SB 1022 Florida Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Fines for Public Nuisance Abatement

Summary

Fines for Public Nuisance Abatement; Revising provisions relating to the assessment and collection of fines for public nuisances; defining the term “legal assistant”; removing a limit on the total amount of fines that may be imposed on a public nuisance, etc.

Bill status died 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Mar 4, 2025 Last action Jun 16, 2025

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What changed between versions

S 1022 Filed → S 1022 c1 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill amends Florida's public nuisance laws by removing the $15,000 cap on fines, clarifying how fines increase over time, and adding a new definition for 'legal assistant' to allow their fees to be included in attorney fee awards. It also modifies lien foreclosure procedures and clarifies jurisdiction periods for nuisance abatement.

Scope change

The bill expands enforcement capabilities by removing the total fine cap and clarifying fee structures, while maintaining the $15,000 limit on total fines imposed.

FISCAL

Removed the $15,000 cap on total fines that may be imposed for public nuisance abatement.

REQUIREMENT

Clarified that fines increase from $250 to $500 per day if the nuisance is not abated within one year.

Changed continuing jurisdiction from a fixed 1-year period to continuing until the public nuisance is abated.

DEFINITION

Added a new definition for 'legal assistant' to include non-clerical legal support staff working under attorney supervision, allowing their time to be counted in attorney fee awards.

ENFORCEMENT

Modified lien foreclosure procedures to allow foreclosure after 3 months of unpaid liens and require foreclosure after 2 years of unabated nuisance activity.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 12, 2025

Upper · Passed

Pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)

upper

Mar 6, 2025

Upper · Passed

On Committee agenda-- Criminal Justice, 03/11/25, 1:30 pm, 37 Senate Building

upper

Mar 4, 2025

Introduced

upper

Mar 3, 2025

Committee

Referred to Criminal Justice; Community Affairs; Rules

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors