Justification
Governor's Recommendations 2022-23

The Governor's Budget Recommendation for Fiscal Year 2022-23 includes $785,821 in nonrecurring Insurance Regulatory Trust
Fund authority for the Department of Financial Services to replace 17 SUVs with trucks for fire and arson investigators.

The Bureau of Fire, Arson, and Explosives Investigations is a sworn law enforcement organization that utilizes 35 SUVs
for investigations. Research conducted by the National Fire Protection Association recommends that investigative
equipment and tools be kept separate from the passenger compartment of the vehicle to prevent continued exposure to
carcinogenic substances. The Bureau requests to replace 17 of the 35 SUVs with trucks to separate the equipment. Six of
these SUVs with over 120,000 miles have an average of 124,212 miles. The SUVs that remain operable will be repurposed for
other uses throughout DFS.

This issue was requested in the department's Legislative Budget Request.

Justification
Governor's Recommendations 2022-23

These estimated expenditures are operating appropriations authorized by the Legislature in the prior year General
Appropriations Act, adjusted for items vetoed by the Governor, appropriations based on contingencies that did not occur,
and appropriations provided in substantive bills that were passed in the 2021 Legislative Session.  Substantive bills are
bills other than the General Appropriations Act.

Justification
Governor's Recommendations 2022-23

The Governor's Budget Recommendation for Fiscal Year 2022-23 includes 12 new positions, 774,310 in Salary Rate, and
$1,406,636 in recurring and $817,132 in nonrecurring Insurance Regulatory Trust Fund authority for additional law
enforcement positions at the Department of Financial Services. This also includes the vehicles and all necessary
equipment for the new positions.

The Bureau of Fire, Arson, and Explosives Investigations is a sworn law enforcement organization responsible for the
detection, investigation, apprehension, and prosecution of offenders of arson and explosive-related crimes. The Bureau
requests 11 Law Enforcement Investigator IIs and one Lieutenant to offset additional responsibilities and other priority
duties facing Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Duval, Hillsborough, and Escambia counties. Adding additional investigator
positions will ensure timely responses, maintain chain of custody, and security of crime scenes.

This issue was requested in the department's Legislative Budget Request.

Justification
Governor's Recommendations 2022-23

The Governor's Budget Recommendation for Fiscal Year 2022-23 includes $248,000 in nonrecurring Insurance Regulatory Trust
Fund authority for the Department of Financial Services (DFS) to replace X-Ray machines used by bomb squad members.

The Bureau of Fire, Arson, and Explosives Investigations uses X-Ray machines that can remotely transmit information for
analysis. The new systems are smaller and more easily deployed, which reduces the amount of time spent within the
proximity to a suspected explosive device. The older machines can no longer be repaired. The machines cost $62,000 each
and the funds will allow DFS to replace four machines. This is the final cycle of replacement in a three-year cycle.

This issue was requested in the department's Legislative Budget Request.

Justification
Governor's Recommendations 2022-23

The Governor's Budget Recommendation for Fiscal Year 2022-23 includes $184,000 in nonrecurring Insurance Regulatory Trust
Fund authority for the Department of Financial Services (DFS) to replace bomb suits for bomb technicians.

The Division of Investigative and Forensic Services Bomb Squad purchased 10 new suits in 2014. These suits originally had
a life expectancy of seven years. The manufacturer has since revised this life expectancy to five years. The new suits
cost $46,000 each, have a life expectancy of seven years, and will allow DFS to replace four suits. The current suits are
no longer guaranteed by the manufacturer to provide the level of protection required by industry standards. Replacing
suits will keep bomb technicians safe and DFS will be able to maintain its accreditation from the FBI.

This issue was requested in the department's Legislative Budget Request as recurring.