Bill Amendment: FL S0336 | 2016 | Regular Session

NOTE: For additional amemendments please see the Bill Drafting List
Bill Title: Property Insurance Appraisers and Property Insurance Appraisal Umpires

Status: 2016-03-11 - Died in Appropriations [S0336 Detail]

Download: Florida-2016-S0336-Senate_Committee_Amendment_416356.html
       Florida Senate - 2016                        COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
       Bill No. SB 336
       
       
       
       
       
       
                                Ì4163566Î416356                         
       
                              LEGISLATIVE ACTION                        
                    Senate             .             House              
                                       .                                
                                       .                                
                                       .                                
                                       .                                
                                       .                                
       —————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————




       —————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
       The Committee on Regulated Industries (Richter) recommended the
       following:
       
    1         Senate Amendment (with title amendment)
    2  
    3         Delete everything after the enacting clause
    4  and insert:
    5         Section 1. Section 624.04, Florida Statutes, is amended to
    6  read:
    7         624.04 “Person” defined.—“Person” includes an individual,
    8  insurer, company, association, organization, Lloyds, society,
    9  reciprocal insurer or interinsurance exchange, partnership,
   10  syndicate, business trust, corporation, agent, general agent,
   11  broker, service representative, adjuster, property insurance
   12  appraisal umpire, and every legal entity.
   13         Section 2. Subsection (2) of section 624.303, Florida
   14  Statutes, is amended to read:
   15         624.303 Seal; certified copies as evidence.—
   16         (2) All certificates executed by the department or office,
   17  other than licenses of agents, property insurance appraisal
   18  umpires, or adjusters, or similar licenses or permits, shall
   19  bear its respective seal.
   20         Section 3. Paragraphs (b) and (c) of subsection (4) of
   21  section 624.311, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
   22         624.311 Records; reproductions; destruction.—
   23         (4) To facilitate the efficient use of floor space and
   24  filing equipment in its offices, the department, commission, and
   25  office may each destroy the following records and documents
   26  pursuant to chapter 257:
   27         (b) Agent, adjuster, property insurance appraisal umpire,
   28  and similar license files, including license files of the
   29  Division of State Fire Marshal, over 2 years old; except that
   30  the department or office shall preserve by reproduction or
   31  otherwise a copy of the original records upon the basis of which
   32  each such licensee qualified for her or his initial license,
   33  except a competency examination, and of any disciplinary
   34  proceeding affecting the licensee;
   35         (c) All agent, adjuster, property insurance appraisal
   36  umpire, and similar license files and records, including
   37  original license qualification records and records of
   38  disciplinary proceedings 5 years after a licensee has ceased to
   39  be qualified for a license;
   40         Section 4. Section 624.317, Florida Statutes, is amended to
   41  read:
   42         624.317 Investigation of agents, adjusters, property
   43  insurance appraisal umpires, administrators, service companies,
   44  and others.—If it has reason to believe that any person has
   45  violated or is violating any provision of this code, or upon the
   46  written complaint signed by any interested person indicating
   47  that any such violation may exist:
   48         (1) The department shall conduct such investigation as it
   49  deems necessary of the accounts, records, documents, and
   50  transactions pertaining to or affecting the insurance affairs of
   51  any general agent, surplus lines agent, adjuster, property
   52  insurance appraisal umpire, managing general agent, insurance
   53  agent, insurance agency, customer representative, service
   54  representative, or other person subject to its jurisdiction,
   55  subject to the requirements of s. 626.601.
   56         (2) The office shall conduct such investigation as it deems
   57  necessary of the accounts, records, documents, and transactions
   58  pertaining to or affecting the insurance affairs of any:
   59         (a) Administrator, service company, or other person subject
   60  to its jurisdiction.
   61         (b) Person having a contract or power of attorney under
   62  which she or he enjoys in fact the exclusive or dominant right
   63  to manage or control an insurer.
   64         (c) Person engaged in or proposing to be engaged in the
   65  promotion or formation of:
   66         1. A domestic insurer;
   67         2. An insurance holding corporation; or
   68         3. A corporation to finance a domestic insurer or in the
   69  production of the domestic insurer’s business.
   70         Section 5. Paragraph (c) of subsection (19) and subsection
   71  (28) of section 624.501, Florida Statutes, are amended, and
   72  subsection (29) is added to that section, to read:
   73         624.501 Filing, license, appointment, and miscellaneous
   74  fees.—The department, commission, or office, as appropriate,
   75  shall collect in advance, and persons so served shall pay to it
   76  in advance, fees, licenses, and miscellaneous charges as
   77  follows:
   78         (19) Miscellaneous services:
   79         (c) For preparing lists of agents, adjusters, property
   80  insurance appraisal umpires, and other insurance
   81  representatives, and for other miscellaneous services, such
   82  reasonable charge as may be fixed by the office or department.
   83         (28) Late filing of appointment renewals for agents,
   84  adjusters, property insurance appraisal umpires, and other
   85  insurance representatives, each appointment...............$20.00
   86         (29)Property insurance appraisal umpires:
   87         (a) Property insurance appraisal umpire’s appointment and
   88  biennial renewal or continuation thereof, each
   89  appointment.................$60.00
   90         (b) Fee to cover the actual cost of a credit report when
   91  such report must be secured by department.
   92         Section 6. Paragraph (e) of subsection (1) of section
   93  624.523, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
   94         624.523 Insurance Regulatory Trust Fund.—
   95         (1) There is created in the State Treasury a trust fund
   96  designated “Insurance Regulatory Trust Fund” to which shall be
   97  credited all payments received on account of the following
   98  items:
   99         (e) All payments received on account of items provided for
  100  under respective provisions of s. 624.501, as follows:
  101         1. Subsection (1) (certificate of authority of insurer).
  102         2. Subsection (2) (charter documents of insurer).
  103         3. Subsection (3) (annual license tax of insurer).
  104         4. Subsection (4) (annual statement of insurer).
  105         5. Subsection (5) (application fee for insurance
  106  representatives).
  107         6. The “appointment fee” portion of any appointment
  108  provided for under paragraphs (6)(a) and (b) (insurance
  109  representatives, property, marine, casualty and surety
  110  insurance, and agents).
  111         7. Paragraph (6)(c) (nonresident agents).
  112         8. Paragraph (6)(d) (service representatives).
  113         9. The “appointment fee” portion of any appointment
  114  provided for under paragraph (7)(a) (life insurance agents,
  115  original appointment, and renewal or continuation of
  116  appointment).
