Condo-HOA / Bulk Buyer : HB 653 by Moraitis /( SB 744 by Passidomo )
In addition to revisions to the operations of condominium and homeowner associations , HB 653 removes the automatic sunset of the condominium bulk buyer liability provisions .
➢Building Permit Surcharge : HB 741 by Trumbull
This bill reduces the 1.5 % building permit surcharge that funds the Building a Safer Florida and the Florida Building Commission by . 5 %. The remaining 1.5 % funds the Building Code Administrators & Inspectors Board . ( Note : An additional $ 150K from the surcharge will fund the Construction Industry Workforce Task Force next year if approved by the Governor .)
➢Electrical / Alarm Contracting : HB 1021 by Avila ( SB 1372 by Perry )/ ( HB 227 by Killebrew )
This issue was included in HB 1021 and authorizes licensed electrical or alarm contractors to act as prime contractor or subcontract work under certain circumstances .
➢Building Code
Administrators & Inspectors : HB 1021 by Avila /( HB 909 by Goodson / SB 860 by Brandes )
This issue was added to HB 1021 and provides for training and increased employment opportunities for building code administrators and inspectors .
➢Alarm Contracting : HB 241 by Williamson / ( SB 190 by Perry )
The bill expands current law regarding the streamlined installation permitting of low-voltage alarm systems to include low-voltage electric fences , and creates an additional exception to the alarm system verification call requirement . Specifically , the bill :
• Defines “ low-voltage electric fence ” as an alarm system , as defined in s . 489.505 , F . S ., that consists of a fence structure and an energizer powered by a commercial storage battery not exceeding 12 volts which produces an electric charge upon contact with the fence structure ;
• Adds “ new or existing low-voltage electric fence ” to the types of projects that constitute a low-voltage alarm system project ;
• Adds “ closed-circuit television systems ,” “ access controls ,” and “ battery recharging devices ” to the types of ancillary components or equipment attached to a low-voltage alarm system ; and
• Provides that a lowvoltage electric fence must not produce an electric charge that exceeds specified international energizer characteristics , must be completely enclosed by a nonelectric fence or wall , may be up to 2 feet higher than the perimeter nonelectric fence or wall , must be identified using warning signs attached to the fence at intervals of not more than 60 feet , may not be installed in an area zoned exclusively for singlefamily or multi-family residential use , and may not be used to enclose portions of the property used for residential purposes .
The bill also provides that alarm system verification calls by alarm system monitoring personnel will no longer be required if the alarm signal is generated from premises used for the storage of firearms and ammunition by a licensed federal firearms manufacturer , importer , or dealer . ➢ Construction Defects : HB
12 DITCHMEN • MAY 2017