Bill Text: FL H0443 | 2011 | Regular Session | Comm Sub


Bill Title: Electronic Filing & Receipt/Court & Legal Document

Spectrum:

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-05-03 - Laid on Table, companion bill(s) passed, see CS/CS/SB 170 (Ch. [H0443 Detail]

Download: Florida-2011-H0443-Comm_Sub.html
CS/CS/HB 443

1
A bill to be entitled
2An act relating to electronic filing and receipt of court
3and other legal documents; creating ss. 27.341 and
427.5112, F.S.; requiring each state attorney and public
5defender to electronically file court documents with the
6clerk of the court and receive court documents from the
7clerk of the court; defining the term "court documents";
8providing legislative expectations that the state
9attorneys and public defenders consult with specified
10entities; requiring the Florida Prosecuting Attorneys
11Association and the Florida Public Defender Association
12report to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of
13the House of Representatives by a specified date on the
14progress made to use the Florida Courts E-Portal system or
15the clerks' offices portals to electronically file and
16receive court documents; amending ss. 440.192 and 440.25,
17F.S.; providing for electronic procedures for filing
18documents and resolving benefit disputes in workers'
19compensation proceedings; requiring a response to a
20petition for workers' compensation benefits to be filed by
21approved electronic means; amending ss. 440.29 and 440.45,
22F.S.; requiring that the practice and procedure before the
23judges of compensation claims be governed by the Office of
24the Judges of Compensation Claims instead of the Supreme
25Court; authorizing the Office of the Judges of
26Compensation Claims to adopt rules to implement electronic
27procedures; amending s. 120.52, F.S.; requiring use of
28electronic procedures by those represented by an attorney;
29amending s. 120.54, F.S.; requiring a petitioner
30requesting an administrative hearing to include the
31petitioner's e-mail address; amending ss. 57.111, 120.56,
32120.569, 120.57, 552.40, 553.73, and 961.03, F.S.;
33providing for electronic procedures in administrative
34proceedings; providing an effective date.
35
36Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
37
38     Section 1.  Section 27.341, Florida Statutes, is created to
39read:
40     27.341  Electronic filing and receipt of court documents.-
41     (1)(a)  Each office of the state attorney shall
42electronically file court documents with the clerk of the court
43and receive court documents from the clerk of the court. It is
44the expectation of the Legislature that the electronic filing
45and receipt of court documents will reduce costs for the office
46of the state attorney, the clerk of the court, and the
47judiciary; will increase timeliness in the processing of cases;
48and will provide the judiciary and the clerk of the court with
49case-related information to allow for improved judicial case
50management.
51     (b)  As used in this section, the term "court documents"
52includes, but is not limited to, pleadings, motions, briefs, and
53their respective attachments, orders, judgments, opinions,
54decrees, and transcripts.
55     (2)  It is further the expectation of the Legislature that
56each office of the state attorney consult with the office of the
57public defender for the same circuit served by the office of the
58state attorney, the clerks of court for the circuit, the Florida
59Court Technology Commission, and any authority that governs the
60operation of a statewide portal for the electronic filing and
61receipt of court documents.
62     (3)  The Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association shall
63file a report with the President of the Senate and the Speaker
64of the House of Representatives by March 1, 2012, describing the
65progress that each office of the state attorney has made to use
66the Florida Courts E-Portal or, if the case type is not approved
67for the Florida Courts E-Portal, separate clerks' offices
68portals for purposes of electronic filing and documenting
69receipt of court documents. For any office of the state attorney
70that has not fully implemented an electronic filing and receipt
71system by March 1, 2012, the report must also include a
72description of the additional activities that are needed to
73complete the system for that office and the projected time
74necessary to complete the additional activities.
