Rep. Mike Caruso

Maddy summaryHB 669 prohibits local governments (such as cities or counties) from requiring a minimum credit rating for certain municipal bonds they issue. This bill directly affects local governments that finance public projects through bond sales. The key provision removes a requirement that had forced these entities to seek bonds rated above a specific level before selling them to investors. The change simplifies bond issuance for local governments by eliminating this specific rating hurdle. (3 sentences)

Guardianship of Property; Requires guardians of property to file quarterly, rather than annual, accounting reports by specified dates; authorizes court to set different quarterly schedule; requires guardian to mail copy of each quarterly accounting to ward's next of kin; requires first quarterly accounting period to end within certain timeframe after letters of guardianship are issued; requires guardians of property to file quarterly, rather than annual, accounting reports; requires guardian to mail copy of each quarterly accounting to ward's next of kin; authorizes certain guardians to file each monthly statement of ward's account from ward's financial institution for preceding quarter; requires court to appoint appraiser to appraise ward's property; requires all documentation, including bids submitted to purchase such property, from appraiser to be retained in court file; requires court to refer certain guardians to FDLE for criminal investigation.

Certified Recovery Residences; Revises definition of term "certified recovery residence"; requires credentialing entity to revoke certified residence's certificate of compliance if certified recovery residence willfully, knowingly, or intentionally provides false or misleading information to credentialing entity; revises applicability of provisions governing referrals to or from recovery residences.

Tax Exemptions for Surviving Spouses of Quadriplegics; Authorizes surviving spouses of certain quadriplegics to carry over certain tax exemption in certain circumstances.

Local Government Assessments; Removes special assessments as source of funding for certain municipal facilities & services; removes ability of legislative & governing body of county to levy & collect special assessments; removes special assessments as mechanism to finance services or programs rendered specially for benefit of property or residents in unincorporated areas; requires certain ordinances or land development regulations to provide for reimbursement by local government; makes local government responsible for payment of fees or taxes assessed for conservation easements for certain land development projects.

Public Accountancy; Authorizes Board of Accountancy to contract with certain corporations not for profit for performance of certain duties assigned to Division of Certified Public Accounting of DBPR; revises education & work experience requirements for certified public accountant license; requires international applicant who seeks licensure as certified public accountant in this state to meet specified criteria prescribed by board; revises requirements for approval of providers who administer continuing education on ethics for certified public accountants; revises requirements for certified public accountants licensed in another state or territory of United States to practice in this state without obtaining license.

Adaptive Reuse of Land; Authorizes board of county commissioners & municipal governing body, respectively, to adopt ordinance for transitional housing; establishes eligibility & ordinance requirements; authorizes Florida Housing Finance Corporation to provide technical assistance to counties & municipalities; creates Adaptive Reuse Public-Private Partnership Council to facilitate & oversee development of adaptive reuse projects; requires council to monitor & perform project evaluations on regular basis; prohibits members of council from receiving compensation; authorizes reimbursement for travel expenses for certain members; requires council to report specified information to Governor & Legislature by specified date each year.

Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Initiative ; Requires DOEA to contract for development & implementation of Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Initiative; provides requirements for initiative; provides requirements for type of entity with which DOEA contracts; requires Alzheimer's Disease Advisory Committee to make certain recommendations to DOEA & Legislature annually.

Dense Breast Tissue Screenings; Provides that certain patients may receive ultrasound or other additional screening tests without first having conventional mammogram.

Maddy summaryHJR 773 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would change how homestead property (primary residences) is assessed for taxation. It does not describe specific assessment methods or changes but seeks to amend the state constitution to revise the existing assessment framework. This proposal directly affects homeowners who qualify for homestead exemptions. As a constitutional amendment, it requires voter approval rather than a standard legislative vote. The official abstract provides no details on the specific changes to assessment formulas or exemptions.