  117         10. Paragraph (7)(b) (nonresident agent license).
  118         11. The “appointment fee” portion of any appointment
  119  provided for under paragraph (8)(a) (health insurance agents,
  120  agent’s appointment, and renewal or continuation fee).
  121         12. Paragraph (8)(b) (nonresident agent appointment).
  122         13. The “appointment fee” portion of any appointment
  123  provided for under subsections (9) and (10) (limited licenses
  124  and fraternal benefit society agents).
  125         14. Subsection (11) (surplus lines agent).
  126         15. Subsection (12) (adjusters’ appointment).
  127         16. Subsection (13) (examination fee).
  128         17. Subsection (14) (temporary license and appointment as
  129  agent or adjuster).
  130         18. Subsection (15) (reissuance, reinstatement, etc.).
  131         19. Subsection (16) (additional license continuation fees).
  132         20. Subsection (17) (filing application for permit to form
  133  insurer).
  134         21. Subsection (18) (license fee of rating organization).
  135         22. Subsection (19) (miscellaneous services).
  136         23. Subsection (20) (insurance agencies).
  137         24. Subsection (29) (property insurance appraisal umpires’
  138  appointment).
  139         Section 7. Subsections (16) through (19) of section
  140  626.015, Florida Statutes, are renumbered as subsections (17)
  141  through (20), respectively, and a new subsection (16) is added
  142  to that section, to read:
  143         626.015 Definitions.—As used in this part:
  144         (16) “Property insurance appraisal umpire” or “umpire”
  145  means a property insurance appraisal umpire as defined in s.
  146  626.9964.
  147         Section 8. Subsection (1) of section 626.016, Florida
  148  Statutes, is amended to read:
  149         626.016 Powers and duties of department, commission, and
  150  office.—
  151         (1) The powers and duties of the Chief Financial Officer
  152  and the department specified in this part apply only with
  153  respect to insurance agents, insurance agencies, managing
  154  general agents, insurance adjusters, umpires, reinsurance
  155  intermediaries, viatical settlement brokers, customer
  156  representatives, service representatives, and agencies.
  157         Section 9. Subsection (1) of section 626.022, Florida
  158  Statutes, is amended to read:
  159         626.022 Scope of part.—
  160         (1) This part applies as to insurance agents, service
  161  representatives, adjusters, umpires, and insurance agencies; as
  162  to any and all kinds of insurance; and as to stock insurers,
  163  mutual insurers, reciprocal insurers, and all other types of
  164  insurers, except that:
  165         (a) It does not apply as to reinsurance, except that ss.
  166  626.011-626.022, ss. 626.112-626.181, ss. 626.191-626.211, ss.
  167  626.291-626.301, s. 626.331, ss. 626.342-626.521, ss. 626.541
  168  626.591, and ss. 626.601-626.711 shall apply as to reinsurance
  169  intermediaries as defined in s. 626.7492.
  170         (b) The applicability of this chapter as to fraternal
  171  benefit societies shall be as provided in chapter 632.
  172         (c) It does not apply to a bail bond agent, as defined in
  173  s. 648.25, except as provided in chapter 648 or chapter 903.
  174         (d) This part does not apply to a certified public
  175  accountant licensed under chapter 473 who is acting within the
  176  scope of the practice of public accounting, as defined in s.
  177  473.302, provided that the activities of the certified public
  178  accountant are limited to advising a client of the necessity of
  179  obtaining insurance, the amount of insurance needed, or the line
  180  of coverage needed, and provided that the certified public
  181  accountant does not directly or indirectly receive or share in
  182  any commission or referral fee.
  183         Section 10. Subsections (6) through (9) of section 626.112,
  184  Florida Statutes, are renumbered as subsections (8) through
  185  (11), respectively, subsection (1) is amended, and new
  186  subsections (6) and (7) are added to that section, to read:
  187         626.112 License and appointment required; agents, customer
  188  representatives, adjusters, umpires, insurance agencies, service
  189  representatives, managing general agents.—
  190         (1)(a) No person may be, act as, or advertise or hold
  191  himself or herself out to be an insurance agent, insurance
  192  adjuster, or customer representative unless he or she is
  193  currently licensed by the department and appointed by an
  194  appropriate appointing entity or person.
  195         (b) Except as provided in subsection (8) (6) or in
  196  applicable department rules, and in addition to other conduct
  197  described in this chapter with respect to particular types of
  198  agents, a license as an insurance agent, service representative,
  199  customer representative, or limited customer representative is
  200  required in order to engage in the solicitation of insurance.
  201  For purposes of this requirement, as applicable to any of the
  202  license types described in this section, the solicitation of
  203  insurance is the attempt to persuade any person to purchase an
  204  insurance product by:
  205         1. Describing the benefits or terms of insurance coverage,
  206  including premiums or rates of return;
  207         2. Distributing an invitation to contract to prospective
  208  purchasers;
  209         3. Making general or specific recommendations as to
  210  insurance products;
  211         4. Completing orders or applications for insurance
  212  products;
  213         5. Comparing insurance products, advising as to insurance
  214  matters, or interpreting policies or coverages; or
  215         6. Offering or attempting to negotiate on behalf of another
  216  person a viatical settlement contract as defined in s. 626.9911.
  217  
  218  However, an employee leasing company licensed pursuant to
  219  chapter 468 which is seeking to enter into a contract with an
  220  employer that identifies products and services offered to
  221  employees may deliver proposals for the purchase of employee
  222  leasing services to prospective clients of the employee leasing
  223  company setting forth the terms and conditions of doing
  224  business; classify employees as permitted by s. 468.529; collect
  225  information from prospective clients and other sources as
  226  necessary to perform due diligence on the prospective client and
  227  to prepare a proposal for services; provide and receive
  228  enrollment forms, plans, and other documents; and discuss or
  229  explain in general terms the conditions, limitations, options,
  230  or exclusions of insurance benefit plans available to the client
  231  or employees of the employee leasing company were the client to
  232  contract with the employee leasing company. Any advertising
  233  materials or other documents describing specific insurance
  234  coverages must identify and be from a licensed insurer or its
  235  licensed agent or a licensed and appointed agent employed by the
  236  employee leasing company. The employee leasing company may not
  237  advise or inform the prospective business client or individual
  238  employees of specific coverage provisions, exclusions, or
  239  limitations of particular plans. As to clients for which the
  240  employee leasing company is providing services pursuant to s.
