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Florida Administrative Procedures Act remedies survey.


"In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. But, in practice, there is."

--Jan L. A. van de Snepscheut/Yogi Berra

The Florida Administrative Procedure Act Administrative Procedure Act n. the Federal Act which established the rules and regulations for applications, claims, hearings and appeals involving governmental agencies.  (APA (All Points Addressable) Refers to an array (bitmapped screen, matrix, etc.) in which all bits or cells can be individually manipulated.

APA - Application Portability Architecture
), F.S. Ch.120, to an almost exclusive extent, contains the procedures by which Florida government agency "actions" are formulated for·mu·late  
tr.v. for·mu·lat·ed, for·mu·lat·ing, for·mu·lates
1.
a. To state as or reduce to a formula.

b. To express in systematic terms or concepts.

c.
 and can be challenged and litigated. While the APA itself does not contain any statement of the law's purpose or legislative intent, one major purpose has generally been described as an "expansion of public access to the activities of governmental agencies." (1) That is the theory. Within the APA resides a multitude of approaches to such challenges, and in some instances multiple remedies may be available. That is the practice.

Since its enactment in 1974 in its "modern" form, there have been periodic adjustments to the APA by the Florida courts and the legislature as to how much public access there should be. In theory, agency action that impacts substantial interests should be subject to some level of independent review. In practice, having every single step a Florida government agency takes be made subject to an APA challenge by anybody would be too time consuming, and both the legislature (2) and the courts (3) have adjusted the reach of the APA. What has evolved is a set of remedies that are in some instances fairly generic and in others very specialized spe·cial·ize  
v. spe·cial·ized, spe·cial·iz·ing, spe·cial·iz·es

v.intr.
1. To pursue a special activity, occupation, or field of study.

2.
. The purpose here is to briefly explain what these remedies are designed to accomplish relative to agency action.

The basic APA procedures and remedies applicable to agency actions are shown in the matrix on the next page. Referring to the matrix headings, the "remedy" is the agency action to be challenged or requested, the "authority" and "grounds" are the bases to request the remedy, the "petition contents" are both the statutory and Uniform Rules of Procedure pleading Asking a court to grant relief. The formal presentation of claims and defenses by parties to a lawsuit. The specific papers by which the allegations of parties to a lawsuit are presented in proper form; specifically the complaint of a plaintiff and the answer of a defendant plus any  requirements, and the "type of hearing" is formal or informal. Attorneys' fees may also be available.

Rule-making and Rule Challenges

Agency rules are the backbone of the APA, and, therefore, the backbone of state agency action in Florida. The meaning of a "rule" includes "each agency statement of general applicability that implements, interprets, or prescribes law or policy or describes the procedure or practice requirements of an agency." (4) Once upon a time, agencies were broadly authorized au·thor·ize  
tr.v. au·thor·ized, au·thor·iz·ing, au·thor·iz·es
1. To grant authority or power to.

2. To give permission for; sanction:
 to conduct business using incipient incipient (insip´ēent),
adj beginning, initial, commencing.


incipient

beginning to exist; coming into existence.
 policy, or unwritten LAW, UNWRITTEN, or lex non scripta. All the laws which do not come under the definition of written law; it is composed, principally, of the law of nature, the law of nations, the common law, and customs.  rules, but not any more. (5) Today, rule-making is "not a matter of agency discretion" and it is presumed to be feasible and practicable practicable adj. when something can be done or performed. . (6)

Rules come into existence in several ways. Agencies may initiate rule-making of their own accord or in response to a legislative pronouncement requiring rule-making, (7) interested persons may request that agencies initiate rule-making, (8) or interested persons can challenge an unadopted unadopted
Adjective

Brit (of a road) not maintained by a local authority
 agency statement defined as a rule spurs an agency to initiate rule-making. (9)

Existing rules, proposed rules, emergency rules, and unadopted agency statements defined as rules are all subject to APA challenges. Section 120.56 is entitled en·ti·tle  
tr.v. en·ti·tled, en·ti·tling, en·ti·tles
1. To give a name or title to.

