The bill amends various sections of Florida Statutes to introduce new regulations concerning civil actions related to former phosphate mine sites and insurance contracts. It establishes section 378.213, which allows landowners to record notices identifying their property as a former phosphate mine and defines what constitutes a "former phosphate mine." Additionally, section 404.0561 mandates the Department of Health to conduct gamma radiation surveys of former phosphate lands upon request, while section 768.405 requires plaintiffs in civil actions related to phosphate mining to include a certified radiation survey with their complaints. The bill also revises provisions regarding attorney fees in insurance-related civil actions, creating sections 626.9375 and 627.4275 that require courts to award reasonable attorney fees to the prevailing party and clarifies definitions related to judgments and settlement offers.

Moreover, the bill introduces amendments affecting the admissibility of evidence in personal injury and wrongful death actions, particularly concerning medical expenses. It allows for a broader range of evidence regarding reasonable and customary rates for medical treatment and removes previous stipulations related to Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement rates. The amendments will apply to all causes of action that accrued after March 24, 2023, and to insurance policies issued on or after July 1, 2025, ensuring that existing rights under prior policies remain intact. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
H 947 c2: 624.1552, 624.123, 624.488, 627.062, 627.736, 627.756, 628.6016, 768.0427