House Bill hb1681e2

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                                      CS/HB 1681, Second Engrossed



  1                      A bill to be entitled

  2         An act relating to agriculture and consumer

  3         services; amending s. 163.01, F.S.; revising

  4         language with respect to the Florida Interlocal

  5         Cooperation Act of 1969; amending s. 163.05,

  6         F.S.; revising legislative findings; providing

  7         criteria for contracts between the Commissioner

  8         of Agriculture and program providers; deleting

  9         responsibilities of the Comptroller and the

10         Legislative Committee on Intergovernmental

11         Relations; authorizing the Commissioner of

12         Agriculture to award contracts to provide

13         assistance to small counties; requiring the

14         Commissioner of Agriculture to provide fiscal

15         oversight and performance reviews; providing an

16         appropriation; amending s. 316.515, F.S.;

17         revising equipment authorized for transporting

18         farm products; allowing the Department of

19         Transportation to issue certain permits;

20         amending s. 316.520, F.S.; clarifying that

21         violation of a provision governing loads on

22         vehicles is a moving rather than nonmoving

23         violation; exempting certain vehicles carrying

24         agricultural products; amending s. 370.31,

25         F.S.; transferring the Sturgeon Production

26         Working Group from the Department of

27         Environmental Protection to the Department of

28         Agriculture and Consumer Services; revising

29         membership and procedures; amending s. 388.261,

30         F.S.; revising provisions relating to state aid

31         to counties and districts for arthropod


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                                      CS/HB 1681, Second Engrossed



  1         control; prorating county funds under certain

  2         circumstances; providing an exemption from

  3         funding requirements under certain

  4         circumstances; authorizing the use of state

  5         funds when requested by a county or district;

  6         authorizing funds for technical assistance or

  7         to purchase equipment, supplies, or services;

  8         amending s. 388.281, F.S.; revising uses for

  9         state matching funds; amending s. 388.361,

10         F.S.; authorizing the Department of Agriculture

11         and Consumer Services to cooperate with local

12         agencies; authorizing collection, detection,

13         suppression, and control of mosquitoes and

14         arthropods on public or private land; amending

15         s. 388.45, F.S.; clarifying provisions relating

16         to threats to public health and the issuance of

17         declarations; authorizing declaration of a

18         threat to animal health when certain conditions

19         exist; authorizing treatment or control

20         measures; amending s. 403.067, F.S.;

21         authorizing implementation of interim measures

22         for specified water bodies for which total

23         maximum daily load or allocation has not been

24         established; amending s. 403.709, F.S.;

25         deleting the minimum county allocation to local

26         mosquito control agencies from waste tire fees;

27         amending s. 482.2401, F.S.; adding education in

28         pest control as an approved use of

29         administrative fine revenues; creating s.

30         482.243, F.S.; creating the Pest Control

31         Enforcement Advisory Council in the department;


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                                      CS/HB 1681, Second Engrossed



  1         providing for membership, terms, and

  2         procedures; providing powers and duties;

  3         amending s. 496.404, F.S.; redefining the term

  4         "educational institutions" for purposes of the

  5         Solicitation of Contributions Act; amending s.

  6         500.121, F.S.; providing sanctions for nutrient

  7         labeling violations; amending s. 501.160, F.S.;

  8         providing for enforcement for violation of

  9         provisions relating to rental or sale of

10         essential commodities during a declared state

11         of emergency; amending s. 570.07, F.S.;

12         authorizing the department to provide meals

13         when personnel cannot leave emergency incident

14         locations; amending s. 570.073, F.S.; revising

15         the powers and duties of the Office of

16         Agricultural Law Enforcement; amending s.

17         316.640, F.S.; revising the duties of the

18         Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement;

19         amending s. 570.71, F.S.; revising provisions

20         relating to conservation easements and rural

21         land protection easements; amending s. 573.124,

22         F.S.; increasing penalties for furnishing false

23         information, or refusing to furnish

24         information, relating to the marketing of

25         agricultural commodities; amending s. 581.091,

26         F.S.; requiring water management districts and

27         local governments to refer to the department's

28         current list of noxious weeds and invasive

29         plants when developing their own lists;

30         amending s. 585.08, F.S.; authorizing the

31         Division of Animal Industry, under certain


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                                      CS/HB 1681, Second Engrossed



  1         circumstances, to condemn and destroy an animal

  2         that is liable to spread contagious,

  3         infectious, or communicable disease; amending

  4         s. 585.09, F.S.; correcting a cross reference;

  5         repealing s. 585.10, F.S., relating to

  6         limitations on payments to owners of condemned

  7         and destroyed animals; amending s. 585.11,

  8         F.S.; authorizing the department to cooperate

  9         with United States Department of Agriculture

10         accredited private veterinarians; amending s.

11         585.21, F.S.; requiring written permission of

12         the department prior to sale in the state of

13         certain biological products; amending s.

14         585.61, F.S.; increasing fees for use of animal

15         disease diagnostic laboratories; amending s.

16         590.02, F.S., relating to duties of the

17         Division of Forestry of the Department of

18         Agriculture and Consumer Services; providing

19         that certain managerial positions are included

20         in the Selected Exempt Service; requiring

21         compliance with the applicable state Wildfire

22         Aviation Plan; designating the Cross City work

23         Center as the L. Earl Peterson Forestry

24         Station; amending s. 590.11, F.S., relating to

25         recreational fires; providing a penalty for

26         violation; amending s. 590.125, F.S.; revising

27         requirements for certified prescribed burns;

28         renaming procedures for protecting wild lands

29         from wildfires; amending s. 590.14, F.S.;

30         revising criteria for determining

31         administrative fines for violation of


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                                      CS/HB 1681, Second Engrossed



  1         provisions relating to forestry; amending s.

  2         597.020, F.S.; requiring aquaculture licenses

  3         and certifications to expire annually; creating

  4         s. 604.40, F.S.; providing regulations

  5         regarding equipment used on a farm; amending s.

  6         604.50; F.S.; clarifying the definition of a

  7         nonresidential farm building; amending s.

  8         616.242, F.S.; providing that certain kiddie

  9         rides shall be exempt from the requirement for

10         receipt of an inspection certificate each time

11         the ride is set up; revising accident reporting

12         requirements; designating the USDA Service

13         Center Building in Bartow, Florida, as the John

14         W. Hunt Building; amending s. 482.227, F.S.;

15         revising requirements relating to guarantees

16         and warranties in contracts for treatment of

17         wood-destroying organisms; providing

18         legislative intent with respect to such

19         guarantees and warranties; providing effective

20         dates.

21

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

23

24         Section 1.  Paragraph (g) of subsection (7) of section

25  163.01, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

26         163.01  Florida Interlocal Cooperation Act of 1969.--

27         (7)

28         (g)1.  Notwithstanding any other provisions of this

29  section, any separate legal entity created under this section,

30  the membership of which is limited to municipalities and

31  counties of the state, may acquire, own, construct, improve,


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                                      CS/HB 1681, Second Engrossed



  1  operate, and manage public facilities , or finance facilities

  2  on behalf of any person, relating to a governmental function

  3  or purpose, including, but not limited to, wastewater

  4  facilities, water or alternative water supply facilities, and

  5  water reuse facilities, which may serve populations within or

  6  outside of the members of the entity. Notwithstanding s.

  7  367.171(7), any separate legal entity created under this

  8  paragraph is not subject to commission jurisdiction and may

  9  not provide utility services within the service area of an

10  existing utility system unless it has received the consent of

11  the utility. The entity may finance or refinance the

12  acquisition, construction, expansion, and improvement of such

13  facilities relating to a governmental function or purpose the

14  public facility through the issuance of its bonds, notes, or

15  other obligations under this section or as otherwise

16  authorized by law. The entity has all the powers provided by

17  the interlocal agreement under which it is created or which

18  are necessary to finance, own, operate, or manage the public

19  facility, including, without limitation, the power to

20  establish rates, charges, and fees for products or services

21  provided by it, the power to levy special assessments, the

22  power to sell or finance all or a portion of such its

23  facility, and the power to contract with a public or private

24  entity to manage and operate such its facilities or to provide

25  or receive facilities, services, or products. Except as may be

26  limited by the interlocal agreement under which the entity is

27  created, all of the privileges, benefits, powers, and terms of

28  s. 125.01, relating to counties, and s. 166.021, relating to

29  municipalities, are fully applicable to the entity. However,

30  neither the entity nor any of its members on behalf of the

31  entity may exercise the power of eminent domain over the


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                                      CS/HB 1681, Second Engrossed



  1  facilities or property of any existing water or wastewater

  2  plant utility system, nor may the entity acquire title to any

  3  water or wastewater plant utility facilities, other

  4  facilities, or property which was acquired by the use of

  5  eminent domain after the effective date of this act. Bonds,

  6  notes, and other obligations issued by the entity are issued

  7  on behalf of the public agencies that are members of the

  8  entity.

  9         2.  Any entity created under this section may also

10  issue bond anticipation notes in connection with the

11  authorization, issuance, and sale of bonds. The bonds may be

12  issued as serial bonds or as term bonds or both. Any entity

13  may issue capital appreciation bonds or variable rate bonds.