  241  468.525(4), the employee leasing company may engage in
  242  activities permitted by ss. 626.7315, 626.7845, and 626.8305,
  243  subject to the restrictions specified in those sections. If a
  244  prospective client requests more specific information concerning
  245  the insurance provided by the employee leasing company, the
  246  employee leasing company must refer the prospective business
  247  client to the insurer or its licensed agent or to a licensed and
  248  appointed agent employed by the employee leasing company.
  249         (6) No person shall be, act as, or represent or hold
  250  himself or herself out to be a property insurance appraisal
  251  umpire unless he or she holds a currently effective license and
  252  appointment as a property insurance appraisal umpire.
  253         (7) No person shall be, act as, or represent or hold
  254  himself or herself out to be a property insurance appraiser who
  255  is eligible to represent an insured on a personal residential or
  256  commercial residential property insurance claim unless he or she
  257  holds a currently effective license as an adjuster or is exempt
  258  from licensure under s. 626.860.
  259         Section 11. Subsections (1) and (4) of section 626.171,
  260  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  261         626.171 Application for license as an agent, customer
  262  representative, adjuster, umpire, service representative,
  263  managing general agent, or reinsurance intermediary.—
  264         (1) The department may not issue a license as agent,
  265  customer representative, adjuster, umpire, service
  266  representative, managing general agent, or reinsurance
  267  intermediary to any person except upon written application filed
  268  with the department, meeting the qualifications for the license
  269  applied for as determined by the department, and payment in
  270  advance of all applicable fees. The application must be made
  271  under the oath of the applicant and be signed by the applicant.
  272  An applicant may permit a third party to complete, submit, and
  273  sign an application on the applicant’s behalf, but is
  274  responsible for ensuring that the information on the application
  275  is true and correct and is accountable for any misstatements or
  276  misrepresentations. The department shall accept the uniform
  277  application for nonresident agent licensing. The department may
  278  adopt revised versions of the uniform application by rule.
  279         (4) An applicant for a license as an agent, customer
  280  representative, adjuster, umpire, service representative,
  281  managing general agent, or reinsurance intermediary must submit
  282  a set of the individual applicant’s fingerprints, or, if the
  283  applicant is not an individual, a set of the fingerprints of the
  284  sole proprietor, majority owner, partners, officers, and
  285  directors, to the department and must pay the fingerprint
  286  processing fee set forth in s. 624.501. Fingerprints shall be
  287  used to investigate the applicant’s qualifications pursuant to
  288  s. 626.201. The fingerprints shall be taken by a law enforcement
  289  agency, designated examination center, or other department
  290  approved entity. The department shall require all designated
  291  examination centers to have fingerprinting equipment and to take
  292  fingerprints from any applicant or prospective applicant who
  293  pays the applicable fee. The department may not approve an
  294  application for licensure as an agent, customer service
  295  representative, adjuster, umpire, service representative,
  296  managing general agent, or reinsurance intermediary if
  297  fingerprints have not been submitted.
  298         Section 12. Subsection (9) of section 626.207, Florida
  299  Statutes, is amended to read:
  300         626.207 Disqualification of applicants and licensees;
  301  penalties against licensees; rulemaking authority.—
  302         (9) Section 112.011 does not apply to any applicants for
  303  licensure under the Florida Insurance Code, including, but not
  304  limited to, agents, agencies, adjusters, adjusting firms,
  305  umpires, customer representatives, or managing general agents.
  306         Section 13. Subsections (1) and (2) of section 626.2815,
  307  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  308         626.2815 Continuing education requirements.—
  309         (1) The purpose of this section is to establish
  310  requirements and standards for continuing education courses for
  311  individuals licensed to solicit, sell, or adjust insurance or to
  312  serve as an umpire in the state.
  313         (2) Except as otherwise provided in this section, this
  314  section applies to individuals licensed to transact engage in
  315  the sale of insurance or adjust adjustment of insurance claims
  316  in this state for all lines of insurance for which an
  317  examination is required for licensing and to individuals
  318  licensed to serve as an umpire each insurer, employer, or
  319  appointing entity, including, but not limited to, those created
  320  or existing pursuant to s. 627.351. This section does not apply
  321  to an individual who holds a license for the sale of any line of
  322  insurance for which an examination is not required by the laws
  323  of this state or who holds a limited license as a crop or hail
  324  and multiple-peril crop insurance agent. Licensees who are
  325  unable to comply with the continuing education requirements due
  326  to active duty in the military may submit a written request for
  327  a waiver to the department.
  328         Section 14. Subsections (1), (3), (5), and (6) of section
  329  626.451, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  330         626.451 Appointment of agent or other representative.—
  331         (1) Each appointing entity or person designated by the
  332  department to administer the appointment process appointing an
  333  agent, adjuster, umpire, service representative, customer
  334  representative, or managing general agent in this state shall
  335  file the appointment with the department or office and, at the
  336  same time, pay the applicable appointment fee and taxes. Every
  337  appointment shall be subject to the prior issuance of the
  338  appropriate agent’s, adjuster’s, umpire’s, service
  339  representative’s, customer representative’s, or managing general
  340  agent’s license.
  341         (3) By authorizing the effectuation of the appointment of
  342  an agent, adjuster, umpire, service representative, customer
  343  representative, or managing general agent the appointing entity
  344  is thereby certifying to the department that it is willing to be
  345  bound by the acts of the agent, adjuster, umpire, service
  346  representative, customer representative, or managing general
  347  agent, within the scope of the licensee’s employment or
  348  appointment.
  349         (5) Any law enforcement agency or state attorney’s office
  350  that is aware that an agent, adjuster, umpire, service
  351  representative, customer representative, or managing general
  352  agent has pleaded guilty or nolo contendere to or has been found
  353  guilty of a felony shall notify the department or office of such
  354  fact.
  355         (6) Upon the filing of an information or indictment against
  356  an agent, adjuster, umpire, service representative, customer
  357  representative, or managing general agent, the state attorney
  358  shall immediately furnish the department or office a certified
  359  copy of the information or indictment.
  360         Section 15. Section 626.461, Florida Statutes, is amended
  361  to read:
  362         626.461 Continuation of appointment of agent or other
  363  representative.—Subject to renewal or continuation by the
  364  appointing entity, the appointment of the agent, adjuster,
  365  umpire, service representative, customer representative, or
  366  managing general agent shall continue in effect until the
  367  person’s license is revoked or otherwise terminated, unless
  368  written notice of earlier termination of the appointment is
  369  filed with the department or person designated by the department
  370  to administer the appointment process by either the appointing
  371  entity or the appointee.
