[{"_1":2,"_136":-5,"_137":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112,124],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6284873,"mediaKeyId","2576572-f700554a629f994389a1b0df66cd8525","parentId",2576572,"title","Votes at a glance: Judiciary Committee actions, May 20, 2025","audioSeconds",2931,"startMs",980000,"endMs",3911000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2576572-f700554a629f994389a1b0df66cd8525&start=980&end=3911","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2576572-f700554a629f994389a1b0df66cd8525/thumbnail_980000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6284873/Florida/Votes-at-a-glance-Judiciary-Committee-actions-May-20-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6284873-4baaf71d85f57265681bbabd9236726a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770980316&Signature=gmTEPwdYqe845usdHnrVdgTIhNWWcpXHQUJZHhniKPll8JaD-9u2Yw4BEatc~OdSv3EpOKJ4qTIGFI732w-ulA3qVsUMWK-BuVFduKXresaJrQEaXhpv~GuDTloiD7VSd8Wa0gkRc4z9oB~2zuA4rK0JZ5LznCipNK0U80O9yxmsaXGTsZBl5ZbtMmZ~y5vJ2rIh0qoN6-adlZnuoHgUPvGb~MU64P0jbANhBRZCWDDy9HOFN7QLmOv5pPyvBvVv83pOmy27zWB3yFJqj4hNDLZrurd8wR6VTJp6TJLXKpGUFgEJvtKn1TRHWtxQ4LFvUdOcvVLtQdd2jG5SOakNzA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Florida State Legislature","date","2025-03-12T00:00:00Z","article","TALLAHASSEE — The Senate Judiciary Committee considered a broad agenda on May 20, 2025. Below are the bills the committee reported and the committee roll‑call outcomes as recorded on the transcript.

Votes at a glance

- SB 106 — Exploitation of vulnerable adults (Sponsor: Senator Martin). Reported favorably. Vote: 8 yeas, 0 nays.
- CS for SB 280 — Candidate qualification (Sponsor: Senator Arrington). Reported favorably. Vote: 9 yeas, 0 nays.
- CS for SB 948 — Real property and condominium flood disclosure (Sponsor: Senator Bradley). Reported favorably. Vote: 8 yeas, 0 nays.
- CS for SB 498 — Interest rates for IOTA accounts (Sponsor presenting: Senator Trumbull). Reported favorably. Vote: 7 yeas, 2 nays.
- SB 774 — Electronic transmittal of court orders to sheriffs (Sponsor: Senator Wright). Reported favorably. Vote: 11 yeas, 0 nays.
- CS for SB 752 — Defamation/false light (Sponsor: Senator Simon). Reported favorably (late amendment narrowing scope adopted). Vote: 8 yeas, 2 nays.
- CS for SB 832 — Former phosphate mining lands (Sponsor: Senator Burgess). Reported favorably (amendment adopted). Vote: 10 yeas, 0 nays.
- CS for SB 576 — Service of process technical fixes (Sponsor: Senator Leake). Reported favorably. Vote: 10 yeas, 0 nays.
- SB 1164 — Electronic delivery of landlord notices (Sponsor: Senator Leake). Reported favorably. Vote: 10 yeas, 0 nays.
- CS for SB 806 — Florida charitable trust code (Sponsor: Senator Yarbrough). Reported favorably (amendment adopted). Vote: 10 yeas, 0 nays.