2. To furnish with a right or claim to something:
 "Challenges to rules" and contains the "general procedures for challenging the validity of a rule or a proposed rule" as well as specific provisions for challenges to existing, proposed, emergency, and unadopted rules. For discussion purposes herein, "rule challenge" encompasses any of these four categories, unless otherwise specified.

A rule challenge petition "must state with particularity par·tic·u·lar·i·ty  
n. pl. par·tic·u·lar·i·ties
1. The quality or state of being particular rather than general.

2.
 the provisions alleged to be invalid Null; void; without force or effect; lacking in authority.

For example, a will that has not been properly witnessed is invalid and unenforceable.


INVALID. In a physical sense, it is that which is wanting force; in a figurative sense, it signifies that which has no effect.
 with sufficient explanation of the facts or grounds for the alleged invalidity in·va·lid 1  
n.
One who is incapacitated by a chronic illness or disability.

adj.
1. Incapacitated by illness or injury.

2. Of, relating to, or intended for invalids.

tr.v.
 and facts sufficient to show that the person challenging a rule is substantially affected by it, or that the person challenging a proposed rule would be substantially affected by it." (10) For a proposed rule, the petitioner has the burden of "going forward." Then, the agency has the burden to prove by a preponderance of the evidence preponderance of the evidence n. the greater weight of the evidence required in a civil (non-criminal) lawsuit for the trier of fact (jury or judge without a jury) to decide in favor of one side or the other.  that the proposed rule is not invalid. (11) For an existing rule, the petitioner has the burden of persuasion The onus on the party with the Burden of Proof to convince the trier of fact of all elements of his or her case. In a criminal case the burden of the government to produce evidence of all the necessary elements of the crime Beyond a Reasonable Doubt.  by the preponderance pre·pon·der·ance   also pre·pon·der·an·cy
n.
Superiority in weight, force, importance, or influence.

Noun 1. preponderance
 standard. (12) In a challenge to an agency statement defined as a rule, "the petition shall include the text of the statement or a description of the statement and shall state with particularity facts sufficient to show that the statement constitutes a rule under s. 120.52 and that the agency has not adopted the statement by the rulemaking procedure provided by s. 120.54." (13)

All rule challenges are filed at the Division of Administrative Hearings administrative hearing n. a hearing before any governmental agency or before an administrative law judge. Such hearings can range from simple arguments to what amounts to a trial. There is no jury, but the agency or the administrative law judge will make a ruling.  (DOAH DOAH Division of Administrative Hearings ) and are assigned as·sign  
tr.v. as·signed, as·sign·ing, as·signs
1. To set apart for a particular purpose; designate: assigned a day for the inspection.

2.
 to an administrative law judge administrative law judge n. a professional hearing officer who works for the government to preside over hearings and appeals involving governmental agencies. They are generally experienced in the particular subject matter of the agency involved or of several agencies.  (ALJ ALJ Administrative Law Judge
ALJ Association for Legal Justice (Northern Ireland) 
) for a formal evidentiary ev·i·den·tia·ry  
adj. Law
1. Of evidence; evidential.

2. For the presentation or determination of evidence: an evidentiary hearing.

Adj. 1.
 hearing. A hearing is essentially a nonjury trial. Following the hearing, the ALJ will issue the final order, which may be appealed to the appropriate district court of appeal. Generally, a rule can be challenged on three basic grounds, or any combination thereof: procedural errors, lack of authority, and substantive deficiencies. These grounds collectively are referred to as "invalid exercises of delegated legislative authority."

* Procedural Errors--The allegation The assertion, claim, declaration, or statement of a party to an action, setting out what he or she expects to prove.

