HB 7027 Summary

• Amends s. 25.371 to establish that statutory provisions supersede conflicting court rules, reversing the prior hierarchy.

• Creates a judicial conference chaired by the Chief Justice with membership including appellate chief judges and one circuit judge from each appellate district to study and recommend court rules and procedures.

• Establishes that court rules, local rules, administrative orders, forms, and jury instructions cannot abridge, enlarge, or modify any substantive right or conflict with general law.

• Requires proposed court rules to undergo review by subcommittees, a rules committee, and the judicial conference with public notice and comment periods before submission to the Legislature; proposed rules take effect July 1 unless rejected or amended by the Legislature.

• Takes effect upon approval of House Joint Resolution 7025 or a similar constitutional amendment by Florida voters in the November 2012 general election.