HB 917 Summary

• Adds a new basis for Florida court jurisdiction: a person who enters into a contract designating Florida law and agreeing to submit to Florida court jurisdiction submits to the jurisdiction of Florida courts.

• Revises the definition of "foreign judgment" in the Florida Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Act to mean any judgment, decree, or order of a court of any other state or the United States entitled to full faith and credit in Florida.

• Clarifies provisions in the Florida International Commercial Arbitration Act regarding international arbitration scope, interim measures for preserving evidence, and cross-references between related statutes.

• Removes restrictions on Florida court jurisdiction over contracts with a substantial relation requirement and allows parties to contracts of at least $250,000 to choose Florida law without requiring a connection to the state.

• Applies the jurisdictional changes to contracts entered into on or after July 1, 2012, with an effective date of July 1, 2012.