Notes: Several bills were considered with substitute or late amendments; the committee adopted amendments on multiple measures before final roll calls. This roundup reflects committee roll calls as shown on the official transcript.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Committee on Judiciary 3/12/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Judiciary Committee advanced multiple bills on May 20, 2025. This roundup lists each bill, its subject, sponsor, and committee outcome and tally.","taxTitle","Judiciary , Standing Committees, Senate, Legislative, Florida","taxId",26952,"location","Florida","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6284879,"Committee advances bill shielding certain former phosphate‑mine owners from strict‑liability claims if they meet notice and survey requirements",353,6336000,6689000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2576572-f700554a629f994389a1b0df66cd8525&start=6336&end=6689","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2576572-f700554a629f994389a1b0df66cd8525/thumbnail_6336000.jpg","/articles/6284879/Florida/Committee-advances-bill-shielding-certain-former-phosphatemine-owners-from-strictliability-claims-if-they-meet-notice-and-survey-requirements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6284879-2c450642aae6bc70b75f11fa2c344b6b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770980316&Signature=FMZwHElZuO5znHz5bng34Yn1EbrkCbpuNIfirc-dV0K7RJsGRe6qWERKcWybbP1XW6cookMeWYbDz8mZMtxRZixrWyZmzcvHgfi4heRO-EonT0ON0XwTV07h~HL9aOwu8Stkl465Fcza28-rRBQJmHYDG1L~~AMT2HJEB~6ioXmmRyGkIBD9bO2zg4PuNwGAxSjpW71ReGgrmAcaWaOa9xmhBFZn1TEao29Tf6DSNZEBy~H4nBCMswon-tfnZAuVkZdY~YpMCCZLZG0IZJ-6Pi-EtF86BQTtsxNifAtebIBcPlKuzNihlHpnOaxje9uPq4Oc~n4lvWX4AnUVXPqBmg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","TALLAHASSEE — The Judiciary Committee reported CS for Senate Bill 832 favorably after testimony from industry and technical experts about reclaimed phosphate mining lands and a narrowly crafted strict‑liability defense.

Sponsor Senator Burgess said the bill provides a limited defense to strict‑liability claims for former phosphate mine landowners who comply with specified public notice requirements and provide a gamma radiation survey. The amendment adopted in committee clarified what the public notice must contain.

Why it matters: Florida contains substantial phosphate reserves and reclaimed land that proponents say could be developed for housing, business or other uses. Supporters argued the measure balances property‑use opportunities with public‑health safeguards; critics urged precision about who bears survey costs and how the Department of Health would review results.

Andy Lombardo, a certified health physicist, testified the gamma‑survey approach is straightforward and provides useful, nonintrusive data for assessing naturally occurring radioactive material on reclaimed sites. Ryan Thomas of Mosaic said reclaimed lands support rural economic development and noted reclamation standards aim to restore land quality.

Senators asked for clarifications; the sponsor said he would refine intent language and confirm allocation of survey costs (the committee heard the Department of Health can perform surveys and that landowners would bear costs). The committee approved the bill (10 yays, 0 nays).

Ending: The bill advances for further consideration; sponsors and stakeholders agreed on additional drafting to address survey cost language and intent statements (vote on CS for SB 832: 10–0).","CS for SB 832 was reported favorably after sponsor and industry witnesses said the narrowly tailored bill encourages reclamation and redevelopment of reclaimed phosphate lands; some senators sought clarifications about survey costs and intent language.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6284882,"Committee approves bill letting tenants opt in to receiving landlord notices electronically",301,7251000,7552000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2576572-f700554a629f994389a1b0df66cd8525&start=7251&end=7552","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2576572-f700554a629f994389a1b0df66cd8525/thumbnail_7251000.jpg","/articles/6284882/Florida/Committee-approves-bill-letting-tenants-opt-in-to-receiving-landlord-notices-electronically","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6284882-1caa9dba0d125d17fe77dd5b137328fa/orig.mp4?Expires=1770980316&Signature=lWpxTBzRSTOqrBC4TGuw8A5f8dsIzLYl9gD25KsUtefHck9RlEoez3bsEaSxD1ZafkGojCbKD06uKkv3sbMzEZiwiJQy0ulf6ScWjIgYq5viAsWGIs7~3tj09RBYS0ZPLI-DYnq~aeCPo81hISMkJDe4F5rys9o7nsNADWNoJ7B4vt5c7CcwsxyPz2~6iqjVgvKzlCxF0puXObhin-iCylXt4QAiwXSc5kshqM8Yc2UAZ-9TtSi4Y7UoNRk6iyT1U7xsiz7yPu5I3MeJ-LkCKnvSXHtOsqVkivJm7s7aVYgY-UvE-c-ItAFBtb0W1M3D~WM5KSs61Aw-X2849hEuCQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","TALLAHASSEE — The Judiciary Committee reported Senate Bill 11‑64 favorably after testimony about modernizing landlord–tenant notices and concerns from tenant advocates.

