FL H6531

Appropriates $670,493 from the General Revenue Fund to compensate Shuler Limited Partnership for damages and costs resulting from a negligent prescribed burn conducted by the Florida Forest Service on April 9, 2008

The prescribed burn in Tate's Hell State Forest destroyed 835 acres of timber on Shuler's property when an ember drifted across Cash Creek onto Shuler's Pasture

A jury previously awarded $741,496 in damages plus $28,997 in costs and fees (totaling $770,493); the state has already paid $100,000 under statutory liability limits, with this bill providing the remaining $670,493

The First District Court of Appeal upheld the jury verdict finding the Florida Forest Service guilty of negligence, negligence per se, and gross negligence, with the board vicariously liable

Attorney fees related to the claim are capped at 25 percent of the amount awarded under this act, and the combined payments are intended to be the sole compensation for all present and future claims arising from this incident