ENROLLED
       2015 Legislature                                   CS for SB 466
       
       
       
       
       
       
                                                              2015466er
    1  
    2         An act relating to low-voltage alarm systems; amending
    3         s. 553.793, F.S.; revising the definition of the term
    4         “low-voltage alarm system project” and adding the
    5         definition of the term “wireless alarm system”;
    6         providing that a permit is not required to install,
    7         maintain, inspect, replace, or service a wireless
    8         alarm system and its ancillary components; reducing
    9         the maximum price for permit labels for alarm systems;
   10         prohibiting a local enforcement agency from requiring
   11         the payment of any additional fees, charges, or
   12         expenses associated with the installation or
   13         replacement of a new or existing alarm system;
   14         authorizing a local enforcement agency to coordinate
   15         the inspection of certain alarm system projects;
   16         providing an effective date.
   17          
   18  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   19  
   20         Section 1. Subsections (1), (2), (4), (8), and (9) of
   21  section 553.793, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
   22         553.793 Streamlined low-voltage alarm system installation
   23  permitting.—
   24         (1) As used in this section, the term:
   25         (a) “Contractor” means a person who is qualified to engage
   26  in the business of electrical or alarm system contracting
   27  pursuant to a certificate or registration issued by the
   28  department under part II of chapter 489.
   29         (b) “Low-voltage alarm system project” means a project
   30  related to the installation, maintenance, inspection,
   31  replacement, or service of a new or existing alarm system, as
   32  defined in s. 489.505, that is hardwired and operating at low
   33  voltage, as defined in the National Electrical Code Standard 70,
   34  Current Edition, and ancillary components or equipment attached
   35  to such a system, including, but not limited to, home-automation
   36  equipment, thermostats, and video cameras.
   37         (c) “Wireless alarm system” means a burglar alarm system or
   38  smoke detector that is not hardwired.
   39         (2) Notwithstanding any provision of law, this section
   40  applies to all low-voltage alarm system projects for which a
   41  permit is required by a local enforcement agency. However, a
   42  permit is not required to install, maintain, inspect, replace,
   43  or service a wireless alarm system, including any ancillary
   44  components or equipment attached to the system.
   45         (4) A local enforcement agency shall make uniform basic
   46  permit labels available for purchase by a contractor to be used
   47  for the installation or replacement of a new or existing alarm
   48  system at a cost of not more than $40 $55 per label per project
   49  per unit. The local enforcement agency may not require the
   50  payment of any additional fees, charges, or expenses associated
   51  with the installation or replacement of a new or existing alarm
   52  system. However, a local enforcement agency charging more than
   53  $55, but less than $175, for such a permit as of January 1,
   54  2013, may continue to charge the same amount for a uniform basic
   55  permit label until January 1, 2015. A local enforcement agency
   56  charging more than $175 for such a permit as of January 1, 2013,
   57  may charge a maximum of $175 for a uniform basic permit label
   58  until January 1, 2015.
   59         (a) A local enforcement agency may not require a
   60  contractor, as a condition of purchasing a label, to submit any
   61  information other than identification information of the
   62  licensee and proof of registration or certification as a
   63  contractor.
   64         (b) A label is valid for 1 year after the date of purchase
   65  and may only be used within the jurisdiction of the local
   66  enforcement agency that issued the label. A contractor may
   67  purchase labels in bulk for one or more unspecified current or
   68  future projects.
   69         (8) A local enforcement agency may coordinate directly with
   70  the owner or customer to inspect a low-voltage alarm system
   71  project may be inspected by the local enforcement agency to
   72  ensure compliance with applicable codes and standards. If a low
   73  voltage alarm system project fails an inspection, the contractor
   74  must take corrective action as necessary to pass inspection.
   75         (9) A municipality, county, district, or other entity of
   76  local government may not adopt or maintain in effect any an
   77  ordinance or rule regarding a low-voltage alarm system project
   78  that is inconsistent with this section.
   79         Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2015.