This bill amends several sections of Florida Statutes concerning construction and landlord obligations, particularly focusing on cooling equipment and landlord responsibilities. It introduces the definition of "cooling equipment" and mandates that landlords provide functioning cooling facilities that maintain indoor temperatures at or below 82 degrees Fahrenheit when the outdoor heat index reaches or exceeds 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Landlords are required to repair or replace defective cooling equipment within three business days of tenant notification, with exceptions for supply chain delays. The bill also outlines conditions under which landlords are not in violation of these cooling requirements, such as tenant denial of access for repairs or temporary outages due to unforeseen events.

Additionally, the bill revises definitions and requirements related to contractor licensing, continuing education, and security deposits. It allows the Construction Industry Licensing Board to approve specialized continuing education courses and mandates that certain credit hours cannot be used to satisfy specific requirements. The bill clarifies that fees collected in lieu of security deposits are not considered security deposits and updates fire safety language for transient public lodging establishments. It also specifies eligibility criteria for contractors and claimants related to the Homeowners Construction Recovery Fund, stating that claimants are ineligible for recovery if they contracted with a licensee for certain work before July 1, 2016. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
S 322 Filed: 489.115, 83.491, 553.895