FL S0034

Appropriates $670,493 from the General Revenue Fund to compensate Shuler Limited Partnership for damages to 835 acres of timber caused by a negligent prescribed burn conducted by the Florida Forest Service on April 9, 2008.

The prescribed burn occurred in Tate's Hell State Forest on approximately 3,267 acres owned by the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund, but an ember drifted across Cash Creek onto Shuler's adjacent 2,182-acre property.

A jury found the Florida Forest Service and Board of Trustees jointly liable for negligence, negligence per se, and gross negligence, awarding total damages of $770,493, of which $100,000 was already paid under statutory liability limits.

Limits attorney fees relating to this claim to a maximum of 25 percent of the $670,493 appropriation and designates this payment as sole compensation for all present and future claims arising from the incident.

Takes effect upon becoming law.