Florida Senate - 2025                        COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
       Bill No. SB 1348
       
       
       
       
       
       
                                Ì623408(Î623408                         
       
                              LEGISLATIVE ACTION                        
                    Senate             .             House              
                  Comm: RCS            .                                
                  04/02/2025           .                                
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       The Committee on Transportation (Trumbull) recommended the
       following:
       
    1         Senate Amendment (with title amendment)
    2  
    3         Delete everything after the enacting clause
    4  and insert:
    5         Section 1. Subsection (2) of section 319.24, Florida
    6  Statutes, is amended to read:
    7         319.24 Issuance in duplicate; delivery; liens and
    8  encumbrances.—
    9         (2) A duly authorized person shall sign the original
   10  certificate of title and each corrected certificate and, if
   11  there are no liens or encumbrances on the motor vehicle or
   12  mobile home, as shown in the records of the department or as
   13  shown in the application, must shall deliver the certificate to
   14  the applicant or to another person as directed by the applicant
   15  or person, agent, or attorney submitting such application. Tax
   16  collectors, as authorized agents of the department, may deliver
   17  original certificates of title and corrected certificates by
   18  mail or make such certificates available to applicants at tax
   19  collectors’ offices. The motor vehicle dealer license number
   20  must be submitted to the department when a dealer applies for or
   21  receives a duplicate title. The current odometer reading must be
   22  submitted on an application for a duplicate title. If there are
   23  one or more liens or encumbrances on the motor vehicle or mobile
   24  home, the certificate must shall be delivered by the department
   25  to the first lienholder as shown by department records or to the
   26  owner as indicated in the notice of lien filed by the first
   27  lienholder pursuant to s. 319.27. If the notice of lien filed by
   28  the first lienholder indicates that the certificate should be
   29  delivered to the first lienholder, the department must shall
   30  deliver to the first lienholder, along with the certificate, a
   31  form to be subsequently used by the lienholder as a
   32  satisfaction. If the notice of lien filed by the first
   33  lienholder directs the certificate of title to be delivered to
   34  the owner, then, upon delivery of the certificate of title by
   35  the department to the owner, the department must shall deliver
   36  to the first lienholder confirmation of the receipt of the
   37  notice of lien and the date the certificate of title was issued
   38  to the owner at the owner’s address shown on the notice of lien
   39  and a form to be subsequently used by the lienholder as a
   40  satisfaction. If the application for certificate shows the name
   41  of a first lienholder different from the name of the first
   42  lienholder as shown by the records of the department or if the
   43  application does not show the name of a judgment lienholder as
   44  shown by the records of the department, the certificate may
   45  shall not be issued to any person until after all parties who
   46  appear to hold a lien and the applicant for the certificate have
   47  been notified of the conflict in writing by the department by
   48  certified mail. If the parties do not amicably resolve the
   49  conflict within 10 days from the date such notice was mailed,
   50  then the department must shall serve notice in writing by
   51  certified mail on all persons appearing to hold liens on that
   52  particular vehicle, including the applicant for the certificate,
   53  to show cause within 15 days from the date the notice is mailed
   54  why it should not issue and deliver the certificate to the
   55  person indicated in the notice of lien filed by the lienholder
   56  whose name appears in the application as the first lienholder
   57  without showing any lien or liens as outstanding other than
   58  those appearing in the application or those which may have been
   59  filed subsequent to the filing of the application for the
   60  certificate. If, within the 15-day period, any person other than
   61  the lienholder shown in the application or a party filing a
   62  subsequent lien, in answer to such notice to show cause, appears
   63  in person or by a representative, or responds in writing, and
   64  files a written statement under oath that his or her lien on
   65  that particular vehicle is still outstanding, the department may
   66  shall not issue the certificate to anyone until after such
   67  conflict has been settled by the lien claimants involved or by a
   68  court of competent jurisdiction. If the conflict is not settled
   69  amicably within 10 days of the final date for filing an answer
   70  to the notice to show cause, the complaining party must shall
   71  have 10 days to obtain a ruling, or a stay order, from a court
   72  of competent jurisdiction; if no ruling or stay order is issued
   73  and served on the department within the 10-day period, it must
   74  shall issue the certificate showing no liens except those shown
   75  in the application or thereafter filed to the original applicant
   76  if there are no liens shown in the application and none are
   77  thereafter filed, or to the person indicated in the notice of
   78  lien filed by the lienholder whose name appears in the
   79  application as the first lienholder if there are liens shown in
   80  the application or thereafter filed. A duplicate certificate or
   81  corrected certificate may shall only show such lien or liens as
   82  were shown in the application and subsequently filed liens that
   83  may be outstanding.
