Florida Senate - 2006                      COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
    Bill No. SB 2496
                        Barcode 703180
                            CHAMBER ACTION
              Senate                               House
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 1           Comm: WD              .                    
       04/03/2006 04:44 PM         .                    
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11  The Committee on Transportation (Bennett) recommended the
12  following amendment:
13  
14         Senate Amendment (with title amendment) 
15         Delete everything after the enacting clause
16  
17  and insert:  
18         Section 1.  Section 501.975, Florida Statutes, is
19  amended to read:
20         501.975  Definitions.--As used in this part s. 501.976,
21  the term following terms shall have the following meanings:
22         (1)  "Customer" includes a customer's designated agent.
23         (2)  "Dealer" means a motor vehicle dealer as defined
24  in s. 320.27, but does not include a motor vehicle auction as
25  defined in s. 320.27(1)(c)4.
26         (3)  "Replacement item" means a tire, bumper, bumper
27  fascia, glass, in-dashboard equipment, seat or upholstery
28  cover or trim, exterior illumination unit, grill, sunroof,
29  external mirror and external body cladding. The replacement of
30  up to three of these items does not constitute repair of
31  damage if each item is replaced because of a product defect or
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    3:50 PM   03/31/06                             s2496d-tr21-t01

Florida Senate - 2006 COMMITTEE AMENDMENT Bill No. SB 2496 Barcode 703180 1 damage damaged due to vandalism, lot damage, or an act of God 2 while the new motor vehicle is under the control of the dealer 3 and the items are replaced with original manufacturer 4 equipment, unless an item is replaced due to a crash, 5 collision, or accident. 6 (4) "Threshold amount" means 3 percent of the 7 manufacturer's suggested retail price of a motor vehicle or 8 $650, whichever is less. 9 (5) "Vehicle" means any automobile, truck, bus, 10 recreational vehicle, or motorcycle required to be licensed 11 under chapter 320 for operation over the roads of Florida, but 12 does not include trailers, mobile homes, travel trailers, or 13 trailer coaches without independent motive power. 14 Section 2. Section 501.9755, Florida Statutes, is 15 created to read: 16 501.9755 Unlawful acts and practices.-- 17 (1) Unfair methods of competition, unconscionable acts 18 or practices, and unfair or deceptive acts or practices in the 19 conduct of any trade or commerce by a dealer are unlawful. 20 (2) It is the intent of the Legislature that, in 21 construing subsection (1), due consideration and great weight 22 be given to the interpretations of the Federal Trade 23 Commission and the federal courts relating to s. 5(a)(1) of 24 the Federal Trade Commission Act, 15 U.S.C. s. 45(a)(1). 25 Section 3. Section 501.976, Florida Statutes, is 26 amended to read: 27 501.976 Actionable, unfair, or deceptive acts or 28 practices.--In addition to acts and practices actionable under 29 s. 501.9755, it is an unfair or deceptive act or practice, 30 actionable under the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade 31 Practices Act, for a dealer to: 2 3:50 PM 03/31/06 s2496d-tr21-t01
Florida Senate - 2006 COMMITTEE AMENDMENT Bill No. SB 2496 Barcode 703180 1 (1) Represent directly or indirectly that a motor 2 vehicle is a factory executive vehicle or executive vehicle 3 unless the such vehicle was purchased directly from the 4 manufacturer or a subsidiary of the manufacturer and the 5 vehicle was used exclusively by the manufacturer, its 6 subsidiary, or a dealer for the commercial or personal use of 7 the manufacturer's, subsidiary's, or dealer's employees. 8 (2) Represent directly or indirectly that a vehicle is 9 a demonstrator unless the vehicle complies with the definition 10 of a demonstrator in s. 320.60(3). 11 (3) Represent the previous usage or status of a 12 vehicle to be something that it was not, or make usage or 13 status representations unless the dealer has correct 14 information regarding the history of the vehicle to support 15 the representations. 