Senator Leake, the bill sponsor, said the measure amends Chapter 83 to allow tenants to opt in voluntarily to receive legal notices electronically — by email or other agreed digital means — rather than by postal mail or a paper notice on a door. The sponsor said the change preserves tenant privacy (for example, avoiding a posted nonpayment notice on a door) and reflects common use of portals, texts and email by housing providers.

Tenant-advocacy witnesses urged amendments to make the provision reciprocal and to allow tenants to opt out later. Jackson Oberlinck of Florida for All recommended requiring confirmation of receipt for important notices and argued that tenants lacking reliable email access are particularly vulnerable. Oregon and Nebraska were cited as models that allow reciprocal electronic notice.

Senator Leake said he was open to working with stakeholders on reciprocal coverage and on technical fixes; the bill passed the committee (10 yays, 0 nays).

Ending: The measure advances; sponsors and witnesses asked for follow‑up work ensuring tenants can safely opt in and retain parity for tenant‑initiated notices (vote on SB 11‑64: 10–0).","CS for SB 1164 was reported favorably after supporters said electronic delivery protects tenant privacy and opponents asked for reciprocal tenant-to-landlord electronic rights and opt‑out safeguards.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6284887,"Committee approves defamation bill requiring publishers to remove or correct false material on their websites",1033,4318000,5351000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2576572-f700554a629f994389a1b0df66cd8525&start=4318&end=5351","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2576572-f700554a629f994389a1b0df66cd8525/thumbnail_4318000.jpg","/articles/6284887/Florida/Committee-approves-defamation-bill-requiring-publishers-to-remove-or-correct-false-material-on-their-websites","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6284887-9076ff1671111c5b72710252036daf63/orig.mp4?Expires=1770980316&Signature=KbDgwYKEAd6uiy3bogqakVYg4s-hLRxEOlp97n2wtiCUIUWCFkEX~~2V~sD3Vj8GYw52wuYdnC~PUdHgC4yZZbI5yfDyTFttmpsYFONhPjWRn6ChoiVLc1XlXJm~tpjkPWjFc0bEaEmR9SbGh1gOdCTrhZ1v0Og5BhuNrKZcO7awCIRtgwzkvNrxqyG9wIAb7uSQxegMemKVNGaPc-6p8pRltnGInthrChCDkD6h~DAI8-lRITJ75E2nRytvnMXS72-~4Wq5Agh2T1Vo4RlSkimIMqvfZnUucMqY6ftDU74SOM-lGB0tsyN6XUO~82DtQS6hNX3eTaD-msslAcAoTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","TALLAHASSEE — The Judiciary Committee reported CS for Senate Bill 752 favorably after hours of testimony and questions about how the bill would affect publishers and online speech.

Sponsor Senator Simon told the committee the bill would require a newspaper or television station that posts a story to its website to remove or update the publisher’s own page if it later learns the story is untrue — for example because of a court decision or newly discovered facts — or lose the fair‑reporting privilege that would otherwise protect it. The late amendment narrowed the bill to require removal from the publisher’s website rather than “the Internet” generally.

Why it matters: The bill addresses cases in which false reports remain discoverable online long after courts have corrected the record. Barry Richard, who requested the bill after representing a client whose on‑air arrest coverage remained online despite an acquittal and jury verdict in his favor, said the persistent online placement has lasting reputational and economic harms.

Press advocates urged caution. Sam Morley of the Florida Press Association told the committee that the better practice is to append a correction rather than delete the original reporting and that the bill’s standard that removal be required where a “reasonable person” could be convinced by supplied facts is vague and likely to spawn litigation. Opponents warned the measure could chill fair‑reporting or eliminate the long‑standing fair‑report privilege for accurate reports of public government proceedings.

Senators debated whether the bill would require removal when the underlying events objectively occurred — for example, an accurate report that someone was arrested but later acquitted — and how the proposed standard would apply. The sponsor said the bill targets knowingly false or demonstrably false reporting and that publishers who correct will retain defenses.

The committee adopted a late amendment restricting the obligation to the publisher’s own website and then voted to report the bill favorably (8 yeas, 2 nays).