If the allegations in a plaintiff's complaint are insufficient to establish that the person's legal rights have been violated, the defendant can make a
 is that the agency has materially failed to follow the applicable rulemaking procedures or requirements. In terms of procedure, [section] 120.54 contains provisions for rule-making for all types of rules. Either an agency, a person regulated by an agency, or a person with a substantial interest in an agency rule may initate the rule-making process. (14) Once begun, there are timetables and notice requirements that agencies must keep or else run the risk of having the rule be invalidated in·val·i·date  
tr.v. in·val·i·dat·ed, in·val·i·dat·ing, in·val·i·dates
To make invalid; nullify.



in·val
. (15) However, once a rule has been adopted and the time to challenge the proposed rule has passed, persons with notice have waived the right to later raise procedural deficiencies.

* Lack of Authority--Section 120.536 contains limitations on agency authority to create rules: "An agency may adopt only rules that implement or interpret the specific powers and duties granted by the enabling statute A law that gives new or extended authority or powers, generally to a public official or to a corporation. ." Where once agencies were free to enact rules under a general grant of authority to make rules as long as the rules were rationally related to the legislation being implemented, today if an agency has acted to create a rule without a specific grant of rule-making authority: "The Administrative Procedures Committee or any substantially affected person may petition an agency to repeal The Annulment or abrogation of a previously existing statute by the enactment of a later law that revokes the former law.

The revocation of the law can either be done through an express repeal
 any rule, or portion thereof, because it exceeds the rulemaking authority permitted by this section." (16) Very often, legislation is necessary to cure violations of rule-making authority.

* Substantive Deficiencies--Rule challenges based upon what a rule actually says are by and large brought for one or more of the following reasons: The rule contradicts the statute being implemented; the rule is vague, illogical, or irrational ir·ra·tion·al
adj.
Not rational; marked by a lack of accord with reason or sound judgment.


irrational adjective Unreasonable, illogical
; or less costly alternatives to the rule exist. (17) How a rule is interpreted and applied by an agency can also factor in to the challenge of an existing rule. Further, as discussed more fully below, an agency rule can be challenged in conjunction with a challenge to the agency decision or order where that rule was applied.

Order Challenges

By far, the most common type of APA procedure is the request for a hearing to contest an agency decision, or "order," relative to a particular application, license, permit, etc. An agency will provide notice of the intended decision to substantially affected persons, and such notice must contain a statement of the right to challenge the intended decision. Unless challenged, the preliminary agency decision becomes final 21 days from the point of notice to persons with standing to contest the action.

The APA contemplates three basic types of hearings to contest agency decisions: formal, informal, and bid protests. Section 120.569 contains provisions applicable to all three types of hearings. Section 120.57(1) contains additional procedures for hearings that involve disputed issues of material fact, or formal hearings. Section 120.57(2) applies to hearings without material factual disputes, or informal hearings. Section 120.57(3) applies to contract solicitation solicitation

In criminal law, the act of asking, inducing, or directing someone to commit a crime. The person soliciting another becomes an accomplice to the crime. The term also refers to the act of obtaining bribes, as well as to the crime of a prostitute who offers sexual
 or award protests, both formal and informal.

Petitions for hearings to contest agency decisions must contain specific information required by statute and the Uniform Rules of Procedure. (18) All such petitions requesting hearings are filed with the agency, and those requests that contain material fact disputes are referred to DOAH, while those that do not are heard by agency personnel assigned as hearing officers. A petition heard at DOAH is assigned to an ALJ who issues a recommended order at the conclusion of the hearing. The case is then returned to the agency for entry of a final order. Hearing officers also issue recommended orders and the agency head typically issues the final order. All final orders are subject to appeal to district courts of appeal. (19)

Formal and informal hearings are conducted de novo [Latin, Anew.] A second time; afresh. A trial or a hearing that is ordered by an appellate court that has reviewed the record of a hearing in a lower court and sent the matter back to the original court for a new trial, as if it had not been previously heard nor decided. , which results in agency action being formulated through the hearings, rather than simply being reviewed. Like rule challenges, a formal hearing at DOAH before an ALJ is essentially a nonjury trial. Evidence is offered and the factual findings of an ALJ are based upon the record. Informal hearings vary somewhat by agency, but generally are not "informal" in the normal sense of the word. "Informal" refers to material facts not being in dispute, so there is usually no evidence offered other than what is already in the record via admission or stipulation An agreement between attorneys that concerns business before a court and is designed to simplify or shorten litigation and save costs.

