DBPR Secretary Signs Emergency Order to Aid in Hurricane Michael Recovery

Tallahassee, Fla. – Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) Secretary Jonathan Zachem issued an Emergency Order suspending Florida statutes and rules that may prevent, hinder or delay necessary response and recovery from Hurricane Michael for counties identified in the Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster declaration DR-4399. See the Emergency Order HERE.

“Many residents throughout the Florida Panhandle have been adversely impacted by Hurricane Michael,” Secretary Zachem said. “Under Governor Scott’s leadership, the Department is working to provide the resources needed during this difficult time to help quickly repair and rebuild our great state.”

The Emergency Order extends certain licensure deadlines and permits local governments to authorize local specialty licenses allowing individuals and businesses licensed in other local Florida jurisdictions to assist with restoration efforts. The order waives certain fees related to relocating or reopening businesses closed from damage caused by Hurricane Michael, and clarifies that no DBPR license is required to install non-permanent, emergency tarps to roofs. Finally, the order waives licensure requirements for disaster-recovery mitigation organizations and non-profit organizations to repair non-residential structures dedicated to public use, such as community centers, houses of worship and sports facilities.

The Emergency Order will correspond with the effective dates of Governor Scott’s Executive Order 18-276, and any extensions thereof.

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The Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s mission is to license efficiently and regulate fairly. The Department licenses and regulates more than one million businesses and professionals ranging from hotels and restaurants, real estate agents and accountants to veterinarians, contractors and cosmetologists. For more information, please visit www.myfloridalicense.com. Follow @FloridaDBPR on Twitter or Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation on Facebook for updates about license cycles, events and other important news.

October 26, 2018 /  
More Small Businesses Damaged by Hurricane Michael Qualify for Emergency Bridge Loan Program

 

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) announced new changes to the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program allowing more small businesses impacted by Hurricane Michael to qualify. Additionally, some small businesses may be eligible for increased loan amounts in special circumstances.

DEO Executive Director Cissy Proctor said, “The Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan is designed to help small businesses in our state get back on their feet as soon as possible. We are proud to say $375,000 has already been provided to multiple small businesses who are recovering after Hurricane Michael and these changes will allow us to help even more businesses in our state.”

Eligibility changes to the program now allow for small business owners with fewer than two employees, located in any of Florida’s 35 counties impacted by Hurricane Michael, to apply for short-term loans up to $25,000. Small business owners with two to 100 employees can apply for short-term loans up to $50,000, and in special circumstances, be granted loans up to $100,000.

DEO administers the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program in partnership with the Florida SBDC Network to provide cash flow to businesses damaged by a disaster. These loans are interest-free for up to one year and help bridge the gap between the time damage is incurred and when a business secures other financial resources, including payment of insurance claims or longer-term Small Business Administration loans. Up to $10 million has been allocated for the program. DEO will work with every borrower to ensure that repayment of the loan isn’t an overwhelming burden. To be eligible, a business must have been established prior to Oct. 7, 2018 and demonstrate economic injury or physical damage as a result of Hurricane Michael.

Michael Myhre, CEO of the Florida SBDC Network, said, “The Florida SBDC is proud to partner with the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity to help small businesses recover after the devastating impacts of Hurricane Michael.  It is an honor to help small businesses, such as Fuqua & Sons Painting, a family-owned commercial and residential painting company, and others like them, get back to work and help their communities recover.”

To complete an application by the Dec. 7, 2018, deadline, or for more information on the program, visit www.floridadisasterloan.org. Small businesses can get assistance applying for state and federal business loans at Business Recovery Centers in the impacted areas.  To find a Business Recovery Center, visit www.FloridaDisaster.biz. For questions regarding the Emergency Bridge Loan Program, contact the Florida Small Business Development Center Network at 866-737-7232 or email Disaster@FloridaSBDC.org. The phone line will be answered during regular business hours; all voice mails and emails will be responded to within 24 hours.

