In Florida, 150 New Laws Take Effect On Monday (Tampa: 2013, renters)

[wondermint2]

In Florida, 150 new laws take effect on Monday | HeraldTribune.com

I think the following new law is interesting (all of you renters better be on your good behavior) -

"Floridians who rent will also be subject to changes that could make it easier for landlords to evict them. Under the new law, a tenant could pay partial rent and still be evicted within days if they fail to turn over the rest of the money. The measure also allows a landlord to evict a tenant if a person breaks rules twice in one year. Those rules can include parking in the wrong spot or having an unauthorized pet."

[d4g4m]

Glad to see that the indiscriminate use of drones has been banned. And if used, a search warrant is necessary to collect evidence. Now, if we could ban having the police helicopter buzzing over the neighborhood for more than 5 minutes.

[Sunshine Rules]

I saw that one. While I think I understand where they were going with those changes, the legislation itself is rather broad and will probably lead to lawsuits over interpretation.

There's another change that motorists should be aware of. You will no longer automatically get a ticket at red light camera intersections if you turn right without stopping behind the white stopping mark on the road. It states as long as you come to a complete stop before turning right, you won't be ticketed. That's good news because there are some intersections where you cannot see to turn right safely without pulling up in front of that designated stopping line. I've seen numerous cars trip the flash on the cameras when turning right on red. Speaking of these red light cameras, did anyone else see the story on channel 10 out of Tampa a few weeks ago about how a number of these red light camera intersections actually have yellow lights that have shorter time periods than state requirements require? Hmmmm.....

[d4g4m]

St Rep Ahern, St Pete will be introducing bills in the next session to address the shortened yellow times on revenue cameras on traffic lights. In GA. a law was passed requiring any traffic light with a camera to have 1 second added to the yellow time. It was very successful in drastically reducing red light running, so much that the camera companies quit many cities because they were not making enough money. [I thought cameras were for our safety] re: right turns. At almost all intersections with a camera, to not get a citation, you would have to stop twice, once before the white line, another time to see if traffic is approaching. Don't think the camera companies like this one. Almost 40% of their revenue is from right turns. And how is this one for outright greed. You can get a citation if you stop at a light BUT your vehicle wheels are over the white line.
I found it interesting that camera companies 'donated' over $500,000 to election campaigns and spend $1 million a year on lobbyists to keep the cameras.
Another new traffic law. Slow pokes in the left lane beware. If you drive in the left lane, 10 mph less than the posted speed you can get a ticket for 'impeding traffic'.

[wondermint2]

But what if you need to make a left turn? If this law makes any kind of sense they need to have an amendment for left turns. Also what is the definition of "about to turn left"? 1 intersection? 1 mile? or is it up to a police officers "interpretration"?

And if traffic is heavy - a driver needing to turn left fairly soon - might want to get over to the left a bit early (so as not to miss being able to get over to the proper (left) lane in time due to traffic).

[gettinoutofjersey]

Good to see that they are getting rid of the ridiculous laws that give tenants more rights than the property owner. When a tenant does not pay the rent they should have to start packing that day and every day they are ther after it should come out of the security deposit. To many times it takes six months to evict the deadbeats. If someone signs a lease and it says no pets that's what it means, no pets.that's a breach of contract.

[d4g4m]

Another traffic related law. If you are injured in a vehicle crash you must now report it within 14 days.

[loves2read]

Our neighborhood has had quite a few homes bought in last few years and turned into rental properties and the landlord/owners are NOT enforcing the HOA rules...like not parking on the yard or allowing renters to park boats and trailers in plain sight...
definitely against the HOA rules which the owners know about since many of them were living in the subdivision before they bought additional properties here...
With these newer rules is there any hope the HOA will have better luck enforcing those rules on renters if the owners won't be bothered?

[PhotoProIP]

....and this one apparently:
Did Florida just ban all smartphones and laptops? | Technically Incorrect - CNET News


LOLOLOL