Appointment of tax collectors to accept applications and renewals for licenses; fees; penalties.

(1) The department may appoint a tax collector, a county officer as described in s. 1(d), Art. VIII of the State Constitution, to accept new, renewal, and replacement license applications on behalf of the department for licenses issued under this chapter. Such appointment shall be for specified locations that will best serve the public interest and convenience of persons applying for these licenses. The department shall establish by rule the type of new, renewal, or replacement licenses a tax collector appointed under this section is authorized to accept.

(2) A tax collector seeking to be appointed to accept applications for new, renewal, or replacement licenses must submit a written request to the department stating his or her name, address, telephone number, each location within the county at which the tax collector wishes to accept applications, and other information as required by the department.

(a) Upon receipt of a written request, the department shall review it and may decline to enter into a memorandum of understanding or, if approved, may enter into a memorandum of understanding with the tax collector to accept applications for new or renewal licenses on behalf of the department.

(b) The department may rescind a memorandum of understanding for any reason at any time.

(3) All information provided pursuant to s. 493.6105 or s. 493.6113 and contained in the records of a tax collector appointed under this section which is confidential pursuant to s. 493.6122, or any other state or federal law, retains its confidentiality.

(4) A person may not handle an application for a license issued pursuant to this chapter for a fee or compensation of any kind unless he or she has been appointed by the department to do so.

(5) A tax collector appointed under this section may collect and retain a convenience fee of $22 for each new application, $12 for each renewal application, $12 for each replacement license, $9 for fingerprinting services associated with the completion of an application submitted online or by mail, and $9 for photography services associated with the completion of an application submitted online or by mail, and shall remit weekly to the department the license fees pursuant to this chapter for deposit in the Division of Licensing Trust Fund.

(6) A person who willfully violates this section commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

(7) Upon receipt of a completed renewal or replacement application, a new color photograph, and appropriate payment of required fees, a tax collector authorized to accept renewal or replacement applications for licenses under this section may, upon approval and confirmation of license issuance by the department, print and deliver a license to a licensee renewing or replacing his or her license at the tax collector’s office.