During the course of a civil lawsuit, criminal proceeding, or any other type of litigation, the opposing attorneys may come to an agreement
. Rather than a trial-like proceeding, the parties make presentations similar to oral arguments on appeal. If a material fact dispute arises during an informal hearing, the case should be referred by the agency to DOAH for formal hearing.

As mentioned previously, agency decisions and an agency rule which supplied the criteria for the decision can be challenged at the same time. In such a situation, the petition challenging the decision is filed with the agency and the rule challenge is filed with DOAH. Once the agency refers the challenged decision to DOAH, the cases may then be consolidated for hearing upon motion or by the ALJ sua sponte [Latin, Of his or her or its own will; voluntarily.]

For example, when a court takes action on its own motion, rather than at the request of one of the parties, it is acting sua sponte.


sua sponte (sooh-uh-spahn-tay) adj.
. Post hearing, the ALJ issues a recommended order in the case challenging the decision itself and a final order in the case challenging the rule. A party can also challenge an unadopted rule along with an agency decision in the same fashion.

Bid protests to challenge agencies' awards of contracts are somewhat unique in that hearings are for the purpose of reviewing the agency decision rather than formulating the decision, and different standards of review apply for situations in which the agency opts to reject all bids or proposals versus selecting one. Bid protests can be formal or informal. Bid specifications can be challenged only before submission of actual bids or proposals, and specification deficiencies cannot be raised within a bid protest.

Other Remedies

The APA has codified cod·i·fy  
tr.v. cod·i·fied, cod·i·fy·ing, cod·i·fies
1. To reduce to a code: codify laws.

2. To arrange or systematize.
 other avenues of relief that persons affected by agency action can seek declaratory DECLARATORY. Something which explains, or ascertains what before was uncertain or doubtful; as a declaratory statute, which is one passed to put an end to a doubt as to what the law is, and which declares what it is, and what it has been. 1 Bl. Com. 86.  statement, variance The discrepancy between what a party to a lawsuit alleges will be proved in pleadings and what the party actually proves at trial.

In Zoning law, an official permit to use property in a manner that departs from the way in which other property in the same locality
 or waiver The voluntary surrender of a known right; conduct supporting an inference that a particular right has been relinquished.

The term waiver is used in many legal contexts.
, and appeal. These remedies are, for the most part, designed to avoid the need for formal or informal hearing. Declaratory statements represent a cross between a legal opinion and a declaratory judgment declaratory judgment

In law, a judgment merely declaring a right or establishing the legal status or interpretation of a law or instrument. It is binding but is distinguished from other judgments or court opinions in that it includes no executive element (an order that
. Variances and waivers apply to an agency's application of rules and allow greater flexibility.

* Draw Out Proceedings--During rule-making pursuant to F.S. [section] 120.54, a person can assert that his or her substantial interests will be affected by rule-making and has the opportunity to affirmatively af·fir·ma·tive  
adj.
1. Asserting that something is true or correct, as with the answer "yes": an affirmative reply.

2.
 demonstrate to the agency that the rule-making process will not provide adequate protection for those interests. (20) If the agency finds that the rule-making process will not be adequate to protect those interests, the agency can "convene CONVENE, civil law. This is a technical term, signifying to bring an action.  a separate proceeding under the provisions of ss. 120.569 and 120.57." (21) Following this hearing, rule-making resumes.

