Florida Legislature
State Government: Elected Officials | State Legislative Bodies
Recent News About Florida Legislature
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Trial lawyers gaining influence at statehouse, Florida Justice Reform Institute says
It has been a busy legislative session for the Florida Justice Reform Institute (FJRI), a lobbying group that encourages state lawmakers to curb litigation abuse that hurts businesses in the state. -
Pinellas County officials fight back against 'sovereign citizens'
&&& A prisoner serving 20 years for attempted murder recently wrote that Ken Burke, Pinellas Circuit Court clerk, should immediately release him from prison. In another case, the prisoner claimed Burke was liable for $50 million. -
Jackpot winner, also a convicted sex offender, allegedly fails to make settlement payment
ORLANDO — A convicted sex offender who won a $3 million Florida Lottery jackpot and settled a lawsuit filed by his alleged victims is in more hot water with the court system. -
Proposed changes to Florida's medical-marijuana laws are causing concern
TALLAHASSEE — The Florida Department of Health is proposing rule changes to the medical-marijuana law in the state. -
Appeals court rejects gun rights group's suit against city of Tallahassee
TALLAHASSEE — An appeals court recently handed a victory to the city of Tallahassee, rejecting a suit filed by a pair of guns-rights groups. -
Call for term limits pits judicial independence against accountability
TALLAHASSEE — A move to bring “good government and accountability,” by setting term limits on some judicial offices has Florida lawmakers squaring off in a debate over accountability versus independence of the state’s judicial branch. -
House committee passes bill seeking judicial term limits
TALLAHASSEE — A joint resolution seeking to set term limits on certain judicial offices passed an initial hurdle Tuesday in the Florida House of Representatives. -
Florida Supreme Court rejects 2013 amendment saying jurisdiction on procedural matters lies with the court
TALLAHASSEE — Florida’s highest court has struck down a 2013 state law, backed by Gov. Rick Scott, that changed the standard used by Florida to govern the admissibility of expert witness testimony. -
Florida group reports increase in special-interest spending
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A report by the Florida Access to Justice Project reveals the increase in special-interest spending in higher-court races and makes recommendations to ensure residents a fair justice system. -
Homeowners face stiffer limits on sinkhole policies under state-created agency
TALLAHASSEE, Florida – According to an Oct. 20 Florida Supreme Court ruling, a homeowner’s rights under a sinkhole policy are limited once an insurer becomes insolvent and the claim goes to the Florida Insurance Guaranty Association (FIGA). -
Florida attorneys debate Daubert Standard; court ruling to come soon
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – The Florida Supreme Court will rule on changes to the admissibility standard for expert testimony, which has been contested in past civil litigation cases. -
Appeals court sides with circuit court in decision about sheriff's deputies
TALLAHASSEE -- An ongoing, six-year-old legal saga involving dismissed Okaloosa Sheriff's Officers Rick Hord, Jon Bush and John Lee has taken another turn. -
Lawyer says legislation has not stopped texting and driving
MILTON, FLORIDA – The new law against texting while driving in Florida received a lukewarm response from citizens as offenders could only be punished if they are caught committing another traffic violation. That is, the “Florida Ban on Texting While Driving” law classified the violation as a secondary offense. -
Former senator joins Becker & Poliakoff's government law and lobbying group
FORT LAUDERDALE - Becker & Poliakoff has announced the appointment of a former Republican state senator to its law firm. -
Panama City Beach likely will not appeal court ruling on scooters
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – A beach resort city will lodge no further appeal against a court decision knocking down its regulations over the hiring of scooters. -
Appeals court seeks second opinion from Supreme Court on construction defect claims
TALLAHASSEE -- In a recent Florida federal district court case, the court addressed whether insurance companies issuing insurance policies in Florida must provide a defense to their insureds from construction defect claims. -
Florida lawyer joins prominent law firm GrayRobinson
TALLAHASSEE -- George T. Levesque, who is known as one of the top lawyers for the Florida Senate, recently joined the GrayRobinson law firm in Tallahassee. His practice areas include administrative and regulatory, appellate, government, government relations and lobbying, and litigation services for the firm. -
Florida Education Association pursues school voucher lawsuit
TALLAHASSEE– An appeals court has ruled against the Florida Education Association’s (FEA) claim that a de-facto school voucher system funding thousands of students' private school education looks bad for public schools. -
Miami Gardens mayoral candidate awarded second chance at bid after bank error disqualified him
MIAMI – The state's high court has ruled that the city of Miami Gardens needs to pay for another election after a mayoral candidate was disqualified because of a bank check. -
Parents take fight against Florida’s third-grade retention law to court
ORLANDO – Florida parents opposed to the state’s third-grade retention law have filed a lawsuit to challenge it in court.