         (1)  As used in this section, the term:

23         (a)  "Vehicle" means any mobile item which normally

24  uses wheels, whether motorized or not.

25         (b)  "Vessel" means any watercraft as defined in s.

26  327.02, excluding "documented" vessels.

27         (2)  The owner or lessee of real property, or any

28  person authorized by the owner or lessee, which person may be

29  the designated representative of the condominium association

30  if the real property is a condominium, may cause any vehicle

31  or vessel parked on such property without her or his

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  1  permission to be removed by a person regularly engaged in the

  2  business of towing vehicles or vessels, without liability for

  3  the costs of removal, transportation, or storage or damages

  4  caused by such removal, transportation, or storage, under any

  5  of the following circumstances:

  6         (a)  The towing or removal of any vehicle or vessel

  7  from private property without the consent of the registered

  8  owner or other legally authorized person in control of that

  9  vehicle or vessel is subject to strict compliance with the

10  following conditions and restrictions:

11         1.a.  Any towed or removed vehicle or vessel must be

12  stored at a site within 10 miles of the point of removal in

13  any county of 500,000 population or more, and within 15 miles

14  of the point of removal in any county of less than 500,000

15  population. That site must be open for the purpose of

16  redemption of vehicles or vessels on any day that the person

17  or firm towing such vehicle or vessel is open for towing

18  purposes, from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and, when closed, shall

19  have prominently posted a sign indicating a telephone number

20  where the operator of the site can be reached at all times.

21  Upon receipt of a telephoned request to open the site to

22  redeem a vehicle or vessel, the operator shall return to the

23  site within 1 hour or she or he will be in violation of this

24  section.

25         b.  If no towing business providing such service is

26  located within the area of towing limitations set forth in

27  sub-subparagraph a., the following limitations apply:  any

28  towed or removed vehicle or vessel must be stored at a site

29  within 20 miles of the point of removal in any county of

30  500,000 population or more, and within 30 miles of the point

31  of removal in any county of less than 500,000 population.

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  1         2.  The person or firm towing or removing the vehicle

  2  or vessel shall, within 30 minutes of completion of such

  3  towing or removal, notify the municipal police department or,

  4  in an unincorporated area, the sheriff of such towing or

  5  removal, the storage site, the time the vehicle or vessel was

  6  towed or removed, and the make, model, color, and license

  7  plate number of the vehicle or the make, model, color, and

  8  registration number of the vessel and shall obtain the name of

  9  the person at that department to whom such information was

10  reported and note that name on the trip record.

11         3.  If the registered owner or other legally authorized

12  person in control of the vehicle or vessel arrives at the

13  scene prior to removal or towing of the vehicle or vessel, the

14  vehicle or vessel shall be disconnected from the towing or

15  removal apparatus, and that person shall be allowed to remove

16  the vehicle without or vessel interference upon the payment of

17  a reasonable service fee of not more than one-half of the

18  posted rate for such towing service as provided in

19  subparagraph 6., for which a receipt shall be given, unless

20  that person refuses to remove the vehicle or vessel which is

21  otherwise unlawfully parked.

22         4.  The rebate or payment of money or any other

23  valuable consideration from the individual or firm towing or

24  removing vehicles or vessels to the owners or operators of the

25  premises from which the vehicles or vessels are towed or

26  removed, for the privilege of removing or towing those

27  vehicles or vessels, is prohibited.

28         5.  Except for property appurtenant to and obviously a

29  part of a single-family residence, and except for instances

30  when notice is personally given to the owner or other legally

31  authorized person in control of the vehicle or vessel that the

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  1  area in which that vehicle or vessel is parked is reserved or

  2  otherwise unavailable for unauthorized vehicles or vessels and

  3  subject to being removed at the owner's or operator's expense,

  4  any property owner or lessee, or person authorized by the

  5  property owner or lessee, prior to towing or removing any

  6  vehicle or vessel from private property without the consent of

  7  the owner or other legally authorized person in control of

  8  that vehicle or vessel, must post a notice meeting the

  9  following requirements:

10         a.  The notice must be prominently placed at each

11  driveway access or curb cut allowing vehicular access to the

12  property, within 5 feet from the public right-of-way line.  If

13  there are no curbs or access barriers, the signs must be

14  posted not less than one sign for each 25 feet of lot

15  frontage.

16         b.  The notice must clearly indicate, in not less than

17  2-inch high, light-reflective letters on a contrasting

18  background, that unauthorized vehicles or vessels will be

19  towed away at the owner's expense.  The words "tow-away zone"

20  must be included on the sign in not less than 4-inch high

21  letters.

