Subcommittee approves broad DFS modernization bill with amendments on grants, licensure and firefighter hiring

Representative LaMarca described HB 1221 as a 161-page modernization package for the Department of Financial Services that streamlines licensing, program administration and state contracting and improves consumer protections. He presented three amendments the committee adopted.

Amendment 1 (barcode 969469) requires the Department of Financial Services to notify a My Safe Florida Home program applicant at least five business days before an application is deemed abandoned; if an applicant replies with good cause, DFS may determine the application is not abandoned or allow a subsequent grant application.

Amendment 2 (barcode 446165) removes a requirement that applicants for licensure by the Board of Funeral, Cemetery and Consumer Services disclose misdemeanors committed more than five years earlier that are only indirectly related to regulated activities.

Amendment 3 (barcode 705863) permits public officials to appoint, employ, promote and advocate for a relative to be a firefighter as long as the appointment proceeds through a competitive process in a collective-bargaining agreement. Michael O’Brien of the Firefighters of Palm Beach County and Laura Donaldson of North Collier Fire Control and Rescue District registered support and said local chiefs have faced promotion constraints tied to restrictions on hiring relatives.

Gary Rutledge of the Professional Claimants Representation Association spoke as a proponent on unclaimed-property elements and said his group will work with the department and sponsor to resolve outstanding issues. The committee adopted all amendments, heard proponent testimony, and voted to report HB 1221 favorably with the committee substitute.

The bill will move forward under House procedures for committee-reported measures.