   84         Section 2. Present subsection (4) of section 319.29,
   85  Florida Statutes, is redesignated as subsection (5), and a new
   86  subsection (4) is added to that section, to read:
   87         319.29 Lost or destroyed certificates.—
   88         (4) An application for a duplicate copy of a certificate of
   89  title may be fulfilled by the tax collector acting as an
   90  authorized agent of the department. Upon the applicant’s
   91  request, the duplicate copy may be issued by the tax collector
   92  and provided to the applicant at the tax collector’s office or
   93  mailed by the tax collector to the applicants address.
   94         Section 3. Subsection (1) of section 320.031, Florida
   95  Statutes, is amended to read:
   96         320.031 Mailing or delivery of registration certificates,
   97  license plates, and validation stickers.—
   98         (1) The department and the tax collectors of the several
   99  counties of the state, as agents of the department, may at the
  100  request of the applicant deliver in person or use United States
  101  mail service to deliver registration certificates and renewals
  102  thereof, duplicate registration certificates, license plates,
  103  mobile home stickers, and validation stickers to applicants.
  104         Section 4. Paragraph (d) of subsection (1) of section
  105  320.0848, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  106         320.0848 Persons who have disabilities; issuance of
  107  disabled parking permits; temporary permits; permits for certain
  108  providers of transportation services to persons who have
  109  disabilities.—
  110         (1)
  111         (d) The department shall renew the disabled parking permit
  112  of a any person certified as permanently disabled on the
  113  previous application for a subsequent 4-year period without
  114  requiring the person to provide another certificate of
  115  disability or United States Department of Veterans Affairs Form
  116  Letter 27-333, or its equivalent, as applicable. After such 4
  117  year period, the department shall renew the disabled parking
  118  permit if the person provides a certificate of disability issued
  119  within the last 12 months pursuant to this subsection. A veteran
  120  who has been previously evaluated and certified by the United
  121  States Department of Veterans Affairs or any branch of the
  122  United States Armed Forces as permanently and totally disabled
  123  from a service-connected disability may provide a United States
  124  Department of Veterans Affairs Form Letter 27-333, or its
  125  equivalent, issued within the last 12 months in lieu of a
  126  certificate of disability.
  127         Section 5. Subsections (1) and (5) of section 322.02,
  128  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  129         322.02 Legislative intent; administration.—
  130         (1) The Legislature finds that over the past several years
  131  the department and individual county tax collectors have entered
  132  into contracts for the delivery of full and limited driver
  133  license services where such contractual relationships best
  134  served the public interest through state administration and
  135  enforcement and local government implementation. It is the
  136  intent of the Legislature that the complete transition of all
  137  driver license issuance services to tax collectors who are
  138  constitutional officers under s. 1(d), Art. VIII of the State
  139  Constitution be completed no later than June 30, 2027 2015. The
  140  transition of services to appointed charter county tax
  141  collectors may occur on a limited basis as directed by the
  142  department.
  143         (5) The tax collector in and for his or her county is may
  144  be designated the exclusive agent of the department to implement
  145  and administer the provisions of this chapter as provided by s.
  146  322.135.
  147         Section 6. Subsections (3) and (4) of section 322.12,
  148  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  149         322.12 Examination of applicants.—
  150         (3)(a) For an applicant for a Class E driver license, such
  151  examination must shall include all of the following:
  152         1.(a) A test of the applicant’s eyesight given by the
  153  driver license examiner designated by the department or by a
  154  licensed ophthalmologist, optometrist, or physician.
  155         2.(b) A test of the applicant’s hearing given by a driver
  156  license examiner or a licensed physician.