16 (4) Represent the quality of care, regularity of 17 servicing, or general condition of a vehicle unless known by 18 the dealer to be true and supportable by material fact. 19 (5) Represent orally or in writing that a particular 20 vehicle has not sustained structural or substantial skin 21 damage unless the statement is made in good faith and the 22 vehicle has been inspected by the dealer or his or her agent 23 to determine whether the vehicle has incurred such damage. 24 (6) Sell a vehicle without fully and conspicuously 25 disclosing in writing at or before the consummation of sale 26 any warranty or guarantee terms, obligations, or conditions 27 that the dealer or manufacturer has given to the buyer. If the 28 warranty obligations are to be shared by the dealer and the 29 buyer, the method of determining the percentage of repair 30 costs to be assumed by each party must be disclosed. If the 31 dealer intends to disclaim or limit any expressed or implied 3 3:50 PM 03/31/06 s2496d-tr21-t01
Florida Senate - 2006 COMMITTEE AMENDMENT Bill No. SB 2496 Barcode 703180 1 warranty, the disclaimer must be in writing in a conspicuous 2 manner and in lay terms in accordance with chapter 672 and the 3 Magnuson-Moss Warranty--Federal Trade Commission Improvement 4 Act. 5 (7) Provide an express or implied warranty and fail to 6 honor such warranty unless properly disclaimed pursuant to 7 subsection (6). 8 (8) Misrepresent warranty coverage, application 9 period, or any warranty transfer cost or conditions to a 10 customer. 11 (9) Obtain signatures from a customer on contracts 12 that are not fully completed as to all material terms at the 13 time the customer signs or which do not reflect accurately the 14 negotiations and agreement between the customer and the 15 dealer. However, this subsection does not apply if, at the 16 time of the transaction, the customer acknowledges in writing, 17 separate from any other text, having read substantially the 18 following notice: 19 STATUTORY CONSUMER NOTICE: A vehicle 20 purchase or lease is a substantial transaction. 21 Do not execute any sale or lease document if it 22 is not fully completed or does not accurately 23 reflect your agreement with the motor vehicle 24 dealer. If you suffer any damages as a result 25 of improper actions of the motor vehicle 26 dealer, relief may be available to you under 27 the laws of this state, including part VI of 28 chapter 501, Florida Statutes. 29 (10) Require or accept a deposit from a prospective 30 customer prior to entering into a binding contract for the 31 purchase and sale of a vehicle unless the customer is given a 4 3:50 PM 03/31/06 s2496d-tr21-t01
Florida Senate - 2006 COMMITTEE AMENDMENT Bill No. SB 2496 Barcode 703180 1 written receipt that states how long the dealer will hold the 2 vehicle from other sale and the amount of the deposit, and 3 clearly and conspicuously states whether and upon what 4 conditions the deposit is refundable or nonrefundable. 5 (11) Add to the cash price of a vehicle as defined in 6 s. 520.02(2) any fee or charge other than those provided in 7 that section and in rule 3D-50.001, Florida Administrative 8 Code. All fees or charges permitted to be added to the cash 9 price by rule 3D-50.001, Florida Administrative Code, must be 10 fully disclosed to customers in all binding contracts 11 concerning the vehicle's selling price. 12 (12) Alter or change the odometer mileage of a vehicle 13 except in compliance with 49 U.S.C. s. 32704. 14 (13) Sell a vehicle without disclosing to the customer 15 the actual year and model of the vehicle. 16 (14) File a lien against a new vehicle purchased with 17 a check unless the dealer fully discloses to the purchaser 18 that a lien will be filed if purchase is made by check and 19 fully discloses to the buyer the procedures and cost to the 20 buyer for gaining title to the vehicle after the lien is 21 filed. 22 (15) Increase the price of the vehicle after having 23 accepted an order of purchase or a contract from a buyer, 24 notwithstanding subsequent receipt of an official price change 25 notification. The price of a vehicle may be increased after a 26 dealer accepts an order of purchase or a contract from a buyer 27 if: 28 (a) A trade-in vehicle is reappraised because it 29 subsequently is damaged, or parts or accessories are removed; 30 (b) The price increase is caused by the addition of 31 new equipment, as required by state or federal law; 5 3:50 PM 03/31/06 s2496d-tr21-t01