22         c.  The notice must also provide the name and current

23  telephone number of the person or firm towing or removing the

24  vehicles or vessels, if the property owner, lessee, or person

25  in control of the property has a written contract with the

26  towing company.

27         d.  The sign structure containing the required notices

28  must be permanently installed with the words "tow-away zone"

29  not less than 3 feet and not more than 6 feet above ground

30  level and must be continuously maintained on the property for

31

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  1  not less than 24 hours prior to the towing or removal of any

  2  vehicles or vessels.

  3         e.  The local government may require permitting and

  4  inspection of these signs prior to any towing or removal of

  5  vehicles or vessels being authorized.

  6         f.  A business with 20 or fewer parking spaces

  7  satisfies the notice requirements of this subparagraph by

  8  prominently displaying a sign stating "Reserved Parking for

  9  Customers Only Unauthorized Vehicles or Vessels Will be Towed

10  Away At the Owner's Expense" in not less than 4-inch high,

11  light-reflective letters on a contrasting background.

12

13  A business owner or lessee may authorize the removal of a

14  vehicle or vessel by a towing company when the vehicle or

15  vessel is parked in such a manner that restricts the normal

16  operation of business; and if a vehicle or vessel parked on a

17  public right-of-way obstructs access to a private driveway the

18  owner, lessee, or agent may have the vehicle or vessel removed

19  by a towing company upon signing an order that the vehicle or

20  vessel be removed without a posted tow-away zone sign.

21         6.  Any person or firm that tows or removes vehicles or

22  vessels and proposes to require an owner, operator, or person

23  in control of a vehicle or vessel to pay the costs of towing

24  and storage prior to redemption of the vehicle or vessel must

25  file and keep on record with the local law enforcement agency

26  a complete copy of the current rates to be charged for such

27  services and post at the storage site an identical rate

28  schedule and any written contracts with property owners,

29  lessees, or persons in control of property which authorize

30  such person or firm to remove vehicles or vessels as provided

31  in this section.

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  1         7.  Any person or firm towing or removing any vehicles

  2  or vessels from private property without the consent of the

  3  owner or other legally authorized person in control of the

  4  vehicles or vessels shall, on any trucks, wreckers as defined

  5  in s. 713.78(1)(b), or other vehicles used in the towing or

  6  removal, have the name, address, and telephone number of the

  7  company performing such service clearly printed in contrasting

  8  colors on the driver and passenger sides of the vehicle.  The

  9  name shall be in at least 3-inch permanently affixed letters,

10  and the address and telephone number shall be in at least

11  1-inch permanently affixed letters.

12         8.  Vehicle entry for the purpose of removing the

13  vehicle or vessel shall be allowed with reasonable care on the

14  part of the person or firm towing the vehicle or vessel.  Such

15  person or firm shall be liable for any damage occasioned to

16  the vehicle or vessel if such entry is not in accordance with

17  the standard of reasonable care.

18         9.  When a vehicle or vessel has been towed or removed

19  pursuant to this section, it must be released to its owner or

20  custodian within 1 one hour after requested.  Any vehicle or

21  vessel owner, custodian, or agent shall have the right to

22  inspect the vehicle or vessel before accepting its return, and

23  no release or waiver of any kind which would release the

24  person or firm towing the vehicle or vessel from liability for

25  damages noted by the owner or other legally authorized person

26  at the time of the redemption may be required from any vehicle

27  or vessel owner, custodian, or agent as a condition of release

28  of the vehicle or vessel to its owner.  A detailed, signed

29  receipt showing the legal name of the company or person towing

30  or removing the vehicle or vessel must be given to the person

31

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  1  paying towing or storage charges at the time of payment,

  2  whether requested or not.

  3         (b)  These requirements shall be the minimum standards

  4  and shall not preclude enactment of additional regulations by

  5  any municipality or county including the right to regulate

  6  rates when vehicles or vessels are towed from private

  7  property.

  8         (3)  This section does not apply to law enforcement,

  9  firefighting, rescue squad, ambulance, or other emergency

10  vehicles or vessels which are marked as such or to property

11  owned by any governmental entity.

12         (4)  When a person improperly causes a vehicle or

13  vessel to be removed, such person shall be liable to the owner

14  or lessee of the vehicle or vessel for the cost of removal,

15  transportation, and storage; any damages resulting from the

16  removal, transportation, or storage of the vehicle or vessel;

17  attorneys' fees; and court costs.

18         (5)(a)  Any person who violates the provisions of

19  subparagraph (2)(a)2. or subparagraph (2)(a)6. is guilty of a

20  misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s.

21  775.082 or s. 775.083.

22         (b)  Any person who violates the provisions of

23  subparagraph (2)(a)7. is guilty of a felony of the third

24  degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or

25  s. 775.084.

