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HB 6507

Relief/Marcus Button/Pasco County School Board

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Alex Andrade

Authorizes a $1,200,000 payment to settle the excess judgment against the Pasco County School Board for Marcus Button’s injuries from the 2006 bus crash.

Laid on Table, companion bill(s) passed, see SB 8 (Ch. 2025-217)
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Bill Summary · HB 6507

Summary — HB 6507: Relief for Marcus Button / Pasco County School Board

Status: Laid on Table (companion SB 8 enacted as Ch. 2025-217)
Introduced: January 24, 2025
Primary sponsor listed: Rep. Tramont (bill text and committee report reference Rep. Andrade)
Subject: Claims bill — settled excess judgment

Purpose / Intent

HB 6507 is a claims bill that provides statutory relief to satisfy a settled excess judgment arising from a 2006 motor vehicle collision involving a Pasco County school bus. The bill implements payment of a total settlement of $1,200,000 to resolve the excess judgment awarded to the claimant, Marcus Button, and his parents for injuries caused by negligence of a Pasco County school bus driver. The Pasco County School Board previously paid the statutory liability limit under section 768.28, F.S.; this bill addresses the remaining liability.

Key provisions

  • Authorizes payment of $1,200,000 to resolve the settled excess judgment in favor of Marcus Button and his parents resulting from the underlying tort litigation.
  • Implements relief consistent with the Special Master’s Final Report recommending settlement of the excess judgment against the Pasco County School Board.
  • (Bill text as reported is procedural/claims in nature — no policy changes to statutes beyond authorizing the settlement payment.)

Background / Facts from Special Master’s Report

  • Accident occurred Sept. 22, 2006 at Meadow Pointe Blvd. and State Road 54 (Pasco County) when a school bus turned into the path of a Dodge Neon traveling eastbound.
  • Marcus Button (then age 16) was a front-seat passenger and sustained severe injuries: facial and skull fractures, brain injury, vision loss, and long-term cognitive and sensory impairments.
  • A jury trial resulted in awards of approximately $455,225.92 to the parents and $2,142,565.21 to Marcus, with fault apportioned 65% to the Pasco County defendant, 20% to the car’s driver, and 15% to Marcus. After reductions and credits, final judgments were entered (document cites a judgment figure of $1,380,967.39 for Marcus before application of statutory limits and prior payments).
  • The Pasco County School Board paid the applicable statutory liability cap; the claimants pursued recovery of the excess.

Who is affected

  • Claimants: Marcus Button and his parents (beneficiaries of the settlement payment).
  • Respondent: Pasco County School Board (original tort defendant; previously paid statutory limit).
  • Fiscal/appropriations impact: The bill authorizes payment of the settlement amount — implementation could affect state or local budgets depending on funding mechanics (the special master report addresses settlement; companion SB 8 passage suggests enactment via separate bill).

Legislative history / timeline

  • Filed January 2025; referred to Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee and Judiciary Committee.
  • Favorably reported by Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee (Feb 19, 2025) and by Judiciary Committee (Apr 2, 2025).
  • Added to Second Reading Calendar and later laid on the table on April 29, 2025 after the companion bill (SB 8) passed and was enacted as Ch. 2025-217. Because the companion became law, HB 6507 was not required to proceed.

Notes

  • The Special Master’s Final Report provides the factual and legal basis for the recommended settlement payment; the committee reports summarize the injuries, jury findings, fault apportionment, and litigation history leading to the excess judgment.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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