| 15 | 15 | | An act relating to lost and abandoned property; 2 |
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| 16 | 16 | | amending s. 705.103, F.S.; revising the timeframes 3 |
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| 17 | 17 | | within which law enforcement officers must provide 4 |
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| 18 | 18 | | certain notices to owners of certain abandoned or lost 5 |
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| 19 | 19 | | properties; reenacting ss. 327.4107(7)(a), 6 |
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| 20 | 20 | | 327.4108(6)(d), 327.60(5), 327.66(2)(a), 7 |
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| 21 | 21 | | 327.73(1)(aa), 379.338(1), 705.104(1), 705.105(1)(a), 8 |
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| 22 | 22 | | 713.585(8), and 823.11(2)(d), F.S., relating to a 9 |
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| 23 | 23 | | program to remove, relocate, or destroy vessels at 10 |
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| 24 | 24 | | risk of becoming derelict on waters of this state, the 11 |
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| 25 | 25 | | anchoring of vessels with more than three violations 12 |
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| 26 | 26 | | within a 12-month period in anchoring limitation 13 |
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| 27 | 27 | | areas, local regulations for procedures to remove 14 |
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| 28 | 28 | | abandoned or lost vessels affixed to a public dock or 15 |
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| 29 | 29 | | mooring, the removal of specified gasoline and 16 |
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| 30 | 30 | | gasoline containers on vessels and the removal of such 17 |
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| 31 | 31 | | vessels by a law enforcement agency, civil penalties 18 |
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| 32 | 32 | | for violations of specified laws relating to certain 19 |
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| 33 | 33 | | vessels, confiscation and disposition of illegally 20 |
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| 34 | 34 | | taken wildlife, freshwater fish, and saltwater fish, 21 |
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| 35 | 35 | | title to lost or abandoned property, the procedure 22 |
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| 36 | 36 | | regarding certain unclaimed evidence, the proceeds and 23 |
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| 37 | 37 | | disposition from the sale of certain motor vehicles, 24 |
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| 38 | 38 | | and the removal and destruction of specified derelict 25 |
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| 46 | 46 | | Page 2 of 15 |
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| 47 | 47 | | F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S |
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| 48 | 48 | | |
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| 49 | 49 | | |
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| 50 | 50 | | |
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| 51 | 51 | | vessels, respectively, to incorporate the amendmen t 26 |
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| 52 | 52 | | made to s. 705.103, F.S., in references thereto; 27 |
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| 53 | 53 | | providing an effective date. 28 |
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| 54 | 54 | | 29 |
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| 55 | 55 | | Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 30 |
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| 56 | 56 | | 31 |
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| 57 | 57 | | Section 1. Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section 32 |
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| 58 | 58 | | 705.103, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 33 |
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| 59 | 59 | | 705.103 Procedure for abandoned or lost property. — 34 |
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| 60 | 60 | | (2)(a)1. Whenever a law enforcement officer ascertains 35 |
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| 61 | 61 | | that: 36 |
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| 62 | 62 | | a. An article of lost or abandoned property other than a 37 |
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| 63 | 63 | | derelict vessel or a vessel declared a public nuisance pursuant 38 |
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| 64 | 64 | | to s. 327.73(1)(aa) is p resent on public property and is of such 39 |
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| 65 | 65 | | nature that it cannot be easily removed, the officer shall cause 40 |
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| 66 | 66 | | a notice to be placed upon such article in substantially the 41 |
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| 67 | 67 | | following form: 42 |
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| 68 | 68 | | 43 |
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| 69 | 69 | | NOTICE TO THE OWNER AND ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ATTACHED 44 |
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| 70 | 70 | | PROPERTY. This property, to wit: ...(setting forth brief 45 |
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| 71 | 71 | | description)... is unlawfully upon public property known as 46 |
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| 72 | 72 | | ...(setting forth brief description of location)... and must be 47 |
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| 73 | 73 | | removed within 5 days; otherwise, it will be removed and 48 |
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| 74 | 74 | | disposed of pursuant to cha pter 705, Florida Statutes. The owner 49 |
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| 75 | 75 | | will be liable for the costs of removal, storage, and 50 |