  372         Section 16. Subsection (3) of section 626.521, Florida
  373  Statutes, is amended to read:
  374         626.521 Character, credit reports.—
  375         (3) As to an applicant for an adjuster’s, umpire’s, or
  376  reinsurance intermediary’s license who is to be self-employed,
  377  the department may secure, at the cost of the applicant, a full
  378  detailed credit and character report made by an established and
  379  reputable independent reporting service relative to the
  380  applicant.
  381         Section 17. Subsection (1) of section 626.541, Florida
  382  Statutes, is amended to read:
  383         626.541 Firm, corporate, and business names; officers;
  384  associates; notice of changes.—
  385         (1) Any licensed agent, or adjuster, or umpire doing
  386  business under a firm or corporate name or under any business
  387  name other than his or her own individual name shall, within 30
  388  days after initially transacting the initial transaction of
  389  insurance or engaging in insurance activities under such
  390  business name, file with the department, on forms adopted and
  391  furnished by the department, a written statement of the firm,
  392  corporate, or business name being so used, the address of any
  393  office or offices or places of business making use of such name,
  394  and the name and social security number of each officer and
  395  director of the corporation and of each individual associated in
  396  such firm or corporation as to the insurance transactions
  397  thereof or in the use of such business name.
  398         Section 18. Subsection (1) of section 626.601, Florida
  399  Statutes, is amended to read:
  400         626.601 Improper conduct; inquiry; fingerprinting.—
  401         (1) The department or office may, upon its own motion or
  402  upon a written complaint signed by any interested person and
  403  filed with the department or office, inquire into any alleged
  404  improper conduct of any licensed, approved, or certified
  405  licensee, insurance agency, agent, adjuster, umpire, service
  406  representative, managing general agent, customer representative,
  407  title insurance agent, title insurance agency, mediator, neutral
  408  evaluator, navigator, continuing education course provider,
  409  instructor, school official, or monitor group under this code.
  410  The department or office may thereafter initiate an
  411  investigation of any such individual or entity if it has
  412  reasonable cause to believe that the individual or entity has
  413  violated any provision of the insurance code. During the course
  414  of its investigation, the department or office shall contact the
  415  individual or entity being investigated unless it determines
  416  that contacting such individual or entity could jeopardize the
  417  successful completion of the investigation or cause injury to
  418  the public.
  419         Section 19. Subsection (1) of section 626.611, Florida
  420  Statutes, is amended to read:
  421         626.611 Grounds for compulsory refusal, suspension, or
  422  revocation of agent’s, title agency’s, adjuster’s, umpire’s,
  423  customer representative’s, service representative’s, or managing
  424  general agent’s license or appointment.—
  425         (1) The department shall deny an application for, suspend,
  426  revoke, or refuse to renew or continue the license or
  427  appointment of any applicant, agent, title agency, adjuster,
  428  umpire, customer representative, service representative, or
  429  managing general agent, and it shall suspend or revoke the
  430  eligibility to hold a license or appointment of any such person,
  431  if it finds that as to the applicant, licensee, or appointee any
  432  one or more of the following applicable grounds exist:
  433         (a) Lack of one or more of the qualifications for the
  434  license or appointment as specified in this code.
  435         (b) Material misstatement, misrepresentation, or fraud in
  436  obtaining the license or appointment or in attempting to obtain
  437  the license or appointment.
  438         (c) Failure to pass to the satisfaction of the department
  439  any examination required under this code.
  440         (d) If the license or appointment is willfully used, or to
  441  be used, to circumvent any of the requirements or prohibitions
  442  of this code.
  443         (e) Willful misrepresentation of any insurance policy or
  444  annuity contract or willful deception with regard to any such
  445  policy or contract, done either in person or by any form of
  446  dissemination of information or advertising.
  447         (f) If, as an adjuster, or agent licensed and appointed to
  448  adjust claims under this code, he or she has materially
  449  misrepresented to an insured or other interested party the terms
  450  and coverage of an insurance contract with intent and for the
  451  purpose of effecting settlement of claim for loss or damage or
  452  benefit under such contract on less favorable terms than those
  453  provided in and contemplated by the contract.
  454         (g) Demonstrated lack of fitness or trustworthiness to
  455  engage in the business of insurance.
  456         (h) Demonstrated lack of reasonably adequate knowledge and
  457  technical competence to engage in the transactions authorized by
  458  the license or appointment.
  459         (i) Fraudulent or dishonest practices in the conduct of
  460  business under the license or appointment.
  461         (j) Misappropriation, conversion, or unlawful withholding
  462  of moneys belonging to insurers or insureds or beneficiaries or
  463  to others and received in conduct of business under the license
  464  or appointment.
  465         (k) Unlawfully rebating, attempting to unlawfully rebate,
  466  or unlawfully dividing or offering to divide his or her
  467  commission with another.
  468         (l) Having obtained or attempted to obtain, or having used
  469  or using, a license or appointment as agent or customer
  470  representative for the purpose of soliciting or handling
  471  “controlled business” as defined in s. 626.730 with respect to
  472  general lines agents, s. 626.784 with respect to life agents,
  473  and s. 626.830 with respect to health agents.
  474         (m) Willful failure to comply with, or willful violation
  475  of, any proper order or rule of the department or willful
  476  violation of any provision of this code.
  477         (n) Having been found guilty of or having pleaded guilty or
  478  nolo contendere to a felony or a crime punishable by
  479  imprisonment of 1 year or more under the law of the United
  480  States of America or of any state thereof or under the law of
  481  any other country which involves moral turpitude, without regard
  482  to whether a judgment of conviction has been entered by the
  483  court having jurisdiction of such cases.
  484         (o) Fraudulent or dishonest practice in submitting or
  485  aiding or abetting any person in the submission of an
  486  application for workers’ compensation coverage under chapter 440
  487  containing false or misleading information as to employee
  488  payroll or classification for the purpose of avoiding or
  489  reducing the amount of premium due for such coverage.
  490         (p) Sale of an unregistered security that was required to
  491  be registered, pursuant to chapter 517.
  492         (q) In transactions related to viatical settlement
  493  contracts as defined in s. 626.9911:
  494         1. Commission of a fraudulent or dishonest act.
  495         2. No longer meeting the requirements for initial
  496  licensure.
  497         3. Having received a fee, commission, or other valuable
  498  consideration for his or her services with respect to viatical
  499  settlements that involved unlicensed viatical settlement
  500  providers or persons who offered or attempted to negotiate on
  501  behalf of another person a viatical settlement contract as
  502  defined in s. 626.9911 and who were not licensed life agents.
  503         4. Dealing in bad faith with viators.