14  Any bonds, notes, or other obligations must be authorized by

15  resolution of the governing body of the entity and bear the

16  date or dates; mature at the time or times, not exceeding 40

17  years from their respective dates; bear interest at the rate

18  or rates; be payable at the time or times; be in the

19  denomination; be in the form; carry the registration

20  privileges; be executed in the manner; be payable from the

21  sources and in the medium or payment and at the place; and be

22  subject to the terms of redemption, including redemption prior

23  to maturity, as the resolution may provide. If any officer

24  whose signature, or a facsimile of whose signature, appears on

25  any bonds, notes, or other obligations ceases to be an officer

26  before the delivery of the bonds, notes, or other obligations,

27  the signature or facsimile is valid and sufficient for all

28  purposes as if he or she had remained in office until the

29  delivery. The bonds, notes, or other obligations may be sold

30  at public or private sale for such price as the governing body

31  of the entity shall determine. Pending preparation of the


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                                      CS/HB 1681, Second Engrossed



  1  definitive bonds, the entity may issue interim certificates,

  2  which shall be exchanged for the definitive bonds. The bonds

  3  may be secured by a form of credit enhancement, if any, as the

  4  entity deems appropriate. The bonds may be secured by an

  5  indenture of trust or trust agreement. In addition, the

  6  governing body of the legal entity may delegate, to an

  7  officer, official, or agent of the legal entity as the

  8  governing body of the legal entity may select, the power to

  9  determine the time; manner of sale, public or private;

10  maturities; rate of interest, which may be fixed or may vary

11  at the time and in accordance with a specified formula or

12  method of determination; and other terms and conditions as may

13  be deemed appropriate by the officer, official, or agent so

14  designated by the governing body of the legal entity. However,

15  the amount and maturity of the bonds, notes, or other

16  obligations and the interest rate of the bonds, notes, or

17  other obligations must be within the limits prescribed by the

18  governing body of the legal entity and its resolution

19  delegating to an officer, official, or agent the power to

20  authorize the issuance and sale of the bonds, notes, or other

21  obligations.

22         3.  Bonds, notes, or other obligations issued under

23  subparagraph 1. may be validated as provided in chapter 75.

24  The complaint in any action to validate the bonds, notes, or

25  other obligations must be filed only in the Circuit Court for

26  Leon County. The notice required to be published by s. 75.06

27  must be published in Leon County and in each county that is a

28  member of the entity issuing the bonds, notes, or other

29  obligations, or in which a member of the entity is located,

30  and the complaint and order of the circuit court must be

31  served only on the State Attorney of the Second Judicial


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                                      CS/HB 1681, Second Engrossed



  1  Circuit and on the state attorney of each circuit in each

  2  county that is a member of the entity issuing the bonds,

  3  notes, or other obligations or in which a member of the entity

  4  is located. Section 75.04(2) does not apply to a complaint for

  5  validation brought by the legal entity. The bonds of an entity

  6  created pursuant to this section subsequent to the effective

  7  date of this provision to finance facilities on behalf of any

  8  person other than the entity created pursuant to this section

  9  shall also be validated, as provided in chapter 75, in the

10  circuit court in each county in which a facility financed by

11  such bonds may be located.

12         4.  The accomplishment of the authorized purposes of a

13  legal entity created under this paragraph is in all respects

14  for the benefit of the people of the state, for the increase

15  of their commerce and prosperity, and for the improvement of

16  their health and living conditions. Since the legal entity

17  will perform essential governmental functions in accomplishing

18  its purposes, the legal entity is not required to pay any

19  taxes or assessments of any kind whatsoever upon any property

20  acquired or used by it for such purposes or upon any revenues

21  at any time received by it. The bonds, notes, and other

22  obligations of an entity, their transfer and the income

23  therefrom, including any profits made on the sale thereof, are

24  at all times free from taxation of any kind by the state or by

25  any political subdivision or other agency or instrumentality

26  thereof. The exemption granted in this subparagraph is not

27  applicable to any tax imposed by chapter 220 on interest,

28  income, or profits on debt obligations owned by corporations.

29         Section 2.  Subsection (5) of section 316.515, Florida

30  Statutes, is amended to read:

31         316.515  Maximum width, height, length.--


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                                      CS/HB 1681, Second Engrossed



  1         (5)  IMPLEMENTS OF HUSBANDRY, AGRICULTURAL TRAILERS,

  2  SAFETY REQUIREMENTS.--Notwithstanding any other provisions of

  3  law, straight trucks and cotton module movers, not exceeding

  4  50 feet in length, or any combination of up to and including

  5  three implements of husbandry including the towing power unit,

  6  and any single agricultural trailer, with a load thereon not

  7  exceeding 130 inches in width, is authorized for the purpose

  8  of transporting peanuts, grains, soybeans, cotton, hay, straw,

  9  or other perishable farm products from their point of

10  production to the first point of change of custody or of

11  long-term storage, and for the purpose of returning to such

12  point of production, by a person engaged in the production of

13  any such product or custom hauler, if such vehicle or

14  combination of vehicles otherwise complies with this section.

15  Such vehicles shall be operated in accordance with all safety

16  requirements prescribed by law and Department of

17  Transportation rules. The Department of Transportation may

18  issue overlength permits for cotton module movers greater than

19  50 feet but not more than 55 feet in overall length.

20         Section 3.  Section 316.520, Florida Statutes, is

21  amended to read:

22         316.520  Loads on vehicles.--

23         (1)  A vehicle may not be driven or moved on any

24  highway unless the vehicle is so constructed or loaded as to

25  prevent any of its load from dropping, shifting, leaking,

26  blowing, or otherwise escaping therefrom, except that sand may

27  be dropped only for the purpose of securing traction or water

28  or other substance may be sprinkled on a roadway in cleaning

29  or maintaining the roadway.

30         (2)  It is the duty of every owner and driver,

31  severally, of any vehicle hauling, upon any public road or


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                                      CS/HB 1681, Second Engrossed



  1  highway open to the public, dirt, sand, lime rock, gravel,

  2  silica, or other similar aggregate or trash, garbage, or any

  3  similar material that could fall or blow from such vehicle, to

  4  prevent such materials from falling, blowing, or in any way

  5  escaping from such vehicle. Covering and securing the load

  6  with a close-fitting tarpaulin or other appropriate cover is

  7  required.

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

  9  traffic infraction, punishable as a moving nonmoving violation

10  as provided in chapter 318.

11         (4)  The provisions of subsection (2) requiring

12  covering and securing the load with a close-fitting tarpaulin

13  or other appropriate cover does not apply to vehicles carrying

14  agricultural products locally from a harvest site or to or

15  from a farm on roads where the posted speed limit is 65 miles

16  per hour or less and the distance driven on public roads is

17  less than 20 miles.

18         Section 4.  Subsections (2) and (3) of section 370.31,

19  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

20         370.31  Commercial production of sturgeon.--

21         (2)  CREATION.--The Sturgeon Production Working Group

22  is created within the Department of Agriculture and Consumer

23  Services Environmental Protection and shall be composed of

24  seven six members as follows:

25         (a)  The head of the sturgeon research program or

26  designee from the University of Florida, Institute of Food and

27  Agricultural Sciences.  Such member shall be appointed by the

28  University of Florida's Vice President for Agricultural

29  Affairs.

30

31


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                                      CS/HB 1681, Second Engrossed



  1         (b)  One representative from the Department of

  2  Environmental Protection to be appointed by the Secretary of

  3  Environmental Protection.

  4         (c)  One representative from the Fish and Wildlife

  5  Conservation Commission to be appointed by the executive

  6  director of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

  7         (d)  One representative from the Department of

  8  Agriculture and Consumer Services to be appointed by the

  9  Commissioner of Agriculture.

10         (e)  Two representatives from the aquaculture industry

11  to be appointed by the Aquaculture Review Council.

12         (f)  One representative from a private nonprofit

13  organization involved in sturgeon production work to be

14  appointed by the Commissioner of Agriculture.

15         (3)  MEETINGS; PROCEDURES; RECORDS.--The working group

16  shall meet at least twice a year and elect, by a quorum, a

17  chair and, vice chair, and secretary.

18         (a)  The chair of the working group shall preside at

19  all meetings and shall call a meeting as often as necessary to

20  carry out the provisions of this section.  To call a meeting,

21  the chair shall solicit an agreement to meet from at least two

22  other working group members and then notify any remaining

23  members of the meeting.

24         (b)  The Department of Agriculture and Consumer

25  Services secretary shall keep a complete record of the

26  proceedings of each meeting, which includes the names of the

27  members present at each meeting and the actions taken.  Such

28  records shall be kept on file with the Department of

29  Environmental Protection with copies filed with the Department

30  of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences at the University of

31


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                                      CS/HB 1681, Second Engrossed



  1  Florida.  The records shall be public records pursuant to

  2  chapter 119.

  3         (c)  A quorum shall consist of a majority of the group

  4  members. Members of the group shall not receive compensation,

  5  but shall be entitled to per diem and travel expenses,

  6  including attendance at meetings, as allowed public officers

  7  and employees pursuant to s. 112.061 one representative from

  8  the Department of Environmental Protection, one representative

  9  from the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, and at

10  least two other members.

