House Bill 281 amends various sections of the Florida Statutes concerning local government code enforcement, particularly focusing on the establishment and operation of code enforcement boards and the designation of special magistrates. The bill revises the short title of the act and updates the legislative intent to include the enforcement of state laws and local ordinances. It allows counties and municipalities to designate special magistrates with the authority to impose administrative fines and fees, introduces definitions for terms like "special magistrate," and outlines procedures for code violation notices, hearings, and the recording of orders in public records. Additionally, it clarifies the circumstances under which enforcement board members' offices may be declared vacant and revises notification methods for alleged violators.

The bill also reduces the timeframe for certified mail notifications for condominium associations from 30 days to 15 days, requiring that if no notice is signed as received within this period, it must be posted on the property of each board member or at the location of board meetings. It mandates that notices be sent via certified mail to the current board of directors and the association's management company. Furthermore, the bill enhances penalties for assaults against code inspectors by reclassifying offenses such as aggravated battery and assault to higher felony degrees when the victim is a code inspector performing their duties. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
H 281 Filed: 162.01, 162.02, 162.03, 162.05, 162.07, 162.08, 162.10, 784.083