  504         Section 20. Section 626.621, Florida Statutes, is amended
  505  to read:
  506         626.621 Grounds for discretionary refusal, suspension, or
  507  revocation of agent’s, adjuster’s, umpire’s, customer
  508  representative’s, service representative’s, or managing general
  509  agent’s license or appointment.—The department may, in its
  510  discretion, deny an application for, suspend, revoke, or refuse
  511  to renew or continue the license or appointment of any
  512  applicant, agent, adjuster, umpire, customer representative,
  513  service representative, or managing general agent, and it may
  514  suspend or revoke the eligibility to hold a license or
  515  appointment of any such person, if it finds that as to the
  516  applicant, licensee, or appointee any one or more of the
  517  following applicable grounds exist under circumstances for which
  518  such denial, suspension, revocation, or refusal is not mandatory
  519  under s. 626.611:
  520         (1) Any cause for which issuance of the license or
  521  appointment could have been refused had it then existed and been
  522  known to the department.
  523         (2) Violation of any provision of this code or of any other
  524  law applicable to the business of insurance in the course of
  525  dealing under the license or appointment.
  526         (3) Violation of any lawful order or rule of the
  527  department, commission, or office.
  528         (4) Failure or refusal, upon demand, to pay over to any
  529  insurer he or she represents or has represented any money coming
  530  into his or her hands belonging to the insurer.
  531         (5) Violation of the provision against twisting, as defined
  532  in s. 626.9541(1)(l).
  533         (6) In the conduct of business under the license or
  534  appointment, engaging in unfair methods of competition or in
  535  unfair or deceptive acts or practices, as prohibited under part
  536  IX of this chapter, or having otherwise shown himself or herself
  537  to be a source of injury or loss to the public.
  538         (7) Willful overinsurance of any property or health
  539  insurance risk.
  540         (8) Having been found guilty of or having pleaded guilty or
  541  nolo contendere to a felony or a crime punishable by
  542  imprisonment of 1 year or more under the law of the United
  543  States of America or of any state thereof or under the law of
  544  any other country, without regard to whether a judgment of
  545  conviction has been entered by the court having jurisdiction of
  546  such cases.
  547         (9) If a life agent, violation of the code of ethics.
  548         (10) Cheating on an examination required for licensure or
  549  violating test center or examination procedures published
  550  orally, in writing, or electronically at the test site by
  551  authorized representatives of the examination program
  552  administrator. Communication of test center and examination
  553  procedures must be clearly established and documented.
  554         (11) Failure to inform the department in writing within 30
  555  days after pleading guilty or nolo contendere to, or being
  556  convicted or found guilty of, any felony or a crime punishable
  557  by imprisonment of 1 year or more under the law of the United
  558  States or of any state thereof, or under the law of any other
  559  country without regard to whether a judgment of conviction has
  560  been entered by the court having jurisdiction of the case.
  561         (12) Knowingly aiding, assisting, procuring, advising, or
  562  abetting any person in the violation of or to violate a
  563  provision of the insurance code or any order or rule of the
  564  department, commission, or office.
  565         (13) Has been the subject of or has had a license, permit,
  566  appointment, registration, or other authority to conduct
  567  business subject to any decision, finding, injunction,
  568  suspension, prohibition, revocation, denial, judgment, final
  569  agency action, or administrative order by any court of competent
  570  jurisdiction, administrative law proceeding, state agency,
  571  federal agency, national securities, commodities, or option
  572  exchange, or national securities, commodities, or option
  573  association involving a violation of any federal or state
  574  securities or commodities law or any rule or regulation adopted
  575  thereunder, or a violation of any rule or regulation of any
  576  national securities, commodities, or options exchange or
  577  national securities, commodities, or options association.
  578         (14) Failure to comply with any civil, criminal, or
  579  administrative action taken by the child support enforcement
  580  program under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C.
  581  ss. 651 et seq., to determine paternity or to establish, modify,
  582  enforce, or collect support.
  583         (15) Directly or indirectly accepting any compensation,
  584  inducement, or reward from an inspector for the referral of the
  585  owner of the inspected property to the inspector or inspection
  586  company. This prohibition applies to an inspection intended for
  587  submission to an insurer in order to obtain property insurance
  588  coverage or establish the applicable property insurance premium.
  589         Section 21. Subsection (4) of section 626.641, Florida
  590  Statutes, is amended to read:
  591         626.641 Duration of suspension or revocation.—
  592         (4) During the period of suspension or revocation of a
  593  license or appointment, and until the license is reinstated or,
  594  if revoked, a new license issued, the former licensee or
  595  appointee may not engage in or attempt or profess to engage in
  596  any transaction or business for which a license or appointment
  597  is required under this code or directly or indirectly own,
  598  control, or be employed in any manner by an agent, agency,
  599  adjuster, or adjusting firm, or umpire.
  600         Section 22. Subsection (2) of section 626.7845, Florida
  601  Statutes, is amended to read:
  602         626.7845 Prohibition against unlicensed transaction of life
  603  insurance.—
  604         (2) Except as provided in s. 626.112(8) 626.112(6), with
  605  respect to any line of authority specified in s. 626.015(10), no
  606  individual shall, unless licensed as a life agent:
  607         (a) Solicit insurance or annuities or procure applications;
  608         (b) In this state, engage or hold himself or herself out as
  609  engaging in the business of analyzing or abstracting insurance
  610  policies or of counseling or advising or giving opinions to
  611  persons relative to insurance or insurance contracts other than:
  612         1. As a consulting actuary advising an insurer; or
  613         2. As to the counseling and advising of labor unions,
  614  associations, trustees, employers, or other business entities,
  615  the subsidiaries and affiliates of each, relative to their
  616  interests and those of their members or employees under
  617  insurance benefit plans; or
  618         (c) In this state, from this state, or with a resident of
  619  this state, offer or attempt to negotiate on behalf of another
  620  person a viatical settlement contract as defined in s. 626.9911.
  621         Section 23. Section 626.8305, Florida Statutes, is amended
  622  to read:
  623         626.8305 Prohibition against the unlicensed transaction of
  624  health insurance.—Except as provided in s. 626.112(8)
  625  626.112(6), with respect to any line of authority specified in
  626  s. 626.015(6), no individual shall, unless licensed as a health
  627  agent:
  628         (1) Solicit insurance or procure applications; or
  629         (2) In this state, engage or hold himself or herself out as
  630  engaging in the business of analyzing or abstracting insurance
  631  policies or of counseling or advising or giving opinions to
  632  persons relative to insurance contracts other than:
  633         (a) As a consulting actuary advising insurers; or
  634         (b) As to the counseling and advising of labor unions,
  635  associations, trustees, employers, or other business entities,
  636  the subsidiaries and affiliates of each, relative to their
  637  interests and those of their members or employees under
  638  insurance benefit plans.
