Urge House Subcommittee to Oppose HB 829 - Attorney Fees and Costs
On Wednesday, March 20 at 8:00 a.m., the House Subcommittee on Civil Justice will consider HB 829 ( Sabatini ) relating to Attorney Fees and Costs.
HB 829 would impose mandatory attorney fees and costs against a local government if the local government has adopted or enforced an ordinance that is determined by a court to have been preempted by state law. The bill would allow the local government to avoid payment of attorney fees and costs by withdrawing or amending the ordinance. 
Talking Points
  • HB 829 would encourage needless litigation and frivolous lawsuits.
  • HB 829 applies to both “express” preemptions and preemptions that are “implied.”
  • HB 829 needlessly puts public money at risk; statutory preemptions are not always express or explicit.
  • HB 829 would punish local governments when legitimate questions of law exist and have a chilling effect on necessary and needed local actions.
  • HB 829 eliminates any judicial discretion to award fees and costs to legitimate abuses and bad actors.
  • HB 829 is one-sided – if the local government’s ordinance is upheld, it won’t recover its fees and costs.
Contact David Cruz or Rebecca O'Hara with any questions or call (850) 222-9684.
Please contact subcommittee members ASAP and urge them to OPPOSE HB 829!
Bob Rommel, Chair (R-106)
(850) 717-5106 Bob.Rommel@myfloridahouse.gov @bob_rommel

Jackie Toledo, Vice Chair (R-60)
(850) 717-5060 Jackie.Toledo@myfloridahouse.gov @ToledoForTampa

Anika Tene Omphroy, Minority Ranking Member (D-95)
(850) 717-5095 Anika.Omphroy@myfloridahouse.gov @AnikaOmphroy

Bruce Antone (D-46)

Melony Bell (R-56)
(850) 717-5056 Melony.Bell@myfloridahouse.gov @vote4melonybell

Mike Beltran (R-57)

Ben Diamond (D-68)
(850) 717-5068 Ben.Diamond@myfloridahouse.gov @BenDiamondFL

Nick DiCeglie (R-66)
(850) 717-5066 Nick.DiCeglie@myfloridahouse.gov @NickDiCeglie
Tommy Gregory (R-73)
(850) 717-5073 Tommy.Gregory@myfloridahouse.gov @tommygregoryFL

Mike Hill (R-1)
(850) 717-5001 mike.hill@myfloridahouse.gov @MikeHillfl

Amy Mercado (D-48)
(850) 717-5048 Amy.Mercado@myfloridahouse.gov @AmyMercado

Bobby Payne (R-19)
(850) 717-5019 bobby.payne@myfloridahouse.gov @bobbypaynefl

Ana Maria Rodriguez (R-105)
@RepAnaMaria

Charlie Stone (R-22)
(850) 717-5022

Geraldine Thompson (D-44)
@RepGThompson
Click here to download a spreadsheet with committee contact information. You can also use the League’s Contact Your Legislator advocacy tool to email your legislators.
Watch Live on Wednesday
To watch this committee hearing on Wednesday, please go to https://thefloridachannel.org/ , click on Live Streams and look for the House Subcommittee on Civil Justice hearing.
Thank You for Your Advocacy Efforts!