Tree Service

Fla. Stat. § 589.011 — Use of state forest lands; fees; rules

589.011

Use of state forest lands; fees; rules.

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(1)

If authorized by a land management plan approved pursuant to chapter 253 or by an interim assignment letter which identifies the interim management activities issued by the Department of Environmental Protection pursuant to chapter 259, the Florida Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services may grant privileges, permits, leases, and concessions for the use of state forest lands or any lands leased by or otherwise assigned to the Florida Forest Service for management purposes, timber, and forest products pursuant to this chapter.

(2)

The Florida Forest Service is authorized to grant easements for rights-of-way, over, across, and upon state forest lands for the construction and maintenance of poles and lines for the transmission and distribution of electrical power, pipelines for the distribution and transportation of oils and gases, and for telephone and telegraphic purposes and for public roads, under such conditions and limitations as the Florida Forest Service may impose.

(3)

Fla. Stat. § 589.28 — County commissions or municipalities authorized to cooperate with Florida Forest Service

589.28

County commissions or municipalities authorized to cooperate with Florida Forest Service.

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County commissions or municipalities are authorized to cooperate with the Florida Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services in providing assistance in forestry and forest-related knowledge and skills to stimulate the production of timber wealth through the proper use of forest land and to protect and improve the beauty of urban and suburban areas by helping to create in them an attractive and healthy environment through the proper use of trees and related plant associations. County commissions or municipalities are hereby authorized to appropriate funds and enter into cooperative agreements with the Florida Forest Service under the terms and conditions set forth in ss. 589.28-589.34.

History.

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s. 1, ch. 20899, 1941; ss. 14, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 1, ch. 71-183; s. 49, ch. 2012-7.

Fla. Stat. § 589.277 — Tree planting programs

589.277

Tree planting programs.

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(1)

The Florida Forest Service shall administer federal, state, and privately sponsored tree planting programs designed to assist private rural landowners and urban communities.

(2)

Contributions from governmental and private sources for tree planting programs may be accepted into the Federal Grants Trust Fund or the Incidental Trust Fund of the Florida Forest Service.

(3)

The Florida Forest Service shall develop and implement guidelines and procedures under which the financial resources of the fund allocated for tree planting programs may be utilized for urban and rural reforestation.

(4)

Grants to municipalities, counties, nonprofit organizations, and qualifying private landowners may be made from allocated moneys in the fund for the purpose of purchasing, planting, and maintaining native tree species.

(5)

The Florida Forest Service shall assist the Department of Education in developing programs that teach the importance of trees in the urban, rural, and global environment.

History.

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s. 1, ch. 90-304; s. 4, ch. 95-372; s. 20, ch. 2000-331; s. 9, ch. 2006-79; s. 48, ch. 2012-7; s. 44, ch. 2012-190.

Qualifications for license

634.041

Qualifications for license.

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To qualify for and hold a license to issue service agreements in this state, a service agreement company must be in compliance with this part, with applicable rules of the commission, with related sections of the Florida Insurance Code, and with its charter powers and must comply with the following:

(1)

Any service agreement company applying for a license must be a solvent corporation formed under the laws of this state or of another state or district of the United States and must meet minimum requirements under this section.

(2)

The service agreement company must furnish the office with evidence satisfactory to the office that the management of the company is competent and trustworthy and can successfully and lawfully manage its affairs.

(3)

The service agreement company must make the deposit required under s. 634.052.

(4)

A service agreement company may not be licensed to transact service agreement business in this state unless it maintains the required reserves and the required ratio of liquid assets to the required reserves.

(5)

A service agreement company may not be licensed to transact service agreeme

Use of state forest lands; fees; rules

589.011

Use of state forest lands; fees; rules.

—

(1)

If authorized by a land management plan approved pursuant to chapter 253 or by an interim assignment letter which identifies the interim management activities issued by the Department of Environmental Protection pursuant to chapter 259, the Florida Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services may grant privileges, permits, leases, and concessions for the use of state forest lands or any lands leased by or otherwise assigned to the Florida Forest Service for management purposes, timber, and forest products pursuant to this chapter.

(2)

The Florida Forest Service is authorized to grant easements for rights-of-way, over, across, and upon state forest lands for the construction and maintenance of poles and lines for the transmission and distribution of electrical power, pipelines for the distribution and transportation of oils and gases, and for telephone and telegraphic purposes and for public roads, under such conditions and limitations as the Florida Forest Service may impose.

