A Florida lawmaker has introduced legislation that would likely increase civil damages payouts by local government agencies such as cities and give those agencies more flexibility to settle claims without approval from the state Legislature.

Rep. Fiona McFarland (R-Sarasota) filed House Bill 301, a bill similar to unsuccessful legislation she filed in 2024, late last month. The measure would revise rules dealing with the doctrine of sovereign immunity, which allows public agencies to avoid settling expensive lawsuits without their expressed consent.

Specifically, HB 301 would increase statutory limits on claims against political subdivision from the current $200,000 per person to $1 million per person. For cases involving multiple claims, the limit would go up from $300,000 to $3 million.