(1) It is unlawful for any person to engage in this state in the activities defined in s. 527.01(6)-(11) without first obtaining from the department a license to engage in one or more of these businesses. The sale of liquefied petroleum gas cylinders with a volume of 10 pounds water capacity or 4.2 pounds liquefied petroleum gas capacity or less is exempt from the requirements of this chapter. It is a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084, to intentionally or willfully engage in any of said activities without first obtaining appropriate licensure from the department.

(2) Each business location of a person having multiple locations must be separately licensed and must meet the requirements of this section. Such license shall be granted to any applicant determined by the department to be competent, qualified, and trustworthy who files with the department a surety bond, insurance affidavit, or other proof of insurance, as hereinafter specified, and pays for such license the following annual license:

Category I liquefiedpetroleum gasdealer

Category II liquefiedpetroleum gasdispenser

Category IIIliquefied petroleumgas cylinderexchange unitoperator

Category IVdealer in appliancesand equipment

Category VLP gas installer

Category VImiscellaneous operator

(3)(a) The department may refuse to issue an initial license to an applicant who is under investigation in any jurisdiction for an action that would constitute a violation of this chapter until such time as the investigation is complete.

(b) The department shall waive the initial license fee for 1 year for an honorably discharged veteran of the United States Armed Forces, the spouse or surviving spouse of such a veteran, a current member of the United States Armed Forces who has served on active duty, the spouse of such a member, the surviving spouse of a member of the United States Armed Forces if the member died while serving on active duty, or a business entity that has a majority ownership held by such a veteran or spouse or surviving spouse if the department receives an application, in a format prescribed by the department. The application format must include the applicant’s signature, under penalty of perjury, and supporting documentation. To qualify for the waiver:

1. A veteran must provide to the department a copy of his or her DD Form 214, as issued by the United States Department of Defense or another acceptable form of identification as specified by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs;

2. The spouse or surviving spouse of a veteran must provide to the department a copy of the veteran’s DD Form 214, as issued by the United States Department of Defense, or another acceptable form of identification as specified by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, and a copy of a valid marriage license or certificate verifying that he or she was lawfully married to the veteran at the time of discharge; or

3. A business entity must provide to the department proof that a veteran or the spouse or surviving spouse of a veteran holds a majority ownership in the business, a copy of the veteran’s DD Form 214, as issued by the United States Department of Defense, or another acceptable form of identification as specified by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, and, if applicable, a copy of a valid marriage license or certificate verifying that the spouse or surviving spouse of the veteran was lawfully married to the veteran at the time of discharge.

(c) The department shall waive license renewal fees for a licensee who:

1. Is an active duty member of the United States Armed Forces or the spouse of such member;

2. Is or was a member of the United States Armed Forces and served on active duty within the 2 years preceding the renewal date. To qualify for the fee waiver under this subparagraph, a licensee who is a former member of the United States Armed Forces who served on active duty within the 2 years preceding the annual renewal date must have received an honorable discharge upon separation or discharge from the United States Armed Forces; or

3. Is the surviving spouse of a member of the United States Armed Forces if such member was serving on active duty at the time of death and died within the 2 years preceding the surviving spouse’s renewal.

A licensee seeking such waiver must apply in a format prescribed by the department, including the applicant’s signature, under penalty of perjury, and supporting documentation.

(4) Any licensee submitting a material change in their information for licensing, before the date for renewal, must submit such change to the department in the manner prescribed by the department, along with a fee in the amount of $10.

(5) The department shall adopt rules specifying acts deemed by the department to demonstrate a lack of trustworthiness to engage in activities requiring a license or qualifier identification card under this section.

History.—s. 2, ch. 24302, 1947; s. 2, ch. 57-174; s. 2, ch. 61-119; s. 1, ch. 61-158; ss. 13, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 1, ch. 70-35; s. 1, ch. 70-439; s. 1, ch. 74-296; s. 1, ch. 76-120; s. 3, ch. 76-168; s. 1, ch. 77-457; ss. 2, 6, ch. 80-390; ss. 2, 18, 19, ch. 81-175; s. 401, ch. 81-259; ss. 2, 3, ch. 81-318; ss. 1, 2, ch. 82-6; s. 1, ch. 84-126; s. 2, ch. 86-69; ss. 2, 3, ch. 87-34; s. 2, ch. 90-215; s. 4, ch. 91-429; s. 1, ch. 92-6; s. 2, ch. 92-324; s. 2, ch. 93-248; s. 6, ch. 94-335; s. 340, ch. 96-406; s. 2, ch. 2000-269; s. 24, ch. 2001-63; s. 2, ch. 2003-132; s. 16, ch. 2016-166; s. 37, ch. 2018-7; s. 19, ch. 2018-84.

Note.—Former s. 526.13.