The bill proposes significant amendments to Florida Statutes concerning court fees, particularly focusing on increasing service charges and filing fees across various court proceedings. Notable changes include raising the service charge for examining transcripts from $5.00 to $6.00 per page and increasing the fee for opening an estate from $230 to $275. Additionally, the filing fee for civil actions in circuit court will rise from $395 to $460, and the fee for formal administration proceedings will increase from $395 to $470. The bill also introduces a requirement for the Office of Economic and Demographic Research to prepare a report every three years, starting January 1, 2030, to recommend further adjustments to service charges based on the Consumer Price Index.

Moreover, the bill modifies the language regarding fee payments, changing "shall" to "must" to emphasize the mandatory nature of these fees. It establishes new service charges, such as a $20 fee for disbursements of surplus proceeds from judicial sales, and updates the graduated fee schedule for guardianship estate audits. The maximum fees for estates of varying values are adjusted, with specific amounts set for estates valued at different thresholds. The act is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026, and aims to ensure that court fees reflect current economic conditions while streamlining the fee structure.

Statutes affected:
S 532 Filed: 45.035, 721.83