  157         3.(c) A test of the applicant’s ability to read and
  158  understand highway signs regulating, warning, and directing
  159  traffic; his or her knowledge of the traffic laws of this state,
  160  including laws regulating driving under the influence of alcohol
  161  or controlled substances, driving with an unlawful blood-alcohol
  162  level, and driving while intoxicated; and his or her knowledge
  163  of the effects of alcohol and controlled substances upon persons
  164  and the dangers of driving a motor vehicle while under the
  165  influence of alcohol or controlled substances. At least 25
  166  questions within the bank of test questions must address bicycle
  167  and pedestrian safety.
  168         4.(d) An actual demonstration of ability to exercise
  169  ordinary and reasonable control in the operation of a motor
  170  vehicle.
  171         (b) An applicant who is found to have cheated during, or to
  172  have otherwise circumvented, any portion of the examination must
  173  retake the examination.
  174         (4)(a) The examination for an applicant for a commercial
  175  driver license must shall include all of the following:
  176         1. A test of the applicant’s eyesight given by a driver
  177  license examiner designated by the department or by a licensed
  178  ophthalmologist, optometrist, or physician. and
  179         2. A test of the applicant’s hearing given by a driver
  180  license examiner or a licensed physician.
  181         3.The examination shall also include A test of the
  182  applicant’s ability to read and understand highway signs
  183  regulating, warning, and directing traffic; his or her knowledge
  184  of the traffic laws of this state pertaining to the class of
  185  motor vehicle which he or she is applying to be licensed to
  186  operate, including laws regulating driving under the influence
  187  of alcohol or controlled substances, driving with an unlawful
  188  blood-alcohol level, and driving while intoxicated; his or her
  189  knowledge of the effects of alcohol and controlled substances
  190  and the dangers of driving a motor vehicle after having consumed
  191  alcohol or controlled substances; and his or her knowledge of
  192  any special skills, requirements, or precautions necessary for
  193  the safe operation of the class of vehicle which he or she is
  194  applying to be licensed to operate.
  195         4.In addition, the examination shall include An actual
  196  demonstration of the applicant’s ability to exercise ordinary
  197  and reasonable control in the safe operation of a motor vehicle
  198  or combination of vehicles of the type covered by the license
  199  classification which the applicant is seeking, including an
  200  examination of the applicant’s ability to perform an inspection
  201  of his or her vehicle.
  202         (b)(a) The portion of the examination required under
  203  subparagraph (a)4. which tests an applicant’s safe driving
  204  ability shall be administered by the department or by an entity
  205  authorized by the department to administer such examination,
  206  pursuant to s. 322.56. Such examination shall be administered at
  207  a location approved by the department.
  208         (c)(b) A person who seeks to retain a hazardous-materials
  209  endorsement must, upon renewal, pass the test for such
  210  endorsement as specified in s. 322.57(1)(e), if the person has
  211  not taken and passed the hazardous-materials test within 2 years
  212  preceding his or her application for a commercial driver license
  213  in this state.
  214         (d)An applicant who is found to have cheated during, or to
  215  have otherwise circumvented, any portion of the examination must
  216  retake the examination.
  217         Section 7. Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section
  218  322.135, Florida Statutes, is amended, and paragraph (d) is
  219  added to that subsection, to read:
  220         322.135 Driver license agents.—
  221         (1) The department shall, upon application, authorize by
  222  interagency agreement any or all of the tax collectors who are
  223  constitutional officers under s. 1(d), Art. VIII of the State
  224  Constitution in the several counties of the state, subject to
  225  the requirements of law, in accordance with rules of the
  226  department, to serve as its agent for the provision of specified
  227  driver license services.
  228         (a) These services shall be limited to the issuance of
  229  driver licenses and identification cards as authorized by this
  230  chapter, transactions for which may be processed by the tax
  231  collector using the department’s online license and registration
  232  portal.
