Florida has collected millions for condo owner education. Lawmakers diverted the money instead.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The state of Florida collected $13.7 million in fees in 2020 from condominium owners associations, vacation timeshares and mobile home parks. But instead of using that money for its intended purpose — including training condo associations about things like maintenance — the Florida legislature swept $5 million of it into the state's general fund.

It's a pattern that's been going on for years, records show. In the wake of the collapse of the Surfside condominium in South Florida, some legislators believe it's a practice that needs to stop.