11         Section 5.  Section 388.261, Florida Statutes, is

12  amended to read:

13         388.261  State aid to counties and districts for

14  arthropod control; distribution priorities and limitations.--

15         (1)  Every county or district budgeting local funds,

16  derived either by special tax levy or funds appropriated or

17  otherwise made available for the control of mosquitoes and

18  other arthropods under a plan submitted by the county or

19  district and upon approval by the department, shall be

20  eligible to receive state funds, supplies, services, and

21  equipment on a dollar-for-dollar matching basis up to but not

22  exceeding $30,000 for any one county for any one year.  A

23  county or district may, without contributing matching funds,

24  receive state funds, supplies, services, or equipment in an

25  amount of no more than $50,000 $30,000 per year for up to 3

26  years for any new or expanded program for the control of

27  mosquitoes and other arthropods which serves an area not

28  previously served by the county or district.  These funds may

29  be expended for any and all types of control measures approved

30  by the department.

31


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                                      CS/HB 1681, Second Engrossed



  1         (2)  In addition, Every county or district budgeting

  2  local funds to be used exclusively for the control of

  3  mosquitoes and other arthropods, under a plan submitted by the

  4  county or district and approved by the department, shall be

  5  eligible to receive state funds and supplies, services, and

  6  equipment on a dollar-for-dollar matching basis to for control

  7  measures up to but not exceeding 50 percent of the amount of

  8  local funds budgeted for such control.  Should state funds

  9  appropriated by the Legislature be insufficient to grant each

10  county or district state funds on a dollar-for-dollar matching

11  basis to 50 percent of the amount budgeted in local funds, the

12  department shall prorate said state funds based on the amount

13  of matchable local funds budgeted for expenditure by each

14  county or district.

15         (3)  Every county shall be limited to receive a total

16  of $120,000 $100,000 of state funds, exclusive of state funds

17  brought forward, during any one year, however, a county or

18  district that receives funds under subsection (1) for service

19  to an area not previously served may receive up to $130,000

20  during any one year.

21         (4)  Up to 20 percent of the annual funds appropriated

22  to local governments for arthropod control may be used for

23  arthropod control research or demonstration projects as

24  approved by the department.

25         (5)  If more than one local mosquito control agency

26  exists in a county, the funds shall be prorated between the

27  agencies based on the population served by each agency.

28         (6)  The Commissioner of Agriculture may exempt

29  counties or districts from the requirements in subsection (1),

30  subsection (2), or subsection (3) when the department

31  determines state funds, supplies, services, or equipment are


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                                      CS/HB 1681, Second Engrossed



  1  necessary for the immediate control of mosquitoes and other

  2  arthropods that pose a threat to human or animal health.

  3         (7)  The department may use state funds appropriated

  4  for a county or district under subsection (1) or subsection

  5  (2) to provide state mosquito or other arthropod control

  6  equipment, supplies, or services when requested by a county or

  7  district eligible to receive state funds under s. 388.271.

  8         (8)  The department is authorized to use up to 5

  9  percent of the funds appropriated annually by the Legislature

10  for the purposes of this section to provide technical

11  assistance to the counties and districts, or to purchase

12  equipment, supplies, or services the department determines are

13  necessary to administer the provisions of this chapter.

14         Section 6.  Subsection (2) of section 388.281, Florida

15  Statutes, is amended to read:

16         388.281  Use of state matching funds.--

17         (2)  All funds, supplies, and services released on the

18  dollar-for-dollar 50-percent matching basis shall be used

19  exclusively for an integrated program that provides a

20  combination of mosquito control, source reduction measures,

21  public education, personnel training and certification,

22  arthropod population surveillance, research and demonstration

23  projects, larvicides, adulticides, equipment, and public

24  epidemic alerts as approved by the department. Source

25  reduction measures may include measures to improve management

26  and enhance the ecological integrity of source reduction

27  areas.  If source reduction measures require permits,

28  approvals, or agreement by federal, state, regional, or local

29  agencies, such permits, approvals, or agreement shall be

30  obtained prior to commencement of the source reduction

31  project.  These measures include sanitary landfills, drainage,


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                                      CS/HB 1681, Second Engrossed



  1  diking, filling of arthropod breeding areas, and the purchase,

  2  maintenance, and operation of all types of equipment including

  3  trucks, dredges, draglines, bulldozers, or any other type of

  4  machinery and materials utilized in ditching, ditch lining,

  5  ditch construction, diking, filling, hiring personnel, rental

  6  of equipment, and payment for contract work awarded to the

  7  lowest responsible bidder.

  8         Section 7.  Subsection (6) of section 388.361, Florida

  9  Statutes, is amended, and subsection (7) is added to said

10  section, to read:

11         388.361  Department authority and rules;

12  administration.--

13         (6)  The department shall have the authority to

14  cooperate with federal, and state, and local agencies and to

15  enter into such cooperative agreements or commitments as the

16  department may determine necessary to carry out and enforce

17  the provisions of this chapter.

18         (7)  The department shall have the authority to

19  collect, detect, suppress, and control mosquitoes and other

20  arthropods that are determined by the State Health Officer to

21  pose a threat to public health or by the Commissioner of

22  Agriculture to pose a threat to animal health, wherever they

23  may occur on public or private land in this state, and to do

24  all things necessary in the exercise of such authority. Prior

25  to the start of treatments for the control of mosquitoes or

26  other arthropods, the department shall consult with the

27  mosquito control districts in the proposed treatment areas,

28  the Department of Health, the Department of Environmental

29  Protection, and the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

30  regarding the proposed locations, dates, and methods to be

31  used.


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                                      CS/HB 1681, Second Engrossed



  1         Section 8.  Section 388.45, Florida Statutes, is

  2  amended to read:

  3         388.45  Threat to public or animal health; emergency

  4  declarations.--

  5         (1)  The State Health Officer has the authority to

  6  declare that a threat to public health exists when the

  7  Department of Health discovers in the human or surrogate

  8  population the occurrence of an infectious disease that can be

  9  transmitted from mosquitoes or other arthropods to humans. The

10  State Health Officer must immediately notify the Commissioner

11  of Agriculture of the declaration of this threat to public

12  health. The Commissioner of Agriculture is authorized to issue

13  a mosquito or other arthropod declaration in those counties

14  needing additional mosquito or other arthropod control

15  measures an emergency declaration based on the State Health

16  Officer's declaration of a threat to the public health or

17  based on other threats to animal health. Each declaration must

18  contain the geographical boundaries and the duration of the

19  declaration. The State Health Officer shall order such human

20  medical preventive treatment and the Commissioner of

21  Agriculture shall order such ameliorative mosquito or other

22  arthropod control measures as are necessary to prevent the

23  spread of disease, notwithstanding contrary provisions of this

24  chapter or the rules adopted under this chapter. Within 24

25  hours after a declaration of a threat to the public health,

26  the State Health Officer must also notify the agency heads of

27  the Department of Environmental Protection and the Fish and

28  Wildlife Conservation Commission of the declaration. Within 24

29  hours after a mosquito or other arthropod an emergency

30  declaration based on the public health declaration or based on

31  other threats to animal health, the Commissioner of


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                                      CS/HB 1681, Second Engrossed



  1  Agriculture must notify the agency heads of the Department of

  2  Environmental Protection and the Fish and Wildlife

  3  Conservation Commission of the declaration. Within 24 hours

  4  after an emergency declaration based on other threats to

  5  animal health, the Commissioner of Agriculture must also

  6  notify the agency head of the Department of Health of the

  7  declaration.

  8         (2)  The Commissioner of Agriculture has the authority

  9  to declare that a threat to animal health exists when the

10  department discovers the occurrence of an infectious disease

11  in animals that can be transmitted by mosquitoes or other

12  arthropods and is authorized to issue an animal health

13  declaration in those counties needing additional veterinary

14  care or mosquito or other arthropod control measures based on

15  a threat to animal health. Each declaration must contain the

16  geographical boundaries and the duration of the declaration.

17  The Commissioner of Agriculture shall order such veterinary

18  treatment or ameliorative mosquito or other arthropod control

19  measures as are necessary to prevent the spread of disease,

20  notwithstanding contrary provisions of this chapter or the

21  rules adopted under this chapter. The Commissioner of

22  Agriculture shall immediately notify the State Health Officer

23  and the agency heads of the Department of Environmental

24  Protection and the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

25  upon issuance of an animal health declaration.

26         Section 9.  Subsection (11) of section 403.067, Florida

27  Statutes, is amended to read:

28         403.067  Establishment and implementation of total

29  maximum daily loads.--

30         (11)  IMPLEMENTATION OF ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS.--

31


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                                      CS/HB 1681, Second Engrossed



  1         (a)  The department shall not implement, without prior

  2  legislative approval, any additional regulatory authority

  3  pursuant to s. 303(d) of the Clean Water Act or 40 C.F.R. part

  4  130, if such implementation would result in water quality

  5  discharge regulation of activities not currently subject to

  6  regulation.

  7         (b)  Interim measures, best management practices, or

  8  other measures may be developed and voluntarily implemented

  9  pursuant to paragraph (7)(c) or paragraph (7)(d) for any water

10  body or segment for which a total maximum daily load or

11  allocation has not been established. The implementation of

12  such pollution control programs may be considered by the

13  department in the determination made pursuant to subsection

14  (4).

