Overview
- HB 145 would raise sovereign-immunity caps to $500,000 per person and $1 million per incident starting Oct. 1, 2026, with automatic increases to $600,000 and $1.2 million after five years.
- The bill would let public agencies settle claims above the caps without a special legislative claims bill and would align negligence statutes of limitations with those for private parties.
- Sponsor Rep. Fiona McFarland describes the plan as a responsible update intended to improve fairness and accountability for people harmed by government actions.
- Local-government groups, including the Florida League of Cities and the Small County Coalition, warn the changes could drive up insurance premiums and strain budgets during property-tax uncertainty.
- The House Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee approved the measure 16-1 with Rep. Vicki Lopez dissenting, and supporters note that only about a quarter of claims bills currently pass each year.