CS/CS/HB 935 Summary

• Amends the Florida False Claims Act to revise definitions of "claim," "knowing," "material," and "obligation," and clarifies that civil penalties range from $5,500 to $11,000 with treble damages recoverable against violators.

• Creates section 68.0831 authorizing the Department of Legal Affairs to issue subpoenas before civil proceedings for documentary materials, written interrogatories, and oral testimony relevant to false claims investigations, with specified procedural requirements and protections.

• Modifies qui tam plaintiff awards: when the department proceeds, plaintiffs receive 15-25% of recovered proceeds plus reasonable expenses and attorney fees; when the department does not proceed, plaintiffs receive 25-30% plus expenses and fees.

• Clarifies that the state may pursue alternative remedies including administrative proceedings, and establishes that final findings in alternative proceedings bind all parties; specifies the Department of Legal Affairs may dismiss actions at any point.

• Effective July 1, 2013, with section 68.0831 effective upon the same date as HB 1297 or similar legislation if adopted in the same legislative session.