Editor’s Note: The following are excerpts of a February Florida legislative update provided by Brian Lambert, a partner at the law firm Cotney Attorneys and Consultants. Brian is the Florida HVACR industry lobbyist for FRACCA (Florida Air Conditioning Contractors Association). For a complete listing of the legislative activities email paula.huband@FRACCAair.com or call 407-676-0031.

Ordered by Bill Number SB 0268 – Preemption of Local Occupational Licensing by Perry

Preemption of Local Occupational Licensing; Preempting licensing of occupations to the state; prohibiting local governments from imposing additional licensing requirements or modifying licensing unless specified conditions are met; specifying that certain specialty contractors are not required to register with the Construction Industry Licensing Board; authorizing counties and municipalities to issue certain journeyman licenses, etc. Effective Date: 7/1/2021. Current Committee of Reference: Senate Regulated Industries. Actions: 12/21/2020 – SENATE Referred to Regulated Industries; Community Affairs; Rules.

SB 0332 – Unlicensed Contracting by Perry

Unlicensed Contracting; Revising the criminal penalties for persons who engage in contracting or advertise themselves as contractors without proper registration or certification, etc. Effective Date: 10/1/2021. Current Committee of Reference: Senate Regulated Industries. Actions: 01/11/2021 – SENATE Referred to Regulated Industries; Appropriations Subcommittee on Criminal and Civil Justice; Appropriations.

SB 0338  – Specialty Contracting Services by Gruters

Specialty Contracting Services; Revising the types of buildings for which individuals who are not required to obtain certain registrations or certifications may perform contracting services without a local license under certain circumstances; authorizing certain persons under the supervision of specified licensed contractors to perform certain specialty contracting services for commercial or residential swimming pools, hot tubs or spas, or interactive water features; providing that such supervision does not require a direct contract between those persons, etc. Effective Date: 7/1/2021. Current Committee of Reference: Senate Regulated Industries. Actions: 01/11/2021 – SENATE Referred to Regulated Industries; Community Affairs; Rules.

SB 0366 – Apprenticeship and Pre-apprenticeship Training by Hutson

Apprenticeship and Pre-apprenticeship Training; Revising the general duties of the Department of Education with regard to apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs; revising the membership of the State Apprenticeship Advisory Council; providing that apprenticeship or pre-apprenticeship program sponsors are responsible for the selection and training of certain personnel, as approved by the department; encouraging state university boards of trustees and apprenticeship program sponsors to cooperate in developing and establishing apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs that include career instruction, etc. Effective Date: 7/1/2021. Current Committee of Reference: Senate Education. Actions: 01/11/2021 – SENATE Referred to Education; Appropriations Subcommittee on Education; Appropriations.

HB 0735 – Preemption of Local Occupational Licensing by Harding

Preemption of Local Occupational Licensing: Preempts licensing of occupations to state; prohibits local governments from imposing or modifying licensing requirements; specifies certain local licensing may not be enforced; specifies certain specialty contractors are not required to register with Construction Industry Licensing Board; prohibits local governments from requiring certain specialty contractors to obtain license; specifies job scopes for which local government may not require license; authorizes counties & municipalities to issue journeyman licenses. Effective Date: July 1, 2021. Current Committee of Reference: No Current Committee. Actions: 02/03/2021 – HOUSE Filed.

HB 0791 – Workforce and Postsecondary Education by Harding

Workforce and Postsecondary Education: Revises and provides DOE rule-making authority; requires uniform minimum requirements to be uniform across all occupations; revises & expands department’s duties; provides requirements for State Apprenticeship Advisory Council; provides requirements for apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship; removes provisions relating to on-the-job training programs; requires statewide articulation agreement to establish certain mathematics pathways for students; provides requirements for admissions counseling; revises requirements for admission to associate degree programs & dual enrollment; requires BOE to adopt certain rules; provides requirements for FCS institutions & Commissioner of Education; provides for appropriations. Effective Date: July 1, 2021. Current Committee of Reference: No Current Committee. Actions: 02/05/2021 – HOUSE Filed.

SB 1042 – Vocational Pathways by Brodeur

Vocational Pathways; Deleting a delegation of rule-making authority to the Department of Education; revising and expanding the department’s duties with respect to apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs; requiring the statewide articulation agreement to establish three mathematics pathways for students by aligning mathematics courses to programs, meta-majors, and careers; authorizing technical centers, Florida College System institutions, and state universities to enter into specified agreements; providing for calculation of full-time equivalent membership for a specified industry certification, etc. Effective Date: 7/1/2021. Current Committee of Reference: Senate Education. Actions: 02/10/2021 – SENATE Referred to Education; Appropriations Subcommittee on Education; Appropriations.