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FL H6501
CL
Status
Introduced
1/3/2025
Primary Sponsor
House Budget Committee
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AI Summary
- Appropriates $1.722 million from the General Revenue Fund to compensate Sidney Holmes for 34 years of wrongful incarceration after being convicted of armed robbery with a firearm in 1989; his conviction was vacated and charges dropped on March 13, 2023, based on findings that he was likely misidentified and is factually innocent
- Waives tuition and fees for Mr. Holmes for up to 120 credit hours at any Florida career center, Florida College System institution, or state university, contingent on meeting admission and academic progress requirements
- Prohibits any funds awarded under the act from being used to pay attorney fees or lobbying fees, and bars Mr. Holmes from submitting a separate compensation application under Chapter 961, Florida Statutes (for which he is ineligible due to prior unrelated felony convictions)
- Voids any unused benefits if a future judicial determination concludes, by DNA or other evidence, that Mr. Holmes participated in the armed robbery for which he was incarcerated
- Preserves the state's sovereign immunity defenses and liability limits, and designates the award as the sole compensation for all present and future claims arising from Mr. Holmes' wrongful incarceration
Legislative Description
Relief/Sidney Holmes/State of Florida
Last Action
Laid on Table, companion bill(s) passed, see CS/SB 10 (Ch. 2025-215)
4/30/2025
Committee Referrals
Budget Committee3/5/2025
Civil Justice and Claims Subcommittee1/15/2025
Full Bill Text
No bill text available