The bill amends various sections of Florida Statutes to increase the number of judges in certain judicial circuits and counties. Specifically, it raises the number of circuit judges in the Second, Fourth, Fifth, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh, Twelfth, Fourteenth, Fifteenth, and Nineteenth circuits, with the total number of judges in these circuits increasing from 16 to 17 in the Second Circuit, and similar increases across the other circuits. Additionally, the bill increases the number of county court judges in Bay, Clay, Hernando, Lake, Manatee, Marion, Miami-Dade, Nassau, Osceola, Palm Beach, Polk, and Sumter counties, with the total number of judges in these counties also rising.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the structure of the District Courts of Appeal, increasing the number of judges in the Sixth District from 9 to 11, while establishing a mechanism to reduce the number of judges in the Second District from 15 to 13 over time as vacancies occur. The bill includes a declaration of important state interest and is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
S 2508 Filed: 35.06