Florida Senate - 2006 COMMITTEE AMENDMENT Bill No. SB 2496 Barcode 703180 1 (c) The price increase is caused by the revaluation of 2 the United States dollar by the Federal Government, in the 3 case of a foreign-made vehicle; 4 (d) The price increase is caused by state or federal 5 tax rate changes; or 6 (e) Price protection is not provided by the 7 manufacturer, importer, or distributor. 8 (16) Advertise the price of a vehicle unless the 9 vehicle is identified by year, make, model, and a commonly 10 accepted trade, brand, or style name. The advertised price 11 must include all fees or charges that the customer must pay, 12 including freight or destination charge, dealer preparation 13 charge, and charges for undercoating or rustproofing. State 14 and local taxes, tags, registration fees, and title fees, 15 unless otherwise required by local law or standard, need not 16 be disclosed in the advertisement. When two or more dealers 17 advertise jointly, with or without participation of the 18 franchisor, the advertised price need not include fees and 19 charges that are variable among the individual dealers 20 cooperating in the advertisement, but the nature of all 21 charges that are not included in the advertised price must be 22 disclosed in the advertisement. 23 (17) Charge a customer for any predelivery service 24 required by the manufacturer, distributor, or importer for 25 which the dealer is reimbursed by the manufacturer, 26 distributor, or importer. 27 (18) Charge a customer for any predelivery service 28 without having printed on all documents that include a line 29 item for predelivery service the following disclosure: "This 30 charge represents costs and profit to the dealer for items 31 such as inspecting, cleaning, and adjusting vehicles, and 6 3:50 PM 03/31/06 s2496d-tr21-t01
Florida Senate - 2006 COMMITTEE AMENDMENT Bill No. SB 2496 Barcode 703180 1 preparing documents related to the sale." 2 (19) Fail to disclose damage to a new motor vehicle, 3 as defined in s. 319.001(8), of which the dealer had actual 4 knowledge, if the dealer's actual cost of repairs exceeds the 5 threshold amount, excluding replacement items. 6 7 In any civil litigation resulting from a violation of this 8 section, when evaluating the reasonableness of an award of 9 attorney's fees to a private person, the trial court shall 10 consider the amount of actual damages in relation to the time 11 spent. 12 Section 4. Section 501.9765, Florida Statutes, is 13 created to read: 14 501.9765 Violations involving a senior citizen or 15 handicapped person; civil penalties; presumption.-- 16 (1) As used in this section, the term: 17 (a) "Senior citizen" means a person who is 60 years of 18 age or older. 19 (b) "Handicapped person" means any person who has a 20 mental or educational impairment that substantially limits one 21 or more major life activities. 22 (c) "Mental or educational impairment" means: 23 1. Any mental or psychological disorder or specific 24 learning disability. 25 2. Any educational deficiency that substantially 26 affects a person's ability to read and comprehend the terms of 27 any contractual agreement entered into. 28 (d) "Major life activities" means functions associated 29 with the normal activities of independent daily living such as 30 caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, 31 hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, and working. 7 3:50 PM 03/31/06 s2496d-tr21-t01