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| 83 | 83 | | Page 3 of 15 |
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| 84 | 84 | | F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S |
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| 85 | 85 | | |
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| 86 | 86 | | |
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| 87 | 87 | | |
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| 88 | 88 | | publication of notice. Dated this: ...(setting forth the date of 51 |
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| 89 | 89 | | posting of notice)..., signed: ...(setting forth name, title, 52 |
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| 90 | 90 | | address, and telephone number of law enforcement officer).... 53 |
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| 91 | 91 | | 54 |
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| 92 | 92 | | b. A derelict vessel or a vessel declared a public 55 |
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| 93 | 93 | | nuisance pursuant to s. 327.73(1)(aa) is present on the waters 56 |
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| 94 | 94 | | of this state, the officer shall cause a notice to be placed 57 |
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| 95 | 95 | | upon such vessel in substantially the following form: 58 |
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| 96 | 96 | | 59 |
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| 97 | 97 | | NOTICE TO THE OWNER AND ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ATTACHED 60 |
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| 98 | 98 | | VESSEL. This vessel, to wit: ...(setting forth brief description 61 |
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| 99 | 99 | | of location)... has been determined to be ...(derelict or a 62 |
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| 100 | 100 | | public nuisance)... and is unlawfully upon the waters of this 63 |
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| 101 | 101 | | state ...(setting forth brief description of location)... and 64 |
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| 102 | 102 | | must be removed within 21 days; otherwise, it will be removed 65 |
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| 103 | 103 | | and disposed of pursuant to chapter 705, Florida Statutes. The 66 |
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| 104 | 104 | | owner and other interested parties have the right to a hearing 67 |
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| 105 | 105 | | to challenge the determination that this vessel is derelict or 68 |
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| 106 | 106 | | otherwise in violation of the law. Please contact ...(contact 69 |
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| 107 | 107 | | information for person who can arrange for a hearing in 70 |
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| 108 | 108 | | accordance with this section).... The owner or the party 71 |
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| 109 | 109 | | determined to be legally res ponsible for the vessel being upon 72 |
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| 110 | 110 | | the waters of this state in a derelict condition or as a public 73 |
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| 111 | 111 | | nuisance will be liable for the costs of removal, destruction, 74 |
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| 112 | 112 | | and disposal if this vessel is not removed by the owner. Dated 75 |
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| 120 | 120 | | Page 4 of 15 |
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| 121 | 121 | | F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S |
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| 122 | 122 | | |
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| 123 | 123 | | |
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| 124 | 124 | | |
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| 125 | 125 | | this: ...(setting forth the dat e of posting of notice)..., 76 |
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| 126 | 126 | | signed: ...(setting forth name, title, address, and telephone 77 |
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| 127 | 127 | | number of law enforcement officer).... 78 |
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| 128 | 128 | | 79 |
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| 129 | 129 | | 2. The notices required under subparagraph 1. may not be 80 |
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| 130 | 130 | | less than 8 inches by 10 inches and must be sufficiently 81 |
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| 131 | 131 | | weatherproof to withstand normal exposure to the elements. In 82 |
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| 132 | 132 | | addition to posting, the law enforcement officer shall make a 83 |
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| 133 | 133 | | reasonable effort to ascertain the name and address of the 84 |
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| 134 | 134 | | owner. If such is reasonably available to the officer, she or he 85 |
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| 135 | 135 | | shall mail a copy of such notice to the owner on or before the 86 |
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| 136 | 136 | | date of posting or as soon thereafter as is practical . If the 87 |
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| 137 | 137 | | property is a motor vehicle as defined in s. 320.01(1) or a 88 |
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| 138 | 138 | | vessel as defined in s. 327.02, the law enforcement agency shall 89 |
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| 139 | 139 | | contact the Department o f Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles in 90 |
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| 140 | 140 | | order to determine the name and address of the owner and any 91 |
