FL H3501

Appropriates $670,493 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to compensate Shuler Limited Partnership for damages to 835 acres of timber destroyed on April 9, 2008.

Damages resulted from negligence, negligence per se, and gross negligence of Florida Forest Service employees conducting a prescribed burn in Tate's Hell State Forest that spread to Shuler's adjacent property across Cash Creek.

Payment represents remaining damages after the forest service and Board of Trustees already paid $100,000 under statutory liability limits in section 768.28, Florida Statutes; jury verdict of $741,496 was upheld by the First District Court of Appeal.

Total compensation from all sources ($100,000 plus $670,493) constitutes sole compensation for all present and future claims arising from this incident.

Limits attorney fees, lobbying fees, costs, and similar expenses relating to the claim to not exceed 25 percent of the total amount awarded under this act.