Florida Senate - 2006 COMMITTEE AMENDMENT Bill No. SB 2496 Barcode 703180 1 (2) Any person who willfully uses, or has willfully 2 used, a method, act, or practice in violation of this part, 3 which method, act, or practice victimizes or attempts to 4 victimize a senior citizen or handicapped person, and commits 5 such violation when he or she knew or should have known that 6 his or her conduct was unfair or deceptive, is liable for a 7 civil penalty of not more than $15,000 for each such 8 violation. 9 (3) Any order of restitution or reimbursement based on 10 a violation of this part committed against a senior citizen or 11 handicapped person has priority over the imposition of civil 12 penalties for violations of this section. 13 (4) Civil penalties collected under this section shall 14 be deposited into the Legal Affairs Revolving Trust Fund of 15 the Department of Legal Affairs and allocated to the 16 Department of Legal Affairs solely for the purpose of 17 preparing and distributing consumer-education materials, 18 programs, and seminars to benefit senior citizens and 19 handicapped persons or to enhance efforts to enforce this 20 section. 21 Section 5. Section 501.977, Florida Statutes, is 22 created to read: 23 501.977 Other individual remedies.-- 24 (1) Without regard to any other remedy or relief to 25 which a person is entitled, anyone aggrieved by a violation of 26 this part by a dealer may bring an action against the dealer 27 in order to obtain a declaratory judgment that an act or 28 practice violates this part and to enjoin a dealer who has 29 violated, is violating, or is otherwise likely to violate, 30 this part. 31 (2) In any action brought by a person who has suffered 8 3:50 PM 03/31/06 s2496d-tr21-t01
Florida Senate - 2006 COMMITTEE AMENDMENT Bill No. SB 2496 Barcode 703180 1 a loss as a result of a violation of this part, the person may 2 recover actual damages, plus attorney's fees and court costs 3 as provided in s. 501.979. However, damages, fees, or costs 4 are not recoverable under this section against a dealer who 5 has, in good faith, engaged in the dissemination of claims of 6 a manufacturer, distributor, importer, or wholesaler without 7 actual knowledge that doing so violates this part. 8 (3) In any action brought under this section, if, 9 after the filing of a motion by the dealer, the court finds 10 that the action is frivolous, without legal or factual merit, 11 or brought for the purpose of harassment, the court may, after 12 hearing evidence as to the necessity therefor, require the 13 party instituting the action to post a bond in the amount that 14 the court finds reasonable to indemnify the defendant for any 15 costs incurred, or to be incurred, including reasonable 16 attorney's fees in defending the claim. This subsection does 17 not apply to any action initiated by the enforcing authority. 18 Section 6. Section 501.978, Florida Statutes, is 19 created to read: 20 501.978 Effect on other remedies.-- 21 (1) The remedies of this part are in addition to 22 remedies otherwise available for the same conduct under state 23 or local law. 24 (2) This part is supplemental to, and does not 25 preempt, local consumer-protection ordinances not inconsistent 26 with this part. 27 Section 7. Section 501.979, Florida Statutes, is 28 created to read: 29 501.979 Attorney's fees.-- 30 (1) In any civil litigation resulting from an act or 31 practice involving a violation of this part, except as 9 3:50 PM 03/31/06 s2496d-tr21-t01
Florida Senate - 2006 COMMITTEE AMENDMENT Bill No. SB 2496 Barcode 703180 1 provided in subsection (5) and s. 501.980, the prevailing 2 party, after judgment in the trial court and exhaustion of all 3 appeals, if any, shall receive his or her reasonable 4 attorney's fees and costs from the nonprevailing party. When 5 evaluating the reasonableness of an award of attorney's fees 6 to a private person, the trial court shall consider the actual 7 damages in relation to the time spent. 8 (2) The attorney for the prevailing party shall submit 9 a sworn affidavit of his or her time spent on the case and his 10 or her costs incurred for all the motions, hearings, and 11 appeals to the trial judge who presided over the civil case. 12 (3) The trial judge may award the prevailing party the 13 sum of reasonable costs incurred in the action, plus 14 reasonable attorney's fees for the hours actually spent on the 15 case as sworn to in an affidavit. 16 (4) Any award of attorney's fees or costs becomes a 17 part of the judgment and is subject to execution as the law 18 allows. 19 (5) In any civil litigation initiated by the enforcing 20 authority, the court may award to the prevailing party 21 reasonable attorney's fees and costs if the court finds that 22 there was a complete absence of a justiciable issue of law or 23 fact raised by the losing party or if the court finds bad 24 faith on the part of the losing party. 25 (6) In any administrative proceeding or other 26 nonjudicial action initiated by an enforcing authority, the 27 attorney for the enforcing authority may certify by sworn 28 affidavit the number of hours and the cost thereof to the 29 enforcing authority for the time spent in the investigation 30 and litigation of the case, plus costs reasonably incurred in 31 the action. Payment to the enforcing authority of the sum of 10 3:50 PM 03/31/06 s2496d-tr21-t01
