Florida2026Active
HB0655
Private Property Rights Claims: Closed Meetings with Lawyers
Last scannedAug 24, 2026, 10:35 AM
In one sentence
This law allows government agencies to hold private meetings with their lawyers during the first 90 days of a property rights claim notice, provided these sessions are fully recorded and made public only after the claim is settled or expires.
What it does
- Creates an exception allowing agency leaders to meet privately with attorneys about specific property rights claims during the required 90-day notice period.
- Limits private discussions strictly to settlement negotiations or strategy sessions for resolving a submitted claim.
- Requires that every part of these meetings be recorded by a certified court reporter, including who is present and what they say.
- Mandates that the written transcript becomes public only after the claim is settled or if no lawsuit is filed before the legal deadline passes.
- Keeps all recordings, notes, minutes, and records from these private meetings secret until the final decision on the claim is reached.
Who it affects
- State government agencies as defined in Florida law
- Chief administrative or executive officers of those agencies
- Attorneys representing the agencies during property rights claims
Limits and unknowns
- The law only applies to meetings held during the specific 90-day notice period for a claim.
- This rule expires on October 2, 2031, unless lawmakers vote to keep it in place before then.
Plain language
Terms to know
- Bert J. Harris, Jr., Private Property Rights Protection Act
- A Florida law that allows people to file a claim if they believe a government rule unfairly limits how they can use their private property.
- Sunset Review
- A process where the Legislature must review this new exemption before October 2, 2031, or it will automatically end.
Official record
Sources
Official summary
Pub. Rec. and Pub. Meetings/Attorney Meetings to Discuss Private Property Rights Claims
Official activity
Bill history
- Chapter No. 2026-142