HB 167 – Former Phosphate Mining Lands
On Thursday, January 15, HB 167 by Representative Lawrence McClure (R-Plant City) was heard on the House floor and passed with 87 yeas and 24 nays. AIF supports this legislation.
Phosphate mining is a critical industry in Florida and is essential to providing sufficient fertilizers and agrichemicals for agricultural operations around the globe. HB 167 provides protections against bad actors who bring claims against producers and property owners of land previously used for phosphate mining. The bill requires the Florida Department of Health (DOH) to perform radiation surveys on land previously used for phosphate mining operations at the request of the landowner. Plaintiffs would be required to submit DOH reports as discovery evidence in causes of action against landowners.
HB 167 will now go to the Senate.
AIF supports legislation that adds a transparent good faith clause to the strict liability statute to protect businesses and landowners following environmental guidelines from being held liable in frivolous lawsuits, allowing businesses to utilize thousands of acres of land for needed projects.
HB 6003 – Recovery of Damages for Medical Negligence Resulting in Death
On Thursday, January 15, HB 6003 by Representative Dana Trabulsy (R-Fort Pierce) was heard on the House floor and passed with 88 yeas and 17 nays. AIF opposes this legislation.
This bill repeals sections of the existing wrongful death law pertaining to adult children and parents of adult children recovery of damages stemming from claims of medical malpractice. The bill would allow for claims to be filed for non-economic damages, more commonly known as “pain and suffering,” to be filed for larger sums. Previously, the legislature passed laws that provided guardrails against these practices in the effort to reduce premiums and frivolous lawsuits.
HB 6003 will now go to the Senate.
AIF opposes any bill that expands litigation to noneconomic damages for medical malpractice, which will destabilize insurance markets and raise costs of malpractice premiums throughout the state.