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| 141 | 141 | | person who has filed a lien on the vehicle or vessel as provided 92 |
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| 142 | 142 | | in s. 319.27(2) or (3) or s. 328.15. On receipt of this 93 |
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| 143 | 143 | | information, the law enforcement ag ency shall mail a copy of the 94 |
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| 144 | 144 | | notice by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the owner 95 |
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| 145 | 145 | | and to the lienholder, if any, except that a law enforcement 96 |
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| 146 | 146 | | officer who has issued a citation for a violation of s. 823.11 97 |
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| 147 | 147 | | to the owner of a derelict vessel is not required to mail a copy 98 |
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| 148 | 148 | | of the notice by certified mail, return receipt requested, to 99 |
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| 149 | 149 | | the owner. For a derelict vessel or a vessel declared a public 100 |
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| 157 | 157 | | Page 5 of 15 |
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| 158 | 158 | | F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S |
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| 159 | 159 | | |
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| 160 | 160 | | |
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| 161 | 161 | | |
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| 162 | 162 | | nuisance pursuant to s. 327.73(1)(aa), the mailed notice must 101 |
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| 163 | 163 | | inform the owner or responsible party tha t he or she has a right 102 |
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| 164 | 164 | | to a hearing to dispute the determination that the vessel is 103 |
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| 165 | 165 | | derelict or otherwise in violation of the law. If a request for 104 |
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| 166 | 166 | | a hearing is made, a state agency shall follow the processes as 105 |
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| 167 | 167 | | set forth in s. 120.569. Local governmental entities shall 106 |
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| 168 | 168 | | follow the processes set forth in s. 120.569, except that a 107 |
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| 169 | 169 | | local judge, magistrate, or code enforcement officer may be 108 |
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| 170 | 170 | | designated to conduct such a hearing. If, at the end of 5 days 109 |
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| 171 | 171 | | after posting the notice in sub -subparagraph 1.a., or at the end 110 |
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| 172 | 172 | | of 21 days after posting the notice in sub -subparagraph 1.b., 111 |
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| 173 | 173 | | and mailing such notice, if required, the owner or any person 112 |
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| 174 | 174 | | interested in the lost or abandoned article or articles 113 |
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| 175 | 175 | | described has not removed the article or articles from public 114 |
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| 176 | 176 | | property or shown reasonable cause for failure to do so, and, in 115 |
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| 177 | 177 | | the case of a derelict vessel or a vessel declared a public 116 |
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| 178 | 178 | | nuisance pursuant to s. 327.73(1)(aa), has not requested a 117 |
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| 179 | 179 | | hearing in accordance with this section, the following shall 118 |
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| 180 | 180 | | apply: 119 |
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| 181 | 181 | | a. For abandoned property other than a derelict vessel or 120 |
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| 182 | 182 | | a vessel declared a public nuisance pursuant to s. 121 |
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| 183 | 183 | | 327.73(1)(aa), the law enforcement agency may retain any or all 122 |
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| 184 | 184 | | of the property for its own use or for use by the state or unit 123 |
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| 185 | 185 | | of local government, trade such property to another unit of 124 |
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| 186 | 186 | | local government or state agency, donate the property to a 125 |
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| 194 | 194 | | Page 6 of 15 |
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| 195 | 195 | | F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S |
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| 196 | 196 | | |
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| 197 | 197 | | |
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| 198 | 198 | | |
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| 199 | 199 | | charitable organization, sell the property, or notify the 126 |
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| 200 | 200 | | appropriate refuse removal service. 127 |
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| 201 | 201 | | b. For a derelict vessel or a vessel declared a public 128 |
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| 202 | 202 | | nuisance pursuant to s. 327.73(1)(aa), the law enforcement 129 |
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| 203 | 203 | | agency or its designee may: 130 |
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| 204 | 204 | | (I) Remove the vessel from the waters of this state and 131 |
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| 205 | 205 | | destroy and dispose of the vessel or authorize another 132 |
