HB 413 – relating to Consumer Collection Practices
On Monday, April 28th, HB 413, relating to Consumer Collection Practices, by Representative David Santiago (R-Deltona) was substituted for SB 1006 and unanimously passed the Senate chamber. The bill now heads to the House for consideration.

The bill subjects “control persons” of consumer collection agencies (CCAs) to state and federal criminal background checks, and subjects these persons to disqualifying periods based on the severity and recency of a criminal conviction. The bill enhances the authority of the Office of Financial Regulation (OFR) to register, investigate, examine, and bring enforcement actions against consumer collection agencies. The bill requires CCA registrants to report criminal convictions, changes from the initial application, and changes to the controlling persons of a CCA agency. 

AIF supports this bill because they give businesses more confidence in turning over their debt to a Florida Debt Collector who must follow the new requirements of this bill. 

SB 1138 – relating to Civil Liability of Farmers
On Monday, April 28th, SB 1138, relating to Civil Liability of Farmers, by Senator Greg Evers (R-Crestview) unanimously passed the Senate chamber. The bill now heads to the House for consideration.

The bill exempts a farmer from civil liability if he gratuitously allows a person to come onto his/her land to remove farm produce or crops at any time. Presently the exemption applies only when that activity takes place after harvesting.

AIF supports legislation that will reduce the number of frivolous lawsuits brought against Florida’s business owners.