Florida Senate - 2006 COMMITTEE AMENDMENT Bill No. SB 2496 Barcode 703180 1 the costs may, by stipulation of the parties, be made a part 2 of the final order or decree disposing of the matter. The 3 affidavit shall be attached to and become a part of the order 4 or decree. 5 Section 8. Section 501.980, Florida Statutes, is 6 created to read: 7 501.980 Demand letter.-- 8 (1) As a condition precedent to initiating any civil 9 litigation arising under this part, a claimant must give the 10 dealer written notice of the claimant's intent to initiate 11 litigation against the dealer not less than 30 days before 12 initiating the litigation. 13 (2) The notice, which must be completed in good faith, 14 must: 15 (a) State that it is a demand letter under s. 501.980; 16 (b) State the name, address, and telephone number of 17 the claimant; 18 (c) State the name and address of the dealer; 19 (d) Provide the date and a description of the 20 transaction, event, or circumstance that is the basis of the 21 claim; 22 (e) Describe with specificity the underlying facts and 23 how they give rise to an alleged violation of this part; 24 (f) To the extent applicable, be accompanied by all 25 transaction or other documents upon which the claim is based 26 or upon which the claimant is relying to assert the claim; 27 (g) Include a statement describing and providing the 28 amount of each item of actual damages demanded by the claimant 29 and recoverable under this part. However, to the extent the 30 claimant cannot in good faith quantify any item of actual 31 damage as required, the claimant shall provide a comprehensive 11 3:50 PM 03/31/06 s2496d-tr21-t01
Florida Senate - 2006 COMMITTEE AMENDMENT Bill No. SB 2496 Barcode 703180 1 description of the item of damage or a formula or basis by 2 which the dealer may calculate the damage; and 3 (h) Include a description of reasonable attorney's 4 fees incurred, if any, for which reimbursement, not to exceed 5 $500, is sought. 6 (3)(a) The notice of the claim must be delivered to 7 the dealer by certified mail, return receipt requested. The 8 postal costs shall be reimbursed to the claimant by the dealer 9 if the dealer pays the claim and if the claimant requests 10 reimbursement of the postal costs in the notice of claim. 11 (b) If the dealer is a corporate entity, the notice of 12 claim must be sent to the registered agent of the dealer as 13 recorded with the Department of State and, in the absence of a 14 registered agent, any person listed in s. 48.081(1). 15 (4) Notwithstanding any provision of this part to the 16 contrary, a claimant may not initiate litigation against a 17 dealer for a claim arising under this part related to, or in 18 connection with, the transaction or event described in the 19 notice of claim if the dealer pays the claimant within 30 days 20 after receiving the notice of claim: 21 (a) The amount requested in the demand letter as 22 specified in paragraph (2)(g); 23 (b) A surcharge of 10 percent of the amount requested 24 in the demand letter, not to exceed $500; and 25 (c) The attorney's fees of the claimant as specified 26 in paragraph (2)(h), not to exceed $500. 27 (5)(a) Subsection (4) does not apply if the notice of 28 claim specifies nonquantified items of damage. However, the 29 dealer may notify the claimant in writing within 30 days after 30 receiving the notice of claim that the dealer proposes to pay 31 the claim with modifications. The dealer must inform the 12 3:50 PM 03/31/06 s2496d-tr21-t01
