Judiciary panel approves state-courts package to update duty-judge rules, arbitration and oaths

Senate Bill 538, the state-courts legislative package filed by Senator Bradley, was reported favorably by the Senate Judiciary Committee by an 11-0 vote.

Bradley said the bill updates several statutes governing court operations. The bill clarifies a duty-judge requirement enacted in 1935 to reflect the modern circuit court structure, removes a limitation on the location of duty hearings, repeals a cap on arbitrator compensation for court-ordered nonbinding arbitration and provides an alternative for judicial authentication of oaths, affidavits and acknowledgements when a court seal is not available (for example, when a judge performs the act away from the courthouse).

Support was indicated on appearance forms by the ADR Section of The Florida Bar, the Florida Conference of DCA Judges and the Florida Conference of Circuit Judges; they waived speaking time. Committee discussion was brief and there were no recorded objections. Lisa called the roll and the committee recorded 11 yays, 0 nays; the chair announced SB 538 would be reported favorably.

The transcript shows no floor-ready amendments or fiscal notes discussed during the hearing; the committee action moves the statutory housekeeping and court-administration updates forward for further consideration.