15         Section 10.  Paragraph (e) of subsection (3) of section

16  403.709, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

17         403.709  Solid Waste Management Trust Fund; use of

18  waste tire fee moneys; waste tire site management.--

19         (3)  Moneys allocated to the fund from waste tire fees

20  shall be used:

21         (e)  At least 10 percent of the revenues deposited in

22  the fund annually from waste tire fees shall be allocated as

23  additional grants to local mosquito control agencies in

24  accordance with s. 388.261 for the specific purpose of abating

25  and providing mosquito control relating to waste tire sites,

26  other tire piles, and other sites identified by local mosquito

27  control agencies as mosquito breeding areas.  Only local

28  mosquito control agencies approved by the Department of

29  Agriculture and Consumer Services may receive funds pursuant

30  to this paragraph.  Each county with an eligible local

31  mosquito control agency shall be allocated a minimum of


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                                      CS/HB 1681, Second Engrossed



  1  $15,000 pursuant to this paragraph.  Any remaining funds under

  2  this paragraph shall be distributed to eligible local mosquito

  3  control agencies on the basis of county population.  If more

  4  than one local mosquito control agency exists in a county, the

  5  funds shall be prorated between the agencies based on the

  6  population served by each agency.

  7         Section 11.  Subsection (3) of section 482.2401,

  8  Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

  9         482.2401  Disposition and use of revenues from fees and

10  fines.--

11         (3)  All revenues from administrative fines shall be

12  used to support contract research or education in all pest

13  control categories. The department shall appoint a committee

14  composed of pest control industry members which shall assist

15  the department in establishing research or education

16  priorities, in developing requests for proposals for bids, and

17  in selecting research or education contractors from qualified

18  bidders.

19         Section 12.  Section 482.243, Florida Statutes, is

20  created to read:

21         482.243  Pest Control Enforcement Advisory Council.--

22         (1)  The Pest Control Enforcement Advisory Council is

23  created within the department. The Commissioner of Agriculture

24  shall appoint all members of the council. The purpose of the

25  council is to advise the Commissioner of Agriculture regarding

26  the regulation of pest control practices and to advise

27  government agencies with respect to those activities related

28  to their responsibilities regarding pest control. The council

29  shall serve as the statewide forum for the coordination of

30  pest control related activities to eliminate duplication of

31  effort and maximize protection of the public.


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                                      CS/HB 1681, Second Engrossed



  1         (2)  The council shall consist of 11 members as

  2  follows:  a representative of the department; a citizen not

  3  involved in the conduct of pest control; a state university

  4  urban entomologist; and eight persons each holding a pest

  5  control operator's certificate issued under s. 482.111, of

  6  whom two shall be actively involved in termite control, two

  7  shall be actively involved in general household pest control,

  8  two shall be actively involved in structural fumigation, and

  9  two shall be actively involved in lawn and landscape pest

10  control. Each member shall be appointed for a term of 4 years

11  and shall serve until a successor is appointed.

12         (3)  In conducting its meetings, the council shall use

13  Robert's Rules of Order. A majority of the members of the

14  council constitutes a quorum for all purposes, and an act by a

15  majority of such quorum at any meeting constitutes an official

16  act of the council. The secretary shall keep a complete record

17  of each meeting which must show the names of members present

18  and the actions taken. These records must be kept on file with

19  the department, and these records and other documents about

20  matters within the jurisdiction of the council are subject to

21  inspection by members of the council.

22         (4)  The members of the council shall meet and organize

23  by electing a chair, a vice chair, and a secretary whose terms

24  shall be for 1 year each. Council officers may not serve

25  consecutive terms.

26         (5)  The council shall meet at the call of its chair,

27  at the request of a majority of its members, at the request of

28  the department, or at such time as a public health or

29  environmental emergency arises.

30         (6)  The meetings, powers and duties, procedures,

31  recordkeeping, and reimbursement of expenses of members of the


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                                      CS/HB 1681, Second Engrossed



  1  council shall be in accordance with the provisions of s.

  2  570.0705 relating to advisory committees established within

  3  the department.

  4         (7)  The council shall receive reports of pest control

  5  enforcement activity conducted by the Division of Agricultural

  6  Environmental Services, which shall include numbers of cases,

  7  numbers of administrative actions, numbers of complaints

  8  received and investigated, and dispositions of complaints;

  9  provide advice to the department on the conduct of pest

10  control enforcement activities; receive reports on

11  disciplinary actions, provided that the names of individual

12  licensees shall be expunged from cases discussed before the

13  council, unless a consent order or final order has been issued

14  in the case; and make recommendations, subject to a majority

15  vote, directly to the Commissioner of Agriculture for actions

16  to be taken with respect to the regulation of pest control

17  services and practices that the council has reviewed.

18         Section 13.  Subsection (8) of section 496.404, Florida

19  Statutes, is amended to read:

20         496.404  Definitions.--As used in ss. 496.401-496.424:

21         (8)  "Educational institutions" means those

22  institutions and organizations described in s.

23  212.08(7)(cc)8.a. The term includes private nonprofit

24  organizations the purpose of which is to raise funds for

25  schools teaching kindergarten through grade 12, colleges, and

26  universities, including any nonprofit newspaper of free or

27  paid circulation primarily on university or college campuses

28  that holds a current exemption from federal income tax under

29  s. 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, any educational

30  television or radio network or system established pursuant to

31  s. 229.805 or s. 229.8051, and any nonprofit television or


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                                      CS/HB 1681, Second Engrossed



  1  radio station that is a part of such network or system and

  2  that holds a current exemption from federal income tax under

  3  s. 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The term also

  4  includes a nonprofit educational cable consortium that holds a

  5  current exemption from federal income tax under s. 501(c)(3)

  6  of the Internal Revenue Code, the primary purpose of which is

  7  the delivery of educational and instructional cable television

  8  programming and the members of which are composed exclusively

  9  of educational organizations that hold a valid consumer

10  certificate of exemption and that are either an educational

11  institution as defined in this subsection or qualified as a

12  nonprofit organization pursuant to s. 501(c)(3) of the

13  Internal Revenue Code.

14         Section 14.  Subsection (6) is added to section

15  500.121, Florida Statutes, to read:

16         500.121  Disciplinary procedures.--

17         (6)  If the department determines that a food offered

18  in a food establishment is labeled with nutrient claims that

19  are in violation of this chapter, the department shall retest

20  or reexamine the product within 90 days after notification to

21  the manufacturer and to the firm at which the product was

22  collected. If the product is again found in violation, the

23  department shall test or examine the product for a third time

24  within 60 days after the second notification. The product

25  manufacturer shall reimburse the department for the cost of

26  the third test or examination. If the product is found in

27  violation for a third time, the department shall exercise its

28  authority under s. 500.172 and issue a stop-sale or stop-use

29  order. The department may impose additional sanctions for

30  violations of this subsection.

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                                      CS/HB 1681, Second Engrossed



  1         Section 15.  Subsection (8) is added to section

  2  501.160, Florida Statutes, to read:

  3         501.160  Rental or sale of essential commodities during

  4  a declared state of emergency; prohibition against

  5  unconscionable prices.--

  6         (8)  Any violation of this section may be enforced by

  7  the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the

  8  Office of the State Attorney, or the Department of Legal

  9  Affairs.

10         Section 16.  Subsection (35) of section 570.07, Florida

11  Statutes, is amended to read:

12         570.07  Department of Agriculture and Consumer

13  Services; functions, powers, and duties.--The department shall

14  have and exercise the following functions, powers, and duties:

15         (35)  Under emergency conditions, to authorize the

16  purchase of supplemental nutritional food and drink items,

17  provide meals when personnel cannot leave an emergency

18  incident location, and set temporary meal expenditure limits

19  for employees engaged in physical activity for prolonged

20  periods of time in excess of the rate established by s.

21  112.061(6), but not to exceed $50 per day.

22         Section 17.  Section 570.073, Florida Statutes, is

23  amended to read:

24         570.073  Department of Agriculture and Consumer

25  Services, law enforcement officers.--

26         (1)  The commissioner may create an Office of

27  Agricultural Law Enforcement under the supervision of a senior

28  manager exempt under s. 110.205 in the Senior Management

29  Service. The commissioner may designate law enforcement

30  officers, as necessary, to enforce any criminal law or conduct

31  any criminal investigation or to enforce the provisions of any


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                                      CS/HB 1681, Second Engrossed



  1  statute or any other laws of this staterelating to any matter

  2  over which the department has jurisdiction or which occurs on

  3  property owned, managed, or occupied by the department.

  4  Officers appointed under this section have the primary

  5  responsibility for enforcing laws relating to agriculture and

  6  consumer services as outlined below and violations of law that

  7  threaten the overall security and safety of this state's

  8  agriculture and consumer services. Those matters include The

  9  primary responsibilities include the enforcement of laws

10  relating to:

11         (a)  Domesticated animals, including livestock,

12  poultry, aquaculture products, and other wild or domesticated

13  animals or animal products.

14         (b)  Farms, farm equipment, livery tack, citrus or

15  citrus products, or horticultural products.

16         (c)  Trespass, littering, forests, forest fires, and

17  open burning.

18         (d)  Damage to or theft of forest products.

19         (e)  Enforcement of a marketing order.

20         (f)  Protection of consumers.

21         (g)  Civil traffic offenses as outlined under Florida

22  law provided for in chapters 316, 320, and 322, subject to the

23  provisions of chapter 318, relating to any matter over which

24  the department has jurisdiction or committed on property

25  owned, managed, or occupied by the department.

26         (h)  The use of alcohol or drugs which occurs on

27  property owned, managed, or occupied by the department.

