CS/CS/CS/CS/HB 663 - Building Safety Summary

• Establishes homestead exemption abandonment provisions for properties where building permits for disaster repairs expire, lapse, or are revoked after a 3-year period following damage or destruction

• Creates home inspection services and mold-related services licensing programs within the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, including examination requirements, fingerprinting, and disciplinary grounds

• Revises building permit surcharges from per-square-foot assessments to 1.5% of permit fees, with proceeds allocated equally to the Florida Homeowners' Construction Recovery Fund and Building Code Administrators and Inspectors Board

• Provides alternative methods for regional emergency elevator access through uniform lock boxes with master keys; delays enforcement of Phase II Firefighters' Service on certain residential elevators until 2015

• Establishes Fire Code Interpretation Committee for nonbinding code interpretations; authorizes distance learning alternatives for professional licensing education; revises fire equipment dealer classifications and continuing education requirements