  639         Section 24. Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section
  640  626.8411, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  641         626.8411 Application of Florida Insurance Code provisions
  642  to title insurance agents or agencies.—
  643         (2) The following provisions of part I do not apply to
  644  title insurance agents or title insurance agencies:
  645         (a) Section 626.112(9) 626.112(7), relating to licensing of
  646  insurance agencies.
  647         Section 25. Subsection (4) of section 626.8443, Florida
  648  Statutes, is amended to read:
  649         626.8443 Duration of suspension or revocation.—
  650         (4) During the period of suspension or after revocation of
  651  the license and appointment, the former licensee shall not
  652  engage in or attempt to profess to engage in any transaction or
  653  business for which a license or appointment is required under
  654  this code or directly or indirectly own, control, or be employed
  655  in any manner by any insurance agent or agency, or adjuster, or
  656  adjusting firm, or umpire.
  657         Section 26. Paragraph (d) is added to subsection (11) of
  658  section 626.854, Florida Statutes, to read:
  659         626.854 “Public adjuster” defined; prohibitions.—The
  660  Legislature finds that it is necessary for the protection of the
  661  public to regulate public insurance adjusters and to prevent the
  662  unauthorized practice of law.
  663         (11)
  664         (d) If a public adjuster enters into a contract with an
  665  insured or a claimant to perform an appraisal, as defined in s.
  666  626.9964, the public adjuster may not charge, agree to, or
  667  accept from any source compensation, payment, commission, fee,
  668  or any other thing of value in excess of the limitations set
  669  forth in paragraph (b) for the appraisal services or, if also
  670  serving as adjuster on the claim, a combination of adjuster and
  671  appraisal services.
  672         Section 27. Section 626.8791, Florida Statutes, is created
  673  to read:
  674         626.8791 Contracts for appraisal services; required
  675  notice.—A contract between an adjuster and an insured or
  676  claimant to perform an appraisal must contain the following
  677  language in at least 14-point boldfaced, uppercase type: “THERE
  678  IS NO LEGAL REQUIREMENT THAT AN APPRAISER CHARGE A CLIENT A SET
  679  FEE OR A PERCENTAGE OF MONEY RECOVERED IN A CASE. YOU, THE
  680  CLIENT, HAVE THE RIGHT TO TALK WITH YOUR APPRAISER ABOUT THE
  681  PROPOSED FEE AND TO BARGAIN ABOUT THE RATE OR PERCENTAGE AS IN
  682  ANY OTHER CONTRACT. IF YOU DO NOT REACH AN AGREEMENT WITH ONE
  683  APPRAISER YOU MAY TALK WITH OTHER APPRAISERS.”
  684         Section 28. Subsection (1) of section 626.9957, Florida
  685  Statutes, is amended to read:
  686         626.9957 Conduct prohibited; denial, revocation, or
  687  suspension of registration.—
  688         (1) As provided in s. 626.112, only a person licensed as an
  689  insurance agent or customer representative may engage in the
  690  solicitation of insurance. A person who engages in the
  691  solicitation of insurance as described in s. 626.112(1) without
  692  such license is subject to the penalties provided under s.
  693  626.112(11) 626.112(9).
  694         Section 29. Part XIV of chapter 626, Florida Statutes,
  695  consisting of sections 626.9961 through 626.9968, is created to
  696  read:
  697                              PART XIV                             
  698                PROPERTY INSURANCE APPRAISAL UMPIRES               
  699         626.9961 Short title.—This part may be referred to as the
  700  “Property Insurance Appraisal Umpire Law.”
  701         626.9962 Legislative purpose.—The Legislature finds it
  702  necessary to regulate persons that hold themselves out to the
  703  public as qualified to provide services as property insurance
  704  appraisal umpires in order to protect the public safety and
  705  welfare and to avoid economic injury to the residents of this
  706  state. This part applies only to property insurance appraisal
  707  umpires as defined in this part.
  708         626.9963 Part supplements licensing law.—This part is
  709  supplementary to part I, the “Licensing Procedures Law.”
  710         626.9964 Definitions.—As used in this part, the term:
  711         (1) “Appraisal” means, for purposes of licensure under this
  712  part only, a process of alternative dispute resolution used in a
  713  personal residential or commercial residential property
  714  insurance claim.
  715         (2) “Competent” means sufficiently qualified and capable of
  716  performing an appraisal.
  717         (3) “Department” means the Department of Financial
  718  Services.
  719         (4) “Property insurance appraisal umpire” or “umpire” means
  720  a person selected by the appraisers representing the insurer and
  721  the insured, or, if the appraisers cannot agree, by the court,
  722  who is charged with resolving issues that the appraisers are
  723  unable to agree upon during the course of an appraisal.
  724         (5) “Property insurance appraiser” or “appraiser” means the
  725  person selected by an insurer or insured to perform an
  726  appraisal.
  727         626.9965 Qualification for license as a property insurance
  728  appraisal umpire.—
  729         (1) The department shall issue a license as an umpire to a
  730  person who meets the requirements of subsection (2) and is one
  731  of the following:
  732         (a) A retired county, circuit, or appellate judge.
  733         (b) Licensed as an engineer pursuant to chapter 471 or is a
  734  retired professional engineer as defined in s. 471.005.
  735         (c) Licensed as a general contractor, building contractor,
  736  or residential contractor pursuant to part I of chapter 489.
  737         (d) Licensed or registered as an architect to engage in the
  738  practice of architecture pursuant to part I of chapter 481.
  739         (e) A member of The Florida Bar.
  740         (f) Licensed as an adjuster pursuant to part VI of chapter
  741  626, which license includes the property and casualty lines of
  742  insurance. An adjuster must have been licensed for at least 5
  743  years as an adjuster before he or she may be licensed as an
  744  umpire.
  745         (2) An applicant may be licensed to practice in this state
  746  as an umpire if the applicant:
  747         (a) Is a natural person at least 18 years of age;
  748         (b) Is a United Stated citizen or legal alien who possesses
  749  work authorization from the United States Bureau of Citizenship
  750  and Immigration;
  751         (c) Is of good moral character;
  752         (d) Has paid the applicable fees specified in s. 624.501;
  753  and
  754         (e) Has, before the date of the application for licensure,
  755  satisfactorily completed education courses approved by the
  756  department covering:
  757         1. Insurance claims estimating; and
  758         2. Insurance law, ethics for insurance professionals,
  759  disciplinary trends, and case studies.