26         Section 65.  Used motor vehicle industry study.--

27         (1)  USED MOTOR VEHICLE INDUSTRY TASK FORCE.--The Used

28  Motor Vehicle Industry Task Force is created within the

29  Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. The task

30  force is charged with examining and evaluating the used motor

31  vehicle industry, including, without limitation, the licensing

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  1  of dealers and the enforcement of dealer regulations, and

  2  analyzing the structure and manner in which the department

  3  carries out its regulatory purpose.

  4         (2)  MEMBERSHIP, ORGANIZATION, MEETINGS.--

  5         (a)  The task force shall be composed of 12 members.

  6  The Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of

  7  the House of Representatives shall each appoint four members.

  8  The Governor shall appoint one representative of the

  9  Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, who must

10  represent the Division of Motor Vehicles; one representative

11  of the independent motor vehicle industry as recommended by

12  the Florida Independent Automobile Dealers Association; one

13  representative of the franchise motor vehicle industry as

14  recommended by the Florida Automobile Dealers Association; and

15  one representative of the auction motor vehicle industry who

16  is from an auction chain and is recommended by a group

17  affiliated with the National Auto Auction Association. The

18  President of the Senate shall appoint one representative from

19  the Department of Revenue; one representative of the franchise

20  motor vehicle industry as recommended by the Florida

21  Automobile Dealers Association; a Florida Tax Collector

22  representative as recommended by the Florida Tax Collectors

23  Association; and one representative from the Better Business

24  Bureau. The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall

25  appoint one representative from the Department of Agriculture

26  and Consumer Services, who must represent the Division of

27  Consumer Services; one representative of the independent motor

28  vehicle industry as recommended by the Florida Independent

29  Automobile Dealers Association; one representative of the

30  auction motor vehicle industry who is from an independent

31  auction and is recommended by a group affiliated by the

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  1  National Auto Auction Association; and one representative of

  2  the insurance industry who writes motor vehicle dealer surety

  3  bonds. The Division of Motor Vehicles, the Division of

  4  Consumer Services, the Department of Revenue, the Florida

  5  Independent Automobile Dealers Association, the Florida Tax

  6  Collectors Association, and the Florida Automobile Dealers

  7  Association shall submit the names of their recommended

  8  representatives to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor

  9  Vehicles. A person who seeks to be considered for appointment

10  to the task force representing the insurance industry or a

11  Better Business Bureau shall submit his or her name, and a

12  statement of the designated category that he or she proposes

13  to represent, to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor

14  Vehicles, which shall forward all recommended names to the

15  appointing authority for the designated category. In order to

16  facilitate and coordinate the efforts of the task force, the

17  Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the

18  House of Representatives shall each name a liaison that the

19  task force may contact for assistance and information during

20  the course of the task force's existence. The members shall be

21  appointed by July 1, 2000.

22         (b)  Upon appointment of the members, the task force

23  shall schedule an organizational meeting to be held no later

24  than July 20, 2000. Thereafter, the task force shall meet at

25  least once a month at various locations throughout the state.

26         (3)  PER DIEM, TRAVEL, AND STAFFING.--Members of the

27  task force from the private sector are not entitled to per

28  diem or reimbursement for travel expenses, but members of the

29  task force from the public sector are entitled to

30  reimbursement, if any, from their agency. Members of the task

31

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  1  force may request assistance from the Department of Highway

  2  Safety and Motor Vehicles as necessary.

  3         (4)  REVIEW AND ASSESSMENT OF THE USED MOTOR VEHICLE

  4  INDUSTRY IN THE STATE.--The task force shall conduct an

  5  in-depth review of the used motor vehicle industry and the

  6  problems associated with licensing requirements, unlicensed

  7  persons, and enforcement of state statutes and rules. The task

  8  force shall, in its review, analyze chapter 320, Florida

  9  Statutes, and any other provisions of the Florida Statutes

10  relating to the used motor vehicle industry and used motor

11  vehicle dealer licensing requirements and enforcement. The

12  task force may:

13         (a)  Conduct meetings, hearings, and workshops in

14  Tallahassee and at other locations around the state, and may

15  take evidence, testimony, and argument at the meetings,

16  hearings, and workshops from state agencies and consumer

17  organizations.

18         (b)  Examine and evaluate the procedures and methods

19  for approving a dealer applicant and dealer locations,

20  enforcement actions against unlicensed persons, and

21  enforcement of existing statutes and rules governing dealers.

22  The task force shall conduct its evaluation in the context of

23  purpose, goal, and objective regarding motor vehicle dealer

24  licensing requirements and enforcement of regulations

25  governing dealers.

26         (c)  Assess the roles of the Department of Highway

27  Safety and Motor Vehicles and County Tax Collectors regarding

28  the motor vehicle industry.

