FL S0814

Establishes a new Court of Claims located in Leon County, effective July 1, 2020, consisting of three judges headed by a Chief Judge, with jurisdiction over tort claims against the state exceeding the $200,000/$300,000 damage caps in s. 768.28(5).

Requires judges to have been members of The Florida Bar in good standing for 5 years, prohibits private law practice during service, and mandates appointment from nominations by a judicial nominating commission with Senate confirmation for initial appointments only.

Judges serve 4-year terms with staggered initial terms of 2, 3, and 4 years beginning July 1, 2020; judges seeking reappointment must reapply to the nominating commission.

Authorizes the Governor to make temporary appointments when the Senate is not in session and allows temporary appointments to fill vacancies until the Legislature reconvenes.

Transfers jurisdiction over damages exceeding statutory caps from legislative claims bills to the Court of Claims, which has a three-judge panel with two-judge concurrence requirement for judgments; appeals go to the First District Court of Appeal.