HB 403

1
A bill to be entitled
2An act relating to an assessment on the sale of
3masonry units; creating the "Concrete Masonry Products
4Research, Education, and Promotion Act"; providing
5definitions; creating the Florida Concrete Masonry
6Council, Inc., as a nonprofit corporation; authorizing
7the council to levy an assessment on the sale of
8masonry units by a manufacturer, under certain
9circumstances; specifying the powers and duties of the
10council; prohibiting the council from participating or
11intervening in any political campaign; prohibiting the
12council from using any receipt to benefit its
13directors, officers, or other private persons;
14prohibiting the council from engaging in certain
15activities or exercising certain powers; providing for
16the appointment of the governing board of the council;
17providing that board members serve without
18compensation; entitling members to receive
19reimbursement for per diem and travel expenses;
20authorizing the council to submit a referendum to
21manufacturers of masonry units for authorization to
22levy an assessment on the sale of concrete masonry
23units; providing for the administrative powers and
24duties of the council; authorizing the council to
25accept grants, donations, contributions, or gifts
26under certain circumstances; authorizing the council
27to make payments to other organizations under certain
28circumstances; requiring that a manufacturer of
29concrete masonry products collect the assessment from
30a purchaser at the time of sale of a concrete masonry
31unit; authorizing the council to initiate legal action
32against a manufacturer that fails to remit the
33assessment; providing a procedure for manufacturers to
34petition for a referendum to continue the assessment;
35requiring the council to adopt bylaws; providing an
36effective date.
37
38     WHEREAS, the Legislature intends to promote the growth of
39the concrete masonry industry in this state; to assure the
40public that a superior, sustainable construction material is
41produced by a skilled and educated workforce; to provide for the
42general economic welfare of the state and of the producers,
43contractors, and end-use consumers of masonry products; and to
44provide the masonry industry of this state with the authority to
45establish a self-financed, self-governed program to help
46develop, maintain, and expand the state, national, and foreign
47markets for masonry products and services that are mined,
48manufactured, produced, or processed in this state, NOW,
49THEREFORE,
50
51Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
52
53     Section 1.  Concrete Masonry Products Research, Education,
54and Promotion Act.-
55     (1)  SHORT TITLE.-This section may be cited as the
56"Concrete Masonry Products Research, Education, and Promotion
57Act."
58     (2)  DEFINITIONS.-As used in this section, the term:
59     (a)  "Commission" means the Florida Building Commission.
60     (b)  "Concrete masonry products" refers to a broad class of
61products, including, but not limited to, concrete masonry units
62and hardscape products such as concrete pavers and segmental
63retaining wall units that are manufactured on a block machine
64using dry-cast concrete.
65     (c)  "Concrete masonry unit" means a concrete masonry
66product that is a man-made masonry unit having a nominal width
67of 3 inches or greater and manufactured by a block machine using
68dry-cast concrete. The term includes, but is not limited to,
69gray block, architectural block, concrete brick, concrete
70masonry units to be post-tensioned, concrete masonry units to be
71surface-bonded, sound wall block, and fence block. The term does
72not include concrete veneer units having a width of less than 3
73inches, segmental retaining wall units, concrete pavers, clay
74brick, clay masonry units, precast panels, cast stone, adhered
75manufactured stone masonry veneer, calcium silicate units,
76lintels and sills, articulating concrete or revetment block,
77autoclave-aerated concrete, and dimension stone.
78     (d)  "Council" means the Florida Concrete Masonry Council,
79Inc.
80     (e)  "Machine cavity" means the open space in the mold of a
81block machine capable of forming a single masonry unit that has
82nominal plan dimensions of 8 inches by 16 inches.
83     (f)  "Manufacturer" means a person engaged in the business
84of manufacturing concrete masonry units.
85     (g)  "Masonry unit" means a noncombustible building product
86intended to be laid by hand or to be joined using mortar, grout,
87surface bonding, post-tensioning, or some combination of these
88methods.
89     (3)  FLORIDA CONCRETE MASONRY COUNCIL, INC.; CREATION;
90PURPOSES.-
91     (a)  There is created the Florida Concrete Masonry Council,
92Inc., a nonprofit corporation organized under the laws of this
93state and operating as a direct-support organization of the
94commission.
95     (b)  The council may levy an assessment of 1 cent per
96concrete masonry unit that is produced and sold by a
97manufacturer in the state if the imposition of the assessment is
98approved by referendum pursuant to subsection (5). The proceeds
99of the assessment shall be used to fund the activities of the
100council. With respect to the administration of the assessment,
101the council shall:
102     1.  Develop, implement, and monitor a collection system for
103the assessment which must be administered by an independent
104third party.