October 25, 2018 /  
DBPR Appoints Harbor Pilots to Florida Ports

TALLAHASSEE, FL – On August 3, Secretary Jonathan Zachem of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation appointed five new deputy harbor pilots to Florida ports. Among them was the first female deputy-pilot appointee in nineteen years, Captain Dana S. Ryan, who was appointed to the Port of Palm Beach. Other appointments included Captain Travis Diemert to Port Everglades; Captain Niall Kennedy to Port Canaveral; and Captains Brendan Myers and Captain Kenneth J. Sears, Jr. to the Port of Tampa Bay.

“Deputy harbor-pilot appointments are extremely competitive, and candidates have rigorous experience and examination requirements,” Secretary Zachem said. “We congratulate the recent appointees and thank them for their service to help ensure the ships on Florida waterways, as well as our citizens and coastal environment, are safe.”

Deputy pilots are authorized by the State of Florida to pilot vessels within the limits and specifications established by state-licensed pilots at ports where deputies are appointed to serve. They must complete a mandatory apprenticeship before becoming full pilots authorized to guide cruise and cargo ships into Florida ports without supervision.

DBPR’s Division of Professions is responsible for licensing over 434,000 professionals, including harbor pilots. Housed in the Division is the Board of Pilot Commissioners. For licensing and application information, please visit the harbor pilots’ board page.

August 6, 2018 /  
Operation Freelancer Yields Dozen Arrests for Unlicensed Contracting

The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office arrested twelve people on multiple charges during Operation Freelancer VII, an investigation to protect citizens from unlicensed contractors.

Detectives worked with the Sarasota County Building Department, the Florida Department of Financial Services Division of Insurance Fraud and the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) to contact individuals advertising home repair services that require a license to complete. As individuals arrived at the predetermined residence, the DBPR database was checked to determine if they were licensed, registered as a contractor, and/or required workers compensation coverage or exemption to perform the work they proposed to do.

In all, the operation resulted in 12 felony charges and 12 misdemeanor charges. Those arrested have a total of 33 prior felony and 33 misdemeanor charges as well as a combined 37 convictions. Two of the defendants, David Pond and Kim Bachert have prior charges for Unlicensed Contracting. Another, Nathan Poor, has charges dating back to 2006 for Domestic Battery, Resisting Arrest and Scheme to Defraud. The following individuals were arrested during the three-day operation:

Operation Freelancer arrests

  • Carlos Asiain-Hernandez, DOB 08/19/85, of 4605 Flatbush Avenue,Sarasota
  • David Mackey, DOB 06/30/67, of 3016 17th St.,Sarasota
  • David Pond, DOB 10/10/73, of 15790 Highbell Place,Bradenton
  • Haralambos Maginas, DOB 09/19/87, of 1551 North Tuttle Ave.,Sarasota
  • Jarret Dempsey, DOB 01/10/78, of 4410 19th St. Circle W., Unit B,Bradenton
  • Kim Bachert, DOB 05/20/51, of 269 Bearded Oaks Drive,Sarasota
  • Matthew King, DOB 11/25/62, of 103 North Portia St.,Nokomis
  • Nathan Poor, DOB 01/31/69, of 2713 Robinson Avenue,Sarasota
  • Nora Nowicki, DOB 10/04/68, of 3144 Courtland St.,Sarasota
  • Richard Mitchell, DOB 08/15/54, of 3205 Henrietta Place, Sarasota
  • Sergey Kurbatov, DOB 03/20/70, of 7351 Perennial Road, NorthPort
  • Steven Leimbach, DOB 02/24/79, of 123 Loquat Lane,Sarasota

Since 2012, the sheriff’s office has assigned detectives to investigate claims against people who engage in contracting work without proper licenses, permits or certification. A first offense usually results in a civil citation by code enforcement but subsequent violations lead to misdemeanor or felony criminal charges. The defendants also receive a cease and desist order from the State of Florida.

“Maintenance operations like these should be a good reminder for consumers to always seek licensed contractors to perform work on their homes or businesses,” said SheriffTom Knight. “Consumers are exposing themselves to financial and physical risk by allowing these people to enter their home, unlicensed, and in some cases, with criminal histories. Let this be a warning to criminals who come into our community and illegally solicit services, that their behavior will not be tolerated.”

