This docum ent does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill sponsor or House of Representatives.
STORAGE NAME: h1383.RRS
DATE: 3/20/2023
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES STAFF ANALYSIS
BILL #: HB 1383 Specialty Contractors
SPONSOR(S): Trabulsy
TIED BILLS: IDEN./SIM. BILLS:
REFERENCE ACTION ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR or
BUDGET/POLICY CHIEF
1) Regulatory Reform & Economic Development
Subcommittee
Wright Anstead
2) State Administration & Technology
Appropriations Subcommittee
3) Commerce Committee
SUMMARY ANALYSIS
In 2021, HB 735 was enacted, which expressly preempted occupational licensing to the state and provided that any
local licensing of an occupation not specifically authorized by general law may not be enforced. This preemption
supersedes any local government licensing requirement of occupations unless:
The licensing of occupations by local governments is authorized by general law; or
The local licensing scheme was imposed before July 1, 2021. However, any such local licensing scheme
expires on July 1, 2023.
HB 735 specifically preempted local construction licensing that is outside the scope of state construction contractor
licensing provisions regulated by the Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) under the Department of
Business and Professional Regulation, including, but not limited to, painting, flooring, cabinetry, interior remodeling,
handyman services, driveway or tennis court installation, decorative stone, tile, marble, granite, or terrazzo
installation, plastering, stuccoing, caulking, canvas awning installation, and ornamental iron installation.
The bill requires the CILB, by July 1, 2023, to, by rule, establish certified specialty contractor categories for voluntary
licensure for all of the following:
Structural aluminum or screen enclosures.
Marine seawall work.
Marine bulkhead work.
Marine dock work.
Marine pile driving.
Structural masonry.
Structural prestressed, precast concrete work.
Rooftop solar heating installation.
Structural steel.
Window and door installation, including
garage door installation and hurricane or
windstorm protection.
The bill provides that a local government may not require a license issued by the local government or CILB to
perform a job scope which does not substantially correspond to one of the state contractor or specialty contractor
categories.
The bill prohibits local governments from requiring a license to obtain a permit for a job scope outside of the practice
of contracting.
The bill provides that a local government may not require a license as a prerequisite to submit a bid for public work
projects if the work to be performed does not require a license under general law.
The bill will likely have an indeterminate, negative impact on state government and does not appear to have a fiscal
impact on local governments.
The bill provides an effective date of July 1, 2023. STORAGE NAME: h1383.RRS PAGE: 2
DATE: 3/20/2023
FULL ANALYSIS
I. SUBSTANTIVE ANALYSIS
A. EFFECT OF PROPOSED CHANGES:
Preemption
State preemption precludes a local government from exercising authority in a particular area, and
requires consistency with the state constitution or state statute.
1
A local government enactment may be
found inconsistent with state law if (1) the Legislature has preempted a particular subject area to the
state or (2) the local regulation conflicts with a state statute.
2
Florida law recognizes two types of preemption: express and implied. Express preemption requires a
specific legislative statement; it cannot be implied or inferred.
3
Express preemption of a field by the
Legislature must be accomplished by clear language stating that intent.
4
When local ordinances have
been enacted in the face of state preemption, the effect has been to find such ordinances null and
void.
5
Implied preemption is a legal doctrine that addresses situations in which the legislature has not
expressly preempted an area but, for all intents and purposes, the area is dominated by the state.
Findings of implied preemption are for a very narrow class of areas in which the state has legislated
pervasively.
6
Local Government Authority
General law authorizes counties "the power to carry on county government” and to "perform any other
acts not inconsistent with law, which acts are in the common interest of the people of the county, and
exercise all powers and privileges not specifically prohibited by law.”
7
More specifically, non-charter
county governments may exercise those powers of self-government that are provided by general or
special law.
8
Those counties operating under a county charter have all powers of self-government not
inconsistent with general law or special law approved by vote of the electors.
9
Likewise, municipalities
10
have those governmental, corporate, and proprietary powers that enable
them to conduct municipal government, perform functions, provide services, and exercise any power for
municipal purposes, except as otherwise provided by law.
11
A "special district" is a unit of local government created for a particular purpose, with jurisdiction to
operate within a limited geographic boundary. Special districts are created by general law,
12
special
act,
13
local ordinance,
14
or by rule of the Governor and Cabinet.
15
A special district has only those
1
James R. Wolf and Sarah Harley Bolinder, The Effectiveness of Home Rule: A Preemption and Conflict Analysis, 83 Fla. B.J. 92
(June 2009), available at https://www.floridabar.org/the-florida-bar-journal/the-effectiveness-of-home-rule-a-preemption-and-conflict-
analysis/.
