Bill > H0115

This bill creates a new legal framework for property owners to seek compensation for property damage caused by limestone mining operations in Florida. The legislation acknowledges the economic importance of limestone mining while also recognizing the potential negative impacts on nearby property owners. The bill establishes a process where property owners within a 3-mile radius of limestone mining operations can file a claim for compensation if they can prove their property has been damaged by ground vibrations from mining activities. Claims must be filed within 2 years of discovering the damage and must include evidence of property ownership, property damage, and a link between the damage and mining operations. The Division of Administrative Hearings will adjudicate these claims, requiring claimants to prove their case by the "greater weight of evidence" standard. If a claim is successful, the state will compensate the property owner for repair costs based on market rates, with annual appropriations from the General Revenue Fund to the Insurance Regulatory Trust Fund to cover these potential payments. The bill defines key terms such as "ground vibrations" and "property damage" and aims to provide a fair and equitable remedy for affected property owners while balancing the economic needs of the limestone mining industry.

Justice

https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/115