* Declaratory Statements--F.S. [section] 120.565 states that a person with standing may ask an agency for an "opinion" as to the applicability of statute, rule, or order to the person's particular circumstances CIRCUMSTANCES, evidence. The particulars which accompany a fact.
     2. The facts proved are either possible or impossible, ordinary and probable, or extraordinary and improbable, recent or ancient; they may have happened near us, or afar off; they are public or
. F.A.C. Rule 28-105 contains the petition content requirements for initiating such an action. The declaratory statement is an odd remedy in that it is essentially "a means for resolving a controversy or answering questions or doubts concerning the applicability of statutory provisions, rules, or orders over which the agency has authority." (22) It should be noted that "[a] declaratory statement is not the appropriate means for determining the conduct of another person." (23)

Rather than just state an opinion, though, an agency may actually have an informal hearing and allow other parties to participate. Once concluded, the actual declaratory statement is final agency action and may, therefore, be appealed. Thus, this remedy presents the unique opportunity to ask an agency for a guidance opinion, argue for a particular outcome, and then appeal to a higher authority if that outcome is not achieved.

* Variance and Waiver--F.S. [section] 120.542 contains the process applicable to requesting a variance or waiver of an agency rule, and F.A.C. Rule 28-104 contains additional procedural requirements. A variance or waiver must be granted when the petitioner proves that strict application of a rule will result in a substantial hardship or violate principles of fairness, and the purpose of the underlying statute will still be met. (24) Agencies have no authority to waive To intentionally or voluntarily relinquish a known right or engage in conduct warranting an inference that a right has been surrendered.

For example, an individual is said to waive the right to bring a tort action when he or she renounces the remedy provided by law for such
 or vary statutory requirements, though. Section 120.542 contains the requirement for a variance or waiver request. Agencies must act on a request within 90 days, and a request not ruled upon in that time frame is deemed granted. Whether the agency opts to grant or deny the request, the decision is subject to challenge by persons with standing in either a formal or informal hearing.

* Mediation--Notice of intended agency action may provide an option for mediation mediation, in law, type of intervention in which the disputing parties accept the offer of a third party to recommend a solution for their controversy. Mediation has long been a part of international law, frequently involving the use of an international commission,  pursuant to F.S. [section] 120.573. If so, the affected person may request mediation prior to initiating a formal or informal hearing to contest the agency action. F.A.C. Rule 28-106.111 also contains provisions regarding mediation. If mediation fails, the affected person may then begin the hearing process pursuant to F.S. [section][section] 120.569 and 120.57.

* Appeal--F.S. [section] 120.68 provides for the appeal of final agency action, either through rule-making or decisions. Appellate Relating to appeals; reviews by superior courts of decisions of inferior courts or administrative agencies and other proceedings.  review is dependent upon the type of agency action being appealed. (25)

* Attorneys' Fees--F.S. [section] 120.595 contains most of the provisions for attorneys' fees and costs in administrative cases. Fees may be awarded in challenges to proposed, existing, or unadopted rules, and challenges to agency decisions. Fees may also be available in appellate matters.

Conclusion

Agency action comes in various shapes and sizes, and so do the APA remedies for persons affected by agency action. The APA contains processes to attempt to avoid litigation An action brought in court to enforce a particular right. The act or process of bringing a lawsuit in and of itself; a judicial contest; any dispute.

When a person begins a civil lawsuit, the person enters into a process called litigation.
 and to resolve it if necessary. When determining the best course of action, both in theory and in practice, it is always important to have all potential options on the table.

(1) Florida Home Builders Ass'n v. Department of Labor and Employment Sec., 412 So. 2d 351, 352 (Fla. 1982) ("The principal purpose for the adoption of a wholly-revised administrative procedure act for Florida is to remedy massive definitional, procedural and substantive deficiencies in existing law ... by broadening public access to the precedents and activities of agencies...." Reporter's Comments on Proposed Administrative Procedure Act for the State of Florida 3 (March 9, 1974), reprinted in 3 A. ENGLAND & L. LEVINSON, FLORIDA ADMINISTRATIVE PRACTICE MANUAL at 79 (1979)).

