This bill amends section 95.11 of the Florida Statutes, which pertains to the statute of limitations for actions related to the design, planning, or construction of improvements to real property. The bill revises the time frame within which such actions must be initiated, establishing that the statute of limitations begins from the earliest of several specified dates, including the completion of the improvement, abandonment of construction, or termination of the contract with relevant professionals. Additionally, it clarifies the definitions of "completion of the improvement" and "completion of the contract," providing specific criteria for each.

Key changes include the insertion of new language that defines the completion of improvements and contracts, as well as the introduction of a provision that allows for counterclaims and related claims to be filed up to one year after the original pleading is served. The bill also specifies that if construction is performed under a valid building permit and a temporary or final certificate of occupancy is issued, the correction of defects does not extend the time limit for initiating an action. Overall, the bill aims to provide clearer guidelines and timelines for legal actions related to real property improvements.

Statutes affected:
S 944 Filed: 95.11