How bad is the current judicial system in Florida for employers? Since its inception in 2002, the American Tort Reform Foundation (ATRF) has named Florida a “judicial hellhole” in its annual reports. ATRF‘s program has documented various abuses within the civil justice system as well as courts that have been radically out of balance in Florida. This has made Florida a breeding ground for frivolous lawsuits, which makes it more difficult for businesses to operate.
Furthermore, while there is a myriad of issues that the business community is concerned about based on industry, this issue literally can impact every single business in the state. This is why Associated Industries has been focused on tort reform, a significant, on-going threat for all employers due to the current, unfair, and burdensome legal environment in Florida for many years.
Now is the time for significant tort reform!
AIF SUPPORTS the passing of the Civil Remedies legislation, HB 837 and SB 236 by Representative Tommy Gregory (R-Lakewood Ranch) and Senator Travis Hutson (R-Palm Coast), because they will provide significant benefits for Florida’s vast business community, their employees, and the areas they support.
Florida Business Forum Summary and Videos:
AIF Tort Reform Position Statement:
| HB 837 – Civil Remedies by Civil Justice Subcommittee and Gregory and Fabricio | ||
| February 24, 2023 | Favorable With Committee Substitute | House Civil Justice Subcommittee |
| March 8, 2023 | Favorable With Committee Substitute | House Judiciary Committee |
| March 17, 2023 | Favorable (80-31) |
House Floor |
| March 23, 2023 | Favorable (23-15) | Senate Floor |
| March 24, 2023 | Signed by Officers and presented to Governor | |
| March 24, 2023 | Approved by Governor | |
| SB 236 – Civil Remedies by Banking & Insurance and Hutson | ||
| March 7, 2023 | Favorable (8-3) | Senate Banking & Insurance Committee |
| March 14, 2023 | Favorable with 1 amendment (8-4) | Judiciary Committee |
| March 16, 2023 | Favorable with Committee Substitute (13-6) | Fiscal Policy Committee |
| March 22, 2023 | Laid on Table, refer to HB 837 | Senate |
For more information about AIF and its position on tort reform legislation, please contact Adam Basford, Vice President - Governmental Affairs, at (850) 224-7173 or email him at abasford@aif.com
