04-1476 Legislative Policy - Laserfiche WebLink

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301.1 301.2 301.3 301.4 301.5 Limits the exposure of local governments and their officers, employees, and volunteers from tort liability. Repeals the doctrine of joint and several li- ability where a government is a party to an action. Provides a defense to a local government in actions where the plaintiff was under the influence of alcohol or drugs when the ac- cident or injury occurred. Permits the local government to recover all fees and costs related to a lawsuit if the lo- cal government prevails. Clarifies who the proper defendant~ are in actions against local governments. Code Enforcement 302 The code enforcement process is designed to be an effective, inexpensive and expedi- tious process to address alleged code vio- lations. This process provides local govern- ments with an alternative method of code enforcement that doesn't rely on an already overly burdened state court system. Code enforcement proceedings provide for fair and impartial hearings on code violation complaints. The code enforcement process should provide sufficient flexibility and au- thority to local governments in their en- forcement activities and actions. The Florida League of Cities will support legislation that: 302.1 Provides additional flexibility to local gov- ernments in the administration and enforce- ment of codes and ordinances. 302.2 Requires all governmental entities to com- ply with locally adopted codes. 302.3 Grants municipalities more flexibility to col- lect local government code enforcement fines through alternative methods. 302.4 Repeals state law that assesses local gov- ernments court access fees and other related costs for code enforcement related court proceedings. 302.5 Provides that an abatement of a public nui- sance by a munJcipaJity does not constitute a taking, within taking jurisprudence. Building and Fire Safety Codes 303 The construction industry is a significant part of Florida's economy. In regulating this in- dustry, municipalities have the respbnsibil- ity to assure buildings are constructed in 8 accordance with minimum safety standards and fire safety codes. Also, decisions re[at- lng to the administration and operation of municipal building departments properly belong to the municipalities' citizens as expressed through their municipal charter, code provisions and elected officials. The Florida League of Cities will support legislation that: 303.1 Enhances the ability of municipal govern- ments to manage, operate and finance their building departments, including the man- agement and oversight of the building plans review and inspection process. 303.2 Permits municipal amendments to building codes, including amendments governing construction methods, personnel standards, and professional qualifications when based on local safety and welfare determinations. 303.3 Assures the adoption of amendments to and the enforcement of fire safety standards are maintained at the local level. 303.4 Prohibits any new Uniform Fire Safety Stan- dards and re-directs existing standards to apply to new and existing occupancies ap- propriately. 303.5 Assists local building departments by pro- viding technical information or education for code officials and adopts a base build- ing code that maintains general consistency between the state and the rest of the United States and minimizes re-education for sub- sequent updates of the state building code. 303.6 Removes the requirement that a statewide rating organization include positive rate factors when performing a building code enforcement assessment. 303.7 Permits more flexibility in the certification, recruitment, and retention of building in- spectors, building officials and fire inspec- tion officials. 303.8 Supports windstorm insurance reform that will correct the inequities of the current sys- tem and will assure property owners are able to obtain effective insurance at a fair and reasonable rate. Eminent Domain and Inverse Condemnation 304 Local governments often find it necessary to use their power of eminent domain to acquire land for such public purposes as roads, public buildings and facilities, down- town and community redevelopment, and