105     2.  Conduct referenda under subsections (5) and (11).
106     (c)  The council shall:
107     1.  Plan, implement, and conduct programs of education,
108promotion, research, and consumer information and industry
109information which are designed to strengthen the market position
110of the concrete masonry industry in this state and in the
111nation, to maintain and expand domestic and foreign markets, and
112to expand the uses for concrete masonry products.
113     2.  Use the proceeds of the assessment for the purpose of
114funding research, education, promotion, and consumer and
115industry information of concrete masonry products in this state
116and in the nation.
117     3.  Coordinate research, education, promotion, industry,
118and consumer information programs with national programs or
119programs of other states.
120     4.  Develop new uses and markets for concrete masonry
121products.
122     5.  Develop and improve educational access to individuals
123seeking employment in the field of concrete masonry.
124     6.  Develop methods of improving the quality of concrete
125masonry products for the purpose of windstorm protection.
126     7.  Develop methods of improving the energy efficiency
127attributes of concrete masonry products.
128     8.  Inform and educate the public concerning the
129sustainability and economic benefits of concrete masonry
130products.
131     9.  Serve as a liaison within the concrete masonry and
132other construction industries of the state and elsewhere in
133matters that would increase efficiencies that ultimately benefit
134both the consumer and the concrete masonry industry.
135     10.  Buy, sell, mortgage, rent, or improve, in any manner
136that the council considers expedient, real property or personal
137property, or both.
138     11.  Publish and distribute such papers or periodicals as
139the board of directors considers necessary to encourage and
140accomplish the purposes of the council.
141     12.  Do all other acts necessary or expedient for the
142administration of the affairs and attainment of the purposes of
143the council.
144     13.  Approve an annual plan, budget, and audit for the
145council.
146     (d)1.  The council may not participate or intervene in any
147political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any
148candidate for public office. This restriction includes, but is
149not limited to, a prohibition against publishing or distributing
150any statement.
151     2.  The net receipts of the council may not in any part
152inure to the benefit of or be distributable to its directors,
153its officers, or other private persons, except that the council
154may pay reasonable compensation for services rendered by staff
155employees and may make payments and distributions in furtherance
156of the purposes of this section.
157     3.  Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the council
158may not carry on any other activity not permitted to be carried
159on by a corporation:
160     a.  That is exempt from federal income tax under s.
161501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; or
162     b.  To which charitable contributions are deductible under
163s. 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code.
164     4.  Notwithstanding any other statement of the purposes and
165responsibilities of the council, the council may not engage in
166any activity or exercise any power that is not in furtherance of
167its specific and primary purposes.
168     (4)  GOVERNING BOARD.-
169     (a)  The Florida Concrete Masonry Council, Inc., shall be
170governed by a board of directors composed of 15 members as
171follows:
172     1.  Nine members representing concrete masonry
173manufacturers. Of these board members, at least five must be a
174representative of a manufacturer that is a member of the Masonry
175Association of Florida. These members must be representatives of
176concrete masonry manufacturers of various sizes. A manufacturer
177may not be represented by more than one member of the board.
178     2.  One member representing the Florida Building
179Commission.
180     3.  One member representing the Florida Homebuilders
181Association.
182     4.  One member having expertise in apprenticeship or
183vocational training.
184     5.  Two members who are masonry contractors and who are
185members of the Masonry Association of Florida.
186     6.  One member who is not a masonry contractor or
187manufacturer or an employee of a masonry contractor or
188manufacturer, but who is otherwise a stakeholder in the masonry
189industry.
190     (b)  The initial board of directors shall be appointed by
191the chair of the commission based on recommendations from the
192Masonry Association of Florida. Five of the initial board
193members shall be appointed to a 1-year term. Five shall be
194appointed for a 2-year term. The remaining board members shall
195be appointed for a 3-year term. Thereafter, each member shall be
196appointed to serve a 3-year term and may be reappointed to serve
197an additional consecutive term. After the initial appointments
198are made, each subsequent vacancy must be filled in accordance
199with the bylaws of the council. A member may not serve more than
200two consecutive terms. A member representing a manufacturer or a
201contractor must be employed by a manufacturer or contractor
202engaging in the trade or manufacture of concrete masonry
203products for at least 5 years immediately preceding the first
204day of his or her service on the board. All members of the board
205shall serve without compensation. However, the board members are
206entitled to reimbursement for per diem and travel expenses
207incurred in carrying out the intents and purposes of this
208section in accordance with s. 112.061, Florida Statutes.