28         (i)  Any emergency situation in which the life, limb,

29  or property of any person is placed in immediate and serious

30  danger.

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                                      CS/HB 1681, Second Engrossed



  1         (j)  Any crime incidental to or related to paragraphs

  2  (a)-(i).

  3         (k)  Any law over which the Commissioner of Agriculture

  4  has responsibility.

  5         (2)  Each law enforcement officer shall meet the

  6  qualifications of law enforcement officers under s. 943.13 and

  7  shall be certified as a law enforcement officer by the

  8  Department of Law Enforcement under the provisions of chapter

  9  943. Upon certification, each law enforcement officer is

10  subject to and shall have the same arrest and other authority

11  provided for law enforcement officers generally in chapter 901

12  and shall have statewide jurisdiction as provided in

13  subsection (1).  Each officer shall also have arrest authority

14  as provided for state law enforcement officers in s.

15  901.15(11). Such officers have full law enforcement powers

16  granted to other peace officers of this state, including the

17  power to make arrests, carry firearms, serve court process,

18  and seize contraband and the proceeds of illegal activities.

19         (3)  The Commissioner may also appoint part-time,

20  reserve or auxiliary law enforcement officers under chapter

21  943.

22         (4)(3)  All department law enforcement officers, upon

23  certification under s. 943.1395, shall have the same right and

24  authority to carry arms as do the sheriffs of this state.

25         (5)(4)  Each law enforcement officer in the state who

26  is certified pursuant to chapter 943 has the same authority as

27  law enforcement officers designated in this section to enforce

28  the laws of this state as described in subsection (1).

29         Section 18.  Subsection (1) of section 316.640, Florida

30  Statutes, is amended to read:

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                                      CS/HB 1681, Second Engrossed



  1         316.640  Enforcement.--The enforcement of the traffic

  2  laws of this state is vested as follows:

  3         (1)  STATE.--

  4         (a)1.

  5         a.  The Division of Florida Highway Patrol of the

  6  Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, the Division

  7  of Law Enforcement of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation

  8  Commission, the Division of Law Enforcement of the Department

  9  of Environmental Protection, and law enforcement officers of

10  the Department of Transportation each have authority to

11  enforce all of the traffic laws of this state on all the

12  streets and highways thereof and elsewhere throughout the

13  state wherever the public has a right to travel by motor

14  vehicle. The Division of the Florida Highway Patrol may employ

15  as a traffic accident investigation officer any individual who

16  successfully completes at least 200 hours of instruction in

17  traffic accident investigation and court presentation through

18  the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program as approved by the

19  Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission and funded

20  through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or

21  a similar program approved by the commission, but who does not

22  necessarily meet the uniform minimum standards established by

23  the commission for law enforcement officers or auxiliary law

24  enforcement officers under chapter 943. Any such traffic

25  accident investigation officer who makes an investigation at

26  the scene of a traffic accident may issue traffic citations,

27  based upon personal investigation, when he or she has

28  reasonable and probable grounds to believe that a person who

29  was involved in the accident committed an offense under this

30  chapter, chapter 319, chapter 320, or chapter 322 in

31  connection with the accident. This paragraph does not permit


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                                      CS/HB 1681, Second Engrossed



  1  the carrying of firearms or other weapons, nor do such

  2  officers have arrest authority other than for the issuance of

  3  a traffic citation as authorized in this paragraph.

  4         b.  University police officers shall have authority to

  5  enforce all of the traffic laws of this state when such

  6  violations occur on or about any property or facilities that

  7  are under the guidance, supervision, regulation, or control of

  8  the State University System, except that traffic laws may be

  9  enforced off-campus when hot pursuit originates on-campus.

10         c.  Community college police officers shall have the

11  authority to enforce all the traffic laws of this state only

12  when such violations occur on any property or facilities that

13  are under the guidance, supervision, regulation, or control of

14  the community college system.

15         d.  Police officers employed by an airport authority

16  shall have the authority to enforce all of the traffic laws of

17  this state only when such violations occur on any property or

18  facilities that are owned or operated by an airport authority.

19         (I)  An airport authority may employ as a parking

20  enforcement specialist any individual who successfully

21  completes a training program established and approved by the

22  Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission for parking

23  enforcement specialists but who does not otherwise meet the

24  uniform minimum standards established by the commission for

25  law enforcement officers or auxiliary or part-time officers

26  under s. 943.12. Nothing in this sub-sub-subparagraph shall be

27  construed to permit the carrying of firearms or other weapons,

28  nor shall such parking enforcement specialist have arrest

29  authority.

30         (II)  A parking enforcement specialist employed by an

31  airport authority is authorized to enforce all state, county,


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                                      CS/HB 1681, Second Engrossed



  1  and municipal laws and ordinances governing parking only when

  2  such violations are on property or facilities owned or

  3  operated by the airport authority employing the specialist, by

  4  appropriate state, county, or municipal traffic citation.

  5         e.  The Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement of the

  6  Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services shall have the

  7  authority to enforce traffic laws of this state only as

  8  authorized by the provisions of chapter 570. However, nothing

  9  in this section shall expand the authority of the Office of

10  Agricultural Law Enforcement at its agricultural inspection

11  stations to issue any traffic tickets except those traffic

12  tickets for vehicles illegally passing the inspection station.

13         f.  School safety officers shall have the authority to

14  enforce all of the traffic laws of this state when such

15  violations occur on or about any property or facilities which

16  are under the guidance, supervision, regulation, or control of

17  the district school board.

18         2.  An agency of the state as described in subparagraph

19  1. is prohibited from establishing a traffic citation quota. A

20  violation of this subparagraph is not subject to the penalties

21  provided in chapter 318.

22         3.  Any disciplinary action taken or performance

23  evaluation conducted by an agency of the state as described in

24  subparagraph 1. of a law enforcement officer's traffic

25  enforcement activity must be in accordance with written

26  work-performance standards. Such standards must be approved by

27  the agency and any collective bargaining unit representing

28  such law enforcement officer. A violation of this subparagraph

29  is not subject to the penalties provided in chapter 318.

30

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                                      CS/HB 1681, Second Engrossed



  1         (b)1.  The Department of Transportation has authority

  2  to enforce on all the streets and highways of this state all

  3  laws applicable within its authority.

  4         2.a.  The Department of Transportation shall develop

  5  training and qualifications standards for toll enforcement

  6  officers whose sole authority is to enforce the payment of

  7  tolls pursuant to s. 316.1001. Nothing in this subparagraph

  8  shall be construed to permit the carrying of firearms or other

  9  weapons, nor shall a toll enforcement officer have arrest

10  authority.

11         b.  For the purpose of enforcing s. 316.1001,

12  governmental entities, as defined in s. 334.03, which own or

13  operate a toll facility may employ independent contractors or

14  designate employees as toll enforcement officers; however, any

15  such toll enforcement officer must successfully meet the

16  training and qualifications standards for toll enforcement

17  officers established by the Department of Transportation.

18         Section 19.  Paragraph (b) of subsection (5) of section

19  570.71, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

20         570.71  Conservation easements and agreements.--

21         (5)  Agricultural protection agreements shall be for

22  terms of 30 years and will provide payments to landowners

23  having significant natural areas on their land. Public access

24  and public recreational opportunities may be negotiated at the

25  request of the landowner.

26         (b)  As part of the agricultural protection agreement,

27  the parties shall agree that the state shall have a right to

28  buy a conservation easement or rural land protection easement

29  at the end of the 30-year term or prior to the landowner

30  transferring or selling the property, whichever occurs later.

31  If the landowner tenders the easement for the purchase and the


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                                      CS/HB 1681, Second Engrossed



  1  state does not timely exercise its right to buy the easement,

  2  the landowner shall be released from the agricultural

  3  agreement. The purchase price of the easement shall be

  4  established in the agreement and shall be based on the value

  5  of the easement at the time the agreement is entered into,

  6  plus a reasonable escalator multiplied by the number of full

  7  calendar years following the date of the commencement of the

  8  agreement. The landowner may transfer or sell the property

  9  before the expiration of the 30-year term, but only if the

10  property is sold subject to the agreement and the buyer

11  becomes the successor in interest to the agricultural

12  protection agreement. Upon mutual consent of the parties, a

13  landowner may enter into a perpetual easement at any time

14  during the term of an agricultural protection agreement.

15         Section 20.  Subsection (8) of section 573.124, Florida

16  Statutes, is amended to read:

17         573.124  Penalties; violation; hearings.--

18         (8)  It shall be a felony of the third degree

19  misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s.

20  775.082 or s. 775.083, for:

21         (a)  Any person to willfully render or furnish a false

22  or fraudulent report, statement, or record required by the

23  department, or any marketing agreement or marketing order

24  effective thereunder.

25         (b)  Any person engaged in the handling of any

26  agricultural commodity or in the wholesale or retail trade

27  thereof to fail or refuse to furnish to the department or its

28  duly authorized agents, upon request, information concerning

29  the name and address of the persons from whom he or she has

30  received any agricultural commodity regulated by a marketing

31


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                                      CS/HB 1681, Second Engrossed



  1  order issued and in effect hereunder, and the quantity of the

  2  commodity so received.

