Building Code Compliance and Mitigation Education and Outreach

553.841 Building code compliance and mitigation education and outreach program.--

(1) The Legislature finds that knowledge and understanding by licensees in the design and construction industries of the importance and need for compliance with the Florida Building Code is vital to the public health, safety, and welfare and to mitigate damage in light of the threat that hurricanes pose to Florida residents and visitors. The Legislature further finds that the Florida Building Code can only be effective if all participants in the design and construction industries and the code enforcement process maintain a thorough knowledge of the Florida Building Code and improvements thereto that will increase construction standards to protect against storm and other damage. As such, the Legislature finds that there is a pressing need for a program to provide ongoing building code compliance and mitigation education and outreach to such persons. Moreover, the Legislature finds that such outreach should include the operation of a clearinghouse through which design and construction licensees, building department and permitting personnel, suppliers, and Florida consumers can find each other in order to facilitate mitigation to prevent storm damage and effect repairs in the aftermath of a natural disaster.

(2) The Department of Community Affairs shall administer a program, designated the “Florida Building Code Compliance and Mitigation Program.” The program will develop, coordinate, and maintain education and outreach to licensees required to comply with the Florida Building Code, ensuring consistent education, training, and communication of the Florida Building Code’s requirements and methods for mitigation of storm-related damage. The program will also operate a clearinghouse through which design, construction, and building code enforcement licensees, suppliers, and Florida consumers can find each other in order to exchange information relating to mitigation and facilitate repairs in the aftermath of a natural disaster.

(3) All services and materials under the program shall be provided through a private, non-profit corporation, under contract with the department. The term of the contract shall be four years, with the option of one four-year renewal at the end of the contract term. The initial contract shall be entered into within 120 days of the effective date of this act. In selecting a private entity for the program, the department shall give primary consideration to:

(a) The entity’s demonstrated experience and ability to develop and deliver building code related education, training, and outreach;

(b) The entity’s ability to directly access the majority of design, construction, and building code enforcement licensees individually and through established statewide trade and professional association networks.

(b) The entity’s demonstrated ability as a clearinghouse to deliver education and outreach on a statewide basis in Florida;

(c) An entity whose membership is comprised of trade and professional organizations whose members consist primarily of persons and entities that are required to comply with the Florida Building Code and that are licensed under part XII of chapter 468, chapter 471, chapter 481, and chapter 489;

(d) The entity’s demonstrated experience and ability to prioritize its education and outreach based upon input from the Florida Building Commission, licensee regulatory boards, local building departments, and the design and construction industries;

(e) The entity’s demonstrated experience and ability to promote hurricane design and construction mitigation techniques and materials via a Florida-based trade conference that includes participants across the broadest possible range of design and construction trades and professions, including both the private sector and those public sector entities with jurisdiction over building codes and design and construction licensure; and

(f) The entity’s demonstrated experience and ability to operate a clearinghouse through which design, construction, and building code enforcement licensees, suppliers, and Florida consumers can find each other in order to exchange information relating to mitigation and facilitate repairs in the aftermath of a natural disaster.

(4)  Each biennium, upon receipt of funds by the Department of Community Affairs from the Construction Industry Licensing Board and the Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board provided under ss. 489.109(3) and 489.509(3), the department shall determine the amount of funds available for education and outreach projects from the proceeds of contractor licensing fees and identify, solicit, and accept funds from other sources for education and outreach projects to be provided through the Florida Building Code Compliance and Mitigation Program.

(5)  If the education and outreach projects provided through the Florida Building Code Compliance and Mitigation Program in any state fiscal year do not require the use of all available funds, the unused funds shall be carried forward and allocated for this same purpose during the following fiscal year.

(6) This section does not prohibit or limit the subject areas or development of continuing education or training on the Florida Building Code by any qualified entity.