WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

SB 7014

Trust Funds of the State Courts System

2025 Regular Session

Terminate the Mediation and Arbitration Trust Fund by July 1, 2025; no current balance, remaining funds go to General Revenue unless directed otherwise; close out per GAAP.

Died in Messages, companion bill(s) passed, see SB 2500 (Ch.2025-198)
#judicialbranch
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 7014

SB 7014 — Trust Funds of the State Courts System (Summary)

Below is a concise, nonpartisan overview of SB 7014, including its purpose, key provisions, who is affected, and timing.

Overview

  • Bill: SB 7014
  • Title: Trust Funds of the State Courts System
  • Introduced: February 28, 2025
  • Purpose: Terminate the Mediation and Arbitration Trust Fund within the State Courts System
  • Effective date: July 1, 2025
  • Status: Died in Messages. Companion bill SB 2500 passed (Chapter 2025-198)
  • Primary sponsor: Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice

What the bill does

  • Terminates the Mediation and Arbitration Trust Fund within the State Courts System (SCS).
  • Effective date of termination: July 1, 2025.
  • There is no current balance in the Mediation and Arbitration Trust Fund at the time of termination.
  • Upon termination, if the Legislature has not designated a disposition for remaining funds, any remaining moneys would be deposited into the General Revenue Fund after all outstanding obligations are met.
  • The bill provides for the agency to pay all outstanding debts or obligations of the trust fund as soon as practicable and requires the Chief Financial Officer to close out and remove the trust fund from state financial systems, following GAAP for assets, liabilities, and warrants.
  • Statutory references to the legacy trust fund were redirected in 2011, and this bill reaffirms termination.

Background and context

  • Mediation and Arbitration Trust Fund (FLAIR #22-2-213) was created in 1990 to support standards for mediator/arbitrator qualifications.
  • In 2011, corresponding fees were redirected from this trust fund to the State Courts Revenue Trust Fund, and statutory references to the trust fund were eliminated.
  • The Florida Constitution (Art. III, s. 19(f)) requires termination of state trust funds within four years of creation unless exempted; funds must be reviewed, and any remaining need assessed periodically.

Who and what is affected

  • Affected entity: State Courts System (and related finance operations, including the Chief Financial Officer and the Legislature).
  • Potential financial impact: Since there is no current balance, the immediate fiscal impact is expected to be minimal. Any future residual funds would go to the General Revenue Fund unless otherwise directed by the Legislature.

Procedural and timing details

  • Review and passage history: Several analyses circulated; committee favorable actions noted. The bill advanced through Appropriations with favorable/favorable-on-Committee reports before legislative action.
  • Final status: Died in Messages on June 16, 2025. Companion SB 2500 passed and became Chapter 2025-198, indicating equivalent or related action occurred in another form.

Fiscal and constitutional considerations

  • Fiscal impact: None expected for private sector; minimal/no government-sector impact given current zero balance.
  • Constitutional issue: Aligns with Article III, s. 19(f) on trust fund termination and the related mandatory closeout process.

Statutes and formal notes

  • Statutes affected: Creates an undesignated section of law (terminating the Mediation and Arbitration Trust Fund).
  • Related history: Fund created in 1990; redirected in 2011; terminated if enacted, consistent with constitutional trust fund review requirements.

Takeaway

SB 7014 would have fully terminate the Mediation and Arbitration Trust Fund within the State Courts System, with no balance to distribute, and direct closeout procedures and potential transfer of remaining assets to General Revenue if no future disposition is chosen by the Legislature. The bill did not become law, though a companion measure passed and was enacted.

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

Sign in to ask a question.