Ending: The bill will proceed to further consideration; supporters argued it gives victims a narrow remedy for online reputational harm, while press groups warned it risks First Amendment and evidentiary consequences (vote on CS for SB 752: 8–2).","CS for SB 752 passed after a contested hearing. Sponsor said the measure narrows existing privileges by requiring news publishers to remove or correct material from their own websites when they learn it is false; press groups warned of vagueness and First Amendment risks.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6284892,"Committee backs bill requiring clerks to send court orders to sheriffs electronically within six hours",362,3846000,4208000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2576572-f700554a629f994389a1b0df66cd8525&start=3846&end=4208","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2576572-f700554a629f994389a1b0df66cd8525/thumbnail_3846000.jpg","/articles/6284892/Florida/Committee-backs-bill-requiring-clerks-to-send-court-orders-to-sheriffs-electronically-within-six-hours","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6284892-cd4a8c1a068c30e287caf74c24602447/orig.mp4?Expires=1770980316&Signature=IT4XWtOQk0vNCFo8huSGHqh94OX1AqY6WBOpnNRQXrBW7RwquLbM2hN0kZaH9lZ86w9RrVFAG30SLK8VN~NrQhjYYNoa8P-Cq2D6sue2bGWMKcdqDwKf~owb8K-ic6DYmU9AaNY91XCv4p7bKRfx0vU92pfWNlvdoOgiL3MU90S~E4fH4PSuCZK9awl9jzOyrTHTh2riD7bUuGw41zEGtH4fBxZaHuPHKk1wIHilUxr0KDOVV4Kzvi3lJRH4wdDGxIpoGO5X0EIBYasv99zh0Mw14ApO0PygxbsBQixX0gMYqKTBND6eictPnUbCuVv6ngLCT89pFFmfMBInN1bI2g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","TALLAHASSEE — The Judiciary Committee reported Senate Bill 774 favorably after witnesses described a 2024 Volusia County incident in which an ex parte mental‑health order was docketed but not transmitted to the sheriff’s office, contributing to a later fatal confrontation.

Senator Wright, the sponsor, told the committee the bill would require clerks to transmit operative paperwork for involuntary mental‑health examinations, involuntary substance‑abuse examinations, and risk‑protection orders to the county sheriff by electronic means no later than six hours after the court signs the order.

Why it matters: Law enforcement said the change would reduce dangerous delays and human error. Captain Kurt Scheps (Volusia County Sheriff's Office) recounted a case in which a Thanksgiving‑day standoff ended with deputies using lethal force after they could not find a docketed ex parte order in the sheriff’s records; the clerk’s office had docketed the order but not transmitted it for service.

“We believe this bill is extremely important because the timeframe, the way the order will be sent will eliminate human error due to the urgency of it being sent to the sheriff to be served,” Captain Scheps said during testimony.

The sponsor and multiple senators noted that prior family‑law injunction legislation had required electronic transmittal within 24 hours and that six hours reflects the urgency of mental‑health and risk‑protection situations.

Senators asked whether the bill should also cover domestic‑violence injunctions; the sponsor said he was willing to include that area. Law‑enforcement speakers and some appearance forms supported the bill; no opponents spoke for the record. The committee approved the bill unanimously (11 yays, 0 nays).