2
Id.
3
See City of Hollywood v. Mulligan, 934 So. 2d 1238, 1243 (Fla. 2006); Phantom of Clearwater, Inc. v. Pinellas County, 894 So. 2d
1011, 1018 (Fla. 2d DCA 2005), approved in Phantom of Brevard, Inc. v. Brevard County, 3 So. 3d 309 (Fla. 2008).
4
Mulligan, 934 So. 2d at 1243.
5
See, e.g., Nat’l Rifle Ass’n of Am., Inc. v. City of S. Miami, 812 So.2d 504 (Fla. 3d DCA 2002).
6
Wolf and Bolinder, supra note 1.
7
Id.
8
Art. VIII, s. 1(f), Fla. Const.
9
Art. VIII, s. 1(g), Fla. Const.
10
A municipality is a local government entity created to perform functions and provide services for the particular benefit of the
population within the municipality, in addition to those provided by the county. The term “municipality” may be used interchangeably
with the terms “town,” “city,” and “village.”
11
Art. VIII, s. 2(b), Fla. Const. See also s. 166.021(1), F.S.
12
S. 189.031(3), F.S.
13
Id.
14
S. 189.02(1), F.S. STORAGE NAME: h1383.RRS PAGE: 3
DATE: 3/20/2023
powers expressly provided by, or reasonably implied from, the authority provided in the district’s
charter. Special districts provide specific municipal services in addition to, or in place of, those provided
by a municipality or county.
16
A “dependent special district” is a special district where the membership of the governing body is
identical to the governing body of a single county or municipality, all members of the governing body
are appointed by the governing body of a single county or municipality, members of the district’s
governing body are removable at will by the governing body of a single county or municipality, or the
district’s budget is subject to the approval of the governing body of a single county or municipality.
17
An
“independent special district” is any district that is not a dependent special district.
18
Revenue Sources Authorized in the Florida Constitution
19
The Florida Constitution limits the ability of local governments to raise revenue for their operations. The
Florida Constitution provides:
No tax shall be levied except in pursuance of law. No state ad valorem taxes
20
shall be levied upon real estate or tangible personal property. All other forms of
taxation shall be preempted to the state except as provided by general law.
21
Counties, school districts, and municipalities shall, and special districts may, be
authorized by law to levy ad valorem taxes and may be authorized by general
law to levy other taxes, for their respective purposes, except ad valorem taxes on
intangible personal property and taxes prohibited by this constitution.
22
However, not all local government revenue sources are taxes requiring general law authorization.
When a county or municipal revenue source is imposed by ordinance, the question is whether the
charge is a valid assessment or fee. As long as the charge is not deemed a tax, the imposition of the
assessment or fee by ordinance is within the constitutional and statutory home rule powers of county
and municipal governments. If the charge is not a valid assessment or fee, it is deemed a revenue
source requiring general law authorization.
Revenue Sources Based on Home Rule Authority
Pursuant to home rule authority, local governments may impose proprietary fees, regulatory fees, and
special assessments to pay the cost of providing a facility or service or regulating an activity. A
regulatory fee should not exceed the regulated activity’s cost and is generally required to be applied
solely to the regulated activity’s cost for which the fee is imposed.
23
HB 735 (2021 Regular Session)
15
S. 190.005(1), F.S. See, generally, s. 189.012(6), F.S.
16
2018 – 2020 Local Gov’t Formation Manual, p. 62,
https://myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?PublicationType=Committees&CommitteeId=3025&Session=2019&D
ocumentType=General%20Publications&FileName=2018-2020%20Local%20Government%20Formation%20Manual%20Final.pdf
(last visited Dec 19, 2019).
17
S. 189.012(2), F.S.
18
S. 189.012(3), F.S.
19
The Florida Legislature, Office of Economic and Demographic Research, 2019 Local Government Financial Information
Handbook, p. 1, http://edr.state.fl.us/Content/local-government/reports/lgfih19.pdf.
20
“Ad valorem tax” means a tax based upon the assessed value of property.” Section 192.001(1), F.S.
21
Art. VII, s. 1(a), Fla. Const.
22
Art. VII, s. 9(a), Fla. Const.
23
EDR, supra note 19, at 9. STORAGE NAME: h1383.RRS PAGE: 4
DATE: 3/20/2023
General law directs a number of state agencies and licensing boards to regulate certain professions
and occupations. For example, the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR)
currently regulates approximately 25 professions and occupations.