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| 206 | 206 | | governmental entity or its designee to do so; or 133 |
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| 207 | 207 | | (II) Authorize the vessel's use as an artificial reef in 134 |
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| 208 | 208 | | accordance with s. 379.249 if all necessary federal, state, and 135 |
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| 209 | 209 | | local authorizations are received. 136 |
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| 210 | 210 | | 137 |
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| 211 | 211 | | A law enforcement agency or its designee may also take action as 138 |
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| 212 | 212 | | described in this sub -subparagraph if, following a hearing 139 |
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| 213 | 213 | | pursuant to this section, the judge, magistrate, administrative 140 |
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| 214 | 214 | | law judge, or hearing officer has determined the vessel to be 141 |
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| 215 | 215 | | derelict as provided in s. 823.11 or otherwise in violation of 142 |
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| 216 | 216 | | the law in accordance with s. 327.73(1)(aa) and a final order 143 |
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| 217 | 217 | | has been entered or the case is otherwise closed. 144 |
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| 218 | 218 | | Section 2. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 145 |
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| 219 | 219 | | made by this act to section 705.103, Florida Statutes, in a 146 |
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| 220 | 220 | | reference thereto, paragraph (a) of subsection (7) of section 147 |
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| 221 | 221 | | 327.4107, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read: 148 |
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| 222 | 222 | | 327.4107 Vessels at risk of becoming derelict on waters of 149 |
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| 223 | 223 | | this state.— 150 |
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| 231 | 231 | | Page 7 of 15 |
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| 232 | 232 | | F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S |
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| 233 | 233 | | |
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| 234 | 234 | | |
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| 235 | 235 | | |
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| 236 | 236 | | (7) The commission may establish a derelict vessel 151 |
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| 237 | 237 | | prevention program to address vessels at risk of becoming 152 |
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| 238 | 238 | | derelict. Such program may, but is no t required to, include: 153 |
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| 239 | 239 | | (a) Removal, relocation, and destruction of vessels 154 |
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| 240 | 240 | | declared a public nuisance, derelict or at risk of becoming 155 |
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| 241 | 241 | | derelict, or lost or abandoned in accordance with s. 327.53(7), 156 |
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| 242 | 242 | | s. 327.73(1)(aa), s. 705.103(2) and (4), or s. 823.11( 3). 157 |
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| 243 | 243 | | 158 |
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| 244 | 244 | | The commission may adopt rules to implement this subsection. 159 |
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| 245 | 245 | | Implementation of the derelict vessel prevention program shall 160 |
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| 246 | 246 | | be subject to appropriation by the Legislature and shall be 161 |
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| 247 | 247 | | funded by the Marine Resources Conservation Trust Fund or the 162 |
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| 248 | 248 | | Florida Coastal Protection Trust Fund. 163 |
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| 249 | 249 | | Section 3. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 164 |
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| 250 | 250 | | made by this act to section 705.103, Florida Statutes, in a 165 |
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| 251 | 251 | | reference thereto, paragraph (d) of subsection (6) of section 166 |
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| 252 | 252 | | 327.4108, Florida Statutes, is reenact ed to read: 167 |
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| 253 | 253 | | 327.4108 Anchoring of vessels in anchoring limitation 168 |
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| 254 | 254 | | areas.— 169 |
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| 255 | 255 | | (6) 170 |
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| 256 | 256 | | (d) A vessel that is the subject of more than three 171 |
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| 257 | 257 | | violations within 12 months which result in dispositions other 172 |
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| 258 | 258 | | than acquittal or dismissal shall be declared to be a publ ic 173 |
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| 259 | 259 | | nuisance and subject to s. 705.103 or, for a derelict vessel, 174 |
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| 260 | 260 | | subject to s. 823.11. 175 |
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| 268 | 268 | | Page 8 of 15 |
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| 269 | 269 | | F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S |
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| 270 | 270 | | |
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| 271 | 271 | | |
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| 272 | 272 | | |
