Summary


The proposed amendments to Rule 12-28.001, F.A.C. (Scope), provide technical changes. The proposed amendments to Rule 12-28.002, F.A.C. (Definitions): (1) add or amend definitions for the terms “electronic funds transfer,” “payment information,” “return/remittance detail,” “session,” and “working day” and remove definitions that are unnecessary. The proposed amendments to Rule 12-28.003, F.A.C. (Enrollment Procedures), update the information on how a clerk of the court or his or her authorized designee is to enroll in the Department’s e-Services program and how to obtain the enrollment form from the Department. The proposed substantial rewording of Rule 12-28.004, F.A.C. (Transmitting Funds and Return/Remittance Detail to the Department), updates the procedures for the electronic remittance of funds and the detail remittance information by the clerk of the court to the Department and provides current requirements to report transmission problems and to replace failed payments. When in effect, this substantial rewording will replace the provisions that are provided in Rule 12-28.005, F.A.C. (Means of Communication to Report Payment Information), Rule 12-28.006, F.A.C. (Remittance or Transmission Problems), and Rule 12-28.007, F.A.C. (Procedures for Payment). These rules are proposed to be repealed. The proposed substantial rewording of Rule 12-28.008, F.A.C. (Due Date; General Provisions), clarifies that funds collected by the clerk of the court are to be remitted to the Department as follows: (1) documentary stamp tax and nonrecurring intangible personal property tax are to be remitted weekly; (2) court-related fees, service charges, court costs, and fines are to be remitted monthly; and (3) the cumulative excess over the approved budget amount, as provided in Section 28.36, F.S., is to be remitted annually on the last working day before December 31. The proposed rule provides information on how to obtain the annual calendar of due dates that is developed by the Department to assist the clerks in complying with their statutory requirements for the remittance of funds to the Department. The proposed amendments to Rule 12-28.009, F.A.C. (Distribution of Funds Received by the Department), provide: (1) that the Department will make the required entries in the state accounting system within two working days of receiving an accurate payment; and (2) the Department will assist agencies in correcting errors in deposits to other agencies.