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Popular Courts Bills

HB 7015 Expert Testimony

SB 1666 Mortgage Foreclosures

SB 1350 Criminal Penalties

SB 1412 Expert Testimony

SB 0556 Clerks of the Court

HB 7083 Death Penalty

SB 1384 Nursing Home Litigation

SB 0186 Jurisdiction of the Courts

HB 0643 Clerks of Court

SB 1016 Dentistry

Courts Bills On The Move

CJS1 Terms of Court

HOUSE Committee Bill Filed as H 7017

HB 7015 Expert Testimony

Signed by Officers and presented to Governor (Governor must act on this bill by 06/04/13)

HB 0651 Relief/Yvonne Morton/DOH

HOUSE Died in Select Committee on Claim Bills

HB 0937 Pub. Rec./Florida False Claims Act

HOUSE Withdrawn prior to introduction

HB 1379 Service of Process

SENATE Died in Criminal Justice

CRJS2 Sex Offenses

HOUSE Committee Bill filed as H 7031

SB 7050 Postconviction Capital Collateral Proceedings

SENATE Committee Bill Filed as S 1510

SB 1372 Pretrial Detention

SENATE Read Third Time; Substituted for HB 7035; Laid on Table, Refer to HB 7035

HB 7081 Postconviction Capital Case Procedures

HOUSE Died in Justice Appropriations Subcommittee

HB 7123 Sovereign Immunity

HOUSE Died in Appropriations Committee

Topic: Judges

Arrivals and Departures for May 3, 2013

by Florida Current Staff - 2 weeks ago - +

The RPOF has hired a new executive director and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has a new law enforcement director.

Legislature passes $200 million foreclosure settlement spending package

by Gray Rohrer - 3 weeks ago - +

The money from a foreclosure fraud settlement with some of the nation's largest banks will go to affordable housing programs, Habitat for Humanity, legal aid to counsel those in foreclosure and funding for the court system to address the backlog of foreclosure cases.

Ayes cinch alimony bill sponsor's motion to marry

by Bruce Ritchie - 2 months ago - +

Rep. Ritch Workman, R-Melbourne, proposes to girlfriend Terri Anne Allerton at the end of the House Finance & Tax Subcommittee meeting on Thursday. Photo by Gray Rohrer.

Rep. Ritch Workman, who is sponsoring legislation dealing with alimony, asks girlfriend Terri Anne Allerton to marry him as the House Finance & Tax Subcommittee meeting ends.

House, Senate differ in approach to foreclosure settlement money

by Gray Rohrer - 2 months ago - +

The two chambers have different spending plans for $200 million from a foreclosure fraud settlement agreement.

Foreclosure speed-up bill continues House trek; courts ask for funding to tackle backlog

by Gray Rohrer - 3 months ago - +

HB 87 continues its progress in the House as Florida's court system asks a Senate panel for more funding to help clear the glut of foreclosures stuck in the system. ... Related Research: March 6, 2013 meeting materials from the House Justice Appropriations Committee and Senate Appropriations Subcommittee.

Federal court rejects Florida's welfare drug-testing

by Bill Cotterell - 3 months ago - +

Gov. Scott says he'll appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. ... Related Research: Feb. 26, 2013 Opinion in Case No. 11-15258 before the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Budget hopes, expectations set for collision with reality, uncertainty

by Gray Rohrer - 4 months ago - +

Sen. Joe Negron, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee,said last week that one of his budget priorities is ensuring the state has adequate reserve funds. File photo,

Economists project a surplus for the first time in three years, but economic uncertainty at the federal level has lawmakers taking a cautious approach to the state budget, despite pleas for increased funding from all sides. ... Related Research: Dec. 14, 2012 General Revenue Outlook Statement from the Office of Economic & Demographic Research.

Funds flow to foreclosure aid, but distressed homes to remain drag on Florida

by Gray Rohrer - 4 months ago - +

Attorney General Pam Bondi speaks at a news conference Thursday with Senate President Don Gaetz, left, and House Speaker Will Weatherford about the mortgage settlement money. Photo by Bill Cotterell.

At a news conference Thursday, Attorney General Pam Bondi suggested that money coming to the state from the multistate settlement with five large lending banks could be used to fund affordable housing projects, foreclosure prevention, neighborhood rehabilitation, renter and homeowner assistance, legal aid, and housing counseling programs. ... Related Research: Meeting packet, an OED presentation, and video of subcommittee meeting and press conference.

Judicial panel files complaint against Tallahassee judge

by Bill Cotterell - 6 months ago - +

The Judicial Qualifications Commission brought formal charges Wednesday against Leon County Judge Judith Hawkins. Photo from the 2nd Judicial Circuit of Florida.

The state Supreme Court receives charges that Leon County Judge Judith Hawkins abused her office to promote her sideline business, a Web-based self-help and ministerial marketing site. ... Related Research: Dec. 5, 2012 Notice of Formal Charges against Judge Judith W. Hawkins.

State agrees to pay for 'Taj Mahal' pictures

by Florida Current Staff - 6 months ago - +

Florida's 1st District Court of Appeal. File photo by Ana Goni-Lessan.

The state will pay more than $500,000 for the pictures intended for the 1st District Court of Appeal building and legal costs, but the pictures will wind up at the Division of Cultural Affairs. ... Related Research: Dec. 4, 2012 Statement from Gov. Rick Scott and CFO Jeff Atwater on the art litigation settlement.

Prison health care privatization back in circuit court

by Bill Cotterell - 6 months ago - +

Tom Brooks, attorney for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, makes his pitch in court Thursday as Alma Gonzalez, special counsel for AFSCME, listens during a hearing on privatization of prison health care. Photo by Bill

Judge John Cooper promises a prompt ruling on thorny issues of legislative-executive powers.

Judge hears lawsuit on prison health care privatization

by Bill Cotterell - 7 months ago - +

Alma Gonzalez and Tom Brooks, attorneys for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, discuss the prison health care case after Monday's hearing. Photo by Bill Cotterell.

Unions for public workers and the Florida Nurses Association contend the Department of Corrections and legislative leadership went too far when it requested bids from private corporations to provide services for inmates.

3 Supreme Court justices win new terms

by Bill Cotterell - 7 months ago - +

Pariente, Lewis and Quince running up two-thirds of the vote in early returns. ... Related Research: Statements on merit retention elections from Stanley Tate, Alex Villalobos, Dick Batchelor, and Sandy "Talbot" D'Alemberte, and LobbyTools Elections Coverage - 2012 General Unofficial Election Night Results.