FL S0130

Allows chief judges of judicial circuits, with Chief Justice approval, to establish programs for retired justices or judges to preside over civil cases and trials when requested in writing by one or more parties.

Parties requesting retired judges must prepay the per diem rate (calculated as daily salary plus employer taxes and travel costs), with minimum charge of one day and charges in 1-day increments; payments deposit into the state courts Operating Trust Fund.

Retired judges may hear nondispositive motions upon any party's request if the assigned judge cannot accommodate within 2 weeks, or dispositive motions and trials only with all parties' joint consent.

Costs paid by a prevailing party for retired judges are taxable against a nonprevailing party, but costs paid by a single requesting party for motions are not taxable against nonprevailing parties.

Allows voluntary trial resolution proceedings to include jury trials when there is a right to jury trial and at least one party requests it, conducted according to civil jury trial laws.