DeSantis Has Until June 30 to Act on Florida Sovereign Immunity Bill
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis faces a June 30 deadline on HB 145, a bill that would raise how much local governments must pay in negligence lawsuits — and school superintendents are urging a veto.
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has until June 30 to sign, veto, or allow HB 145 to become law without his signature, after the Legislature sent the sovereign immunity bill to his desk on June 15.
The bill would increase the amount local governments and the state are required to pay out when found liable in negligence lawsuits. DeSantis has not spoken publicly about the legislation, and his office did not immediately respond to a request for comment, according to the Florida Phoenix.
One of Session’s Most Contested Bills
HB 145 was among the most heavily lobbied bills during the 2026 regular legislative session, drawing hundreds of lobbyist registrations. The bill received support from the Florida Justice Association, an organization that represents trial attorneys.
DeSantis has a track record of vetoing legislation backed by the Florida Justice Association. In 2025, he vetoed a bill that would have repealed a 35-year-old law barring certain families from suing over the wrongful death of a loved one in medical malpractice cases.
School Districts Urge a Veto
At least two organizations have formally asked DeSantis to reject the bill. Fourteen school superintendents signed onto a veto letter dated April 2 from the Florida Panhandle Area Education Consortium, warning of the financial strain the higher liability caps would place on their districts.
PAEC Executive Director John Selover authored and signed the letter, which stated: “PAEC’s member districts operate within constrained local tax bases and narrow budget margins, leaving them with limited ability to absorb sudden financial liabilities. While we recognize the importance of ensuring fairness in the claims process, the increases to sovereign immunity caps contained in this legislation would create serious financial exposure for districts that are least equipped to manage it. For many small rural districts, the proposed caps in this legislation would have immediate and substantial consequences.”
Decision Comes Amid Broader Fiscal Debate
The sovereign immunity decision comes as DeSantis has also been pressing for a significant restructuring of property taxes paid to cities and counties across Florida. The governor’s action on HB 145 before the June 30 deadline will determine whether local governments and school districts face expanded financial liability in negligence cases going forward.