75     Section 2.  Section 27.5112, Florida Statutes, is created
76to read:
77     27.5112  Electronic filing and receipt of court documents.-
78     (1)(a)  Each office of the public defender shall
79electronically file court documents with the clerk of the court
80and receive court documents from the clerk of the court. It is
81the expectation of the Legislature that the electronic filing
82and receipt of court documents will reduce costs for the office
83of the public defender, the clerk of the court, and the
84judiciary; will increase timeliness in the processing of cases;
85and will provide the judiciary and the clerk of the court with
86case-related information to allow for improved judicial case
87management.
88     (b)  As used in this section, the term "court documents"
89includes, but is not limited to, pleadings, motions, briefs, and
90their respective attachments, orders, judgments, opinions,
91decrees, and transcripts.
92     (2)  It is further the expectation of the Legislature that,
93in developing the capability and implementing the process, each
94office of the public defender consult with the office of the
95state attorney for the same circuit served by the office of the
96public defender, the clerks of court for the circuit, the
97Florida Court Technology Commission, and any authority that
98governs the operation of a statewide portal for the electronic
99filing and receipt of court documents.
100     (3)  The Florida Public Defender Association shall file a
101report with the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the
102House of Representatives by March 1, 2012, describing the
103progress that each office of the public defender has made to use
104the Florida Courts E-Portal or, if the case type is not approved
105for the Florida Courts E-Portal, separate clerks' offices
106portals for purposes of electronic filing and documenting
107receipt of court documents. For any office of the public
108defender that has not fully implemented an electronic filing and
109receipt system by March 1, 2012, the report must also include a
110description of the additional activities that are needed to
111complete the system for that office and the projected time
112necessary to complete the additional activities.
113     Section 3.  Subsections (1) and (8) of section 440.192,
114Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
115     440.192  Procedure for resolving benefit disputes.-
116     (1)  Any employee may, for any benefit that is ripe, due,
117and owing, file by certified mail, or by electronic means
118approved by the Deputy Chief Judge, with the Office of the
119Judges of Compensation Claims a petition for benefits which
120meets the requirements of this section and the definition of
121specificity in s. 440.02. An employee represented by an attorney
122shall file by electronic means approved by the Deputy Chief
123Judge. An employee not represented by an attorney may file by
124certified mail or by electronic means approved by the Deputy
125Chief Judge. The department shall inform employees of the
126location of the Office of the Judges of Compensation Claims and
127the office's website address for purposes of filing a petition
128for benefits. The employee shall also serve copies of the
129petition for benefits by certified mail, or by electronic means
130approved by the Deputy Chief Judge, upon the employer and the
131employer's carrier. The Deputy Chief Judge shall refer the
132petitions to the judges of compensation claims.
133     (8)  Within 14 days after receipt of a petition for
134benefits by certified mail or by approved electronic means, the
135carrier must either pay the requested benefits without prejudice
136to its right to deny within 120 days from receipt of the
137petition or file a response to petition with the Office of the
138Judges of Compensation Claims. The response shall be filed by
139electronic means approved by the Deputy Chief Judge. The carrier
140must list all benefits requested but not paid and explain its
141justification for nonpayment in the response to petition. A
142carrier that does not deny compensability in accordance with s.
143440.20(4) is deemed to have accepted the employee's injuries as
144compensable, unless it can establish material facts relevant to
145the issue of compensability that could not have been discovered
146through reasonable investigation within the 120-day period. The
147carrier shall provide copies of the response to the filing
148party, employer, and claimant by certified mail or by electronic
149means approved by the Deputy Chief Judge.
