Two New Appraisal Related Bills Filed in Florida

The Florida Legislative Session does not start until March 5, 2013, but State Representatives and Senators have been filing bills in advance. Two have been filed with implications for Florida Appraisers, and those expecting to file applications to become registered or certified appraisers in the Sunshine State.

One was filed in the House, and one in the Senate. In the House, it's HB 667 - Real Estate Brokers and Appraisers. On the Senate side, it's SB 852 - Real Estate Brokers and Appraisers.  The bills are identical and intended to amend Chapter 475, Part II to mesh with new requirements imposed by the Appraiser Qualifications Board of the Appraisal Foundation. One of the amendments requires a Supervisory Appraiser to be either a Certified Residential Real Estate Appraiser or a Certified General Real Estate Appraiser. If passed and signed into law, Licensed Appraisers will no longer be able to supervise Registered Trainee Appraisers.

An interesting provision in the bill amends Chapter 120, F.S. to require Summary Hearings by the Division of Administrative Hearings for cases involving real estate appraisers. I have a lot to learn about this process and am anxious to learn how this amendment was proposed. Watch this space for updates as details emerge.