  3         Section 21.  Section 581.091, Florida Statutes, is

  4  amended to read:

  5         581.091  Noxious weeds and infected plants or regulated

  6  articles; sale or distribution; receipt; information to

  7  department; withholding information.--

  8         (1)  It is unlawful for any person to knowingly sell,

  9  offer for sale, or distribute any noxious weed, or any plant

10  or plant product or regulated article infested or infected

11  with any plant pest declared, by rule of the department, to be

12  a public nuisance or a threat to the state's agricultural and

13  horticultural interests.

14         (2)  Any person who knows or reasonably should know

15  that such person possesses or has knowingly received any

16  noxious weed or any plant, plant product, or regulated article

17  sold, given away, carried, shipped, or delivered for carriage

18  or shipment in violation of the provisions of this chapter or

19  the rules adopted thereunder shall immediately inform the

20  department and isolate and hold the weed, plant, plant

21  product, or other thing unopened or unused subject to

22  inspection or other disposition as may be provided by the

23  department.

24         (3)  It is unlawful for any person to fail to disclose

25  or withhold available information regarding any infected or

26  infested plant, plant product, regulated article, or noxious

27  weed.

28         (4)  The department, in conjunction with the Institute

29  of Food and Agricultural Sciences at the University of

30  Florida, shall biennially review the official state lists of

31  noxious weeds and invasive plants as provided for under this


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                                      CS/HB 1681, Second Engrossed



  1  chapter and department rules. The plants listed in section

  2  369.251 shall be incorporated into the department lists as

  3  provided for under this chapter.  A water management district

  4  when identifying by rule pursuant to section 373.185, or a

  5  local government when identifying by ordinance or regulation

  6  adopted on or after March 1, 2002, a list of noxious weeds,

  7  invasive plants, or plants deemed to be a public nuisance or

  8  threat, shall only adopt the lists developed under this

  9  chapter or rules adopted thereunder.  All local government

10  ordinances or regulations adopted prior to March 1, 2002, that

11  list noxious weeds or invasive plants shall remain in effect.

12  All local ordinances or regulations requiring the removal of

13  invasive plants or noxious weeds from publicly or privately

14  owned conservation areas or preserves shall be exempt from the

15  limitations in this subsection.

16         Section 22.  Subsection (5) is added to section 585.08,

17  Florida Statutes, to read:

18         585.08  General powers of the department; rules.--The

19  Division of Animal Industry is authorized to:

20         (5)  Condemn and destroy any animal that is liable to

21  spread any contagious, infectious, or communicable disease

22  based upon sound epidemiological facts and conclusions to

23  prevent the further spread of disease when a state or

24  agricultural declaration of emergency has been declared by the

25  Governor or the Commissioner of Agriculture.

26         Section 23.  Section 585.09, Florida Statutes, is

27  amended to read:

28         585.09  Procedure for condemnation of animals and

29  property by department.--Condemnation and destruction of

30  animals, barns, yards, sheds, corrals, and pens, as provided

31  in s. 585.08, shall take place only after a fair appraisal of


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                                      CS/HB 1681, Second Engrossed



  1  the value of the property. The value shall be determined by

  2  the department and the owner; provided, however, should the

  3  department and the owner be unable to agree on a value, the

  4  value shall then be determined by three disinterested

  5  appraisers, one to be appointed by the department, one by the

  6  owner of the property, and the third to be selected by these

  7  two.  The appraised price, subject to the provisions of s.

  8  585.10, shall be paid by the department as other expenses are

  9  paid. If the owner of such animal, barn, yard, shed, corral,

10  or pen fails or refuses to name an appraiser within 5 days

11  after requested by the department to do so, or refuses to

12  permit the property to be condemned and destroyed, the

13  department may make an order to the sheriff of the county

14  wherein the property lies, directing her or him to destroy

15  such animal, barn, yard, shed, corral, or pen, in the manner

16  to be prescribed in the order.  The order shall be immediately

17  executed by the sheriff.  Upon the destruction of the property

18  by the sheriff, the department shall have the right to

19  recover, from the owner of the property destroyed, all costs

20  and expenses incurred by it in connection with the

21  destruction.

22         Section 24.  Section 585.10, Florida Statutes, is

23  repealed.

24         Section 25.  Section 585.11, Florida Statutes, is

25  amended to read:

26         585.11  Cooperation with United States authorities and

27  United States Department of Agriculture accredited private

28  veterinarians.--The department may cooperate with:

29         (1)  The authorities of the United States in the

30  enforcement of all acts of Congress for the control,

31  prevention, suppression, and eradication of contagious,


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                                      CS/HB 1681, Second Engrossed



  1  infectious, and communicable diseases affecting animals, or

  2  animal diseases which may affect humans, and in connection

  3  therewith may:

  4         (a)  Appoint inspectors of the United States Department

  5  of Agriculture as temporary assistant state veterinarians or

  6  livestock inspectors; provided, they shall first consent to

  7  act without compensation or profit from the state;

  8         (b)  Accept aid or assistance from the United States in

  9  conducting work related to the control or eradication of

10  tuberculosis, brucellosis, pseudorabies, hog cholera, and any

11  other such dangerous disease, or from any of its officers,

12  representatives, or agents, in carrying out such work.

13         (2)  The officials of the United States Department of

14  Agriculture in the control or eradication of tuberculosis,

15  brucellosis, pseudorabies, and hog cholera and with the owners

16  of animals, who accept indemnity for animals found to be

17  diseased and slaughtered in accordance with the special Acts

18  of Congress now in effect and appropriating funds for this

19  purpose, or that may hereafter be available from such source.

20         (3)  The United States Department of Agriculture in

21  carrying out the provisions of the National Poultry

22  Improvement Plan and the National Turkey Improvement Plan in

23  Florida, and in connection therewith, may promulgate rules

24  necessary to carry out the provisions of the National Poultry

25  Improvement Plan and the National Turkey Improvement Plan in

26  Florida.

27         (4)  Appointed United States Department of Agriculture

28  accredited private veterinarians in conducting work related to

29  the control or eradication of contagious and infectious

30  diseases, who may be compensated for services.

31


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                                      CS/HB 1681, Second Engrossed



  1         Section 26.  Subsection (1) of section 585.21, Florida

  2  Statutes, is amended to read:

  3         585.21  Sale of biological products.--

  4         (1)  Each biological product intended for diagnostic or

  5  therapeutic purposes for animals which is manufactured for

  6  sale or sold in the state shall first be officially approved

  7  by the United States Department of Agriculture and shall have

  8  written permission of the Department of Agriculture and

  9  Consumer Services prior to sale in the state.

10         Section 27.  Subsection (3) of section 585.61, Florida

11  Statutes, is amended to read:

12         585.61  Animal disease diagnostic laboratories.--

13         (3)  Any person who maintains animals in the state may

14  use the services of the laboratories under the terms of this

15  section and the rules adopted for such use by the department.

16  The department shall require any user of its services to pay a

17  fee not to exceed $300 $15 for any one of the services

18  requested, except that a fee for necropsy may be imposed in an

19  amount not to exceed $70. All laboratory fees collected shall

20  be deposited in the Animal Industry Diagnostic Laboratory

21  Account within the General Inspection Trust Fund. The fees

22  collected shall be used to improve the diagnostic laboratory

23  services as provided for by the Legislature in the General

24  Appropriations Act.

25         Section 28.  Paragraphs (d), (f), and (g) of subsection

26  (1) and subsection (5) of section 590.02, Florida Statutes,

27  are amended, and paragraph (h) is added to subsection (1) of

28  said section, to read:

29         590.02  Division powers, authority, and duties;

30  liability; building structures; Florida Center for Wildfire

31  and Forest Resources Management Training.--


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                                      CS/HB 1681, Second Engrossed



  1         (1)  The division has the following powers, authority,

  2  and duties:

  3         (d)  To appoint center managers, forest area

  4  supervisors, forestry program administrators, a forest

  5  protection bureau chief, a forest protection assistant bureau

  6  chief, a field operations bureau chief, deputy chiefs of field

  7  operations, district managers, senior forest rangers,

  8  investigators, forest rangers, firefighter rotorcraft pilots,

  9  and other employees who may, at the division's discretion, be

10  certified as forestry firefighters pursuant to s. 633.35(4).

11  Other provisions of law notwithstanding, center managers,

12  district managers, the forest protection assistant bureau

13  chief, and deputy chiefs of field operations shall have

14  Selected Exempt Service status in the state personnel

15  designation;

16         (f)  To make rules to accomplish the purposes of this

17  chapter; and

18         (g)  To provide fire management services and emergency

19  response assistance and to set and charge reasonable fees for

20  performance of those services. Moneys collected from such fees

21  shall be deposited into the Incidental Trust Fund of the

22  division; and

23         (h)  To require all state, regional, and local

24  government agencies operating aircraft in the vicinity of an

25  ongoing wildfire to operate in compliance with the applicable

26  state Wildfire Aviation Plan.

27         (5)(a)  The division shall organize its operational

28  units to most effectively prevent, detect, and suppress

29  wildfires, and to that end, may employ the necessary personnel

30  to manage its activities in each unit. The division may

31  construct lookout towers, roads, bridges, firelines, and other


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                                      CS/HB 1681, Second Engrossed



  1  facilities and may purchase or fabricate tools, supplies, and

  2  equipment for firefighting. The division may reimburse the

  3  public and private entities that it engages to assist in the

  4  suppression of wildfires for their personnel and equipment,

  5  including aircraft.