Florida Senate - 2006 COMMITTEE AMENDMENT Bill No. SB 2496 Barcode 703180 1 claimant that he or she has placed a value on the 2 nonquantified items of damage and intends to pay that amount 3 in addition to the payments described in paragraphs (4)(a) and 4 (b). 5 (b) The claimant must accept or reject, in writing, 6 the offer of the dealer within 10 business days after 7 receiving the offer. 8 (c) Upon receipt of the notice of acceptance, the 9 dealer must pay the claimant the amount set forth in the 10 proposal within 10 business days after receiving the notice of 11 acceptance. 12 (d) A claimant may not initiate litigation against the 13 dealer for a claim under this part that is related to, or in 14 connection with, the transaction or event described in the 15 notice of claim unless: 16 1. The dealer ignores, rejects, or fails to timely 17 respond to the claimant's demand, or fails to pay within 10 18 business days the amount accepted by claimant; or 19 2. The claimant does not accept the proposal of the 20 dealer. 21 (6) If the notice of claim includes damages that arise 22 from the claimant's not having access to a motor vehicle due 23 to the alleged conduct of the dealer, the time set forth in 24 subsections (4) and (5) for the dealer to respond are reduced 25 from 30 days to 10 business days. 26 (7) For the purpose of this section, payment by a 27 dealer is deemed paid on the date a draft or other valid 28 instrument that is equivalent to payment is placed in the 29 United States mail, or other nationally recognized carrier, in 30 a properly addressed, postpaid envelope, or, if not so posted, 31 on the date of delivery. 13 3:50 PM 03/31/06 s2496d-tr21-t01
Florida Senate - 2006 COMMITTEE AMENDMENT Bill No. SB 2496 Barcode 703180 1 (8) The claimant is not entitled to a surcharge in any 2 proceeding initiated against a dealer under this part if the 3 dealer rejects or ignores the notice of claim or the claimant 4 rejects or ignores the dealer's proposal described in 5 subsection (5). 6 (9) Notwithstanding any provision of this part to the 7 contrary, a dealer is not required to pay the attorney's fees 8 of the claimant in any civil action brought under this part 9 if: 10 (a) The dealer, within 30 days after receiving the 11 claimant's notice of claim, notifies the claimant in writing, 12 and a court or arbitrator agrees, that the amount claimed is 13 not supported by the facts of the transaction or event 14 described in the notice of claim or by generally accepted 15 accounting principles, or includes items not properly 16 recoverable under this part, but nevertheless offers to pay to 17 the claimant the actual damages that are supported by the 18 facts of the transaction or event described in the notice of 19 claim and properly recoverable under this part, and the 20 surcharge and attorney's fees, if any, described in subsection 21 (4); 22 (b) The claimant's basis for rejecting or ignoring the 23 dealer's proposal described in subsection (5) is not supported 24 by the facts described in the notice of claim, generally 25 accepted accounting principles, or the law; or 26 (c) The claimant fails to substantially comply with 27 this section. 28 (10) This section shall apply to class action claims, 29 subject to the following conditions: 30 (a) In addition to describing the claimant's 31 individual claim as required by subsection (2), the class 14 3:50 PM 03/31/06 s2496d-tr21-t01
Florida Senate - 2006 COMMITTEE AMENDMENT Bill No. SB 2496 Barcode 703180 1 action notice of claim to the dealer must also include: 2 1. The definition of the class of claimants for whom 3 relief is sought; 4 2. A description of the alleged violations of this 5 part that have allegedly damaged the class; and 6 3. A statement describing and providing the amount of 7 each item of actual damages demanded by the claimant on behalf 8 of the class under this part or, if the claimant cannot in 9 good faith quantify an item of actual damages, a comprehensive 10 description of the item of damages and a formula or basis by 11 which the dealer may calculate the damages. 12 (b) The surcharge set forth in subsection (4) shall 13 not apply. 14 (c) All time periods described in other subsections of 15 this section shall be 45 days in length for class actions 16 unless further extended by a written agreement of the parties. 