209     (c)  The council shall elect from its members a chair, vice
210chair, and a secretary-treasurer to a 2-year term. The chair of
211the board must be a concrete masonry manufacturer.
212     (d)  The council shall provide for its officers through its
213bylaws, including the ability to set forth offices and
214responsibilities and form committees necessary for the
215administration of this section.
216     (e)  If a member of the board is absent for two
217consecutive, officially called meetings, the board of directors
218may declare that position vacant.
219     (f)  The council shall provide through its bylaws a
220mechanism for selecting board members which will require the
221council to solicit candidates from throughout the concrete
222masonry industry. The mechanism must ensure a fair and equitable
223representation on the board of manufacturers of various sizes
224and manufacturers from regions throughout the state.
225     (5)  REFERENDUM ON ASSESSMENTS.-All concrete masonry
226manufacturers in this state may vote in a referendum to
227determine whether the council may levy an assessment of 1 cent
228per concrete masonry unit. The referendum shall pose the
229question: "Do you approve of authorizing the Florida Concrete
230Masonry Council, Inc., to levy an assessment, pursuant to
231Florida law, of $0.01 per concrete masonry unit sold by a
232manufacturer in this state, to be used for the education of
233concrete masonry workers, research, and the promotion of
234concrete masonry products?" The ballot provided to each
235manufacturer must be accompanied with a copy of this section.
236The duration of an authorization to levy the assessment may not
237exceed 5 years following the date of the approval of the levy
238unless reauthorized pursuant to subsection (11).
239     (a)  A referendum held under this section must be conducted
240by the Bureau of Economic and Business Research at the
241University of Florida by secret ballot in a manner prescribed by
242the council and approved by the commission. The council may
243solicit and accept contributions to fund costs incurred for the
244referendum.
245     (b)  Notice of a referendum to be held under this section
246must be given by certified mail to each manufacturer at least 30
247days before the referendum is held.
248     (c)  Each manufacturer is entitled to at least one vote
249plus one vote for every 10 machine cavities that are owned by
250the manufacturer and located in this state 90 days before the
251date of the referendum. However, a manufacturer may not have
252more than four votes. Proof of identification of the
253manufacturing of concrete masonry products and of the number of
254machine cavities must be presented before voting.
255     (d)  A simple majority vote shall determine any issue that
256requires a referendum under this section.
257     (6)  ADMINISTRATIVE POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE COUNCIL.-
258     (a)  The council shall:
259     1.  Receive and disburse funds, as prescribed elsewhere in
260this section, to be used in administering and implementing this
261section.
262     2.  Maintain a permanent record of its business
263proceedings.
264     3.  Maintain a permanent, detailed record of its financial
265dealings.
266     4.  Prepare, for review by the concrete masonry industry in
267this state, periodic reports and an annual report for each
268fiscal year of its activities, and file the annual report with
269the commission.
270     5.  Prepare, for review by the concrete masonry industry in
271this state, periodic reports and an annual accounting for each
272fiscal year of all receipts and expenditures, and retain a
273certified public accountant for this purpose.
274     6.  Appoint a licensed banking institution to serve as the
275depository for program funds and handle disbursements of those
276funds.
277     7.  Maintain frequent communication with public officers at
278the state and national levels, including the commission.
279     8.  Maintain an office in this state.
280     (b)  The council may:
281     1.  Conduct or contract for scientific research with any
282accredited university, college, or similar institution, and
283enter into other contracts or agreements that will aid in
284carrying out the purposes of this section, including contracts
285for the purchase or acquisition of facilities or equipment
286necessary to carry out the purposes of this section.
287     2.  Disseminate reliable information benefiting the
288consumer and the concrete masonry industry.
289     3.  Provide to governmental bodies, on request, information
290relating to subjects of concern to the concrete masonry
291industry, and act jointly or in cooperation with the state or
292Federal Government, and agencies thereof, in the development or
293administration of programs that the council considers to be
294consistent with the objectives of this section.
295     4.  Sue and be sued as a council without individual
296liability of the members for acts of the council when acting
297within the scope of the powers of this section and in the manner
298prescribed by the laws of this state.
299     5.  Borrow from licensed lending institutions money in
300amounts that are not cumulatively greater than 50 percent of the
301council's anticipated annual income.
302     6.  Maintain a financial reserve for emergency use, the
303total of which must not exceed 50 percent of the council's
304anticipated annual income.