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| 273 | 273 | | Section 4. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 176 |
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| 274 | 274 | | made by this act to section 705.103, Florida Statutes, in a 177 |
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| 275 | 275 | | reference thereto, subsection (5) of section 32 7.60, Florida 178 |
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| 276 | 276 | | Statutes, is reenacted to read: 179 |
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| 277 | 277 | | 327.60 Local regulations; limitations. — 180 |
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| 278 | 278 | | (5) A local government may enact and enforce regulations 181 |
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| 279 | 279 | | to implement the procedures for abandoned or lost property that 182 |
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| 280 | 280 | | allow the local law enforcement agency to rem ove a vessel 183 |
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| 281 | 281 | | affixed to a public dock or mooring within its jurisdiction that 184 |
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| 282 | 282 | | is abandoned or lost property pursuant to s. 705.103(1). Such 185 |
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| 283 | 283 | | regulation must require the local law enforcement agency to post 186 |
|---|
| 284 | 284 | | a written notice at least 24 hours before removing the vessel. 187 |
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| 285 | 285 | | Section 5. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 188 |
|---|
| 286 | 286 | | made by this act to section 705.103, Florida Statutes, in a 189 |
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| 287 | 287 | | reference thereto, paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section 190 |
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| 288 | 288 | | 327.66, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read: 191 |
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| 289 | 289 | | 327.66 Carriage of gasoline on vessels. — 192 |
|---|
| 290 | 290 | | (2)(a) Gasoline possessed or transported in violation of 193 |
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| 291 | 291 | | this section and all containers holding such gasoline are 194 |
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| 292 | 292 | | declared to be a public nuisance. A law enforcement agency 195 |
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| 293 | 293 | | discovering gasoline possessed or transported in violation of 196 |
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| 294 | 294 | | paragraph (1)(a) shall abate the nuisance by removing the 197 |
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| 295 | 295 | | gasoline and containers from the vessel and from the waters of 198 |
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| 296 | 296 | | this state. A law enforcement agency that removes gasoline or 199 |
|---|
| 297 | 297 | | containers pursuant to this subsection may elect to: 200 |
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| 305 | 305 | | Page 9 of 15 |
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| 306 | 306 | | F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S |
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| 307 | 307 | | |
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| 308 | 308 | | |
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| 309 | 309 | | |
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| 310 | 310 | | 1. Retain the property for the agency's own use; 201 |
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| 311 | 311 | | 2. Transfer the property to another unit of state or local 202 |
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| 312 | 312 | | government; 203 |
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| 313 | 313 | | 3. Donate the property to a charitable organization; or 204 |
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| 314 | 314 | | 4. Sell the property at public sale pursuant to s. 205 |
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| 315 | 315 | | 705.103. 206 |
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| 316 | 316 | | Section 6. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 207 |
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| 317 | 317 | | made by this act to section 705.103, Florida Statutes, in a 208 |
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| 318 | 318 | | reference thereto, paragraph (aa) of subsection (1) of section 209 |
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| 319 | 319 | | 327.73, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read: 210 |
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| 320 | 320 | | 327.73 Noncriminal infractions. — 211 |
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| 321 | 321 | | (1) Violations of the following provisions of the vessel 212 |
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| 322 | 322 | | laws of this state are noncriminal infractions: 213 |
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| 323 | 323 | | (aa) Section 327.4107, relating to vessels at risk of 214 |
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| 324 | 324 | | becoming derelict on waters of this state, for which the civil 215 |
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| 325 | 325 | | penalty is: 216 |
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| 326 | 326 | | 1. For a first offense, $100. 217 |
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| 327 | 327 | | 2. For a second offense occurring 30 days or more after a 218 |
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| 328 | 328 | | first offense, $250. 219 |
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| 329 | 329 | | 3. For a third or subsequent offense occurring 30 days or 220 |
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| 330 | 330 | | more after a previous offense, $500. 221 |
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| 331 | 331 | | 222 |
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| 332 | 332 | | A vessel that is the subject of three or more violations issued 223 |
