FL S1544

Requires all persons and entities licensed, permitted, or applying for licenses/permits through the Department of Business and Professional Regulation's divisions (Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, Hotels and Restaurants) to create and maintain online accounts with an e-mail address as the primary means of contact, with applications processed only through the online system

Increases the initial corporate surety bond for tobacco product distributors from $1,000 to $25,000, requires semiannual bond reviews, and authorizes the division to adjust bond amounts based on a distributor's highest month of audited tax liabilities, with reductions allowed after 4 years of demonstrated responsible financial behavior

Eliminates the requirement for a competency-based minority mentor program at ports for aspiring pilots and removes the requirement that the department consider minority and female status when qualifying deputy pilots

Increases Florida Homeowners' Construction Recovery Fund maximum payments for contracts entered into on or after July 1, 2024, from $50,000 to $100,000 per Division I claim and from $15,000 to $30,000 per Division II claim, with aggregate caps raised to $2 million and $600,000, respectively

Reduces the felony conviction disqualification period for alcoholic beverage licenses from 15 years to 10 years, revises barber and cosmetology licensure eligibility requirements, and expands qualifying experience for designated representatives of prescription drug wholesale distributors to include state/federal regulatory or law enforcement experience