Ditchmen • NUCA of Florida Ditchmen • June 2016

DON’T PAY THOSE Pesky FEES TO REGISTER YOUR CONTRACTOR’S LICENSE For years, local governments have been collecting fees from state certified contractors associated with providing proof of licensure as a contractor or filing evidence of workers’ compensation insurance coverage. These additional fees typically range from $50 to $100. State law authorizes local governments to provide a schedule of consistent reasonable fees to be used solely for carrying out the local government’s responsibilities in enforcing the Building Code. The basis for the fee structure must relate to the level of service provided by the local government. Specifically, s. 166.222, F.S., provides that local governments may provide a schedule of reasonable inspection fees in order to defer the costs of inspections and enforcement of the provisions of its building code . . . not tracking of contractors’ licenses. Additionally, section 553.80(7), F.S., authorizes 17 DITCHMEN • JUNE 2016 local governments to provide a schedule of consistent reasonable fees to be used solely for carrying out the local government’s responsibilities in enforcing the Code. The basis for the fee structure must relate to the level of service provided by the local government. . . tracking of a contractors’ licenses has nothing to do with enforcing the building code. State lawmakers put a halt to this practice during the 2016 Legislative Session. Tucked away in the building code bill (HB 535) is a provision amending s. 553.80 F.S. prohibiting local governments from requiring payment of any additional fees, charges or expenses associated with providing proof of licensure as a state certified contractor, recording a contractor’s license or providing, recording or filing evidence of workers’ compensation coverage by a contractor. The new law takes effect on July 1, 2016. NUCA OF FLORIDA by R. Bruce Kershner, NUCA of Florida Director of Government Affairs Local governments can still collect fees for JUNE 2016 • DITCHMEN 17

Ditchmen • NUCA of Florida Ditchmen • June 2016 | Page 17