  6         (b)  The Cross City Work center shall be named the L.

  7  Earl Peterson Forestry Station. This is to honor Mr. L. Earl

  8  Peterson, Florida's sixth state forester, a native of Dixie

  9  County whose distinguished career in state government has

10  spanned 44 years.

11         Section 29.  Section 590.11, Florida Statutes, is

12  amended to read:

13         590.11  Recreational fires.--

14         (1)  It is unlawful for any individual or group of

15  individuals to build a warming fire, bonfire, or campfire and

16  leave it unattended or unextinguished.

17         (2)  Any person who violates a provision of this

18  section commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable

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

20         Section 30.  Paragraph (b) of subsection (3) and

21  subsections (4) and (5) of section 590.125, Florida Statutes,

22  are amended to read:

23         590.125  Open burning authorized by the division.--

24         (3)  CERTIFIED PRESCRIBED BURNING; LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS

25  AND PURPOSE.--

26         (b)  Certified prescribed burning pertains only to

27  broadcast burning. It must be conducted in accordance with

28  this subsection and:

29         1.  May only be accomplished only when a certified

30  prescribed burn manager is present on site with a copy of the

31  prescription from ignition of the burn to its completion.


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                                      CS/HB 1681, Second Engrossed



  1         2.  Requires that a written prescription be prepared

  2  before receiving authorization to burn from the division.

  3         3.  Requires that the specific consent of the landowner

  4  or his or her designee be obtained before requesting an

  5  authorization.

  6         4.  Requires that an authorization to burn be obtained

  7  from the division before igniting the burn.

  8         5.  Requires that there be adequate firebreaks at the

  9  burn site and sufficient personnel and firefighting equipment

10  for the control of the fire.

11         6.  Is considered to be in the public interest and does

12  not constitute a public or private nuisance when conducted

13  under applicable state air pollution statutes and rules.

14         7.  Is considered to be a property right of the

15  property owner if vegetative fuels are burned as required in

16  this subsection.

17         (4)  WILDFIRE HAZARD REDUCTION TREATMENT BURNING BY THE

18  DIVISION.--The division may conduct fuel reduction

19  initiatives, including, but not limited to, burning and

20  mechanical and chemical treatment, on prescribe burn any area

21  of wild land within the state which is reasonably determined

22  to be in danger of wildfire in accordance with the following

23  procedures:

24         (a)  Describe the areas that will receive fuels

25  treatment be prescribe burned to the affected local

26  governmental entity.

27         (b)  Publish a treatment prescribed burn notice,

28  including a description of the area to be treated burned, in a

29  conspicuous manner in at least one newspaper of general

30  circulation in the area of the treatment burn not less than 10

31  days before the treatment burn.


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                                      CS/HB 1681, Second Engrossed



  1         (c)  Prepare, and the county tax collector shall

  2  include with the annual tax statement, a notice to be sent to

  3  all landowners in each township designated by the division as

  4  a wildfire hazard area. The notice must describe particularly

  5  the area to be treated burned and the tentative date or dates

  6  of the treatment burning and must list the reasons for and the

  7  expected benefits from the wildfire hazard reduction

  8  prescribed burning.

  9         (d)  Consider any landowner objections to the fuels

10  treatment prescribed burning of his or her property. The

11  landowner may apply to the director of the division for a

12  review of alternative methods of fuel reduction on the

13  property. If the director or his or her designee does not

14  resolve the landowner objection, the director shall convene a

15  panel made up of the local forestry unit manager, the fire

16  chief of the jurisdiction, and the affected county or city

17  manager, or any of their designees. If the panel's

18  recommendation is not acceptable to the landowner, the

19  landowner may request further consideration by the

20  Commissioner of Agriculture or his or her designee and shall

21  thereafter be entitled to an administrative hearing pursuant

22  to the provisions of chapter 120.

23         (5)  DUTIES OF AGENCIES.--The Department of Education

24  shall incorporate, where feasible and appropriate, the issues

25  of fuels treatment, including prescribed burning into its

26  educational materials.

27         Section 31.  Subsection (3) of section 590.14, Florida

28  Statutes, is amended to read:

29         590.14  Notice of violation; penalties.--

30         (3)  The department may also impose an administrative

31  fine, not to exceed $1,000 per violation of any section of


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                                      CS/HB 1681, Second Engrossed



  1  chapter 589 or this chapter. The fine shall be based upon the

  2  degree of damage, and prior violation record of the person, or

  3  the person knowingly providing false information to obtain an

  4  authorization. The fines shall be deposited in the Incidental

  5  Trust Fund of the division.

  6         Section 32.  Subsection (4) is added to section

  7  597.020, Florida Statutes, to read:

  8         597.020  Shellfish processors; regulation.--

  9         (4)  Any license or certification authorized and issued

10  under this chapter shall automatically expire on June 30 of

11  each year.

12         Section 33.  Section 604.40, Florida Statutes, is

13  created to read:

14         604.40  Farm equipment.--Notwithstanding any other law,

15  ordinance, rule or policy to the contrary, all power-drawn,

16  power-driven or self-propelled equipment used on a farm may be

17  stored, maintained, or repaired by the owner within the

18  boundaries of the owner's farm and at least 50 feet away from

19  any public road without limitation.

20         Section 34.  Section 604.50, Florida Statutes, is

21  amended to read:

22         604.50  Nonresidential farm buildings.--Notwithstanding

23  any other law to the contrary, any nonresidential farm

24  building located on a farm is exempt from the Florida Building

25  Code and any county or municipal building code. For purposes

26  of this section, the term "nonresidential farm building" means

27  any building or support structure that is used for

28  agricultural purposes, located on a farm that is not used as a

29  residential dwelling, and is located on land that is an

30  integral part of a farm operation or is classified as

31


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                                      CS/HB 1681, Second Engrossed



  1  agricultural land pursuant to s. 193.461. The term "farm" is

  2  as defined in s. 823.14.

  3         Section 35.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (7) and

  4  paragraph (a) of subsection (14) of section 616.242, Florida

  5  Statutes, are amended to read:

  6         616.242  Safety standards for amusement rides.--

  7         (7)  DEPARTMENT INSPECTIONS.--

  8         (a)  In order to obtain an annual permit, an amusement

  9  ride must be inspected by the department in accordance with

10  subsection (11) and receive an inspection certificate. In

11  addition, each permanent amusement ride must be inspected

12  semiannually by the department in accordance with subsection

13  (11) and receive an inspection certificate, and each temporary

14  amusement ride must be inspected by the department in

15  accordance with subsection (11), and must receive an

16  inspection certificate each time the ride is set up or moved

17  to a new location in this state unless the temporary amusement

18  ride is:

19         1.  Used at a private event; or

20         2.  A simulator, the capacity of which does not exceed

21  16 persons; or.

22         3.  A kiddie ride used at a public event, provided that

23  there are no more than three amusement rides at the event,

24  none of the kiddie rides at the event exceed a capacity of 12

25  persons, and the ride has an inspection certificate that was

26  issued within the preceding 6 months. The capacity of a kiddie

27  ride shall be determined by rule of the department, unless the

28  capacity of the ride has been determined and specified by the

29  manufacturer. Any owner of a kiddie ride operating under this

30  exemption is responsible for ensuring that no more than three

31  amusement rides are operated at the event.


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                                      CS/HB 1681, Second Engrossed



  1         (14)  REPORTING AND INVESTIGATION OF ACCIDENTS AND

  2  DEFECTS; IMPOUNDMENTS.--

  3         (a)  Any accident of which the owner or manager has

  4  knowledge or, through the exercise of reasonable diligence

  5  should have knowledge, and for which a patron is transported

  6  to a hospital, as defined in chapter 395, must be reported by

  7  the owner or manager to the department by telephone or

  8  facsimile within 4 hours after the occurrence of the accident

  9  and must be followed up by a written report to the department

10  within 24 hours after the occurrence of the accident.

11         Section 36.  (1)  The building known as the USDA

12  Service Center Building, located at 1700 Highway 17-98 South,

13  Bartow, Florida, is hereby designated as the John W. Hunt

14  Building.

15         (2)  The Department of Agriculture and Consumer

16  Services is authorized to erect a suitable marker for the

17  designation made by this section.

18         Section 37.  Section 482.227, Florida Statutes, is

19  amended to read:

20         482.227  Guarantees and warranties.--

21         (1)  The Legislature finds that the terms "guarantee"

22  and "warranty" are common in contracts for the treatment of

23  wood-destroying organisms and intends to clarify that the

24  purpose of this section is to ensure that the consumer

25  understands whether a contract contains a guarantee or

26  warranty for repair and retreatment or for retreatment only or

27  contains no guarantee. Unless the contract for treatment of

28  wood-destroying organisms indicates conspicuously on the front

29  page whether the guarantee or warranty is for repair and

30  retreatment or for retreatment only or that no guarantee or

31  warranty is offered, the term "guarantee" or "warranty" may be


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                                      CS/HB 1681, Second Engrossed



  1  used in a contract for treatment of wood-destroying organisms

  2  only in the following circumstances:

  3         (a)  If the licensee promises to repair restore any

  4  property damaged by wood-destroying organisms during a

  5  specified period after the treatment, the term "full" or

  6  "unlimited" must be used together with the term "guarantee" or

  7  "warranty" wherever that term occurs other than in a

  8  disclaimer under subsection (2).

