New Statute Removes Violations for Certain Unpermitted Work
HB 803 (2026) makes changes to a lot of statutes related to building permits and inspections. But from a licensing perspective, the bill makes a small revision to 489.129, Florida Statutes, which governs prohibited conduct by contractors.
New Statute Adds Definitions to Contractor Licensing Statute and Require Contractors to Pay Subcontractors within Certain Timelines.
SB 290 (2026), adds definitions for subcontractor and supplier to Chapter 489 and make it a violation of Florida’s Contractor Licensing Statutes for contractors not to pay subcontractors timely.
Court Determines Contractor’s Company is Unlicensed Despite Owner being Licensed
This case from Florida’s Fifth District Court of Appeal thoroughly evaluates the licensing requirements for business engaged in contracting in Florida and concludes that it is not sufficient for an owner of the company to have a license. The license holder must also formally become the qualifying agent for the company. In this case, the lack of proper licensure resulted in the contractor’s contract for a new home being declared unenforceable.