17 (d) If the dealer agrees to pay the damages demanded 18 in the class action notice of claim, the dealer must notify 19 the claimant of the decision in writing within 90 days after 20 receiving the class action notice of claim. Within 90 days 21 after receiving the dealer's notice of agreement, the 22 claimant, on behalf of the class, must file a civil action to 23 enforce the agreement, the purpose of which is to conduct 24 proceedings to determine the fairness of the agreement to the 25 class, to administer the agreed resolution of the class 26 action, to provide for notification and opt-out procedures 27 applicable in a class action, to ensure compliance with the 28 rules of civil procedure, and to award reasonable attorney's 29 fees to the claimant's counsel for actual time spent in 30 connection with the proceeding. If the claimant fails to 31 timely file the civil action within 90 days or if the court 15 3:50 PM 03/31/06 s2496d-tr21-t01
Florida Senate - 2006 COMMITTEE AMENDMENT Bill No. SB 2496 Barcode 703180 1 determines that the agreement is not fair to the class, the 2 class action notice and the dealer's response are void. 3 (e) A dealer is not obligated to pay attorney's fees 4 for the claimant in a class action proceeding if the dealer, 5 within 45 days after receiving the class action notification, 6 informs the claimant in writing, and a court or arbitrator in 7 a subsequent action agrees, that: 8 1. The claimant is seeking to recover damages for the 9 class which are not properly recoverable under this part or is 10 seeking to recover damages that are not supported by the facts 11 of the transaction or event described in the class action 12 notice of claim or by generally accepted accounting 13 principles, but still offers to pay the class all damages 14 properly recoverable and listed in the notice of claim; or 15 2. The claim or class is not a valid class claim or 16 the class is not properly certified as a class, but the dealer 17 still offers to pay all actual damages properly recoverable by 18 the claimant under this part as an individual which are 19 supported by the facts of the transaction or event described 20 in the class action notice of claim, in addition to the 21 payments described in paragraphs (4)(b) and (c). 22 (11) Payment of the actual damages or an offer to pay 23 actual damages as set forth in this section: 24 (a) Does not constitute an admission of any wrongdoing 25 by the dealer; 26 (b) Is protected by s. 90.408; 27 (c) Serves to release the dealer from any suit, 28 action, or other action that could be brought under this part 29 arising out of or in connection with the transaction, event, 30 or occurrence described in the notice of claim; 31 (d) Serves as a defense in any action brought by the 16 3:50 PM 03/31/06 s2496d-tr21-t01
Florida Senate - 2006 COMMITTEE AMENDMENT Bill No. SB 2496 Barcode 703180 1 same claimant to the extent of the damages, inclusive of any 2 surcharge, paid by the dealer; and 3 (e) Serves as a defense in any subsequent action 4 brought by any member of the class who did not opt out in 5 connection with the same set of operative facts as described 6 in the class action notice of claim if the action was settled 7 on a classwide basis. 8 (12) The applicable statute of limitations period for 9 an action under this part is tolled for 30 days for individual 10 claims and 45 days for class action claims, or such other 11 period of time as agreed to by the parties in writing, by the 12 mailing of the notice required by this section. 13 (13) This section does not apply to actions brought by 14 the enforcing authority. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the 15 Department of Legal Affairs shall prepare a sample demand 16 letter to incorporate the information required by subsection 17 (2) for individual notice of claims and shall make it 18 available to the public. 19 (14) If a claimant initiates civil litigation under 20 this part without first complying with the requirements of 21 this section, the court, upon a motion of a dealer, shall 22 abate the litigation, without prejudice, until the claimant 23 has complied with the provisions of this part. 24 Section 9. Subsection (8) is added to section 501.212, 25 Florida Statutes, to read: 26 501.212 Application.--This part does not apply to: 27 (8) A claim brought by a person other than the 28 enforcing authority against a dealer as defined in s. 29 501.975(2). 30 Section 10. This act shall take effect upon becoming a 31 law. 17 3:50 PM 03/31/06 s2496d-tr21-t01
