This bill amends various sections of the Florida Statutes concerning securities and investment regulations, introducing new definitions such as "branch manager," "general partner," and "limited liability company," while also updating existing definitions to align with current legal standards. It revises the circumstances under which securities transactions are exempt from registration, particularly for merger and acquisition brokers and institutional investors. The bill also establishes new requirements for securities registration applications, including fingerprint submissions for certain individuals and the establishment of fees for processing these fingerprints. Additionally, it clarifies eligibility criteria for the Securities Guaranty Fund and prohibits misrepresentations in securities transactions, aiming to enhance investor protection and streamline the regulatory framework.

Further amendments include the revocation of foreign securities exchange designations if necessary for public interest, updated filing requirements for issuers, and the introduction of fingerprinting requirements for individuals associated with dealers or investment advisers. The bill also waives registration fees for active duty military members and their spouses, clarifies definitions related to control persons and privately held companies, and outlines criteria for merger and acquisition brokers. It updates provisions for the Securities Guaranty Fund, allowing for monetary relief to victims of securities violations and modifying the application process for claims. Overall, these changes seek to enhance regulatory clarity, investor protection, and compliance within Florida's securities market.

Statutes affected:
S 988 Filed: 517.0612, 517.0614, 517.0616, 517.075, 517.301, 517.211, 517.315
S 988 c1: 517.0612, 517.0614, 517.0616, 517.075, 517.301, 517.34, 517.211, 517.315
S 988 c2: 517.0612, 517.0614, 517.0616, 517.301, 517.34, 517.315