150     Section 4.  Subsection (1) and paragraphs (a), (c), and (e)
151of subsection (4) of section 440.25, Florida Statutes, are
152amended to read:
153     440.25  Procedures for mediation and hearings.-
154     (1)  Forty days after a petition for benefits is filed
155under s. 440.192, the judge of compensation claims shall notify
156the interested parties by order that a mediation conference
157concerning such petition has been scheduled unless the parties
158have notified the judge of compensation claims that a private
159mediation has been held or is scheduled to be held. A mediation,
160whether private or public, shall be held within 130 days after
161the filing of the petition. Such order must give the date the
162mediation conference is to be held. Such order may be served
163personally upon the interested parties or may be sent to the
164interested parties by mail or by electronic means approved by
165the Deputy Chief Judge. If multiple petitions are pending, or if
166additional petitions are filed after the scheduling of a
167mediation, the judge of compensation claims shall consolidate
168all petitions into one mediation. The claimant or the adjuster
169of the employer or carrier may, at the mediator's discretion,
170attend the mediation conference by telephone or, if agreed to by
171the parties, other electronic means. A continuance may be
172granted upon the agreement of the parties or if the requesting
173party demonstrates to the judge of compensation claims that the
174reason for requesting the continuance arises from circumstances
175beyond the party's control. Any order granting a continuance
176must set forth the date of the rescheduled mediation conference.
177A mediation conference may not be used solely for the purpose of
178mediating attorney's fees.
179     (4)(a)  If the parties fail to agree to written submission
180of pretrial stipulations, the judge of compensation claims shall
181conduct a live pretrial hearing. The judge of compensation
182claims shall give the interested parties at least 14 days'
183advance notice of the pretrial hearing by mail or by electronic
184means approved by the Deputy Chief Judge.
185     (c)  The judge of compensation claims shall give the
186interested parties at least 14 days' advance notice of the final
187hearing, served upon the interested parties by mail or by
188electronic means approved by the Deputy Chief Judge.
189     (e)  The order making an award or rejecting the claim,
190referred to in this chapter as a "compensation order," shall set
191forth the findings of ultimate facts and the mandate; and the
192order need not include any other reason or justification for
193such mandate. The compensation order shall be filed in the
194Office of the Judges of Compensation Claims at Tallahassee. A
195copy of such compensation order shall be sent by mail or by
196electronic means approved by the Deputy Chief Judge to the
197parties and attorneys of record and any parties not represented
198by an attorney at the last known address of each, with the date
199of mailing noted thereon.
200     Section 5.  Subsection (3) of section 440.29, Florida
201Statutes, is amended to read:
202     440.29  Procedure before the judge of compensation claims.-
203     (3)  The practice and procedure before the judges of
204compensation claims shall be governed by rules adopted by the
205Office of the Judges of Compensation Claims Supreme Court,
206except to the extent that such rules conflict with the
207provisions of this chapter.
208     Section 6.  Subsection (4) of section 440.45, Florida
209Statutes, is amended to read:
210     440.45  Office of the Judges of Compensation Claims.-
211     (4)  The Office of the Judges of Compensation Claims shall
212adopt rules to carry out effect the purposes of this section.
213Such rules must shall include procedural rules applicable to
214workers' compensation claim resolution, including rules
215requiring electronic filing and service where deemed appropriate
216by the Deputy Chief Judge, and uniform criteria for measuring
217the performance of the office, including, but not limited to,
218the number of cases assigned and resolved disposed, the age of
219pending and resolved disposed cases, timeliness of decisions
220decisionmaking, extraordinary fee awards, and other data
221necessary for the judicial nominating commission to review the
222performance of judges as required in paragraph (2)(c). The
223workers' compensation rules of procedure approved by the Supreme
224Court apply until the rules adopted by the Office of the Judges
225of Compensation Claims pursuant to this section become
226effective.
227     Section 7.  Subsection (5) of section 120.52, Florida
228Statutes, is amended to read:
229     120.52  Definitions.-As used in this act:
230     (5)  "Division" means the Division of Administrative
231Hearings. Any document filed with the division by a party
232represented by an attorney shall be filed by electronic means
233through the division's website. Any document filed with the
234division by a party not represented by an attorney shall,
235whenever possible, be filed by electronic means through the
236division's website.
