House Bill 695 amends various sections of Florida Statutes to enhance the role of private providers in building inspection services. The bill mandates that the Florida Building Code Administrators and Inspectors Board and the Florida Building Commission include a specific number of members from private provider firms and encourages the Private Provider Association of Florida to recommend candidates for these positions. It revises operational terms for private providers, allowing agreements instead of written contracts for inspection services and limiting fees that local jurisdictions can charge when private providers are utilized. Additionally, the bill streamlines the inspection process by prohibiting local building officials from interfering with private providers' inspections and limiting their authority to reviewing plans only for completeness.

The legislation also introduces new definitions and clarifies the roles of private providers, requiring local jurisdictions to reduce permit fees when private providers are engaged. It establishes a notification process for contracting private providers and specifies that they can only perform inspections within their licensed disciplines. The bill modifies the timeline for issuing certificates of occupancy, requiring local officials to act within specified timeframes, and emphasizes that local officials cannot interfere with private providers' actions. Furthermore, it outlines the responsibilities of private providers, including the requirement to post inspection records at job sites, and mandates that all permit information be publicly available. Overall, HB 695 aims to enhance efficiency, accountability, and transparency in building inspections while ensuring compliance with state regulations.

Statutes affected:
H 695 Filed: 468.605, 553.74, 553.791