24
In 2021, HB 735
25
was enacted, relating to preempting occupational licensing to the state. The law
defines the following terms:
“Local government” means a county, municipality, special district, or political subdivision of the
state.
“Occupation” means a paid job, profession, work, line of work, trade, employment, position,
post, career, field, vocation, or craft.
"Licensing" means any training, education, test, certification, registration, or license that is
required for a person to perform an occupation along with any associated fee.
The law expressly preempts occupational licensing to the state. This preemption supersedes any local
government licensing requirement of occupations unless:
The licensing of occupations by local governments is authorized by general law; or
The local licensing scheme for an occupation was imposed before July 1, 2021. However, any
such local licensing scheme expires on July 1, 2023.
The law provides that any local licensing of an occupation not authorized under the provisions of the bill
or otherwise authorized by general law does not apply and may not be enforced. For example, Florida
law specifically authorizes local regulations relating to:
Zoning and land use;
The levy of “reasonable business, professional, and occupational regulatory fees,
commensurate with the cost of the regulatory activity, including consumer protection, on such
classes of businesses, professions, and occupations, the regulation of which has not been
preempted by the state or a county pursuant to a county charter”;
26
The levy of local business taxes;
27
Building code inspection fees;
28
Tattoo establishments;
29
Massage practices;
30
Child care facilities;
31
Taxis and other vehicles for hire;
32
and
Waste and sewage collection.
33
Additionally, Florida law specifically preempts local regulation with regard to the following:
Zoning of family day care homes;
34
Zoning of community residential homes;
35
Pest control;
36
Assessing local fees in certain circumstances for contractors;
37
Assessing local fees for low-voltage alarm system projects;
38
24
S. 20.165, F.S.
25
Ch. 2021-214, L.O.F.
26
S. 166.221, F.S.
27
Ch. 205, F.S.
28
S. 166.222, F.S.
29
S. 381.00791, F.S.
30
S. 480.052, F.S.
31
S. 402.306, F.S
32
S. 125.01(1)(n), F.S.
33
S. 125.01(1)(k), F.S.
34
S. 125.0109, F.S.
35
S. 419.001, F.S.
36
S. 482.242(1), F.S.
37
S. 553.80(7)(d), F.S.
38
S. 489.503(14), F.S. STORAGE NAME: h1383.RRS PAGE: 5
DATE: 3/20/2023
Public lodging establishments and public food service establishments;
39
Food trucks;
40
Mobile home parks, lodging parks, recreational vehicle parks, and recreational camps;
41
Beekeeping;
42
Nonresidential farm buildings, farm fences and farm signs;
43
Insurers and agents;
44
Sellers of travel;
45
Movers of household goods and moving brokers;
46
Tobacco and nicotine products;
47
Firearms, weapons, and ammunition;
48
Employment benefits;
49
Polystyrene products;
50
and
Disposable plastic bags.
51
Construction Professional Licenses
Chapter 489, F.S., relates to “contracting,” with part I addressing the licensure and regulation of
construction contracting, and part II addressing the licensure and regulation of electrical and alarm
system contracting.
Construction contractors are either certified or registered by the Construction Industry Licensing Board
(CILB) housed within DBPR. The CILB consists of 18 members who are appointed by the Governor
and confirmed by the Senate. The CILB meets to approve or deny applications for licensure, review
disciplinary cases, and conduct informal hearings relating to discipline.
52
"Certified contractors" are individuals who pass the state competency examination and obtain a
certificate of competency issued by DBPR. Certified contractors are able to obtain a certificate of
competency for a specific license category and are permitted to practice in that category in any
jurisdiction in the state.
53
“Certified specialty contractors” are contractors whose scope of work is limited to a particular phase of
construction, such as drywall or demolition. Certified specialty contractor licenses are created by the
CILB through rulemaking. Certified specialty contractors are permitted to practice in any jurisdiction in
the state.
“Registered contractors” are individuals that have taken and passed a local competency examination
and can practice the specific category of contracting for which he or she is approved, only in the local
jurisdiction for which the license is issued.
54
The CILB licenses the following types of contractors:
55
39
S. 509.032, F.S.
40
S. 509.102, F.S.
41
S. 513.051, F.S.
42
Ss. 586.10(1) & 586.055, F.S.
43
S. 604.50, F.S.
44
S. 624.401(3), F.S.
45
S. 559.939
46
S. 507.13, F.S.
47
Ch. 569, F.S., and s. 386.209, F.S.