(2) As an example, consider agencies purchasing goods. The APA provides a remedy for disappointed vendors to contest agency decisions to buy from this supplier or that, but the legislature has set dollar thresholds below which agencies do not need to engage in competitive bidding Competitive bidding

A securities offering process in which securities firms submit competing bids to the issuer for the securities the issuer wishes to sell.


competitive bidding

1.
. Thus, in some instances the APA remedy normally applicable to the contract solicitation process will not apply.

(3) Courts have also limited the reach of the APA by requiring interested persons to have standing to contest agency action. Being a resident of Florida is generally not enough to confer sufficient "substantial interests" for such standing: A party seeking to show a substantial injury must demonstrate 1) that he or she will suffer an injury which is of sufficient immediacy im·me·di·a·cy  
n. pl. im·me·di·a·cies
1. The condition or quality of being immediate.

2. Lack of an intervening or mediating agency; directness: the immediacy of live television coverage.
 to entitle en·ti·tle  
tr.v. en·ti·tled, en·ti·tling, en·ti·tles
1. To give a name or title to.

2. To furnish with a right or claim to something:
 the party to a [section] 120.57 hearing, and 2) that his or her substantial injury is of the type or nature which the proceeding is designed to protect. Agrico Chemical Co. v. Department of Environmental Regulation, 406 So. 2d 478 (Fla. 2d D.C.A. 1981).

(4) Fla. Stat. [section] 120.52(16) (2007). 5 McDonald v. Department of Banking and Finance, 368 So. 2d 1370 (Fla. 1979).

(6) Fla. Stat. [section] 120.54(1) (2007).

(7) Fla. Stat. [section] 120.54(2) (2007).

(8) Fla. Stat. [section] 120.54(7) (2007).

(9) Fla. Stat. [section] 120.56(4) (2007).

(10) Fla. Stat. [section] 120.56(1)(b) (2007).

(11) Fla. Stat. [section] 120.56(2)(a) (2007).

(12) Fla. Stat. [section] 120.56(3)(a) (2007).

(13) Fla. Stat. [section] 120.56(4)(a) (2007).

(14) Fla. Stat. [section] 120.54(3), (7) (2007).

(15) Fla. Stat. [section] 120.56(3) (2007).

(16) Fla. Stat. [section] 120.536(2) (2007).

(17) Fla. Stat. [section] 120.52(8) (2007). For challenges based solely upon lower cost alternatives being available, see Fla. Stat. 120.541 (2007).

(18) Fla. Stat. [section][section] 120.569(2) (c) and 120.54(5)(b)(4) (2007). See F.A.C. Rule 28-106.201 (formal hearing request), Rule 28-106.301 (informal hearing request), and Rule 28-110.004 (bid protests).

(19) Fla. Stat. [section] 120.68.

(20) Fla. Stat. [section] 120.54(3)(c)2 (2007).

(21) Id.

(22) F.A.C. Rule 28-105.001.

(23) F.A.C. Rule 28-105.001.

(24) Fla. Stat. [section] 120.542(2) (2007).

(25) For a discussion of appellate standards of review, see Donna Blanton, Standards of Review Under the Florida Administrative Procedure Act, 81 Fla. Bar J. 50 (April 2007).

Robert C. Downie II is a shareholder with Carlton Fields, P.A., office in Tallahassee and practices administrative law administrative law, law governing the powers and processes of administrative agencies. The term is sometimes used also of law (i.e., rules, regulations) developed by agencies in the course of their operation.  primarily in matters related to environmental, land use, and transportation. He received his J.D. in 1989 from the Florida State University College of Law Florida State University College of Law, a law school in the Southeastern U.S., is one of the professional graduate schools of Florida State University, located in Tallahassee, Florida. The law school borders the South-East quadrant of the University's campus, near the Donald L. . Mr. Downie expresses his appreciation to Martha Chumbler and Matthew Bernier for their assistance with this article.