(3)

The Florida Forest Service may set and impose reasonable fees, rentals, or charges for the use or o

Fla. Stat. § 634.041 — Qualifications for license

634.041

Qualifications for license.

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To qualify for and hold a license to issue service agreements in this state, a service agreement company must be in compliance with this part, with applicable rules of the commission, with related sections of the Florida Insurance Code, and with its charter powers and must comply with the following:

(1)

Any service agreement company applying for a license must be a solvent corporation formed under the laws of this state or of another state or district of the United States and must meet minimum requirements under this section.

(2)

The service agreement company must furnish the office with evidence satisfactory to the office that the management of the company is competent and trustworthy and can successfully and lawfully manage its affairs.

(3)

The service agreement company must make the deposit required under s. 634.052.

(4)

A service agreement company may not be licensed to transact service agreement business in this state unless it maintains the required reserves and the required ratio of liquid assets to the required reserves.

(5)

A service agreement company may not be licensed to transact service agreement business in this state if, during the 3 years immediately preceding its application for a license, it has violated any requirement of this part or a rule adopted thereunder.

(6)

Tree planting programs

589.277

Tree planting programs.

—

(1)

The Florida Forest Service shall administer federal, state, and privately sponsored tree planting programs designed to assist private rural landowners and urban communities.

(2)

Contributions from governmental and private sources for tree planting programs may be accepted into the Federal Grants Trust Fund or the Incidental Trust Fund of the Florida Forest Service.

(3)

The Florida Forest Service shall develop and implement guidelines and procedures under which the financial resources of the fund allocated for tree planting programs may be utilized for urban and rural reforestation.

(4)

Grants to municipalities, counties, nonprofit organizations, and qualifying private landowners may be made from allocated moneys in the fund for the purpose of purchasing, planting, and maintaining native tree species.

(5)

The Florida Forest Service shall assist the Department of Education in developing programs that teach the importance of trees in the urban, rural, and global environment.

History.

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s. 1, ch. 90-304; s. 4, ch. 95-372; s. 20, ch. 2000-331; s. 9, ch. 2006-79; s. 48, ch. 2012-7; s. 44, ch. 2012-190

County commissions or municipalities authorized to cooperate with Florida Forest Service

589.28

County commissions or municipalities authorized to cooperate with Florida Forest Service.

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County commissions or municipalities are authorized to cooperate with the Florida Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services in providing assistance in forestry and forest-related knowledge and skills to stimulate the production of timber wealth through the proper use of forest land and to protect and improve the beauty of urban and suburban areas by helping to create in them an attractive and healthy environment through the proper use of trees and related plant associations. County commissions or municipalities are hereby authorized to appropriate funds and enter into cooperative agreements with the Florida Forest Service under the terms and conditions set forth in ss. 589.28-589.34.

History.

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s. 1, ch. 20899, 1941; ss. 14, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 1, ch. 71-183; s. 49, ch. 2012-7.

Fla. Stat. § 489.117 — Registration; specialty contractors

A county that includes an area designated as an area of critical state concern under s. 380.05 may offer a license for any job scope which requires a contractor license under this part if the county imposed such a licensing requirement before January 1, 2021.

3.

A local government may continue to offer a license for veneer, including aluminum or vinyl gutters, siding, soffit, or fascia; rooftop painting, coating, and cleaning above three stories in height; or fence installation and erection if the local government imposed such a licensing requirement before January 1, 2021.

4.

A local government may not require a license as a prerequisite to submit a bid for public works projects if the work to be performed does not require a license under general law.

(b)

The local jurisdictions are responsible for providing the following information to the board within 30 days after licensure of, or any disciplinary action against, a locally licensed contractor who is registered under this part:

1.

Licensure information.

2.

Code violation information pursuant to s. 553.781.

3.

Disciplinary information.

The board shall maintain such licensure and disciplinary information as it is provided to the board and shall make the information available through the automated information system provided pursuant to s. 455.2286.

(c)

Providing discipline to such locally licensed contractors is the responsibility of the local jurisdiction.

(d)

Fla. Stat. § 589.011 — Use of state forest lands; fees; rules

The Florida Forest Service may set and impose reasonable fees, rentals, or charges for the use or operation of facilities and concessions on state forests or any lands leased by or otherwise assigned to the Florida Forest Service for management purposes based on factors such as the cost and extent of recreational facilities and services, geographic location, seasonal public demand, fees charged by other governmental and private entities for comparable services and activities, and market value and demand for forest products. Moneys collected from such fees, rentals, and charges shall be deposited into the Incidental Trust Fund of the Florida Forest Service.

