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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">I agree with Fred that and/or should not be used (ever, really, but that’s my opinion). However I would argue that if the contractor doesn’t fulfill any of the requirements of 2(a) or (b) it has violated the
statute. This paragraph (2) describes steps the <b><i>contractor</i></b> must take to comply with the statute (“contractor . . . must”) and the things it must do are conjunctive (a
<b><i>and</i></b> b). To avoid violating the statute the contractor must do BOTH things. If it has failed to do either, then it cannot meet the test of having complied with both. In other words, if it hasn’t done a, it cannot have complied with a requirement
to do both a <b><i>and</i></b> b.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">Think about it this way, the contractor gets one point for complying with a, and another for complying with b. The contractor violates the statute if it doesn’t have 2 points. If it does b but not a, the contractor
will only have 1 point. Now, if the statute read “or” then the contractor could pass the test by having only 1 point (a or b).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;color:#0000A0">Bruce D. Partington</span></b><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#1F497D">Clark</span><span style="color:#1F497D">
</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#1F497D">Partington</span><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><a href="mailto:bpartington@cphlaw.com" title="blocked::mailto:bpartington@cphlaw.com"><span style="font-size:10.0pt">bpartington@cphlaw.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#1F497D">Direct: 850-432-1399</span><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#1F497D">Fax: 850-432-7340</span><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;color:#1F497D">*Board Certified in Construction Law</span></i><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"">From:</span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif""> clc-discussion-bounces@lists.flabarrpptl.org [mailto:clc-discussion-bounces@lists.flabarrpptl.org]
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Fred Dudley<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Monday, February 23, 2015 8:22 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> steve@gebelofflaw.com; clc-discussion@lists.flabarrpptl.org<br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [CLC-Discussion] FSA 489.126 (2) (a) and (b)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">The use of “and/or” is not followed by legislative drafters because it leads to further ambiguities. However, placing an “or” between (a) and (b) should work, don’t you think?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">Fred R. Dudley, Partner<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">Board Certified Construction Lawyer<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">Dudley, Sellers & Healy, P. L.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">SunTrust Financial Center, Suite 301<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">3522 Thomasville Road<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">Tallahassee, Florida 32308<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">Cell: (850) 294-3471<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">Direct: (850)692-6368<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">dudley@mylicenselaw.com<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> clc-discussion-bounces@lists.flabarrpptl.org [mailto:clc-discussion-bounces@lists.flabarrpptl.org]
<b>On Behalf Of </b>steve@gebelofflaw.com<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Monday, February 23, 2015 9:11 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> clc-discussion@lists.flabarrpptl.org<br>
<b>Subject:</b> [CLC-Discussion] FSA 489.126 (2) (a) and (b)<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">I have a situation where a contractor took more than 10% deposit and did not apply for permits for 5 months. Judge ruled in my client's favor on Breach of contract count, but would not apply 489.126 because
the statute has the word <span style="background:yellow;mso-highlight:yellow">and</span> ( meaning Court taking plain meaning held part (b) also had to be satisfied " Start work within 90 days). ( I am trying to get a the Court to find theft under
part (4)…</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">(4) Any person who violates any provision of this section is guilty of theft and shall be prosecuted and punished under s.
<u><span style="color:blue">812.014</span></u>.)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">I belive Statute should say <span style="background:yellow;mso-highlight:yellow">
and/or</span> .. In the scenario a contractor can take the deposit , never apply for permits and be scott free.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">I have not found any case law on this and have been unable toresearch legislative history to get intent as too cost prohibitive for my client.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">I argued to the Judge the legislative intent was to protect public ect.. Judge did not bite. Any advise or input . I believe clearly, this needs to be changed in the Statute.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">Thanks,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">489.126 Moneys received by contractors.—<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">(1) For purposes of this section, the term “contractor” includes all definitions as set forth in s.
<a href="http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0400-0499/0489/Sections/0489.105.html">
489.105</a>(3), and any person performing or contracting or promising to perform work described therein, without regard to the licensure of the person.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">(2) A contractor who receives, as initial payment, money totaling more than 10 percent of the contract price for repair, restoration, improvement, or construction to residential
real property must:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">(a) Apply for permits necessary to do work within 30 days after the date payment is made, except where the work does not require a permit under the applicable codes and ordinances,
<span style="background:yellow;mso-highlight:yellow">and</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">(b) Start the work within 90 days after the date all necessary permits for work, if any, are issued,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color:#1F497D">Stephen B. Gebeloff, Esq.</span></b><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;color:navy"> </span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:navy">Stephen B. Gebeloff, P.A.</span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:navy">5255 North Federal Highway</span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:navy">Third Floor</span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:navy">Boca Raton, Florida 33487</span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:navy">(561)953-4600</span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:navy">Fax (561)953-4610<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:navy"><a href="mailto:steve@gebelofflaw.com">steve@gebelofflaw.com</a></span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:navy"><a href="http://www.flcollectionattorney.com/">www.flcollectionattorney.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:navy"><a href="http://www.floridacollectionattorney.net">www.floridacollectionattorney.net</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:navy"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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