Enforcement of the Florida Building Code

All text regarding the Legislative Auditing Committee, state funding restrictions, and audit notifications was removed entirely.

New requirements were added prohibiting the use of building code fees for planning, zoning, public information requests, or general government activities not directly related to permits.

The rules for spending excess funds were expanded to include specific limitations on carrying forward funds used to construct enforcement buildings and new rights for permit holders to sue if fees are misused.

New provisions were added to prevent local agencies from charging additional fees for proof of licensure, license recording, or workers' compensation insurance.

The effective date was changed from an unspecified time to July 1, 2026.

Added a new section amending s. 11.40 to establish specific rules for the Legislative Auditing Committee regarding audit notifications and funding eligibility.

Clarified that local governments audited by the Legislative Auditing Committee within the last year are ineligible for state funds unless they submit a written affirmation that the audit is complete.

Added a requirement for local governments to use recognized management, accounting, and oversight practices to handle fee revenues.

Added a new list of prohibited uses for building code fees, explicitly banning funding for planning, zoning, public information requests, and general ordinance enforcement.

Expanded the civil action provision to allow owners or builders to sue local governments if they misuse building permit fees.

Updated the effective date of the act to July 1, 2026.

Removed the mandatory requirement to use excess funds for stormwater management system repairs or upgrades.

Added the ability for local governments to use excess funds to rebate and reduce fees charged to the public.

Added a requirement for local governments to use recognized management, accounting, and oversight practices to ensure funds are used solely for authorized purposes.

Added a new list of prohibited activities that cannot be funded with building code enforcement fees, such as general zoning, public information requests, and enforcement of unrelated local ordinances.

Introduced a new right for owners, builders, or their associations to file a civil lawsuit against a local government if they believe fees were improperly charged or collected.

Changed the affirmation requirement for state funding eligibility from stating that all funds were expended to affirming that the local government is no longer the subject of a state audit.

Reorganized the structure of the statute by splitting the original text into five distinct subsections for clarity and added a new Section 2 establishing the effective date.