The Florida Legislature is considering a major deregulation law that will impact all Floridians, particularly Florida condo owners and Florida homeowners. It could become law as soon as July 1, 2011, and the entire language of the proposed statute (HB 5005) can be read online at the Florida House of Representatives website.
What would escape the oversight of state government if the bill becomes law? According to the HB 5005 summary:
1. Dissolves the following regulators:
- Division of Florida Condominiums, Timeshares, & Mobile Homes
- Florida Board of Auctioneers
- Board of Employee Leasing Companies
- Board of Landscape Architecture
- Board of Professional Geologists
- Board of Professional Surveyors & Mappers
- Motor Vehicle Repair Advisory Council
- Regulatory Council of Community Association Managers
2. HB 5005 also deletes the legal provisions for regulation of:
- yacht & ship brokers
- auctioneers
- talent agencies
- community association managers
- athlete agents
- employee leasing companies
- home inspectors
- mold assessors & remediators
- professional surveyors & mappers
- persons practicing hair braiding, hair wrapping, or body wrapping
- interior designers
- landscape architects
- professional geologists
- professional fundraising consultants & solicitors
- water vending machines & operators
- health studios
- ballroom dance studios
- commercial telephone sellers & salespersons
- movers & moving brokers
- certain outdoor theaters
- certain business opportunities
- motor vehicle repair shops
- sellers of travel
- contracts with sales representatives involving commissions
3. revises:
- name & membership of Board of Architecture
- license classifications of public lodging establishments
4. deletes the state’s authority to enforce & ensure compliance of certain provisions relating to:
- condominiums
- cooperatives
- vacation plans & timeshares
- mobile homes.
The Sun Sentinel quotes the head of the Cyber Citizens for Justice, Florida’s largest grass-roots advocacy group, as a law that will create “total chaos.” The Sun Sentinel itself has issued an editorial against the bill’s passage, “Lawmakers overreach on deregulation,” pointing out that big business (including huge corporations like Disney) are just as much against this law as the Average Joes out there who worry that without state oversight, lots of bad things are going to happen to people here in Florida.
What’s Happening Now
The Legislature may be listening, at least a bit. In today’s news, it’s being reported that the massive deregulation of time share condos may not happen. If you are concerned, then contact your representative in the Florida House as soon as possible — this bill will be voted upon very soon.