This column is submitted on behalf of the Administrative Law Section, James A. Bertron, Jr., chair, and Deborah K. Kearney, editor.
Remedy             Authority      Grounds        Petition Contents

Existing Rule      120.56(1),     120.52(8)      120.54(5)(b)(4)
Challenge          (3)            120.536        Rule 28-106.201
                                  120.54

Proposed Rule      120.56(1),     120.52(8)      120.54(5)(b)(4)
Challenge          (2)            120.536        Rule 28-106.201
                                  120.54

Emergency Rule     120.56(1),     120.54(4)      120.54(5)(b)(4)
Challenge          (5)            120.52(8)      Rule 28-106.201
                                  120.536
                                  120.54

Petition to        120.54(7)      120.54(7)      Rule 28-103.006
Initiate Rule-
making

Draw Out           120.54(3)      120.54(3)(c)   120.545(b)(4)
Proceeding

Unadopted Rule     120.56(4)      120.54(1)      120.54(5)(b)(4),
Challenge                                        Rule 28-106.201

Challenge to       120.569,       120.54(1)      120.54(5)(b)(4),
Decision Based     120.57(1)(e)   120.57(1)(e)   Rule 28-106.201
on Unadopted
Rule

Challenge to       120.569,       120.57(1)      120.54(5)(b)(4),
Decision on        120.57(1)                     Rule 28-106.201
Disputed Facts

Challenge to       120.569,       120.57(2)      120.54(5)(b)(4),
Decision--No       120.57(2)                     Rule 28-106.301
Disputed Facts

Challenge to       120.60,        120.6          120.54(5)(b)(4),
Decision re        120.569,       120.569        Rule 28-106.2015
Disciplinary or    120.57         120.57
Enforcement
Action

Bid Protest        120.569,       120.57(3)      120.54(5)(b)(4),
                   120.57(3)                     Rule 28-110

Declaratory        120.565        120.565        120.565, Rule 28-
Statement                         Rule 28-105    105

Petition for       120.542        120.542        120.542, Rule 28-
Variance/ Waiver                  Rule 28-104    104

Appeal             120.68         120.68
                                  Rule 9.030,
                                  FRAP

Mediation          120.573        120.573

Remedy             Hearing        Attorneys'
                   Type           Fees (1)

Existing Rule      Formal         120.595(3)
Challenge

Proposed Rule      Formal         120.595(2)
Challenge

Emergency Rule     Formal         120.595(3) (6)
Challenge

Petition to        Formal (2)     120.595(2) or (3)
Initiate Rule-                    or (4) (3)
making

Draw Out           Either
Proceeding

Unadopted Rule     Formal         120.595(4)
Challenge

Challenge to       Formal         120.57(1)(e)(3),
Decision Based
on Unadopted
Rule

Challenge to       Formal         120.595(1),
Decision on                       120.569(2)(e)
Disputed Facts

Challenge to       Informal
Decision--No
Disputed Facts

Challenge to       Formal         120.595(1)
Decision re
Disciplinary or
Enforcement
Action

Bid Protest        Either

Declaratory        Informal,
Statement          if any

Petition for       Either (4)     120.595(1) (5)
Variance/ Waiver

Appeal                            120.595(5)

Mediation

(1) Sections 57.105 and 57.111 may also apply.

(2) If petition is denied, challenge may lie to existing,
proposed, or unadopted rule.

(3) Attorneys' fees provisions apply in subsequent challenge
to existing, proposed, or unadopted rule.

(4) After agency decision, hearing process would begin as a
challenge to a decision under 120.569 and 120.57(1) or (2).

(5) Attorneys' fees provision applies if agency decision
is challenged through formal hearing process.

(6) See H.B. 7183, [section] 11.
COPYRIGHT 2007 Florida Bar
No portion of this article can be reproduced without the express written permission from the copyright holder.
Copyright 2007 Gale, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

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Author:Downie, Robert C., II
Publication:Florida Bar Journal
Date:Jul 1, 2007
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