Gov. Ron DeSantis on May 16 signed legislation (HB 5401) creating nine new judicial positions.

The Supreme Court issued Order No. SC2023-1586 on November 30, 2023, certifying the need for one additional circuit court judge for the 20th Judicial Circuit, and five county judges — three in Orange County and two in Hillsborough County.

Lawmakers matched the Supreme Court certification and added a circuit judge in the First Judicial Circuit, and two county judges, one each in Santa Rosa and Columbia counties.