237     Section 8.  Paragraph (b) of subsection (5) of section
238120.54, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
239     120.54  Rulemaking.-
240     (5)  UNIFORM RULES.-
241     (b)  The uniform rules of procedure adopted by the
242commission pursuant to this subsection shall include, but are
243not limited to:
244     1.  Uniform rules for the scheduling of public meetings,
245hearings, and workshops.
246     2.  Uniform rules for use by each state agency that provide
247procedures for conducting public meetings, hearings, and
248workshops, and for taking evidence, testimony, and argument at
249such public meetings, hearings, and workshops, in person and by
250means of communications media technology. The rules shall
251provide that all evidence, testimony, and argument presented
252shall be afforded equal consideration, regardless of the method
253of communication. If a public meeting, hearing, or workshop is
254to be conducted by means of communications media technology, or
255if attendance may be provided by such means, the notice shall so
256state. The notice for public meetings, hearings, and workshops
257utilizing communications media technology shall state how
258persons interested in attending may do so and shall name
259locations, if any, where communications media technology
260facilities will be available. Nothing in this paragraph shall be
261construed to diminish the right to inspect public records under
262chapter 119. Limiting points of access to public meetings,
263hearings, and workshops subject to the provisions of s. 286.011
264to places not normally open to the public shall be presumed to
265violate the right of access of the public, and any official
266action taken under such circumstances is void and of no effect.
267Other laws relating to public meetings, hearings, and workshops,
268including penal and remedial provisions, shall apply to public
269meetings, hearings, and workshops conducted by means of
270communications media technology, and shall be liberally
271construed in their application to such public meetings,
272hearings, and workshops. As used in this subparagraph,
273"communications media technology" means the electronic
274transmission of printed matter, audio, full-motion video,
275freeze-frame video, compressed video, and digital video by any
276method available.
277     3.  Uniform rules of procedure for the filing of notice of
278protests and formal written protests. The Administration
279Commission may prescribe the form and substantive provisions of
280a required bond.
281     4.  Uniform rules of procedure for the filing of petitions
282for administrative hearings pursuant to s. 120.569 or s. 120.57.
283Such rules shall require the petition to include:
284     a.  The identification of the petitioner, including the
285petitioner's e-mail address, if any, for the transmittal of
286subsequent documents by electronic means.
287     b.  A statement of when and how the petitioner received
288notice of the agency's action or proposed action.
289     c.  An explanation of how the petitioner's substantial
290interests are or will be affected by the action or proposed
291action.
292     d.  A statement of all material facts disputed by the
293petitioner or a statement that there are no disputed facts.
294     e.  A statement of the ultimate facts alleged, including a
295statement of the specific facts the petitioner contends warrant
296reversal or modification of the agency's proposed action.
297     f.  A statement of the specific rules or statutes that the
298petitioner contends require reversal or modification of the
299agency's proposed action, including an explanation of how the
300alleged facts relate to the specific rules or statutes.
301     g.  A statement of the relief sought by the petitioner,
302stating precisely the action petitioner wishes the agency to
303take with respect to the proposed action.
304     5.  Uniform rules for the filing of request for
305administrative hearing by a respondent in agency enforcement and
306disciplinary actions. Such rules shall require a request to
307include:
308     a.  The name, address, e-mail address, and telephone number
309of the party making the request and the name, address, and
310telephone number of the party's counsel or qualified
311representative upon whom service of pleadings and other papers
312shall be made;
313     b.  A statement that the respondent is requesting an
314administrative hearing and disputes the material facts alleged
315by the petitioner, in which case the respondent shall identify
316those material facts that are in dispute, or that the respondent
317is requesting an administrative hearing and does not dispute the
318material facts alleged by the petitioner; and
319     c.  A reference by file number to the administrative
320complaint that the party has received from the agency and the
321date on which the agency pleading was received.