|---|
| 333 | 333 | | pursuant to the same paragraph of s. 327.4107(2) within an 18 -224 |
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| 334 | 334 | | month period which result in dispositions other than acquittal 225 |
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| 342 | 342 | | Page 10 of 15 |
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| 343 | 343 | | F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S |
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| 344 | 344 | | |
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| 345 | 345 | | |
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| 346 | 346 | | |
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| 347 | 347 | | or dismissal shall be declared to be a public nuisance and 226 |
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| 348 | 348 | | subject to ss. 705.103(2) and (4) and 823.11(3). The commission, 227 |
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| 349 | 349 | | an officer of the commission, or a law enforcement agency or 228 |
|---|
| 350 | 350 | | officer specified in s. 327.70 may relocate, remove, or cause to 229 |
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| 351 | 351 | | be relocated or removed such public nuisance vessels from waters 230 |
|---|
| 352 | 352 | | of this state. The commission, an officer of the commission, or 231 |
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| 353 | 353 | | a law enforcement agency or officer acting pursuant to this 232 |
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| 354 | 354 | | paragraph upon waters of this state shall be held harmless for 233 |
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| 355 | 355 | | all damages to the vessel resulting from such relocation or 234 |
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| 356 | 356 | | removal unless the damage results from gross negligence or 235 |
|---|
| 357 | 357 | | willful misconduct as these terms are defined in s. 823.11. 236 |
|---|
| 358 | 358 | | 237 |
|---|
| 359 | 359 | | Any person cited for a violation of this subsection shall be 238 |
|---|
| 360 | 360 | | deemed to be charged with a noncriminal infraction, shall be 239 |
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| 361 | 361 | | cited for such an infraction, and shall be cited to appear 240 |
|---|
| 362 | 362 | | before the county court. The civil penalty for any such 241 |
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| 363 | 363 | | infraction is $100, except as otherwise provided in this 242 |
|---|
| 364 | 364 | | section. Any person who fails to appear or otherwise properly 243 |
|---|
| 365 | 365 | | respond to a uniform boating citation, in addition to the charge 244 |
|---|
| 366 | 366 | | relating to the violation of the boating laws of this stat e, 245 |
|---|
| 367 | 367 | | must be charged with the offense of failing to respond to such 246 |
|---|
| 368 | 368 | | citation and, upon conviction, be guilty of a misdemeanor of the 247 |
|---|
| 369 | 369 | | second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 248 |
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| 370 | 370 | | 775.083. A written warning to this effect shall be provided at 249 |
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| 371 | 371 | | the time such uniform boating citation is issued. 250 |
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| 379 | 379 | | Page 11 of 15 |
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| 380 | 380 | | F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S |
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| 381 | 381 | | |
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| 382 | 382 | | |
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| 383 | 383 | | |
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| 384 | 384 | | Section 7. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 251 |
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| 385 | 385 | | made by this act to section 705.103, Florida Statutes, in a 252 |
|---|
| 386 | 386 | | reference thereto, subsection (1) of section 379.338, Florida 253 |
|---|
| 387 | 387 | | Statutes, is reenacted to read: 254 |
|---|
| 388 | 388 | | 379.338 Confiscation and disposition of illegally taken 255 |
|---|
| 389 | 389 | | wildlife, freshwater fish, and saltwater fish. — 256 |
|---|
| 390 | 390 | | (1) All wildlife, freshwater fish, and saltwater fish 257 |
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| 391 | 391 | | seized under the authority of this chapter, any other chapter, 258 |
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| 392 | 392 | | or rules of the commissio n shall, upon conviction of the 259 |
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| 393 | 393 | | offender or sooner in accordance with a court order if the court 260 |
|---|
| 394 | 394 | | so orders, be forfeited to the investigating law enforcement 261 |
|---|
| 395 | 395 | | agency. The law enforcement agency may elect to retain the 262 |
|---|
| 396 | 396 | | wildlife, freshwater fish, or saltwater fish for the agency's 263 |
|---|
| 397 | 397 | | official use; transfer it to another unit of state or local 264 |
|---|
| 398 | 398 | | government for official use; donate it to a charitable 265 |
|---|
| 399 | 399 | | organization; sell it at a public sale pursuant to s. 705.103; 266 |
|---|
| 400 | 400 | | or destroy the wildlife, freshwater fish, or saltwater fish if 267 |
|---|
| 401 | 401 | | none of the other options is practicable or if the wildlife, 268 |
|---|
| 402 | 402 | | freshwater fish, or saltwater fish is unwholesome or otherwise 269 |
|---|
| 403 | 403 | | not of appreciable value. All illegally possessed live wildlife, 270 |
|---|
| 404 | 404 | | freshwater fish, and saltwater fish that are properly docum ented 271 |
|---|
| 405 | 405 | | as evidence as provided in s. 379.3381 may be returned to the 272 |
|---|
| 406 | 406 | | habitat unharmed. Any unclaimed wildlife, freshwater fish, or 273 |
|---|
| 407 | 407 | | saltwater fish shall be retained by the investigating law 274 |
|---|
| 408 | 408 | | enforcement agency and disposed of in accordance with this 275 |
|---|
| 416 | 416 | | Page 12 of 15 |
