Civil Justice and Claims Subcommittee advances six bills, including changes to 'shade' meetings and indexed court fees

The Florida House Civil Justice and Claims Subcommittee on day two of the 2026 legislative session unanimously reported six bills favorably, advancing measures on confidential pre‑suit settlement talks under the Bert Harris Act, vacation‑rental water‑safety requirements, indexing clerks’ court filing fees to inflation, several uncontested claims payouts and a trustee discharge process.

The measures matter for local governments, clerks of court and individuals pursuing or defending claims: sponsors said the bills preserve procedural safeguards while giving local officials tools to resolve disputes, improve safety at rental properties, shore up fee revenue for clerks and permit administrative resolution of certain trust and claims matters without litigation.

HB 655 — Confidential pre‑suit meetings under the Bert Harris Act Representative Duggan told the committee HB 655 would allow local governments to meet confidentially in a so‑called "shade" session to discuss pre‑suit demands made under the Bert Harris Act. Duggan said the proposal would apply the same safeguards that govern pending litigation: public notice that a shade meeting will occur, a strict attendance roster, a court‑reporter verbatim transcript and a requirement that any formal action be taken in public. "So all of that would still pertain under this legislation," Duggan said. The committee adopted an amendment to place the language in chapter 70 (the Bert Harris Act) and Matthew Singer of the Florida League of Cities and Jeff Scala of the Florida Association of Counties waived in support. The committee reported HB 655 favorably as amended.

HB 79 — Vacation‑rental water‑safety rules (amended) Representative Maggard presented HB 79, which as amended would require vacation rentals within 150 feet of a body of water to be equipped with specified safety equipment intended to reduce child drownings; the sponsor said the amendment narrows the bill to vacation rentals and converts criminal penalties to civil penalties. Representative Joseph thanked Maggard for narrowing the penalty and raising enforcement considerations. The committee adopted the strike‑all amendment and reported the bill favorably.

HB 759 — Indexing court filing fees Representative Smith said HB 759 updates court filing fees that were last set in 2008 by applying the Consumer Price Index through 2019 and creating a mechanism to adjust them periodically thereafter. Smith told the committee clerks are facing an estimated $75 million annual shortfall and used an example from the bill analysis showing one appellate transcript fee moving from $5 to $6 under the proposed adjustment. "We're not setting new rates. We're indexing them for annual inflation based on the Consumer Price Index," Smith said. Multiple clerks waived in support and Representative Gottlieb and others voiced strong backing; the committee reported HB 759 favorably.

HB 6515 — Uncontested claims: Lourdes and Edward Latour Representative Boussada presented HB 6515, an uncontested claims bill asking for a $500,000 payment to Lourdes and Edward Latour for an incident on Nov. 5, 2017. Boussada said the funds would come from Miami‑Dade County's self‑insurance fund. With no opposition, the committee reported the bill favorably.

HB 895 — Trustee settlement and discharge Representative Hodgers described HB 895 as a narrowly tailored measure allowing an irrevocable trust’s trustee to be discharged without court proceedings when all beneficiaries and trustees agree, provided required notice is given and no opposition is filed. Martha Edenfield of the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law section of The Florida Bar waived in support. The committee reported HB 895 favorably.

HB 6517 — Uncontested local claim for Heriberto Sanchez Mayan (St. Petersburg) Representative Burfield presented HB 6517, an uncontested local claims bill requesting $2,300,000 for Heriberto Sanchez Mayan for injuries sustained during an encounter with St. Petersburg police on June 8, 2023; the sponsor described video evidence and catastrophic injuries, including a fractured neck and subsequent amputations requiring lifelong care. Burfield said the city had agreed to a $2,500,000 settlement. Representative Gottlieb and Representative Rainer criticized the officers’ conduct and voiced support for the claimant; Dan Faherty (the claimant’s attorney) waived in support. The committee reported HB 6517 favorably.

Votes at a glance HB 655 (Duggan), as amended — Adopted amendment; reported favorably as amended (17‑0) HB 79 (Maggard), as amended — Adopted amendment; reported favorably as amended (17‑0) HB 759 (Smith) — Reported favorably (17‑0) HB 6515 (Boussada) — Reported favorably (17‑0) HB 895 (Hodgers) — Reported favorably (17‑0) HB 6517 (Burfield) — Reported favorably (17‑0)

The subcommittee adjourned with no further business. The measures will move on the committee process as determined by House rules.