  233         (d) A tax collector may offer a licensee or prospective
  234  licensee the option to increase the amount of his or her
  235  transaction to the next whole dollar amount in order to donate
  236  the amount of the increase to a charity registered with the
  237  Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
  238         Section 8. Subsection (4) of section 322.251, Florida
  239  Statutes, is amended to read:
  240         322.251 Notice of cancellation, suspension, revocation, or
  241  disqualification of license.—
  242         (4) A person whose privilege to operate a commercial motor
  243  vehicle is temporarily disqualified may, upon surrendering his
  244  or her commercial driver license, be issued a Class E driver
  245  license, valid for the length of his or her unexpired commercial
  246  driver license, if eligible, at no cost. Such person may, upon
  247  the completion of his or her disqualification, be issued a
  248  commercial driver license, of the type disqualified, for the
  249  remainder of his or her unexpired license period. Any such
  250  person must shall pay the reinstatement fee provided in s.
  251  322.21 before being issued a commercial driver license.
  252         Section 9. Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section
  253  322.271, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  254         322.271 Authority to modify revocation, cancellation, or
  255  suspension order.—
  256         (1)
  257         (b) A person whose driving privilege has been revoked under
  258  s. 322.27(5) may, upon expiration of 12 months from the date of
  259  such revocation, petition the department for reinstatement of
  260  his or her driving privilege. Upon such petition and after
  261  investigation of the person’s qualification, fitness, and need
  262  to drive, the department shall hold a hearing pursuant to
  263  chapter 120 to determine whether the driving privilege shall be
  264  reinstated on a restricted basis solely for business or
  265  employment purposes. If such person is granted a limited driving
  266  privilege and subsequently violates the conditions of the
  267  restricted driving privilege, the restricted driving privilege
  268  must be revoked and the person is not eligible for any driving
  269  privilege for the remaining duration of the 5-year period after
  270  his or her initial license revocation.
  271         Section 10. Section 322.66, Florida Statutes, is amended to
  272  read:
  273         322.66 Vehicles permitted to be driven during driving
  274  skills tests.—A person who does not possess a valid driver
  275  license may drive a noncommercial or commercial motor vehicle
  276  during a driving skills test conducted in accordance with s.
  277  322.12(3) and (4)(b) s. 322.12(3) and (4)(a), if the person has
  278  passed the vision, hearing, road rules, and road signs tests
  279  ordinarily administered to applicants for a Class E license,
  280  and, if required, has passed the commercial driver license
  281  knowledge and appropriate endorsement tests.
  282         Section 11. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.
  283  
  284  ================= T I T L E  A M E N D M E N T ================
  285  And the title is amended as follows:
  286         Delete everything before the enacting clause
  287  and insert:
  288                        A bill to be entitled                      
  289         An act relating to the Department of Highway Safety
  290         and Motor Vehicles; amending s. 319.24, F.S.;
  291         authorizing tax collectors to deliver by mail or make
  292         available at the tax collector’s office certificates
  293         of title; amending s. 319.29, F.S.; providing that
  294         certain applications may be fulfilled by the tax
  295         collector acting as an authorized agent of the
  296         department; amending s. 320.031, F.S.; authorizing the
  297         department and tax collectors, as agents of the
  298         department, to deliver certain documents, including
  299         duplicate registration certificates, in person or by
  300         mail; amending s. 320.0848, F.S.; requiring the
  301         department to renew certain disabled parking permits
  302         for a specified period without requiring certain
  303         documentation; amending s. 322.02, F.S.; revising the
  304         year by which the Legislature intends that the
  305         transition of certain services to certain tax
  306         collectors be completed; deleting a provision
  307         authorizing such transition of services to appointed
  308         charter county tax collectors on a limited basis;
  309         providing that the tax collector is, rather than may
  310         be, designated the exclusive agent of the department
  311         for a specified purpose; amending s. 322.12, F.S.;
  312         requiring certain driver license applicants to retake
  313         certain examinations; amending s. 322.135, F.S.;
  314         authorizing a tax collector to process certain
  315         transactions using the department’s online license and
  316         registration portal; authorizing a tax collector to
  317         offer to a licensee or prospective licensee a certain
  318         donation option; amending s. 322.251, F.S.;
  319         authorizing the issuance of a Class E driver license
  320         to certain persons, if eligible; amending s. 322.271,
  321         F.S.; requiring the revocation of a restricted driving
  322         privilege for a specified period in certain
  323         circumstances; amending s. 322.66, F.S.; conforming a
  324         cross-reference; providing an effective date.