Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed 11 bills on Thursday, including a measure to increase the number of circuit court and county judges and a bill to revise a major housing law, the “Live Local Act,” which passed in 2023.
The bill adding judges (HB 5401) will create a circuit judge position in the 1st Judicial Circuit, which is made up of Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton counties.
It also will create a circuit judge position in the 20th Judicial Circuit, which includes Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, and Lee counties.
Read: Florida Governor DeSantis Announces Record-Breaking Tourism Numbers
The bill also adds three county judges in Orange County, two county judges in Hillsborough County, and one county judge each in Columbia and Santa Rosa counties.
The bill exceeds the recommendations of the Florida Supreme Court, which in November called for a new judge in the 20th Judicial Circuit, three new county judges in Orange County and two new county judges in Hillsborough County.
In a fiscal year 2024-2025 budget passed in March, lawmakers included just over $1 million for the circuit-court positions and $2.66 million for the county-court judgeships.
Read: Florida Gov. DeSantis Signs Energy, China Investments Bills
The Legislature has not formally sent the budget to DeSantis for approval and vetoes. Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, made it a priority in 2023 to pass the Live Local Act to try to provide more affordable housing.
The bill signed Thursday (SB 328) makes changes to the law and sets aside $100 million for the Florida Hometown Hero Program, which was created to help people such as teachers, healthcare workers, and police officers buy homes.
__Help support the Tampa Free Press by making any small donation by clicking here.__
Android Users, Click To Download The Tampa Free Press App And Never Miss A Story. Follow Us On Facebook and Twitter.Sign up for our free newsletter.
