(1) If it appears that a certificate of title has been improperly issued, the department shall cancel the certificate. Upon cancellation of any certificate of title, the department shall notify the person to whom the certificate of title was issued, as well as any lienholders appearing thereon, of the cancellation and shall demand the surrender of the certificate of title, but the cancellation shall not affect the validity of any lien noted thereon. The holder of the certificate of title shall return it to the department forthwith. If a certificate of registration has been issued to the holder of a certificate of title so canceled, the department shall immediately cancel the certificate of registration and demand the return of such certificate of registration and license plate or mobile home sticker; and the holder of such certificate of registration and license plate or sticker shall return them to the department forthwith.
(2) The department is authorized, upon application of any person and payment of the proper fees, to prepare and furnish lists containing title information in such form as the department may authorize, to search the records of the department and make reports thereof, and to make photographic copies of the department records and attestations thereof, except as provided in chapter 119.
(3) The department may conduct investigations and examinations of any person suspected of violating or of having violated this chapter or any rule adopted or order issued under this chapter.
(4) For purposes of any investigation or examination conducted pursuant to this section, the department may exercise the power of subpoena and the powers to administer oaths or affirmations, to examine witnesses, to require affidavits, to take depositions, and to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of books, papers, documents, records, and other evidence. An authorized representative of the department may serve a subpoena relating to an investigation or examination.
(5) If a person refuses to testify; 1to produce books, papers, documents, or records; or 1to otherwise obey the subpoena or subpoena duces tecum issued under subsection (4), the department may petition a court of competent jurisdiction in the county where the person’s residence or principal place of business is located, upon which the court must issue an order requiring such person to obey the subpoena or show cause for failing to obey the subpoena. Unless the person shows sufficient cause for failing to obey the subpoena, the court must direct the person to obey the subpoena. Failure to comply with such order is contempt of court.
(6) For the purpose of any investigation, examination, or proceeding initiated by the department under this chapter, the department may designate agents to serve subpoenas and other process and to administer oaths or affirmations.
(7) Information received by the department as a result of an investigation or examination conducted pursuant to this section is confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution until the investigation or examination ceases to be active or administrative action taken by the department has concluded or been made part of a hearing or court proceeding. The department may release information that is made confidential and exempt under this subsection in furtherance of its official duties and responsibilities or, if released to another governmental agency, in the furtherance of that agency’s official duties and responsibilities. This subsection is subject to the Open Government Sunset Review Act in accordance with s. 119.15 and shall stand repealed on October 2, 2026, unless reviewed and saved from repeal through reenactment by the Legislature.
(8) The department may adopt rules to administer this section.
History.—s. 6, ch. 23658, 1947; s. 5, ch. 25150, 1949; s. 6, ch. 28184, 1953; s. 1, ch. 59-157; s. 6, ch. 65-190; ss. 24, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 4, ch. 79-344; s. 2, ch. 82-130; s. 11, ch. 82-134; s. 38, ch. 94-306; s. 3, ch. 97-185; s. 5, ch. 2021-187; s. 2, ch. 2021-237.
1Note.—The word “to” was inserted by the editors to improve clarity.