  760         (3) The department may not reject an application solely
  761  because the applicant is or is not a member of a given appraisal
  762  organization.
  763         626.9966 Grounds for refusal, suspension, or revocation of
  764  an umpire license or appointment.—The department may deny an
  765  application for license or appointment under this part; suspend,
  766  revoke, or refuse to renew or continue a license or appointment
  767  of an umpire; or suspend or revoke eligibility for licensure or
  768  appointment as an umpire if the department finds that one or
  769  more of the following applicable grounds exist:
  770         (1) Violating a duty imposed upon him or her by law or by
  771  the terms of the umpire agreement; aiding, assisting, or
  772  conspiring with any other person engaged in any such misconduct
  773  and in furtherance thereof; or forming the intent, design, or
  774  scheme to engage in such misconduct and committing an overt act
  775  in furtherance of such intent, design, or scheme. An umpire
  776  commits a violation of this part regardless of whether the
  777  victim or intended victim of the misconduct has sustained any
  778  damage or loss; the damage or loss has been settled and paid
  779  after the discovery of misconduct; or the victim or intended
  780  victim is an insurer or customer or a person in a confidential
  781  relationship with the umpire or is an identified member of the
  782  general public.
  783         (2) Having a registration, license, or certification to
  784  practice or conduct any regulated profession, business, or
  785  vocation revoked, suspended, or encumbered; or having an
  786  application for such registration, licensure, or certification
  787  to practice or conduct any regulated profession, business, or
  788  vocation denied, by this or any other state, any nation, or any
  789  possession or district of the United States.
  790         (3) Making or filing a report or record, written or oral,
  791  which the umpire knows to be false; willfully failing to file a
  792  report or record required by state or federal law; willfully
  793  impeding or obstructing such filing; or inducing another person
  794  to impede or obstruct such filing.
  795         (4) Agreeing to serve as an umpire if service is contingent
  796  upon the umpire reporting a predetermined amount, analysis, or
  797  opinion.
  798         (5) Agreeing to serve as an umpire, if the fee to be paid
  799  for his or her services is contingent upon the opinion,
  800  conclusion, or valuation he or she reaches.
  801         (6) Failure of an umpire, without good cause, to
  802  communicate within 10 business days of a request for
  803  communication from an appraiser.
  804         (7) Violation of any ethical standard for umpires specified
  805  in s. 626.9967.
  806         626.9967 Ethical standards for property insurance appraisal
  807  umpires.—
  808         (1) CONFIDENTIALITY.—
  809         (a) Unless disclosure is otherwise required by law, an
  810  umpire shall maintain confidentiality of all information
  811  revealed during an appraisal.
  812         (b) An umpire shall maintain confidentiality in the storage
  813  and disposal of records and may not disclose any identifying
  814  information if materials are used in research, training, or
  815  statistical compilations.
  816         (2) FEES AND EXPENSES.—
  817         (a) The fees charged by an umpire must be reasonable and
  818  consistent with the nature of the case.
  819         (b) In determining fees, an umpire:
  820         1. Must charge on an hourly basis and may bill only for
  821  actual time spent on or allocated for the appraisal.
  822         2. May not charge, agree to, or accept as compensation or
  823  reimbursement any payment, commission, or fee that is based on a
  824  percentage of the value of the claim or that is contingent upon
  825  a specified outcome.
  826         3. May charge for costs actually incurred, and no other
  827  costs.
  828         (c) An appraiser may assign the duty of paying the umpire’s
  829  fee to, and the umpire is entitled to receive payment directly
  830  from, the insurer and the insured if the insurer and the insured
  831  acknowledge and accept the duty and agree in writing to be
  832  responsible for payment.
  833         (3) MAINTENANCE OF RECORDS.—An umpire shall maintain
  834  records necessary to support charges for services and expenses,
  835  and, upon request, shall provide an accounting of all applicable
  836  charges to the insurer and insured. An umpire shall retain
  837  original or true copies of any contracts engaging his or her
  838  services, appraisal reports, and supporting data assembled and
  839  formulated by the umpire in preparing appraisal reports for at
  840  least 5 years. The umpire shall make the records available to
  841  the department for inspection and copying within 7 business days
  842  of a request. If an appraisal has been the subject of, or has
  843  been admitted as evidence in, a lawsuit, reports and records
  844  related to the appraisal must be retained for at least 2 years
  845  after the date that the trial ends.
  846         (4) ADVERTISING.—An umpire may not engage in marketing
  847  practices that contain false or misleading information. An
  848  umpire shall ensure that any advertisement of his or her
  849  qualifications, services to be rendered, or the appraisal
  850  process are accurate and honest. An umpire may not make claims
  851  of achieving specific outcomes or promises implying favoritism
  852  for the purpose of obtaining business.
  853         (5) INTEGRITY AND IMPARTIALITY.—
  854         (a)1. An umpire may not accept an appraisal unless he or
  855  she can serve competently, promptly commence the appraisal and,
  856  thereafter, devote the time and attention to its completion in
  857  the manner expected by all persons involved in the appraisal.
  858         2. An umpire shall conduct the appraisal process in a
  859  manner that advances the fair and efficient resolution of issues
  860  that arise.
  861         3. An umpire shall deliberate and decide all issues within
  862  the scope of the appraisal, but may not render a decision on any
  863  other issues. An umpire shall decide all matters justly,
  864  exercising independent judgment. An umpire may not delegate his
  865  or her duties to any other person. An umpire who considers the
  866  opinion of an independent expert does not violate this
  867  paragraph.
  868         (b) An umpire may not engage in any business, provide any
  869  service, or perform any act that would compromise his or her
  870  integrity or impartiality.
  871         (6) SKILL AND EXPERIENCE.—An umpire shall decline or
  872  withdraw from an appraisal or request appropriate assistance
  873  when the facts and circumstances of the appraisal prove to be
  874  beyond his or her skill or experience.
  875         (7) GIFTS AND SOLICITATION.—An umpire or any individual or
  876  entity acting on behalf of an umpire may not solicit, accept,
  877  give, or offer to give, directly or indirectly, any gift, favor,
  878  loan, or other item of value in excess of $25 to any individual
  879  who participates in the appraisal, for the purpose of
  880  solicitation or otherwise attempting to procure future work from
  881  any person who participates in the appraisal, or as an
  882  inducement to entering into an appraisal with an umpire. This
  883  subsection does not prevent an umpire from accepting other
  884  appraisals where the appraisers agree upon the umpire or the
  885  court appoints the umpire.
