Florida's Latest News

House approves Fiona McFarland’s proposal to raise sovereign immunity caps

House members overwhelmingly approved a bill that would raise the amount people can recover in lawsuits against cities, counties and other government entities.

The House voted 104-7 to pass HB 145, sponsored by Sarasota Republican Rep. Fiona McFarland. The bill would increase Florida’s current sovereign immunity caps from $200,000 per person and $300,000 per incident to $500,000 per person and $1 million per incident beginning in 2026. The caps would rise again in 2031 to $600,000 per person and $1.2 million per incident.

The measure would also allow local governments to settle claims above the caps without first seeking legislative approval through a claims bill, a process McFarland described as burdensome and uncertain for victims of government negligence.

The concept of sovereign immunity comes from Old English law, where the king was said to be beyond reproach. … Today, our sovereigns are our local governments,” McFarland said during floor debate Thursday. “While they’re not shielded from accountability, they’re shielded from financial liability above $200,000 today, which serves as a disincentive from people bringing any lawsuit regardless of merit.”

Under current law, individuals seeking compensation beyond the statutory caps must pursue a claims bill, which requires separate legislative approval. McFarland said that process often forces victims to retain attorneys and lobbyists while hoping both chambers will agree to hear the bill.

Florida Medical Association PAC endorses Josie Tomkow in SD 14

The Florida Medical Association (FMA) Political Action Committee is backing Republican Rep. Josie Tomkow in the special election for Senate District 14, adding another high-profile endorsement to her growing list of supporters.

FMA PAC President Andrew Borom said the organization supports Tomkow’s leadership on health policy and her current work as Chair of the House Health and Human Services Committee. Borom said Tomkow understands the health care challenges facing Floridians and emphasized the group’s interest in continuing to work with her should she advance to the Senate.

“As Chair of the House Health and Human Services Committee, Rep. Tomkow understands the significant health care issues impacting Floridians and we look forward to our continued collaboration in the Florida Senate,” Borom said.

Tomkow said she was “humbled” by the endorsement, and highlighted the role medical professionals play in improving access to care and driving innovation across Florida’s health care system.

“Florida’s medical community is helping lead our nation into a healthier future that emphasizes wellness,” Tomkow said. “Through their advocacy, Florida’s doctors have helped improve access to care and leveraged innovation and technological advances to deliver better health outcomes in Florida. I’m so humbled to have the endorsement of Florida’s doctors who are on the frontlines of making our state — and country — healthier for generations to come.” 

Jason Shoaf will seek re-election to Legislature, sit out race to succeed Neal Dunn in Congress

State Rep. Jason Shoaf says he will not run to succeed U.S. Rep. Neal Dunn.

“I am fully focused on serving the people of North Florida in the Florida House of Representatives, and I am committed to fulfill my term through 2028,” Shoaf said.

The Port St. Joe Republican first won his legislative seat in a Special Election in 2019. Term limits will not prohibit him seeking re-election this year.

He shot down rumors he may run for Congress two days after Dunn, Panama City Republican serving his fifth term in the House, announced his retirement at the end of this Congress.

Shoaf said he feels he can best serve his community by remaining in the Florida Legislature as a senior member. He currently serves the Transportation & Economic Development Budget Subcommittee. Shoaf remains the only candidate filed in House District 7.

“I believe this next two years in my current role is my greatest chance to make the most meaningful impact delivering real results for our communities, strengthening our economy and defending the values that make North Florida such a special place to call home,” Shoaf said.

Senate passes bill to add more oversight and transparency on school choice vouchers

With a bipartisan unanimous vote, the Senate has passed a bill to add more oversight for the taxpayer-funded private school voucher program because thousands of students — and the money that follows them — are missing in the system.

SB 318 does not currently have a House companion bill even though the lengthy package of reforms has cleared the upper chamber.

Florida’s $4 billion universal school choice industry has experienced explosive growth but left an education system ripe for abuse.

“On any given day of the week, the (Florida) Department of Education (FDOE) can’t find 30,000 students we’re paying for,” Sen. Don Gaetz, the SB 318 co-sponsor, said on the Senate floor. “That’s $270 million we’re paying for students we can’t locate. The Auditor General criticizes our funding model as ‘pay and chase,’ and they don’t mean it as a compliment.”

SB 318, approved late Wednesday, would make sweeping changes, including creating a separate category for the Family Empowerment Scholarship (FES) so it would no longer be mixed into the state’s K-12 funding formula calculation.