summary
Introduced
02/10/2025
02/10/2025
In Committee
02/20/2025
02/20/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
06/16/2025
06/16/2025
Introduced Session
2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An act relating to service of process; amending s. 48.091, F.S.; expanding the hours during which registered agents are required to keep the designated registered office open for the purpose of process service; specifying that certain registered agents may be served process in a specified manner; providing that process may be served on an employee of the registered agent in accordance with applicable law; authorizing a person attempting to serve process to serve an employee of the registered agent present at the registered office; amending s. 48.101, F.S.; authorizing service of process by personally serving the receiver for specified domestic entities in receivership during pendency of the receivership; amending s. 48.161, F.S.; requiring that a certain substituted service of process be issued in the name of the party to be served in care of the Secretary of State; deleting a provision requiring the Secretary of State to keep certain records; authorizing the use of a specified substituted service method under certain circumstances; requiring parties using such method to send the notice of service and a copy of the process to the last known physical and, if applicable, electronic addresses of the party being served; revising the information that must be contained in a certain affidavit of compliance; providing that a certain service of process is effectuated under specified circumstances; providing that the Secretary of State and the Department of State are not parties to lawsuits and may not be served additional court filings by reason of specified substituted service; amending s. 48.181, F.S.; specifying that registered agents must have been designated under a specified provision for a specified purpose; authorizing substituted service on the Secretary of State in specified circumstances; providing that certain individuals are deemed to have appointed the Secretary of State as their agents on whom all process may be served in certain actions and proceedings; providing retroactive application; providing applicability and construction; providing effective dates.
AI Summary
This bill modifies Florida's laws regarding service of process (the legal procedure for delivering court documents to parties in a lawsuit), with several key provisions. It expands the hours registered agents must keep their offices open, now requiring availability from 10 a.m. to 12 noon and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays. The bill allows process servers more flexibility in serving documents, permitting them to serve an employee of a registered agent if the agent is not present. For businesses in receivership, the bill now allows direct personal service on the receiver during the receivership period. The legislation also updates rules for substituted service (an alternative method of serving documents when direct service is difficult), requiring that such service be issued in the name of the party being served and sent to their last known physical and electronic addresses. Additionally, the bill deems certain nonresidents and individuals who have left the state to have appointed the Secretary of State as their agent for receiving legal documents. The changes aim to modernize and clarify legal service procedures, with most provisions taking effect on October 1, 2025, and applying to legal proceedings both before and after that date.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (1)
Other Sponsors (1)
Judiciary (Senate)
Last Action
Laid on Table, companion bill(s) passed, see CS/HB 157 (Ch. 2025-13) (on 04/16/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
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