305     7.  Appoint advisory groups composed of representatives
306from organizations, institutions, governments, or businesses
307related to or interested in the welfare of the concrete masonry
308industry and the end-use consumer.
309     8.  Employ subordinate officers and employees of the
310council, prescribe their duties, and fix their compensation and
311terms of employment.
312     9.  Cooperate with any local, state, regional, or
313nationwide organization or agency engaged in work or activities
314consistent with the objectives of the program.
315     10.  Cause any duly authorized agent or representative to
316enter upon the premises of any market agency, market agent,
317collection agency, or manufacturer and examine or cause to be
318examined by the authorized agent only books, papers, and records
319that deal with the payment of the assessment provided for in
320this section or with the enforcement of this section.
321     11.  Do all other things necessary to further the intent of
322this section which are not prohibited by law.
323     (7)  ACCEPTANCE OF GRANTS AND GIFTS.-The council may accept
324grants, donations, contributions, or gifts from any source if
325the use of such resources is not restricted in any manner that
326the council considers to be inconsistent with the objectives of
327this section.
328     (8)  PAYMENTS TO ORGANIZATIONS.-
329     (a)  The council may make payments to other organizations
330for work or services performed which are consistent with the
331objectives of the program.
332     (b)  Before making payments described in this subsection,
333the council must secure a written agreement that the
334organization receiving payment will:
335     1.  Furnish at least annually, or more frequently on
336request of the council, written or printed reports of program
337activities and reports of financial data that are relative to
338the council's funding of such activities; and
339     2.  Agree to have appropriate representatives attend
340business meetings of the council as reasonably requested by the
341chair of the council.
342     (c)  The council may require adequate proof of security
343bonding on the payments to any individual, business, or other
344organization.
345     (9)  COLLECTION OF MONEYS AT TIME OF SALE.-
346     (a)  Each manufacturer shall assess from the purchaser, at
347the time of sale by the manufacturer, the assessment levied by
348the council. The amount of the assessment must be separately
349stated on all receipts, invoices, or other evidence of sale as
350the "Florida Building Sustainability Fee."
351     (b)  The manufacturer shall collect all such moneys and
352forward them quarterly to the council, and the council shall
353provide appropriate business forms for the convenience of the
354collecting agent in executing this duty.
355     (c)  The council shall maintain within its financial
356records a separate accounting of all moneys received under this
357subsection. The council shall provide for an annual financial
358audit of its accounts and records to be conducted by an
359independent certified public accountant pursuant to rules
360adopted by the Auditor General under s. 11.45, Florida Statutes.
361     (d)  The assessment is due and payable upon the sale of
362concrete masonry units that are produced in this state,
363regardless of the location of the purchaser. The assessment
364constitutes a personal debt of the manufacturer of concrete
365masonry units who collects the assessment or who otherwise owes
366the assessment. If a manufacturer fails to remit any properly
367due assessment, the council may bring a civil action against the
368manufacturer in the circuit court of any county for the
369collection thereof, and may add a penalty in the amount of 10
370percent of the assessment owed, the cost of enforcing the
371collection of the assessment, court costs, and reasonable
372attorney's fees. The action shall be tried and judgment rendered
373as in any other cause of action for debts due and payable. All
374assessments, penalties, and enforcement costs are due and
375payable to the council.
376     (10)  VOTE ON CONTINUING THE ASSESSMENT.-Upon the delivery
377by certified mail to the council of petitions that represent at
378least 25 percent of the votes allocated under subsection (5) and
379that ask, "Shall the assessment authorized by the Concrete
380Masonry Products Research, Education, and Promotion Act
381continue?" the council shall, within 90 days after the receipt
382of the petitions, conduct a referendum to determine whether a
383majority of the votes cast in the referendum support the
384continuation of the Concrete Masonry Products Research,
385Education, and Promotion Act. All signatures must be collected
386within a 12-month period. A referendum held under this
387subsection may not be held more than one time in a 3-year
388period. Before each referendum, votes shall be reallocated using
389the method described in subsection (5).
390     (11)  BYLAWS.-The council shall, by September 30, 2012,
391adopt bylaws to carry out the intents and purposes of this
392section. These bylaws may be amended upon 30-days' notice to
393board members at any regular or special meeting called for this
394purpose. The bylaws must conform to the requirements of this
395section but may also address any matter not in conflict with the
396general laws of this state.
397     Section 2.  This act shall take effect July 1, 2012.


CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.