Ending: The bill advances to the full Senate; sponsors said the measure aims to align court clerks’ delivery practices with current technology and public‑safety imperatives (vote on SB 774: 11–0).","Senators approved SB 774 after testimony that a delay in delivering an ex parte order to a sheriff’s office contributed to a fatal 2024 standoff; supporters said the change will reduce human error in urgent cases.",{"_33":125,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":126,"_41":127,"_43":128,"_45":129,"_47":130,"_49":131,"_51":132,"_53":133,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":134,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":135,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6284897,"Senate committee advances bill to limit court-set IOTA rates after lengthy debate",307,1562000,1869000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2576572-f700554a629f994389a1b0df66cd8525&start=1562&end=1869","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2576572-f700554a629f994389a1b0df66cd8525/thumbnail_1562000.jpg","/articles/6284897/Florida/Senate-committee-advances-bill-to-limit-court-set-IOTA-rates-after-lengthy-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6284897-c7ade5d36b5b92810bcfa2f0caf57c4a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770980316&Signature=GzzHDxG2gVzXdRJJ9A8IQTfm3lwz5AmhRhpa--9tDWGh73Hq1eGwXA2s~M~N2J31K8JA34YLm6kD6w7uLQsKK3QugsZZfT3qbQljZJjsdVJvtOWmpo70lGH01aBmtnHD~zC4V1DdFlkKdT94C9b5PoDkrex5dLXiOlgfh2oRPhihJ2MGSx944ii8D9nS1P5m6pFoU9xVuy9b6rIndvZs4ik5pQt3uGDE56ZMoTW-fYCZwa9fvszBEGa2MmLUD3-~lR8a06fZuo9ChEYnqk0yAhxBYSFXnIpDt1OUFnNhdyBGczqUFL11RDPLz0YxbvokFH5B7fQoHMxFIyprlXCPzg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","TALLAHASSEE — The Senate Judiciary Committee reported CS for Senate Bill 498 favorably after more than two hours of testimony and debate on whether the Florida Supreme Court had exceeded its authority in setting interest rates paid on IOTA (Interest on Lawyer Trust Accounts) funds.

The bill, sponsored in committee by Senator (presenting) Travis Trumbull, would limit the rate banks may pay on IOTA accounts by creating two alternative safe-harbor rates: 0.25% of the federal funds target rate or the comparable rate a bank pays on similar non‑IOTA accounts, whichever is higher and net of fees. By committee vote, the measure passed (7 yeas, 2 nays).

Why it matters: IOTA funds support civil legal aid programs that lawyers hold in trust for clients; interest is pooled to finance legal services for low‑income Floridians without direct taxpayer funding. Witnesses said the level of interest recently set by a Florida Supreme Court rule produced a large increase in support for legal-aid programs but that the new, higher rate was unsustainable for banks and outside the court’s regulatory scope.

Supporters of the bill — including bankers and some legislators — called the court’s change to a prime-based benchmark an intrusion into bank regulation. “The court is acting like a bank regulator,” said Anthony DeMarco of Florida Bankers, arguing the change set lending-style rates on accounts that are transactionally active and not comparable to savings products. Dennis Murphy, president and CEO of Gulfside Bank, described accounts with hundreds of transactions a month being treated like money-market accounts, and said banks are offering them at a loss under the higher rate.

Legal-aid leaders and allied witnesses said lower rates would sharply reduce available funding for civil services. “This bill would drastically reduce interest rates on IOTA accounts and substantially cut our funding,” Jeff Harvey, CEO of Community Legal Services, said, adding that his organization has seen IOTA distributions jump from hundreds of thousands to millions in recent years and would lose a significant share if rates fall.

Banks said the sudden rule change removed a prior “comparability” approach that required banks to pay IOTA accounts the same rate offered for comparable business accounts, producing a dramatic year‑over‑year increase in IOTA receipts. Bank witnesses and lobbyists urged the committee to restore statutory guardrails.

The committee considered a substitute amendment that preserved a comparability option and set a statutory safe harbor; that substitute was the text reported. Lawmakers and witnesses repeatedly stressed the voluntary nature of IOTA participation by banks and noted the Department of Financial Services and bank regulators watch safety‑and‑soundness implications.

Ending note: Senators split along lines of deference to the court’s authority versus concerns about banking regulation; the committee advanced the bill for further consideration by the full Senate (vote on CS for SB 498: 7 yeas, 2 nays).","The Judiciary Committee reported CS/ SB 498 favorably after a prolonged hearing in which legal-aid groups warned the change would cut millions from civil legal services and bankers said the Supreme Court overstepped by setting rates.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Judiciary Committee actions, May 20, 2025

Committee advances bill shielding certain former phosphate‑mine owners from strict‑liability claims if they meet notice and survey requirements

Committee approves bill letting tenants opt in to receiving landlord notices electronically

Committee approves defamation bill requiring publishers to remove or correct false material on their websites

Committee backs bill requiring clerks to send court orders to sheriffs electronically within six hours

Senate committee advances bill to limit court-set IOTA rates after lengthy debate