March 14, 2008

Dear Friends:

This week concludes the second week of the 60-day legislative session. As there is plenty of legislation that affects Florida businesses, such as yours and those you patronize, there are also bills that directly affect the Department.

This week, Senate Bill (SB) 2016 by Senator Aronberg / House Bill (HB) 1109 by Rep. Dorworth – the Department’s Hotels & Restaurants legislation – passed out of committee by unanimous vote. This bill will allow the Department’s Hotels & Restaurants Division to increase customer service by removing unnecessary requirements on licensees and increasing food and public safety. Also, this bill will enhance the Division’s ability to enforce non-compliance laws and pursue final order payments for restaurants that are in non-compliance. The bill has been scheduled for its next committee hearing on Tuesday, March 18, before the Senate Banking & Insurance Committee.

In addition, the Departments’ omnibus bill, HB 601 by Rep. Hudson, is being reviewed and is expected to be heard before the House Business Regulation Committee on Thursday, March 20. This bill will allow the Department to better serve its 1.1 million licensees by streamlining the application and renewal processes by eliminating duplicative processing requirements. It will also provide for quicker entry to the marketplace by allowing potential licensees to sit for exams before applying for licensure. Furthermore, this bill deregulates the sale of subdivided land by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s Division of Florida Land Sales, Condominiums and Mobile Homes.

Public safety has long been the top priority of the Department, and through the legislative process, we can work to enhance our efforts to make sure that the people of Florida continue to be safe. As a father and grandfather, I take personal pride in ensuring that our Department is doing all that it can to protect Floridians and visitors. Also, by deregulating and streamlining processes, we will continue to make business better.

I hope that you enjoy the coming spring season with your friends and families and continue to follow bills that will further enhance how we work together.

Department of Business and
Professional Regulation
1940 North Monroe Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399
Customer Contact Center:
850.487.1395
www.MyFloridaLicense.com