HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-2022-038 Opposing Senate Bill 974 and House Bill 985 (Increase Statutory Limits on Liability for Tort Claims and Judgments Against Local Governments)RESOLUTION NO.2022-038
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DANIA
BEACH, FLORIDA, OPPOSING SENATE BILL 974 AND HOUSE BILL 985
IN THE 2022 FLORIDA LEGISLATIVE SESSION, URGING ALL MEMBERS
OF THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE AND GOVERNOR RON DESANTIS TO
OPPOSE SENATE BILL 974 AND HOUSE BILL 985 WHICH, IF ENACTED,
WOULD INCREASE THE STATUTORY LIMITS ON LIABILITY FOR TORT
CLAIMS AND JUDGMENTS AGAINST LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, AND
PROVIDING FOR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTION TO THE CITY'S STATE
LOBBYISTS; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; FURTHER, PROVIDING FOR
AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, Senate Bill 974 in the 2022 Florida Legislative Session would increase the
statutory maximum amount that a local government is liable to pay for a tort claim or judgment
from $200,000 per person and $300,000 per incident to $1,000,000 per person and $3,000,000 per
incident, and would provide for decennial increases in those amounts based on the Consumer
Price Index for the Southeast or a successor index as calculated by the United States Department
of Labor; and
WHEREAS, House Bill 985 in the 2022 Florida Legislative Session would increase the
statutory maximum amount that a local government is liable to pay for a tort claim or judgment
from $200,000 per person and $300,000 per incident to $1,000,000 per person, and would provide
for annual increases in those amounts based on the Consumer Price Index for the Southeast or a
successor index as calculated by the United States Department of Labor; and
WHEREAS, if Senate Bill 974 or House Bill 985 in the 2022 Florida Legislative Session
were to be signed into law, local governments would need to budget more funds to pay higher
insurance premiums or, for those that are fully or partly self -insured, to pay for higher settlements
or judgments or both;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF DANIA BEACH, FLORIDA:
Section 1. That the above "Whereas" clauses are ratified and confirmed, and they are
made a part of and incorporated into this Resolution by this reference.
Section 2. That the City Commission of the City of Dania Beach, Florida, opposes
Senate Bill 974 and House Bill 985 in the 2022 Florida Legislative Session, and urges all
members of the Florida Legislature and Governor Ron DeSantis to oppose Senate Bill 974, House
Bill 985, and any other similar legislation or amendment that would increase the statutory
maximum amount that a local government could be held liable for tort claims and judgments.
Section 3. That the City Commission directs the City Clerk to transmit copies of this
Resolution to the City's state lobbyists, Governor Ron DeSantis, Senate President Wilton
Simpson, Speaker of the House Chris Sprowls, the Broward League of Cities, the Florida League
of Cities, the Broward County Legislative Delegation, the Broward County Board of County
Commissioners, and any other interested parties.
Section 4. That the City Commission directs the City's state lobbyists to advocate
against Senate Bill 974 and House Bill 985 in the 2022 Florida Legislative Session.
Section 5. That all resolutions or parts of resolutions in conflict with this Resolution
are repealed to the extent of such conflict.
Section 6. That this Resolution shall become effective upon its passage and adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED on March 8, 2022.
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THOMAS SCHNEIDER, CMC ('.1"iPL)C�ji
CITY CLERK
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND CORRECTNESS:
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EV,E,V. BO TSIS
CI ATTORNEY
2
TAMARA
MAYOR
RESOLUTION #2022-038