322
323The agency may provide an election-of-rights form for the
324respondent's use in requesting a hearing, so long as any form
325provided by the agency calls for the information in sub-
326subparagraphs a. through c. and does not impose any additional
327requirements on a respondent in order to request a hearing,
328unless such requirements are specifically authorized by law.
329     6.  Uniform rules of procedure for the filing and prompt
330disposition of petitions for declaratory statements. The rules
331shall also describe the contents of the notices that must be
332published in the Florida Administrative Weekly under s. 120.565,
333including any applicable time limit for the filing of petitions
334to intervene or petitions for administrative hearing by persons
335whose substantial interests may be affected.
336     7.  Provision of a method by which each agency head shall
337provide a description of the agency's organization and general
338course of its operations. The rules shall require that the
339statement concerning the agency's organization and operations be
340published on the agency's website.
341     8.  Uniform rules establishing procedures for granting or
342denying petitions for variances and waivers pursuant to s.
343120.542.
344     Section 9.  Paragraph (b) of subsection (4) of section
34557.111, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
346     57.111  Civil actions and administrative proceedings
347initiated by state agencies; attorneys' fees and costs.-
348     (4)
349     (b)1.  To apply for an award under this section, the
350attorney for the prevailing small business party must submit an
351itemized affidavit to the court which first conducted the
352adversarial proceeding in the underlying action, or by
353electronic means through the division's website to the Division
354of Administrative Hearings which shall assign an administrative
355law judge, in the case of a proceeding pursuant to chapter 120,
356which affidavit shall reveal the nature and extent of the
357services rendered by the attorney as well as the costs incurred
358in preparations, motions, hearings, and appeals in the
359proceeding.
360     2.  The application for an award of attorney's fees must be
361made within 60 days after the date that the small business party
362becomes a prevailing small business party.
363     Section 10.  Paragraphs (c) and (d) of subsection (1) of
364section 120.56, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
365     120.56  Challenges to rules.-
366     (1)  GENERAL PROCEDURES FOR CHALLENGING THE VALIDITY OF A
367RULE OR A PROPOSED RULE.-
368     (c)  The petition shall be filed by electronic means with
369the division which shall, immediately upon filing, forward by
370electronic means copies to the agency whose rule is challenged,
371the Department of State, and the committee. Within 10 days after
372receiving the petition, the division director shall, if the
373petition complies with the requirements of paragraph (b), assign
374an administrative law judge who shall conduct a hearing within
37530 days thereafter, unless the petition is withdrawn or a
376continuance is granted by agreement of the parties or for good
377cause shown. Evidence of good cause includes, but is not limited
378to, written notice of an agency's decision to modify or withdraw
379the proposed rule or a written notice from the chair of the
380committee stating that the committee will consider an objection
381to the rule at its next scheduled meeting. The failure of an
382agency to follow the applicable rulemaking procedures or
383requirements set forth in this chapter shall be presumed to be
384material; however, the agency may rebut this presumption by
385showing that the substantial interests of the petitioner and the
386fairness of the proceedings have not been impaired.
387     (d)  Within 30 days after the hearing, the administrative
388law judge shall render a decision and state the reasons therefor
389in writing. The division shall forthwith transmit by electronic
390means copies of the administrative law judge's decision to the
391agency, the Department of State, and the committee.
392     Section 11.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section
393120.569, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
394     120.569  Decisions which affect substantial interests.-
395     (2)(a)  Except for any proceeding conducted as prescribed
396in s. 120.56, a petition or request for a hearing under this
397section shall be filed with the agency. If the agency requests
398an administrative law judge from the division, it shall so
399notify the division by electronic means through the division's
400website within 15 days after receipt of the petition or request.
401A request for a hearing shall be granted or denied within 15
402days after receipt. On the request of any agency, the division
403shall assign an administrative law judge with due regard to the
404expertise required for the particular matter. The referring
405agency shall take no further action with respect to a proceeding
406under s. 120.57(1), except as a party litigant, as long as the
407division has jurisdiction over the proceeding under s.