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| 417 | 417 | | F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S |
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| 418 | 418 | | |
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| 419 | 419 | | |
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| 420 | 420 | | |
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| 421 | 421 | | subsection. 276 |
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| 422 | 422 | | Section 8. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 277 |
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| 423 | 423 | | made by this act to section 705.103, Florida Statutes, in 278 |
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| 424 | 424 | | references thereto, subsection (1) of section 705.104, Florida 279 |
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| 425 | 425 | | Statutes, is reenacted to read: 280 |
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| 426 | 426 | | 705.104 Title to lost or abandoned p roperty.— 281 |
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| 427 | 427 | | (1) Title to lost or abandoned property is hereby vested 282 |
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| 428 | 428 | | in the finder upon the expiration of the 90 -day custodial time 283 |
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| 429 | 429 | | period specified in s. 705.103(2)(b), provided the notice 284 |
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| 430 | 430 | | requirements of s. 705.103 have been met, unless the rightful 285 |
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| 431 | 431 | | owner or a lienholder claims the property within that time. 286 |
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| 432 | 432 | | Section 9. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 287 |
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| 433 | 433 | | made by this act to section 705.103, Florida Statutes, in a 288 |
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| 434 | 434 | | reference thereto, paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section 289 |
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| 435 | 435 | | 705.105, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read: 290 |
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| 436 | 436 | | 705.105 Procedure regarding unclaimed evidence. — 291 |
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| 437 | 437 | | (1) Title to unclaimed evidence or unclaimed tangible 292 |
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| 438 | 438 | | personal property lawfully seized pursuant to a lawful 293 |
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| 439 | 439 | | investigation in the custody of the court or clerk of the cou rt 294 |
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| 440 | 440 | | from a criminal proceeding or seized as evidence by and in the 295 |
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| 441 | 441 | | custody of a law enforcement agency shall vest permanently in 296 |
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| 442 | 442 | | the law enforcement agency 60 days after the conclusion of the 297 |
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| 443 | 443 | | proceeding. 298 |
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| 444 | 444 | | (a) If the property is of appreciable value, the ag ency 299 |
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| 445 | 445 | | may elect to: 300 |
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| 453 | 453 | | Page 13 of 15 |
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| 454 | 454 | | F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S |
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| 455 | 455 | | |
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| 456 | 456 | | |
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| 457 | 457 | | |
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| 458 | 458 | | 1. Retain the property for the agency's own use; 301 |
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| 459 | 459 | | 2. Transfer the property to another unit of state or local 302 |
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| 460 | 460 | | government; 303 |
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| 461 | 461 | | 3. Donate the property to a charitable organization; 304 |
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| 462 | 462 | | 4. Sell the property at public sale, pursuant to the 305 |
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| 463 | 463 | | provisions of s. 705.103. 306 |
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| 464 | 464 | | Section 10. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 307 |
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| 465 | 465 | | made by this act to section 705.103, Florida Statutes, in a 308 |
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| 466 | 466 | | reference thereto, subsection (8) of section 713.585, Florida 309 |
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| 467 | 467 | | Statutes, is reenacted to read: 310 |
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| 468 | 468 | | 713.585 Enforcement of lien by sale of motor vehicle. —A 311 |
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| 469 | 469 | | person claiming a lien under s. 713.58 for performing labor or 312 |
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| 470 | 470 | | services on a motor vehicle may enforce such lien by sale of the 313 |
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| 471 | 471 | | vehicle in accordance with the following procedures: 314 |
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| 472 | 472 | | (8) A vehicle subject to lien e nforcement pursuant to this 315 |
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| 473 | 473 | | section must be sold by the lienor at public sale. Immediately 316 |
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| 474 | 474 | | upon the sale of the vehicle and payment in cash of the purchase 317 |
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| 475 | 475 | | price, the lienor shall deposit with the clerk of the circuit 318 |
