Bill > S1424

Introduced Session

An act relating to voluntary trial resolution; amending s. 44.104, F.S.; defining the term “presiding judge”; authorizing parties to civil cases, family law cases, or probate cases to, by written agreement or stipulation, agree to the appointment of a voluntary trial resolution judge, subject to certain exceptions; providing that an individual selected by the parties to serve as a voluntary trial resolution judge must meet a specified requirement to be eligible for appointment; authorizing the parties to file such written agreement or stipulation with the clerk of the court any time after the action is filed and to file a joint motion requesting such appointment; requiring that the joint motion be accompanied by a certain form; requiring the parties to promptly serve a copy of the joint motion and form on the presiding judge; requiring the presiding judge to enter a specified order within a certain timeframe; requiring an appointed voluntary trial resolution judge to take and subscribe to a specified oath; providing an exception; requiring a voluntary trial resolution judge to adjudicate a case until a specified finality occurs in the case; requiring that the case be returned to the presiding judge under certain circumstances; requiring immediate disclosure by a voluntary trial resolution judge to the parties of circumstances requiring disqualification; authorizing the parties to waive disqualification by filing a written waiver with the clerk of the court within a specified timeframe; providing construction and applicability; providing for compensation of a voluntary trial resolution judge according to certain terms and conditions; requiring that a contract for the services of a voluntary trial resolution judge provide for payment of such compensation; authorizing the presiding judge to enforce the terms of a written agreement or stipulation and retain jurisdiction in certain circumstances; requiring the presiding judge to retain jurisdiction for a specified purpose; requiring the clerk of the court to treat cases referred to voluntary trial resolution in a specified manner; requiring the chief judge or his or her designee to make available public facilities and personnel in proceedings assigned to a voluntary trial judge in a specified manner; requiring the chief judge and the clerk to coordinate the provision of jurors with a voluntary trial resolution judge for certain proceedings; authorizing the parties to agree to use certain facilities for specified matters; specifying that the parties are responsible for certain costs; providing the scope of judicial functions of a voluntary trial resolution judge; providing an exception; requiring the presiding judge to maintain jurisdiction to perform specified judicial functions; requiring a voluntary trial resolution judge to conduct proceedings under specified rules of court; providing that the Florida Evidence code applies to proceedings governed by the act; requiring that voluntary trial resolution proceedings be noticed and open to the public; providing for judicial review; providing that a specified doctrine applies in such review; providing applicability; amending s. 44.107, F.S.; conforming provisions to changes made by the act; providing an effective date.

AI Summary

Lori Berman (D)*, 

Introduced (on 01/22/2026)

Official Document