408120.57(1). Any party may request the disqualification of the
409administrative law judge by filing an affidavit with the
410division prior to the taking of evidence at a hearing, stating
411the grounds with particularity.
412     Section 12.  Paragraph (d) of subsection (3) of section
413120.57, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
414     120.57  Additional procedures for particular cases.-
415     (3)  ADDITIONAL PROCEDURES APPLICABLE TO PROTESTS TO
416CONTRACT SOLICITATION OR AWARD.-Agencies subject to this chapter
417shall use the uniform rules of procedure, which provide
418procedures for the resolution of protests arising from the
419contract solicitation or award process. Such rules shall at
420least provide that:
421     (d)1.  The agency shall provide an opportunity to resolve
422the protest by mutual agreement between the parties within 7
423days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and state holidays, after
424receipt of a formal written protest.
425     2.  If the subject of a protest is not resolved by mutual
426agreement within 7 days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and state
427holidays, after receipt of the formal written protest, and if
428there is no disputed issue of material fact, an informal
429proceeding shall be conducted pursuant to subsection (2) and
430applicable agency rules before a person whose qualifications
431have been prescribed by rules of the agency.
432     3.  If the subject of a protest is not resolved by mutual
433agreement within 7 days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and state
434holidays, after receipt of the formal written protest, and if
435there is a disputed issue of material fact, the agency shall
436refer the protest to the division by electronic means through
437the division's website for proceedings under subsection (1).
438     Section 13.  Subsection (1) of section 552.40, Florida
439Statutes, is amended to read:
440     552.40  Administrative remedy for alleged damage due to the
441use of explosives in connection with construction materials
442mining activities.-
443     (1)  A person may initiate an administrative proceeding to
444recover damages resulting from the use of explosives in
445connection with construction materials mining activities by
446filing a petition with the Division of Administrative Hearings
447by electronic means through the division's website on a form
448provided by it and accompanied by a filing fee of $100 within
449180 days after the occurrence of the alleged damage. If the
450petitioner submits an affidavit stating that the petitioner's
451annual income is less than 150 percent of the applicable federal
452poverty guideline published in the Federal Register by the
453United States Department of Health and Human Services, the $100
454filing fee must be waived.
455     Section 14.  Paragraph (b) of subsection (4) of section
456553.73, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
457     553.73  Florida Building Code.-
458     (4)
459     (b)  Local governments may, subject to the limitations of
460this section, adopt amendments to the technical provisions of
461the Florida Building Code which apply solely within the
462jurisdiction of such government and which provide for more
463stringent requirements than those specified in the Florida
464Building Code, not more than once every 6 months. A local
465government may adopt technical amendments that address local
466needs if:
467     1.  The local governing body determines, following a public
468hearing which has been advertised in a newspaper of general
469circulation at least 10 days before the hearing, that there is a
470need to strengthen the requirements of the Florida Building
471Code. The determination must be based upon a review of local
472conditions by the local governing body, which review
473demonstrates by evidence or data that the geographical
474jurisdiction governed by the local governing body exhibits a
475local need to strengthen the Florida Building Code beyond the
476needs or regional variation addressed by the Florida Building
477Code, that the local need is addressed by the proposed local
478amendment, and that the amendment is no more stringent than
479necessary to address the local need.
480     2.  Such additional requirements are not discriminatory
481against materials, products, or construction techniques of
482demonstrated capabilities.
483     3.  Such additional requirements may not introduce a new
484subject not addressed in the Florida Building Code.
485     4.  The enforcing agency shall make readily available, in a
486usable format, all amendments adopted pursuant to this section.
487     5.  Any amendment to the Florida Building Code shall be
488transmitted within 30 days by the adopting local government to
489the commission. The commission shall maintain copies of all such
490amendments in a format that is usable and obtainable by the
491public. Local technical amendments shall not become effective
492until 30 days after the amendment has been received and
493published by the commission.
