summary
Introduced
02/24/2025
02/24/2025
In Committee
04/17/2025
04/17/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
06/16/2025
06/16/2025
Introduced Session
Potential new amendment
2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An act relating to civil actions; amending s. 376.308, F.S.; providing conditions for a cause of action against certain former phosphate mine sites; creating s. 378.213, F.S.; authorizing landowners to record certain notice of former phosphate mines; specifying requirements for such notice; defining the term "former phosphate mine"; creating s. 404.0561, F.S.; requiring the Department of Health to conduct gamma radiation surveys of former phosphate land parcels upon petition; creating s. 768.405, F.S.; requiring that specified documentation of radiation levels be submitted in certain civil actions related to phosphate mining; amending s. 624.1552, F.S.; revising the applicability of the offer of judgment and demand for judgment provisions to civil actions involving an insurance contract; creating s. 626.9375, F.S.; requiring the award of prevailing party attorney fees in certain civil actions involving surplus lines insurers; providing guidelines to determine prevailing parties; defining the term "judgment"; providing a specified circumstance under which a settlement offer is not a good faith settlement offer; specifying the applicability of the offer of judgment and demand for judgment provisions if prevailing party attorney fees hb947-02-c2 apply; creating s. 627.4275, F.S.; requiring the award of prevailing party attorney fees in certain civil actions involving insurers; providing guidelines to determine prevailing parties; defining the term "judgment"; providing a specified circumstance under which a settlement offer is not a good faith settlement offer; specifying the applicability of the offer of judgment and demand for judgment provisions if prevailing party attorney fees apply; amending ss. 624.123, 624.488, 627.062, 627.401, 627.727, and 627.736, F.S.; providing for the applicability of the prevailing party attorney fee provision to specified insurers, insurance policies or coverage types, and rate standards; amending s. 627.756, F.S.; providing for the applicability of the prevailing party attorney fee provision to suits brought by certain entities against surety insurers under certain circumstances; providing that such entities are deemed insureds or beneficiaries for specified purposes; amending ss. 628.6016 and 632.638, F.S.; providing for the applicability of the prevailing party attorney fee provision to assessable mutual insurers and fraternal benefit societies, respectively; creating ss. 631.696 and 631.9245, F.S.; providing for the applicability of the prevailing party attorney fee provision to claims hb947-02-c2 presented to specified guaranty associations; amending s. 768.0427, F.S.; providing evidence that is admissible to demonstrate past and future medical expenses in personal injury and wrongful death actions; providing applicability and construction; providing an effective date.
AI Summary
This bill addresses multiple legal areas, focusing primarily on civil actions and insurance-related provisions. It establishes new procedures for handling civil actions involving former phosphate mine sites by requiring landowners to record notices about their property's mining history and mandating that the Department of Health conduct gamma radiation surveys upon request. The bill creates specific requirements for radiation surveys in civil actions related to phosphate mining, including detailed documentation standards and certification requirements for survey conductors. For insurance-related matters, the bill introduces provisions for awarding attorney fees in civil actions between insurers and insureds, establishing guidelines for determining prevailing parties and what constitutes a good faith settlement offer. The bill also modifies existing statutes to expand the applicability of these attorney fee provisions across various types of insurance policies and scenarios, such as surplus lines insurers, self-insurance funds, and fraternal benefit societies. Additionally, the bill amends rules about admitting medical expense evidence in personal injury and wrongful death actions, specifying what types of documentation can be used to prove past and future medical treatment costs. Most provisions of the bill are set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and will apply to insurance policies and civil actions issued or initiated after that date.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (3)
Other Sponsors (2)
Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee (H), Judiciary Committee (H)
Last Action
Laid on Table (on 04/25/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...