  886         626.9968 Conflicts of interest.—An insurer may challenge an
  887  umpire’s impartiality and disqualify the proposed umpire only
  888  if:
  889         (1) A familial relationship within the third degree exists
  890  between the umpire and a party or a representative of a party;
  891         (2) The umpire has previously represented a party in a
  892  professional capacity in the same claim or matter involving the
  893  same property;
  894         (3) The umpire has represented another person in a
  895  professional capacity in the same or a substantially related
  896  matter that includes the claim, the same property or an adjacent
  897  property, and the other person’s interests are materially
  898  adverse to the interests of a party; or
  899         (4) The umpire has worked as an employer or employee of a
  900  party within the preceding 5 years.
  901         Section 30. Section 627.70151, Florida Statutes, is
  902  repealed.
  903         Section 31. For the 2016-2017 fiscal year, the sums of
  904  $24,000 in recurring funds from the Insurance Regulatory Trust
  905  Fund and $73,107 in recurring funds and $39,230 in nonrecurring
  906  funds from the Administrative Trust Fund are appropriated to the
  907  Department of Financial Services, and one full-time equivalent
  908  position with associated salary rate of 47,291 is authorized,
  909  for the purpose of implementing this act.
  910         Section 32. This act applies to all appraisals requested on
  911  or after October 1, 2016.
  912         Section 33. This act shall take effect October 1, 2016.
  913  
  914  ================= T I T L E  A M E N D M E N T ================
  915  And the title is amended as follows:
  916         Delete everything before the enacting clause
  917  and insert:
  918                        A bill to be entitled                      
  919         An act relating to property insurance appraisers and
  920         property insurance appraisal umpires; amending s.
  921         624.04, F.S.; revising the definition of the term
  922         “person”; amending s. 624.303, F.S.; exempting
  923         certificates issued to property insurance appraisal
  924         umpires from the requirement to bear a seal of the
  925         Department of Financial Services; amending s. 624.311,
  926         F.S.; providing a schedule for destruction of property
  927         insurance appraisal umpire licensing files and
  928         records; amending s. 624.317, F.S.; authorizing the
  929         department to investigate property insurance appraisal
  930         umpires for violations of the insurance code; amending
  931         s. 624.501, F.S.; authorizing specified licensing fees
  932         for property insurance appraisal umpires; amending s.
  933         624.523, F.S.; requiring fees associated with property
  934         insurance appraisal umpires’ appointments to be
  935         deposited into the Insurance Regulatory Trust Fund;
  936         amending s. 626.015, F.S.; providing a definition;
  937         amending s. 626.016, F.S.; revising the scope of the
  938         Chief Financial Officer’s powers and duties and the
  939         department’s enforcement jurisdiction to include
  940         umpires; amending s. 626.022, F.S.; including property
  941         insurance appraisal umpire licensing in the scope of
  942         part I of chapter 626, F.S., relating to licensing
  943         procedures; amending s. 626.112, F.S.; requiring
  944         umpires to be licensed and appointed; requiring
  945         licensure as an adjuster when serving as an appraiser
  946         under certain conditions; amending s. 626.171, F.S.;
  947         requiring applicants for licensure as an umpire to
  948         submit fingerprints to the department; amending s.
  949         626.207, F.S.; excluding applicants for licensure as
  950         umpires from application of s. 112.011, F.S., relating
  951         to disqualification from license or public employment;
  952         amending s. 626.2815, F.S.; requiring specified
  953         continuing education for licensure as an umpire;
  954         amending s. 626.451, F.S.; providing requirements
  955         relating to the appointment of an umpire; amending s.
  956         626.461, F.S.; providing that an umpire appointment
  957         continues in effect, subject to renewal or earlier
  958         written notice of termination, until the person’s
  959         license is revoked or otherwise terminated; amending
  960         s. 626.521, F.S.; authorizing the department to obtain
  961         a credit and character report for certain umpire
  962         applicants; amending s. 626.541, F.S.; requiring an
  963         umpire to provide certain information to the
  964         department when doing business under a different
  965         business name or when information in the licensure
  966         application changes; amending s. 626.601, F.S.;
  967         authorizing the department to investigate improper
  968         conduct of any licensed umpire; amending s. 626.611,
  969         F.S.; requiring the department to refuse, suspend, or
  970         revoke an umpire’s license under certain
  971         circumstances; amending s. 626.621, F.S.; authorizing
  972         the department to refuse, suspend, or revoke an
  973         umpire’s license under certain circumstances; amending
  974         s. 626.641, F.S.; prohibiting an umpire from owning,
  975         controlling, or being employed by other licensees
  976         during the period the umpire’s license is suspended or
  977         revoked; amending ss. 626.7845, 626.8305, and
  978         626.8411, F.S.; conforming provisions to changes made
  979         by the act; amending s. 626.8443, F.S.; prohibiting a
  980         title insurance agent from owning, controlling, or
  981         being employed by an umpire during the period the
  982         agent’s license is suspended or revoked; amending s.
  983         626.854, F.S.; providing limitations on fees charged
  984         by a public adjuster during an appraisal; creating s.
  985         626.8791, F.S.; establishing required notice in a
  986         contract for appraisal services; amending s. 626.9957,
  987         F.S.; conforming a cross-reference; creating part XIV
  988         of chapter 626, F.S., relating to property insurance
  989         appraisal umpires; creating s. 626.9961, F.S.;
  990         providing a short title; creating s. 626.9962, F.S.;
  991         providing legislative purpose; creating s. 626.9963,
  992         F.S.; providing that the part supplements part I of
  993         chapter 626, F.S., the “Licensing Procedure Law”;
  994         creating s. 626.9964, F.S.; providing definitions;
  995         creating s. 626.9965, F.S.; providing qualifications
  996         for license as an umpire; creating s. 626.9966, F.S.;
  997         authorizing the department to refuse, suspend, or
  998         revoke an umpire’s license under certain
  999         circumstances; creating s. 626.9967, F.S.; providing
 1000         ethical standards for property insurance appraisal
 1001         umpires; creating s. 626.9968, F.S.; providing for
 1002         disqualification of an umpire under certain
 1003         circumstances; repealing s. 627.70151, F.S., relating
 1004         to appraisal conflicts of interest; providing an
 1005         appropriation and authorizing positions; providing
 1006         applicability; providing an effective date.
 1007  

feedback