494     6.  Any amendment to the Florida Building Code adopted by a
495local government pursuant to this paragraph shall be effective
496only until the adoption by the commission of the new edition of
497the Florida Building Code every third year. At such time, the
498commission shall review such amendment for consistency with the
499criteria in paragraph (9)(a) and adopt such amendment as part of
500the Florida Building Code or rescind the amendment. The
501commission shall immediately notify the respective local
502government of the rescission of any amendment. After receiving
503such notice, the respective local government may readopt the
504rescinded amendment pursuant to the provisions of this
505paragraph.
506     7.  Each county and municipality desiring to make local
507technical amendments to the Florida Building Code shall by
508interlocal agreement establish a countywide compliance review
509board to review any amendment to the Florida Building Code,
510adopted by a local government within the county pursuant to this
511paragraph, that is challenged by any substantially affected
512party for purposes of determining the amendment's compliance
513with this paragraph. If challenged, the local technical
514amendments shall not become effective until time for filing an
515appeal pursuant to subparagraph 8. has expired or, if there is
516an appeal, until the commission issues its final order
517determining the adopted amendment is in compliance with this
518subsection.
519     8.  If the compliance review board determines such
520amendment is not in compliance with this paragraph, the
521compliance review board shall notify such local government of
522the noncompliance and that the amendment is invalid and
523unenforceable until the local government corrects the amendment
524to bring it into compliance. The local government may appeal the
525decision of the compliance review board to the commission. If
526the compliance review board determines such amendment to be in
527compliance with this paragraph, any substantially affected party
528may appeal such determination to the commission. Any such appeal
529shall be filed with the commission within 14 days of the board's
530written determination. The commission shall promptly refer the
531appeal to the Division of Administrative Hearings by electronic
532means through the division's website for the assignment of an
533administrative law judge. The administrative law judge shall
534conduct the required hearing within 30 days, and shall enter a
535recommended order within 30 days of the conclusion of such
536hearing. The commission shall enter a final order within 30 days
537thereafter. The provisions of chapter 120 and the uniform rules
538of procedure shall apply to such proceedings. The local
539government adopting the amendment that is subject to challenge
540has the burden of proving that the amendment complies with this
541paragraph in proceedings before the compliance review board and
542the commission, as applicable. Actions of the commission are
543subject to judicial review pursuant to s. 120.68. The compliance
544review board shall determine whether its decisions apply to a
545respective local jurisdiction or apply countywide.
546     9.  An amendment adopted under this paragraph shall include
547a fiscal impact statement which documents the costs and benefits
548of the proposed amendment. Criteria for the fiscal impact
549statement shall include the impact to local government relative
550to enforcement, the impact to property and building owners, as
551well as to industry, relative to the cost of compliance. The
552fiscal impact statement may not be used as a basis for
553challenging the amendment for compliance.
554     10.  In addition to subparagraphs 7. and 9., the commission
555may review any amendments adopted pursuant to this subsection
556and make nonbinding recommendations related to compliance of
557such amendments with this subsection.
558     Section 15.  Paragraph (b) of subsection (4) of section
559961.03, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
560     961.03  Determination of status as a wrongfully
561incarcerated person; determination of eligibility for
562compensation.-
563     (4)
564     (b)  If the prosecuting authority responds as set forth in
565paragraph (2)(b), and the court determines that the petitioner
566is eligible under the provisions of s. 961.04, but the
567prosecuting authority contests the nature, significance or
568effect of the evidence of actual innocence, or the facts related
569to the petitioner's alleged wrongful incarceration, the court
570shall set forth its findings and transfer the petition by
571electronic means through the division's website to the division
572for findings of fact and a recommended determination of whether
573the petitioner has established that he or she is a wrongfully
574incarcerated person who is eligible for compensation under this
575act.
576     Section 16.  This act shall take effect July 1, 2011.


CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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