  9         (b)  If the licensee promises only to provide

10  additional treatment if infestation occurs during a specified

11  period after treatment, the term "limited" must be used with

12  the term "guarantee" or "warranty" wherever that term occurs

13  other than in a disclaimer under subsection (2).

14         (c)  If the licensee does not promise to repair restore

15  the property or provide additional treatment, the term

16  "guarantee" or "warranty" may not be used except in a

17  disclaimer under subsection (2).

18         (2)  A disclaimer indicating that no guarantee or

19  warranty is offered under the contract Any statement

20  disclaiming an expressed or implied guarantee or warranty must

21  appear in conspicuous type on the face of the contract.

22         Section 38.  Effective October 1, 2003, section

23  482.227, Florida Statutes, as amended by this act, is amended

24  to read:

25         482.227  Guarantees and warranties; contracts executed

26  after October 1, 2003.--

27         (1)  The Legislature finds that the terms "guarantee"

28  and "warranty" are common in contracts for the treatment of

29  wood-destroying organisms. and intends to clarify that The

30  purpose of this section is to ensure that contract language

31  describing the consumer understands whether a contract


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                                      CS/HB 1681, Second Engrossed



  1  contains a guarantee or warranty is clear and easily

  2  identifiable for the protection of consumers and licensees for

  3  repair and retreatment or for retreatment only or contains no

  4  guarantee. Therefore, the provisions of this section shall

  5  apply to new contracts for the treatment of wood-destroying

  6  organisms issued by the licensee and signed by the customer

  7  after October 1, 2003. Unless the contract for treatment of

  8  wood-destroying organisms indicates conspicuously on the front

  9  page whether the guarantee or warranty is for repair and

10  retreatment or for retreatment only or that no guarantee or

11  warranty is offered, the term "guarantee" or "warranty" may be

12  used in a contract for treatment of wood-destroying organisms

13  only in the following circumstances:

14         (a)  If the licensee promises to repair any property

15  damaged by wood-destroying organisms during a specified period

16  after the treatment, the term "full" or "unlimited" must be

17  used together with the term "guarantee" or "warranty" wherever

18  that term occurs other than in a disclaimer under subsection

19  (2).

20         (b)  If the licensee promises only to provide

21  additional treatment if infestation occurs during a specified

22  period after treatment, the term "limited" must be used with

23  the term "guarantee" or "warranty" wherever that term occurs

24  other than in a disclaimer under subsection (2).

25         (c)  If the licensee does not promise to repair the

26  property or provide additional treatment, the term "guarantee"

27  or "warranty" may not be used except in a disclaimer under

28  subsection (2).

29         (2)  Any contract for treatment of wood-destroying

30  organisms must specify on the first page in bold print that

31  the guarantee or warranty is for repair and retreatment or for


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                                      CS/HB 1681, Second Engrossed



  1  retreatment only or that no warranty or guarantee is offered.

  2  A disclaimer indicating that no guarantee or warranty is

  3  offered under the contract must appear in conspicuous type on

  4  the face of the contract.

  5         (3)  The contract for treatment of wood-destroying

  6  organisms must specify on the first page in bold print whether

  7  there are any disclaimers, limitations, conditions, or

  8  exclusions on the licensee's obligation to repair or retreat

  9  the property. Contract sections describing disclaimers,

10  limitations, conditions, or exclusions applicable to the

11  licensee's obligation to repair or retreat the property must

12  contain headings in bold print.

13         (4)  If a contract for treatment of wood-destroying

14  organisms contains a disclaimer, limitation, condition, or

15  exclusion applicable to the licensee's obligation to repair or

16  retreat the property, the term "full" or "unlimited" may not

17  be used together with the term "guarantee" or "warranty."

18         Section 39.  It is the intent of the Legislature to

19  phase in the requirements set forth in section 39 of this act

20  to provide that the requirements of s. 482.227, Florida

21  Statutes, as amended by section 39, apply only to contracts

22  for the treatment of wood-destroying organisms issued by the

23  licensee and signed by the customer on or after October 1,

24  2003.

25         Section 40.  Except as otherwise provided herein, this

26  act shall take effect July 1, 2002.

27         Section 41.  Paragraphs (a) and (c) of subsection (1)

28  and subsections (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), and (9) of section

29  163.05, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

30         163.05  Small County Technical Assistance Program.--

31         (1)  Among small counties, the Legislature finds that:


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                                      CS/HB 1681, Second Engrossed



  1         (a)  The percentage of the population of small counties

  2  residing in the unincorporated areas is relatively high based

  3  on the United States Decennial Census of 2000 and increased

  4  substantially between 1980 and 1990.

  5         (c)  Fiscal shortfalls persist even though 12 13 of the

  6  small counties levied the maximum ad valorem millage

  7  authorized in their jurisdictions in 2001 1990 and an

  8  additional 15 13 small counties levied between 8 and 10 mills.

  9         (4)  The Commissioner of Agriculture Comptroller shall

10  enter into contracts with program providers who shall:

11         (a)  Be a foundation that meets the requirements for

12  nonprofit status under s. 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue

13  Code with a governing board which includes in its membership

14  county commissioners and professional staff of the county

15  public agency or private, nonprofit corporation, association,

16  or entity.

17         (b)  Have substantial and documented experience working

18  closely with county governments in providing both educational

19  and technical assistance.

20         (c)(b)  Use existing resources, services, and

21  information that are available from state or local agencies,

22  universities, or the private sector.

23         (d)(c)  Seek and accept funding from any public or

24  private source.

25         (d)  Annually submit information to assist the

26  Legislative Committee on Intergovernmental Relations in

27  preparing a performance review that will include an analysis

28  of the effectiveness of the program.

29         (e)  Assist small counties in developing alternative

30  revenue sources.

31


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                                      CS/HB 1681, Second Engrossed



  1         (f)  Provide assistance to small counties in the areas

  2  such as of financial management, accounting, investing,

  3  purchasing, planning and budgeting, debt issuance, public

  4  management, management systems, computers and information

  5  technology, economic and community development, and public

  6  safety management.

  7         (g)  Provide for an annual independent financial audit

  8  of the program.

  9         (h)  In each county served, conduct a needs assessment

10  upon which the assistance provided for that county will be

11  designed.

12         (5)(a)  The Commissioner of Agriculture Comptroller

13  shall issue a request for proposals to provide assistance to

14  small counties. The request for proposals shall be required no

15  more frequently than every third year beginning with fiscal

16  year 2004-2005. All contracts in existence on the effective

17  date of this act between the Comptroller and any other party

18  with respect to the Small County Technical Assistance Program

19  may be accepted by the Commissioner of Agriculture as the

20  party in interest and said contracts shall remain in full

21  force and effect according to their terms. At the request of

22  the Comptroller, the Legislative Committee on

23  Intergovernmental Relations shall assist in the preparation of

24  the request for proposals.

25         (b)  The Commissioner of Agriculture Comptroller shall

26  review each contract proposal submitted.

27         (c)  The Legislative Committee on Intergovernmental

28  Relations shall review each contract proposal and submit to

29  the Comptroller, in writing, advisory comments and

30  recommendations, citing with specificity the reasons for its

31  recommendations.


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                                      CS/HB 1681, Second Engrossed



  1         (c)(d)  The Commissioner of Agriculture Comptroller and

  2  the council shall consider the following factors in reviewing

  3  contract proposals:

  4         1.  The demonstrated capacity of the provider to

  5  conduct needs assessments and implement the program as

  6  proposed.

  7         2.  The number of small counties to be served under the

  8  proposal.

  9         3.  The cost of the program as specified in a proposed

10  budget.

11         4.  The short-term and long-term benefits of the

12  assistance to small counties.

13         5.  The form and extent to which existing resources,

14  services, and information that are available from state and

15  local agencies, universities, and the private sector will be

16  used by the provider under the contract.

17         (6)  A decision of the Commissioner of Agriculture

18  Comptroller to award a contract under this section is final

19  and shall be in writing with a copy provided to the

20  Legislative Committee on Intergovernmental Relations.

21         (7)  The Comptroller may enter into contracts and

22  agreements with other state and local agencies and with any

23  person, association, corporation, or entity other than the

24  program providers, for the purpose of administering this

25  section.

26         (7)(8)  The Commissioner of Agriculture Comptroller

27  shall provide fiscal oversight to ensure that funds expended

28  for the program are used in accordance with the contracts

29  entered into pursuant to subsection (4) and shall conduct a

30  performance review of the program as may be necessary to

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                                      CS/HB 1681, Second Engrossed



  1  ensure that the goals and objectives of the program are being

  2  met.

  3         (9)  The Legislative Committee on Intergovernmental

  4  Relations shall annually conduct a performance review of the

  5  program. The findings of the review shall be presented in a

  6  report submitted to the Governor, the President of the Senate,

  7  the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the

  8  Comptroller by January 15 of each year.

  9         Section 42.  Specific Appropriation 2252 in the

10  2002-2003 General Appropriations Act is hereby repealed and an

11  identical amount is hereby appropriated to the Department of

12  Agriculture and Consumer Services from the General Revenue

13  Fund for the purposes of this act.

14         Section 43.  Sections 41 and 42 shall take effect June

15  30, 2002.

16         Section 44.  Unless otherwise provided for in the bill,

17  this act shall take effect July 1, 2002.

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