2022

2022 FHBA Legislative Talking Points

10/05/22 – DBPR Issues Emergency Order For Contractors To Assist With Roofing Repair

Over the weekend, the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) issued an emergency order allowing certified or registered general, building, or residential contractors to install and repair roofs in 44 counties affected by the storm.

For the following counties: Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Broward, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Desoto, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Lee, Levy, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Miami-Dade, Putnam, St. Johns, Sarasota, Seminole, Sumter, Union, Volusia, a certified or registered general, building, or residential contractor is not required to subcontract roofing work for the repair and installation of any roof type. Registered contractors are not subject to the geographical scope limitations or requirements as provided in section 489.117(1)(b) and (c), when providing contracting services within the counties listed above.

Registered contractors shall provide:
• Their state registration and proof of compliance with applicable workers’ compensation as required by Chapter 440.
• Additionally, registered contractors working outside the geographical scope of their registration in compliance with this order are not guilty of unlicensed contracting.

There is a great need for emergency repairs to roofs in the areas impacted by Hurricane Ian. This emergency order is going into effect in hopes to speed up the recovery of all the damage Florida has incurred. Click here to download and review the full emergency order.

FHBA Announces CBIA Member Accolades and Appointments
  Matt Sellick Stock Development Paul Joyal Pinnacle Award
Congratulation to Matt Sellick, President of Stock Development and current Collier Building Industry Association president, has been selected by the Florida Home Builders’ Association (FHBA) as the recipient of the Paul Joyal Pinnacle Builder Award.    The award was established by George Cooper and named after Paul Joyal, a Melbourne home builder and member of the Florida Housing Hall of Fame, who has consistently done business exclusively with members through his 30+ year career. The Paul Joyal Pinnacle Builder of the Year Award is presented annually to a member of FHBA for doing a high percentage of business with FHBA members. The recipient is selected by FHBA’s Associate Members/Trades Council, announced during the Summer Conference/SEBC, and presented during the FHBA Fall Leadership Conference.     Matt Sellick was chosen among builders across the state of Florida because Stock Development uses a great many CBIA members in building homes here in southwest Florida. With an average of 325 completed residences on an annual basis, clients will always find numerous CBIA members working together on Stock Development Homes, from surveyors and excavators to architects and mechanical engineers during the initial phase and sub-contractor partners, including masonry, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, drywall, carpentry and painting on the structural aspects to interior designers and landscape architects in the final phase.”  According to CBIA executive officer, Amelia Vasquez, Sellick and his colleagues provide exceptional volunteerism on behalf of our industry and community and continually champion the use of members for construction projects in Collier County. 
  Ryan Benson A. Vernon Builder nominated as secretary of the FHBA Board
Ryan Benson, principal at A Vernon Allen Builders, has been nominated as secretary to the Florida Home Builders’ Association, board of directors. He will be installed at the FHBA fall conference in Orlando, Florida in October.   Benson has served as chair of the CBIA government affairs committee, vice-chair of the CBIA City of Naples Government Affairs Council, CBIA Executive Committee, CBIA Finance Committee and CBIA President in 2018 and 2019.  On the state level, Benson has served as our Area 6 Vice President for FHBA and chair of the FHBA Government Affairs Committee.   As noted by Vasquez, “Ryan Benson is that one in a million leader. Through his visionary approach to leadership, Ryan has demonstrated stamina, focus and developed a culture of synergism among our leadership team at CBIA. It will be an honor to have him represented on the leadership team at FHBA.” 
Robyn Bonaquist, B-Squared Advertising selected to become FHBA Area VI Associate Vice President
Robyn Bonaquist, President and CEO of B-Squared Advertising, has been selected to become the Area VI Associate Vice President for a 2- year term representing Charlotte, Collier, Lee and Sarasota – Manatee Builder Associations at the state level.     Bonaquist currently serves on the CBIA board of directors. As an associate member at CBIA since 2006, Bonaquist has provided continual leadership on the executive committee and board of directors at CBIA, chair of our sales and marketing council, chair and committee member of our CBIA Sand Dollar Awards annual event and provides numerous volunteer hours assisting in our CBIA branding and marketing efforts.    Bonaquist has received recognition at FHBA as the Florida “Associate of the Year” and “Woman of Distinction” for her continued leadership at the state level. According to Vasquez, “Robyn Bonaquist has been an associate member of CBIA involved in all aspects of our mission over the past sixteen years. She4 has stepped up when asked as a leader and team player based on CBIA needs, always willing to share her professional expertise, support, and time. She will represent the southwest builder association members with the same exceptional expertise and enthusiasm she has done for CBIA.”  

Private Provider Septic Tank Inspections – SB 856/HB 309   ACTION: PASSED as SB 856. To help relieve the backlog of septic inspections in local jurisdictions around the state, the FHBA prioritized legislation allowing qualified private providers to conduct septic tank inspections. The bill provides qualifications the provider must hold to perform such inspections (Engineers, employees of Engineers and Master Septic Tank Installers who have certain credentials), prohibits DEP from charging any fees associated with a private provider inspection, and authorizes DEP to audit up to 25% of the 4 2022 FHBA Advocacy Briefing 2022 FHBA Advocacy Briefing 4 private providers each year. Notice must be given to DEP that the private inspection will be done, and the owner is required to execute a form acknowledging that the owner must hold the department harmless from any claims arising from the use of the private provider inspection. The bill also prohibits a septic tank from being inspected by the person or company that installed the septic tank. 
Notice of Commencement Requirements HB 263/SB352   ACTION: PASSED as SB 352. SB 352 increases the threshold for application of the Notice of Commencement (NOC) requirements for direct contracts to repair or replace an existing HVAC system from $7,500 to $15,000. It does not increase the threshold for the filing of an NOC outside the context of an HVAC repair.
Tax Cut Package   ACTION: PASSED as HB 7071. HB 7071 is an omnibus tax relief package that includes provisions for property tax relief for homestead property rendered uninhabitable for 30 days or more and for all assessments for owners affected by the Surfside collapse. More importantly for our industry, it included several tax Holidays including;   A two-year tax exemption for impact-resistant windows, doors and garage doors for residential buildings beginning July 1, 2022;A 12-month exemption for ENERGY STAR appliances beginning July 1, 2022;A tool “Tool Time” sales tax fee week to include September 3-9, 2022:Toolboxes for vehicles selling for $300 or less.Power tools selling for $300 or lessPower tool batteries selling for $150 or less.Industry textbooks and code books selling for $125 or less.Tool belts selling for $100 or less.Work boots selling for $175 or less.Electrical voltage & testing equipment selling for $100 or less.Handheld pipe cutters, drain opening tools, & plumbing inspection equipment for $150 or less.Toolboxes selling for $75 or less.Hand tools, protective coveralls, tool belts, duffle/tote bags, and LED flashlights shop lights selling for $50 or less.Shop lights selling for $100 or less.Work gloves and safety glasses selling for $25 or less.Safety glasses selling for $50 or less