H.B. 837 helps guarantee both sides will be treated fairly
NFIB State Executive Director Bill Herrle says the small business community is grateful to the Florida Legislature for passing long-awaited lawsuit abuse reforms. House Bill 837 passed the House on March 17 and cleared the Senate today.
“This legislation won’t rob anyone of the right to sue,” Herrle said. “If you’ve been wronged, you have a constitutional right to seek remedy, but H.B. 837 helps guarantee both sides will be treated fairly.
“Small businesses need predictability, and H.B. 837 is going to reduce the cost and uncertainty associated with litigation,” Herrle said. “Small businesses have limited resources, and the cost of settling or defending themselves against a single lawsuit can be devastating, even if a judge eventually decides the case is without merit.
“On behalf of our members, I want to thank sponsors Sen. Travis Hutson, Rep. Tommy Gregory, and Rep. Tom Fabricio for standing up for Florida’s small businesses and shepherding H.B. 837 through the Florida Legislature, and we appreciate Gov. Ron DeSantis’s leadership on this issue. Without his support, we feel it would have been impossible to pass this much-needed legislation.”
Stopping lawsuit abuse has been NFIB’s No. 1 priority this legislative session. Earlier this month, NFIB launched a radio and digital ad campaign urging Floridians to contact their legislators and encourage them to stop lawsuit abuse in Florida.