“For over five years, DBPR has partnered with the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Financial Services Division of Insurance Fraud, and the Sarasota County Building Department to bring down unlicensed contractors in Florida,” said DBPR Secretary Jonathan Zachem. “This continued, strong partnership is integral to DBPR’s mission to protect the public from unlicensed contractors and to uphold the integrity of the construction profession.”

“The (MSBIA) Manatee-Sarasota Building Industry Association continues to applaud the efforts of Sarasota County Sheriff Tom Knight in the aggressive pursuit of unlicensed and unpermitted activity in Sarasota County,” said MSBIA CEO Jon Mast. “The actions of the Sheriff’s office helps to protect the health, safety and welfare of the community from unscrupulous handymen impersonating legitimate licensed contractors. By defending unsuspecting homeowners in this way proves the Sheriff is focused on protecting the citizens of Sarasota County from being robbed of their money, shoddy work and peace of mind.”

Florida law sets specific rules and guidelines for obtaining professional licensure, and the people who have met these requirements are held to professional standards. Consumers can verify licenses with the DBPR online at www.myfloridalicense.com, by calling 850-487-1395, or downloading the free DBPR Mobile app through iTunes or the Google Play store.

To check a Sarasota County license, call the Customer Service and Permit Center at 861-6678 or 861-3029. To report someone you suspect is acting as an unlicensed contractor or performing work without a permit, call 861-5000. For more information visit https://www.scgov.net/government/departments/planning-and-development-services/building-division/contractor-licensing

July 2, 2018 /  
BBB & DBPR Team Up Again to Attack Unlicensed Activity in Florida

partertnership built on trust

Licensed and Insured! That’s what it said in his advertisement. We hear about this all too often: contractors claiming to be licensed, but can they perform the scope of work you are requesting for your home renovation project? Hiring an unqualified, unlicensed contractor can lead to headaches and lost money. This is why the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) remain partnered to help Floridians avoid falling victim to unlicensed contractors.

It is important that consumers thoroughly research professionals and businesses prior to hiring and report any suspected unlicensed activity. Unlicensed activity is against the law. BBB and DBPR take unlicensed activity very seriously because it threatens the safety of Florida consumers and takes away business from properly licensed professionals throughout the state.

Together, BBB and DBPR have the tools to help consumers find licensed professionals they can trust. Remember to look for the BBB Accredited Business Seal when choosing a contractor. The seal indicates contractors are properly licensed and have been vetted against BBB’s Standards for Trust, including a commitment to be responsive, advertise honestly and honor their promises. Always verify a contractor’s license by visiting www.myfloridalicense.com, calling (850) 487-1395 or downloading the free DBPR Mobile app.

Your BBB provides information on how to find properly licensed professionals, including an easy-to-use checklist.  Resources to help businesses build trust in the marketplace are also available at your local BBB office. Please visit the BBB website and click on the Better Business Bureau serving your area for more information.

About BBB

BBB is an unbiased non-profit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. Businesses that earn BBB accreditation contractually agree and adhere to the organization’s high standards of ethical business behavior. BBB provides objective advice, free BBB Business Profiles and BBB Wise Giving Reports®, and educational information on topics affecting marketplace trust. To further promote trust, BBB also offers complaint and dispute resolution support for consumers and businesses when there is a difference in viewpoints. For more than 100 years, Better Business Bureau has been helping consumers find businesses, brands and charities they can trust.  Five BBB offices service the State of Florida, with primary locations in Clearwater, Jacksonville, Longwood, Pensacola and West Palm Beach.

About DBPR

The Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s mission is to license efficiently and regulate fairly. DBPR licenses and regulates more than one million businesses and professionals ranging from hotels and restaurants, real estate agents and accountants to veterinarians, contractors, and cosmetologists. More Information about DBPR is available online at www.myfloridalicense.com. Also, follow @FloridaDBPR on Twitter or Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation on Facebook for updates about license cycles, events, and other important news.

June 11, 2018 /