Florida Senate - 2006 COMMITTEE AMENDMENT Bill No. SB 2496 Barcode 703180 1 ================ T I T L E A M E N D M E N T =============== 2 And the title is amended as follows: 3 Delete everything before the enacting clause 4 5 and insert: 6 A bill to be entitled 7 An act relating to deceptive and unfair trade 8 practices; amending s. 501.975, F.S.; providing 9 definitions for part VI of ch. 501, F.S.; 10 creating s. 501.9755, F.S.; declaring that 11 unfair methods of competition, unconscionable 12 acts or practices, and unfair or deceptive acts 13 or practices used by motor vehicle dealers are 14 unlawful; providing legislative intent; 15 amending s. 501.976, F.S.; providing an 16 exception to the requirement that a contract be 17 fully complete before a customer signs a motor 18 vehicle dealer's contract; providing a required 19 contractual notice; deleting a provision 20 regarding award of attorney's fees; creating s. 21 501.9765, F.S.; providing definitions; 22 providing that a motor vehicle dealer who 23 willfully uses a method or practice that 24 victimizes or attempts to victimize senior 25 citizens or handicapped persons commits an 26 unfair or deceptive trade practice; providing a 27 civil penalty; providing for reimbursement or 28 restitution; creating s. 501.977, F.S.; 29 providing additional remedies against a motor 30 vehicle dealer; creating s. 501.978, F.S.; 31 providing that the remedies of part VI of ch. 18 3:50 PM 03/31/06 s2496d-tr21-t01
Florida Senate - 2006 COMMITTEE AMENDMENT Bill No. SB 2496 Barcode 703180 1 501, F.S., are in addition to remedies 2 otherwise available for the same conduct under 3 state or local law and do not preempt local 4 consumer-protection ordinances not in conflict 5 with part VI of ch. 501, F.S.; creating s. 6 501.979, F.S.; providing for attorney's fees 7 for a prevailing party; providing procedures 8 for receiving attorney's fees; authorizing the 9 Department of Legal Affairs or the office of 10 the state attorney to receive attorney's fees 11 under certain circumstances; creating s. 12 501.980, F.S.; requiring that, as a condition 13 precedent to initiating civil litigation 14 arising under part VI of ch. 501, F.S., a 15 claimant give the motor vehicle dealer written 16 notice of the claimant's intent to initiate 17 litigation against the motor vehicle dealer not 18 less than 30 days before initiating the 19 litigation; providing for the content of the 20 notice of claim and the method by which the 21 notice of claim is given to the motor vehicle 22 dealer; providing that if the claim is paid by 23 the motor vehicle dealer within 30 days after 24 receiving the notice of claim, together with a 25 surcharge of 10 percent of the alleged actual 26 damages, the claimant may not initiate 27 litigation against the motor vehicle dealer, 28 and the motor vehicle dealer is obligated to 29 pay only $500 for the attorney's fees of the 30 claimant; providing that the surcharge not 31 exceed $500; providing procedures for damage 19 3:50 PM 03/31/06 s2496d-tr21-t01
Florida Senate - 2006 COMMITTEE AMENDMENT Bill No. SB 2496 Barcode 703180 1 claims that are nonquantifiable; providing 2 expedited procedures when the claimant is 3 without access to a motor vehicle; providing 4 that a claimant is not entitled to a surcharge 5 under certain circumstances; providing that a 6 motor vehicle dealer is not obligated to pay 7 the claimant's attorney's fees under certain 8 circumstances; providing that the 9 presuit-notification procedures apply to class 10 actions; providing that any applicable statute 11 of limitations is tolled for 30 days for 12 individual claims and 90 days for class action 13 claims; providing that the act does not affect 14 the statutory responsibilities of the Attorney 15 General or the office of the state attorney; 16 requiring the Department of Legal Affairs to 17 prepare a specified sample demand letter and 18 make it available to the public; requiring a 19 court to abate litigation, without prejudice, 20 until the claimant has complied with the 21 required procedures; amending s. 501.212, F.S.; 22 exempting motor vehicle dealers from the 23 provisions of part II of ch. 501, F.S.; 24 providing an exception for the enforcing 25 authority; providing an effective date. 26 27 28 29 30 31 20 3:50 PM 03/31/06 s2496d-tr21-t01