48
S. 790.33(1), F.S.
49
S. 218.077, F.S.
50
S. 500.90, F.S.
51
S. 403.7033, F.S.
52
S. 489.107, F.S.
53
S. 489.105, F.S.
54
S. 489.103, F.S.
55
S. 489.105(a)-(q), F.S.; R. 61G4-15.015-.040, F.A.C. STORAGE NAME: h1383.RRS PAGE: 6
DATE: 3/20/2023
Statutory Licenses
Specialty Licenses
Air Conditioning- Classes A, B, and C
Building
General
Internal Pollutant Storage Tank Lining
Applicator
Mechanical
Plumbing
Pollutant Storage Systems
Pool/Spa- Classes A, B, and C
Precision Tank Tester
Residential
Roofing
Sheet Metal
Solar
Underground Excavation
Drywall
Demolition
Gas Line
Glass and Glazing
Industrial Facilities
Irrigation
Marine
Residential Pool/Spa Servicing
Solar Water Heating
Structure
Swimming Pool Decking
Swimming Pool Excavation
Swimming Pool Finishes
Swimming Pool Layout
Swimming Pool Piping
Swimming Pool Structural
Swimming Pool Trim
Tower
Current law provides that local jurisdictions may approve or deny applications for licensure as a
registered contractor, review disciplinary cases, and conduct informal hearings relating to discipline of
registered contractors licensed in their jurisdiction.
56
Local governments may only collect licensing fees
that cover the cost of regulation.
57
Locally registered contractors that are required to hold a contracting license to practice their profession
in accordance with state law must register with DBPR after obtaining a local license. However, persons
holding a local construction license whose job scope does not substantially correspond to the job scope
of a certified contractor or a certified specialty contractor are not required to register with DBPR.
58
Electrical contractors, alarm system contractors, and electrical specialty contractors are certified or
registered under the ECLB. Certified contractors can practice statewide and are licensed and regulated
by ECLB. Registered contractors are licensed and regulated by a local jurisdiction and may only
practice within that locality.
59
Electrical certified specialty contractors are contractors whose scope of work is limited to a particular
phase of electrical contracting, such as electrical signs. The ECLB creates electrical certified specialty
contractor licenses through rulemaking. Certified electrical specialty contractors can practice statewide.
The ECLB has created the following certified specialty contractor licenses:
Lighting maintenance specialty contractor;
Sign specialty electrical contractor;
Residential electrical contractor;
Limited energy systems specialty contractor; and
Utility line electrical contractor.
60
HB 735 specifically preempted local licensing that is outside the scope of state contractor licensing
provisions. Specifically, it provided that a county or municipality may not require a license for a person
whose job scope does not substantially correspond to a contractor category licensed by the CILB after
56
Ss. 489.117 and 489.131, F.S.
57
EDR, supra note 19, at 9.
58
Ss. 489.105 and 489.117(4), F.S.
59
See generally s. 489.505, F.S.
60
S. 489.505(19), & 489.511(4), F.S; Rule 61G6-7.001, F.A.C. STORAGE NAME: h1383.RRS PAGE: 7
DATE: 3/20/2023
July 1, 2023. The bill precluded counties and municipalities from requiring a license for certain job
scopes, including, but not limited to, painting, flooring, cabinetry, interior remodeling, handyman
services, driveway or tennis court installation, decorative stone, tile, marble, granite, or terrazzo
installation, plastering, stuccoing, caulking, canvas awning installation, and ornamental iron installation.
The law also expressly authorized counties and municipalities to issue journeyman licenses in the
plumbing, pipe fitting, mechanical and HVAC trades, as well as, the electrical and alarm system trades,
which is the current practice by counties and municipalities. The licensing of those specific local
journeyman licenses is exempt from preemption.
Since the law was enacted, certain local jurisdictions and local contractors have noted issues with the
law and it’s enforcement. For example, some local jurisdictions will no longer continue to license certain
types of contractors, even though those contractors perform work that corresponds to a state license
and ch. 489, F.S., provides authority to do so.
61
Some have stated that local enforcement agencies are not allowing unlicensed professionals to pull
permits for work that is outside of the scope of contracting, but previously required a local license.
62
However, current law does not require a professional license to pull a permit for such work.
Florida Building Code
In response to the destruction of Hurricane Andrew, in 1998, the Legislature approved a single state
building code and enhanced the oversight role of the state over local code enforcement. In 2000, the
Legislature authorized the implementation of the Building Code (Code), and that first edition replaced
all local codes on March 1, 2002, making it the first statewide building code in the United States.
63
The “Florida Building Codes Act” was created to provide a mechanism for the uniform adoption,
updating, interpretation, and enforcement of a single, unified state Code. The Code must be applied,
administered, and enforced uniformly and consistently from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.
