HB 965 Florida House · 2026 Regular Session

Voluntary Trial Resolution

Summary
Voluntary Trial Resolution; Removes provisions relating to voluntary trial resolution; authorizes parties to civil cases, family law cases, or probate cases to agree to or stipulate appointment of voluntary trial resolution judge; requires parties to promptly serve copy of joint motion & form on presiding judge; requires presiding judge to enter specified order within certain time period; requires appointed voluntary trial resolution judge to take & subscribe to specified oath; provides exception; requires voluntary trial resolution judge to adjudicate case until final determination of case; requires case to be returned to presiding judge; requires immediate disclosure by voluntary trial resolution judge to parties of circumstances requiring disqualification; authorizes waiver of disqualification; provides for compensation of voluntary trial resolution judge; requires presiding judge to retain jurisdiction for specified purpose; requires clerk of court to treat cases referred to voluntary trial resolution in specified manner; requires chief judge or his or her designee to make available public facilities & personnel in proceedings assigned to voluntary trial resolution judge in specified manner; requires chief judge & clerk to coordinate provision of jurors with voluntary trial resolution judge for certain actions; authorizes parties to agree to use certain facilities for other specified matters; specifies that parties are responsible for certain costs; provides scope of judicial functions of voluntary trial resolution judge; requires presiding judge to maintain jurisdiction to perform certain judicial functions; requires voluntary trial resolution judge to conduct proceedings under specified rules of court; requires voluntary trial resolution proceedings to be noticed & open to public.
Bill status died 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 5, 2026 Last action Mar 13, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

H 965 Filed H 965 c1 · 5 edits
MODERATE
The bill was substantially rewritten to expand its scope from only voluntary trial resolution to include both voluntary binding arbitration and voluntary trial resolution. The new version adds definitions, procedures for appointing arbitrators or trial resolution judges, and clarifies that parties can choose these methods before, during, or after a lawsuit is filed.
Scope change
Expanded from voluntary trial resolution only to include both voluntary binding arbitration and voluntary trial resolution as alternatives to litigation.
SCOPE

Added voluntary binding arbitration as a new option alongside voluntary trial resolution, allowing parties to submit disputes to arbitration instead of court litigation.

DEFINITION

Added formal definitions for both voluntary binding arbitration and voluntary trial resolution, clarifying when and how these processes can be used.

ELIGIBILITY

Modified eligibility requirements to include specific qualifications for arbitrators and trial resolution judges, including membership in The Florida Bar for more than 5 years.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirements for appointing arbitrators or trial resolution judges, including procedures when parties have their own appointment method versus when they need court assistance.

TIMELINE

Clarified that parties can choose arbitration or trial resolution before, during, or after a lawsuit is filed, rather than only after filing.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
14
Key actions
5
Committee
8
Feb 20, 2026
Lower · Passed
Now in Judiciary Committee
lower
Feb 20, 2026
Committee
Referred to Judiciary Committee
lower
Feb 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported out of Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee
lower
Feb 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable with CS by Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee
lower
Feb 16, 2026
Lower · Passed
Added to Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee agenda
lower
Jan 12, 2026
Lower · Passed
Now in Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee
lower
Jan 12, 2026
Committee
Referred to Judiciary Committee
lower
Jan 12, 2026
Committee
Referred to Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Bill Partington
Bill Partington
RRepublican
FL
28