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| 476 | 476 | | court the proceeds of the sale less th e amount claimed by the 319 |
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| 477 | 477 | | lienor for work done and storage, if any, and all reasonable 320 |
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| 478 | 478 | | costs and expenses incurred in conducting the sale, including 321 |
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| 479 | 479 | | any attorney's fees and costs ordered by the court. 322 |
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| 480 | 480 | | Simultaneously with depositing the proceeds of sale remai ning 323 |
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| 481 | 481 | | after payment to the lienor, the lienor shall file with the 324 |
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| 482 | 482 | | clerk a verified report of the sale stating a description of the 325 |
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| 490 | 490 | | Page 14 of 15 |
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| 491 | 491 | | F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S |
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| 492 | 492 | | |
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| 493 | 493 | | |
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| 494 | 494 | | |
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| 495 | 495 | | vehicle sold, including the vehicle identification number; the 326 |
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| 496 | 496 | | name and address of the purchaser; the date of the sale; and th e 327 |
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| 497 | 497 | | selling price. The report shall also itemize the amount retained 328 |
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| 498 | 498 | | by the lienor pursuant to this section and shall indicate 329 |
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| 499 | 499 | | whether a hearing was demanded and held. All proceeds held by 330 |
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| 500 | 500 | | the court shall be held for the benefit of the owner of the 331 |
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| 501 | 501 | | vehicle or any lienholder whose lien is discharged by the sale 332 |
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| 502 | 502 | | and shall be disbursed only upon order of the court. Unless a 333 |
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| 503 | 503 | | proceeding is initiated to validate a claim to such proceeds 334 |
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| 504 | 504 | | within 1 year and a day from the date of the sale, the proceeds 335 |
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| 505 | 505 | | shall be deemed abandoned property and disposition thereof shall 336 |
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| 506 | 506 | | be governed by s. 705.103. The clerk shall receive 5 percent of 337 |
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| 507 | 507 | | the proceeds deposited with her or him, not to exceed $25, for 338 |
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| 508 | 508 | | her or his services under this section. 339 |
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| 509 | 509 | | Section 11. For the purpose of inco rporating the amendment 340 |
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| 510 | 510 | | made by this act to section 705.103, Florida Statutes, in a 341 |
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| 511 | 511 | | reference thereto, paragraph (d) of subsection (2) of section 342 |
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| 512 | 512 | | 823.11, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read: 343 |
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| 513 | 513 | | 823.11 Derelict vessels; relocation or removal; penalty. — 344 |
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| 514 | 514 | | (2) 345 |
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| 515 | 515 | | (d) Notwithstanding the additional 45 days provided in 346 |
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| 516 | 516 | | sub-subparagraph (b)2.b. during which an owner or a responsible 347 |
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| 517 | 517 | | party may not be charged for a violation of this section, the 348 |
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| 518 | 518 | | commission, an officer of the commission, a law enforcement 349 |
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| 519 | 519 | | agency or officer specified in s. 327.70, or, during a state of 350 |
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| 527 | 527 | | Page 15 of 15 |
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| 528 | 528 | | F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S |
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| 529 | 529 | | |
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| 530 | 530 | | |
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| 531 | 531 | | |
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| 532 | 532 | | emergency declared by the Governor, the Division of Emergency 351 |
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| 533 | 533 | | Management or its designee, may immediately begin the process 352 |
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| 534 | 534 | | set forth in s. 705.103(2)(a) and, once that process has been 353 |
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| 535 | 535 | | completed and the 45 days provided herein have passed, any 354 |
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| 536 | 536 | | vessel that has not been removed or repaired such that it is no 355 |
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| 537 | 537 | | longer derelict upon the waters of this state may be removed and 356 |
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| 538 | 538 | | destroyed as provided therein. 357 |
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| 539 | 539 | | Section 12. This act shall take effect July 1, 2024. 358 |
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