Doing Business in Florida Blog

Workers' Compensation Compliance (Securing It and Consequences for Violation) and, State Authority to Enforce

September 17, 2017
Colin M. Roopnarine  |  Administrative Law, Government and Regulatory, Hurricane Preparedness, State & Local Government

In light of the devastating storms that have been plaguing the South this year, it is timely to remind those in the construction industry and employers in general of their workers’ compensation obligations in the State of Florida.

“What Was That You Said...A Compliance Examination?”

August 28, 2017
Colin M. Roopnarine  |  Administrative Law, Bank Governance, Bank Regulatory, compliance examinations, financial institutions, Government and Regulatory, Government Legislation, Government Permitting and Licensing, State & Local Government, State of Florida Office of Financial Regulation

Webster’s New World College Dictionary defines “compliance” as, “a complying with or giving in to a request, wish, or demand;  acquiescence” or  “a tendency to give in readily to others.”  The term “compliance” however carries a very specific meaning for financial institutions, and generally refers to the fact that financial institutions must comply with state and federal law.  Compliance examinations are the primary means for the state and federal regulators to determine violations of laws and regulations, and the strength of the institution’s compliance program.

Rules

July 30, 2017
Colin M. Roopnarine  |  Administrative Law, Government and Regulatory

While speaking with a younger administrative lawyer regarding a state agency matter, I abruptly interrupted his tirade against agencies and the manner in which this particular agency was not following its own statutes, with a very simple question – “What do the rules say?”  His response was one of shock and confusion –“Rules? What rules?  

Hurricane Warning: Protecting Our Governmental Assets

June 8, 2017
Dawn M. Meyers  |  Government and Regulatory, Hurricane Preparedness

Florida saw two named hurricanes make landfall upon its shores in 2016, and the Atlantic Hurricane Season Forecast recently issued by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) calls for an above-average number of storms this year.  Hurricanes affect every aspect of our community, including our highly important but vulnerable local

Utility Service & 2017 Hurricanes: What You Need to Know

June 6, 2017
Floyd R. Self  |  Energy and Utilities, Government and Regulatory, Hurricane Preparedness, Utility

The 2016 Florida hurricane season was a painful reminder to many Floridians that the best laid plans of utilities, local governments, and individuals do not always work out as expected. People lose telecommunications and electric services even with tropical storm winds, and power losses can also impact water and sewer services. The devastating hurricanes

The Week in Marijuana (May 22-26, 2017)

May 29, 2017
Colin M. Roopnarine  |  Government and Regulatory, Medical Marijuana

Just when we thought the medical marijuana furor had quelled while the Legislature mulled a special session to address the implementation of Amendment 2, the “Week of May 22” resurrected what is sure to be a great deal of lively debate in Florida amongst several groups both for and against the implementation of Amendment 2.

Vlog: Cloud of Uncertainty Obscuring the Implementation of Medical Marijuana in Florida

May 21, 2017
Colin M. Roopnarine  |  Government and Regulatory, Medical Marijuana, Uncategorized

This is a very brief overview of the uncertainty in the implementation of medical marijuana in the State of Florida following the passage of Amendment 2 to the state constitution. Click here to watch For more information on this topic, please contact the author, Colin Roopnarine, on the firm’s Government and Regulatory team.

No Funding for Sessions in the War Against Medical Marijuana

May 3, 2017
Colin M. Roopnarine  |  Government and Regulatory, Medical Marijuana

For months there has been speculation whether Attorney General Jeff Sessions would enforce federal law against states that have legalized the distribution and use of medical marijuana. Sessions most recently warned that, “…it does remain a violation of federal law to distribute marijuana throughout any place in the United States, whether a state legalizes it or not.”

The Week in Marijuana (April 24-28, 2017): "Hippies and stoners?…this is about medicine"

April 30, 2017
Colin M. Roopnarine  |  Government and Regulatory, Medical Marijuana

As the Red Queen said to Alice in Lewis Carroll’s “Through the Looking Glass,” “Now, here, you see, it takes all the running you can do, to keep in the same place.”

The Week in Medical Marijuana (April 10-14, 2017)

April 16, 2017
Colin M. Roopnarine  |  Government and Regulatory, Medical Marijuana

“The more things change, the more they stay the same.”  Another week has passed and the legislature continues to wrestle with the dilemma known as “Implementing Amendment 2.”

All Aboard Florida Underway

April 5, 2017
Jeffrey R. Margolis  |  Government and Regulatory, Land Use & Zoning, Real Estate

The All Aboard Florida project has the potential to be transformational for South Florida real estate, providing opportunities for transit oriented development. Currently, the All Aboard Florida project is in active development including new railways and major new station developments along the railway.  Station construction projects at the four

SURPRISE! You May Be A Lobbyist

March 20, 2017
Dawn M. Meyers  |  Government and Regulatory, Government Permitting and Licensing, Land Use & Zoning, Real Estate

Imagine you are a project manager for a developer whose next project is contingent upon obtaining a rezoning. Your boss sends you over to meet with a key member of the planning and zoning board prior to the vote to explain the project and convince her to vote for the rezoning. Imagine you are a manufacturer who supplies goods to a client who is seeking