from Florida Home Builders Association
Containing language that increases enforcement, penalties and fines for unlicensed contracting, the Florida Home Builders Association-endorsed House Bill 269 by Rep. Halsey Beshears (R-Monticello) was signed into law last month by Governor Rick Scott.
The law, which took effect July 1, increases the maximum civil penalty that may be imposed from $500 to $2,000 against unlicensed contractors for both state and local certification and registration, and increases the civil penalty that may be charged per day from $1,000 to $2,500.
The increased penalties and fines apply to both construction contractors and electrical contractors.
The law also authorizes local building departments to retain 75 percent of the outstanding fines against certified or registered contractors and requires them to transmit 25 percent of the fines they collect to the state.
It also modifies the applicability of the law with respect to the fines and penalties for unlicensed contractor activity to specify that they are an integral component of enforcement and compliance.