HB 0039 2003
1	A bill to be entitled
2	An act relating to homestead exemption; amending s.
3	196.131, F.S.; providing a penalty for claiming
4	homestead exemption if the source of the funds for the
5	home came from fraudulent sources; providing an
6	effective date.
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8	Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
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10	Section 1. Section 196.131, Florida Statutes, is amended
11	to read:
12	196.131 Homestead exemptions; claims.--
13	(1) At the time each taxpayer files claim for homestead
14	exemption, the property appraiser shall deliver to the
15	taxpayer a receipt over his or her signature, or that of a
16	duly authorized deputy, which shall appropriately identify the
17	property covered in the application, shall bear date as of the
18	day such application is received by the property appraiser,
19	and shall include any serial number or other identifying data
20	desired by said property appraiser. The possession of such
21	receipt shall constitute conclusive proof of the timely filing
22	of such application.
23	(2) Any person who knowingly and willfully gives false
24	information for the purpose of claiming homestead exemption as
25	provided for in this chaptercommitsis guilty ofa
26	misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s.
27	775.082 or by fine not exceeding $5,000, or both.
28	(3) Any person who knowingly and willfully claims
29	homestead exemption on a home which has been paid for, in part
30	or in whole with funds which are derived from a fraudulent
31	source such as corporate fraud commits a misdemeanor of the
32	first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or by fine
33	not exceeding $5,000, or both.
34	Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2003.
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