(4)

The Florida Forest Service may adopt and enforce rules necessary for the protection, utilization, occupancy, and development of state forest lands or any lands leased by or otherwise assigned to the Florida Forest Service for management purposes. Any person violating or otherwise failing to comply with any provision of this subsection or rule adopted under this subsection commits a noncriminal violation as defined in s. 775.08(3), punishable only by fine, not to exceed $500 per violation. Jurisdiction shall be with the appropriate county court.

(5)

Fla. Stat. § 570.548 — Florida Forest Service; powers and duties

570.548

Florida Forest Service; powers and duties.

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The duties of the Florida Forest Service include, but are not limited to, administering and enforcing those powers and responsibilities of the Florida Forest Service prescribed in chapters 589, 590, and 591 and rules adopted under those chapters and in other forest fire, forest protection, and forest management laws of this state.

History.

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s. 2, ch. 79-37; s. 12, ch. 84-165; s. 9, ch. 2011-56; s. 68, ch. 2011-206.

Fla. Stat. § 489.507 — Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board

489.507

Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board.

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(1)

There is created in the department the Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board. The board shall consist of 11 members, 7 of whom shall be certified electrical contractors, 2 of whom shall be consumer members who are not, and have never been, electrical contractors or members of any closely related profession or occupation, and 2 of whom shall be certified alarm system contractors I. Members shall be appointed for 4-year terms.

(2)

To be eligible to serve, each contractor member must have been certified by the board to operate as a contractor in the category with respect to which the member is appointed, be actively engaged in the construction business, and have been so engaged for a period of not less than 5 consecutive years before the date of appointment. Each appointee must be a citizen and resident of the state.

(3)

The board has authority to adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to implement the provisions of this part.

(4)

It is the intent of the Legislature that the board promulgate no rules and take no action to require that applicants for certification as alarm system contractors serve any type of apprenticeship before being allowed to sit for the certification examination.

(5)

Fla. Stat. § 570.549 — Director; duties

570.549

Director; duties.

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(1)

The director of the Florida Forest Service shall be appointed by the commissioner and shall serve at the commissioner’s pleasure.

(2)

The director of the Florida Forest Service shall direct and supervise the overall operation of the Florida Forest Service and exercise such other powers and duties as authorized by the department.

History.

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s. 2, ch. 79-37; s. 41, ch. 92-291; s. 10, ch. 2011-56; s. 69, ch. 2011-206.

Cooperation by Florida Forest Service

589.20

Cooperation by Florida Forest Service.

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The Florida Forest Service may cooperate with other state agencies, water management districts, municipalities, and other government entities in the designation and dedication of lands that are suitable for forestry purposes. Lands designated and dedicated by a state agency, water management district, municipality, or other government entity for forestry purposes shall be administered by the Florida Forest Service.

History.

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s. 3, ch. 16030, 1933; CGL 1936 Supp. 4151(10-c); ss. 14, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 43, ch. 2012-7; s. 147, ch. 2014-150.

Duties of Florida Forest Service as to Clarke-McNary Law

589.11

Duties of Florida Forest Service as to Clarke-McNary Law.

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(1)

The Florida Forest Service is designated and authorized as the agent of the state to cooperate with the United States Secretary of Agriculture under the provisions of “ss. 4 and 5, Chapter 348, 43 Statutes 654, Acts of Congress, June 7, 1924, known as the Clarke-McNary Law,” to assist owners of farms in establishing, improving, and renewing woodlots, shelterbelts, windbreaks, and other valuable forest growth; in growing and renewing useful timber crops; and to cooperate with the wood-using industries or other agencies, governmental or otherwise, interested in proper land use, forest management, and conservative forest utilization.

(2)

As a means of providing seedling trees for the purposes of this section, the Florida Forest Service is authorized to operate a seedling tree nursery program and to set reasonable prices for the sale to the public of seedling trees. Receipts from the sale of seedling trees shall be deposited into the Incidental Trust Fund of the Florida Forest Service.

History.