29

30  Upon completing its review, assessment, and evaluation of

31  motor vehicle license requirements and enforcement of statutes

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  1  and rules in the state, the task force may meet further to

  2  consider its accomplishments in order that the committee may

  3  compile its findings into legislative recommendations.

  4         (5)  INTERIM AND FINAL REPORT; TERMINATION OF TASK

  5  FORCE.--By January 31, 2001, the task force shall submit its

  6  interim findings and recommendations in the form of a written

  7  report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the

  8  Speaker of the House of Representatives. The task force shall

  9  make the final report of its findings and recommendations,

10  which may include proposed legislation, to the Governor, the

11  President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of

12  Representatives March 1, 2001, at which time the task force

13  shall cease to exist.

14         Section 66.  Except as otherwise provided in this act,

15  this act shall take effect upon becoming a law.

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    Florida Senate - 2000                           CS for SB 1866
    306-1791-00




  1          STATEMENT OF SUBSTANTIAL CHANGES CONTAINED IN
                       COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR
  2                             SB 1866

  3

  4  This Committee Substitute (CS) implements the following
    changes:
  5
    1.  Provides for an allowable exception to the use of a school
  6  bus and the use of minivans in transporting students.

  7  2.  Allows the court to dismiss the order of impoundment or
    immobilization for vehicles registered in the owner's name,
  8  but used for a business and operated by employees. Addresses
    instances where the individual charged with repeat DUI is a
  9  small business owner who has registered company vehicles in
    his name.
10
    3.  Removes the term "waterways" from the definition for
11  "road" contained in the bill.

12  4.  Provides golf carts may not be operated on a public road
    by a person under the age of 14. Requires retirement
13  communities to adhere to night-time golf cart safety
    requirements.
14
    5.  Provides vehicles transporting logs, long pulpwood, poles,
15  or posts which extend more than four feet beyond the rear of
    the vehicle must have an amber strobe light attached to the
16  end of the projection.

17  6.  Provides boat trailers whose design requires a front to
    back stacking method are included within the existing
18  exception to the length limitations.

19  7.  Provides cables and other devices meeting specified
    federal safety requirements may be used in the towing of
20  certain vehicles.

21  8.  Provides vehicles returned due to a "failed sale" may be
    sold as new provided a disclosure is made that the vehicle was
22  delivered to a prior customer.

23  9.  Provides a lien on a motor vehicle for a child support is
    not enforceable against subsequent purchasers unless certain
24  conditions are met.

25  10.  Provides a driver's license or identification number must
    be provided in connection with an application for vehicle
26  registration.

27  11.  Deletes requirements relating to the retention of
    documents and authorizes DHSMV to utilize electronic records.
28
    12.  Provides that for the registration transactions handled
29  by DHSMV, the $2.50 registration service charge is to be
    deposited into the Highway Safety Operating Trust Fund rather
30  than General Revenue.

31  13.  Codifies Rule 15C-7.002(5) and adds two additional items
    (i) and (j) which will be recognized as reasonable indicia of
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    Florida Senate - 2000                           CS for SB 1866
    306-1791-00




  1  ownership for used motor vehicles.

  2  14.  Clarifies that a motor vehicle manufacturer, importer or
    distributor (licensee) may not have any interest in a
  3  dealership and may not be issued a motor vehicle dealer
    license. A licensee may temporarily operate a dealership for
  4  the exclusive purpose of broadening the diversity of its
    dealer body. Exempts dealership owned, controlled, or operated
  5  by a licensee on July 1, 2000.

  6  15.  Provides a replacement application for unfair
    cancellation of a dealer agreement may not be granted until
  7  all appellate remedies have been exhausted. In an action for
    discontinuation, cancellation, nonrenewal, or replacement of a
  8  dealer franchise agreement, the licensee has the burden for
    proving the action is fair and not prohibited. Provides
  9  standards for determining when an agreement is unfair.
    Provides that an association of motor vehicle dealers,
10  licensee, or licensee association are authorized to seek an
    injunction for certain violations of licensing requirements.
11
    16.  Deletes the provision in the bill relating to the
12  advertising of motor vehicles via the Internet.

13  17.  Provides that within 7 days of the storage of a vehicle
    or vessel, notice must be sent to the registered owner and any
14  person claiming a lien against the vehicle or vessel after a
    good faith effort at the most current known address even if
15  different from that provided by DHSMV.

16  18.  Provides DHSMV is no longer required to provide the name
    of the insurance company to the appropriate law enforcement
17  agency when a vehicle or vessel is towed.

18  19.  Redesignates the Motor Vehicle Industry Task Force as the
    Used Motor Vehicle Industry Task Force.
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