64
The Florida Building Commission (Building Commission) was statutorily created to implement the
Code. The Building Commission, which is housed within DBPR, is a 19-member technical body made
up of design professionals, contractors, and government experts in various disciplines covered by the
Code. The Building Commission reviews several International Codes published by the International
Code Council, the National Electric Code, and other nationally adopted model codes (model codes) to
determine if the Code needs to be updated and adopts an updated Code every three years.
65
Local Enforcement of the Florida Building Code
It is the intent of the Legislature that local governments have the power to inspect all buildings,
structures, and facilities within their jurisdiction in protection of the public’s health, safety, and welfare.
66
Every local government must enforce the Building Code and issue building permits.
67
It is unlawful for a
person, firm, or corporation to construct, erect, alter, repair, secure, or demolish any building without
first obtaining a permit from the local government enforcing agency or from such persons as may, by
resolution or regulation, be directed to issue such permit, upon the payment of reasonable fees as set
forth in a schedule of fees adopted by the enforcing agency.
68
Effect of the Bill
61
Lee County, Contractor Licensing, https://www.leegov.com/dcd/ContLic (last visited Mar. 19, 2023).
62
Patrick Fraser and Gabby Hernandez, WSVN-TVSunbeam Television Corp, 7 News Miami, July 11, 2022, Confusing state law:
Licenses, https://wsvn.com/news/help-me-howard/confusing-state-law-licenses/ (last visited Mar. 19, 2023).
63
Id.
64
See s. 553.72(1), F.S.
65
Ss. 553.73 and 553.74, F.S.
66
S. 553.72, F.S.
67
Ss. 125.01(1)(bb), 125.56(1), and 553.80(1), F.S.
68
Ss. 125.56(4)(a) and 553.79(1), F.S. STORAGE NAME: h1383.RRS PAGE: 8
DATE: 3/20/2023
The bill requires the CILB, by July 1, 2023, to, by rule, establish certified specialty contractor categories
for voluntary licensure for all of the following:
Structural aluminum or screen enclosures.
Marine seawall work.
Marine bulkhead work.
Marine dock work.
Marine pile driving.
Structural masonry.
Structural prestressed, precast concrete work.
Rooftop solar heating installation.
Structural steel.
Window and door installation, including garage door installation and hurricane or windstorm
protection.
The bill provides that a local government may not require a license issued by the local government or
DBPR for a job scope which does not substantially correspond to the job scope of one of the contractor
or specialty contractor categories.
The bill also prohibits local governments from requiring a license to obtain a permit for a job scope
outside of the practice of contracting, including, but not limited to, painting, flooring, cabinetry, interior
remodeling, handyman services, driveway or tennis court installation, decorative stone, tile, marble,
granite, or terrazzo installation, plastering, stuccoing, caulking, canvas awning installation, and
ornamental iron installation.
The bill provides that a local government may not require a license as a prerequisite to submit a bid for
public work projects if the work to be performed does not require a license under general law.
The bill provides an effective date of July 1, 2023.
B. SECTION DIRECTORY:
Section 1: Amends s. 489., F.S.; relating to specialty contractors.
Section 2: Amends s. 89.117, F.S.; relating to local licensing requirements.
Section 3: Provides an effective date.
II. FISCAL ANALYSIS & ECONOMIC IMPACT STATEMENT
A. FISCAL IMPACT ON STATE GOVERNMENT:
1. Revenues:
The bill may increase revenues due to an increase of specialty contractors licensed by DBPR.
2. Expenditures:
The bill may have an increase in regulatory expenditures related to creating new specialty licenses
and a possible increase in specialty contractors.
B. FISCAL IMPACT ON LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
1. Revenues:
None.
2. Expenditures:
None. STORAGE NAME: h1383.RRS PAGE: 9
DATE: 3/20/2023
C. DIRECT ECONOMIC IMPACT ON PRIVATE SECTOR:
D. FISCAL COMMENTS:
None.
III. COMMENTS
A. CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES:
1. Applicability of Municipality/County Mandates Provision:
Not Applicable. This bill does not appear to require counties or municipalities to spend funds or take
action requiring the expenditures of funds; reduce the authority that counties or municipalities have
to raise revenues in the aggregate; or reduce the percentage of state tax shared with counties or
municipalities.
2. Other:
None.
B. RULE-MAKING AUTHORITY:
The bill requires significant rulemaking to create specified specialty licenses. The CILB has authority to
do so.
C. DRAFTING ISSUES OR OTHER COMMENTS:
None.
IV. AMENDMENTS/COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE CHANGES