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s. 7, ch. 17027, 1935; CGL 1936 Supp. 4151(10-ee); ss. 14, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 2, c

Fla. Stat. § 520.63 — Licensees

An application for a license under this part must be submitted to the office in such form as the commission may prescribe by rule. The commission may require each applicant to provide any information reasonably necessary to determine the applicant’s eligibility for licensure. The applicant shall also provide information that the office requires concerning any officer, director, control person, member, partner, or joint venturer of the applicant or any person having the same or substantially similar status or performing substantially similar functions or any individual who is the ultimate equitable owner of a 10-percent or greater interest in the applicant. The office may require information concerning any such applicant or person, including, but not limited to, his or her full name and any other names by which he or she may have been known, age, social security number, residential history, qualifications, educational and business history, and disciplinary and criminal history. If the office determines that an application should be granted, it shall issue the license for a period not to exceed 2 years. A nonrefundable application fee of $175 shall accompany an initial application for the principal place of business and each application for a branch location of a home improvement finance seller. An application is considered received for purposes of s. 120.60 upon receipt of a completed application form as prescribed by commission rule, a nonrefundable application fee of $175, and any other fee prescribed by law.

Fla. Stat. § 634.317 — License and appointment required

634.317

License and appointment required.

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No person may solicit, negotiate, or effectuate home warranty contracts for remuneration in this state unless such person is licensed and appointed as a sales representative. A licensed and appointed sales representative shall be directly responsible and accountable for all acts of the licensee’s employees. A municipality; a county government; a special district; an entity operated by a municipality or county government; or an employee or agent of a municipality, county government, special district, or entity operated by a municipality or county government is exempt from the licensing and appointing requirements under this section.

History.

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s. 1, ch. 77-339; s. 3, ch. 81-148; s. 2, ch. 81-318; s. 3, ch. 83-265; ss. 16, 32, 33, 34, ch. 83-323; s. 1, ch. 84-94; s. 36, ch. 91-106; s. 142, ch. 91-108; s. 20, ch. 93-195; s. 5, ch. 95-245; s. 77, ch. 98-199; s. 32, ch. 2024-140.

Fla. Stat. § 589.30 — Duty of district or center manager

589.30

Duty of district or center manager.

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It shall be the duty of the district or center manager to direct all work in accordance with the law and regulations of the Florida Forest Service; gather and disseminate information in the management of commercial timber, including establishment, protection and utilization; and assist in the development and use of forest lands for outdoor recreation, watershed protection, and wildlife habitat. The district or center manager or his or her representative shall provide encouragement and technical assistance to individuals and urban and county officials in the planning, establishment, and management of trees and plant associations to enhance the beauty of the urban and suburban environment and meet outdoor recreational needs.

History.

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s. 3, ch. 20899, 1941; ss. 14, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 3, ch. 71-183; s. 951, ch. 97-103; s. 51, ch. 2012-7; s. 22, ch. 2013-226.

Fla. Stat. § 489.113 — Qualifications for practice; restrictions

No general, building, or residential contractor certified after 1973 shall act as, hold himself or herself out to be, or advertise himself or herself to be a roofing contractor unless he or she is certified or registered as a roofing contractor.

(4)(a)

When a certificateholder desires to engage in contracting in any area of the state, as a prerequisite therefor, he or she shall be required only to exhibit to the local building official, tax collector, or other person in charge of the issuance of licenses and building permits in the area evidence of holding a current certificate and to pay the fee for the occupational license and building permit required of other persons.

(b)

Fla. Stat. § 590.02 — Florida Forest Service; powers, authority, and duties; liability; building structures; Withlacoochee Training Center

Notwithstanding s. 553.80(1), the department shall exclusively enforce the Florida Building Code as it pertains to wildfire, law enforcement, and other Florida Forest Service facilities under the jurisdiction of the department.

(5)

The Florida Forest Service shall organize its operational units to most effectively prevent, detect, and suppress wildfires, and to that end, may employ the necessary personnel to manage its activities in each unit. The Florida Forest Service may construct lookout towers, roads, bridges, firelines, and other facilities and may purchase or fabricate tools, supplies, and equipment for firefighting. The Florida Forest Service may reimburse the public and private entities that it engages to assist in the suppression of wildfires for their personnel and equipment, including aircraft.

(6)

The Florida Forest Service shall undertake privatization alternatives for fire prevention activities including constructing fire lines and conducting prescribed burns and, where appropriate, entering into agreements or contracts with the private sector to perform such activities.

(7)

The Florida Forest Service may organize, staff, equip, and operate the Withlacoochee Training Center. The center shall serve as a site where fire and forest resource managers can obtain current knowledge, techniques, skills, and theory as they relate to their respective disciplines.

(a)