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n/a';});window.aqiOpen=function(){document.getElementById('aqi-modal').classList.add('open');document.body.style.overflow='hidden';};window.aqiClose=function(){document.getElementById('aqi-modal').classList.remove('open');document.body.style.overflow='';};document.addEventListener('keydown',function(e){if(e.key==='Escape'){window.aqiClose();document.getElementById('pclh-breaking-panel').classList.remove('open');document.getElementById('pclh-breaking-chip').classList.remove('open');}});fetch('https://air-quality-api.open-meteo.com/v1/air-quality?latitude='+LAT+'&longitude='+LNG+'¤t=us_aqi&timezone=America/New_York').then(function(r){return r.json();}).then(function(d){var aqi=d.current&&d.current.us_aqi;if(aqi==null)throw 0;var cls,lbl;if(aqi<=50){cls='aqi-good';lbl='Good';} else if(aqi<=100){cls='aqi-mod';lbl='Moderate';} else if(aqi<=150){cls='aqi-usg';lbl='Unhealthy (Sens.)';} else if(aqi<=200){cls='aqi-bad';lbl='Unhealthy';} else if(aqi<=300){cls='aqi-vbad';lbl='Very Unhealthy';} else{cls='aqi-haz';lbl='Hazardous';} document.getElementById('ci-aqi').innerHTML='\\uD83C\\uDF2C\\uFE0FAir '+aqi+' '+lbl+'\\u25B8';}).catch(function(){document.getElementById('ci-aqi').innerHTML='\\uD83C\\uDF2C\\uFE0FAir Quality\\u25B8';});fetch('https://marine-api.open-meteo.com/v1/marine?latitude='+LAT+'&longitude='+LNG+'¤t=wave_height&length_unit=imperial&timezone=America/New_York').then(function(r){return r.json();}).then(function(d){if(d.current&&d.current.wave_height!=null){document.getElementById('ci-surf').innerHTML='\\uD83C\\uDFC4Surf ~'+d.current.wave\_height.toFixed(1)+' ft';}else{document.getElementById('ci-surf').style.display='none';}}).catch(function(){document.getElementById('ci-surf').style.display='none';});function ymd(dt){return dt.getFullYear()+String(dt.getMonth()+1).padStart(2,'0')+String(dt.getDate()).padStart(2,'0');} var td=new Date();fetch('https://api.tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/api/prod/datagetter?product=predictions&application=palmcoastlocal&begin_date='+ymd(td)+'&end_date='+ymd(td)+'&datum=MLLW&station=8720833&time_zone=lst_ldt&units=english&interval=hilo&format=json').then(function(r){return r.json();}).then(function(d){if(!d.predictions||!d.predictions.length)throw 0;var now=new Date(),next=null;d.predictions.forEach(function(p){var t=new Date(p.t.replace(' ','T'));if(!next&&t>now)next=p;});if(!next)next=d.predictions[d.predictions.length-1];var t=new Date(next.t.replace(' ','T'));var ts=t.toLocaleTimeString('en-US',{hour:'numeric',minute:'2-digit',hour12:true});document.getElementById('ci-tide').innerHTML='\\uD83C\\uDF0A'+(next.type==='H'?'High':'Low')+' tide '+ts+'';}).catch(function(){document.getElementById('ci-tide').innerHTML='\\uD83C\\uDF0ATide n/a';});document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded',function(){var here=window.location.href;document.querySelectorAll('#pclh-nav a').forEach(function(a){a.classList.remove('pclh-active');var h=a.getAttribute('href');if(h&&here.indexOf(h)!==-1&&h!=='https://palmcoastlocal.com')a.classList.add('pclh-active');});});})(); Details ![Florida Lawmakers Consider Major Increase in Compensation Limits for Victims of Government Negligence](https://palmcoastlocal.net/data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==) Florida Lawmakers Consider Major Increase in Compensation Limits for Victims of Government NegligenceAfter failing last year to raise the limits on how much victims of government negligence can receive, a Florida lawmaker is back with a more ambitious plan—seeking a tenfold increase. After failing last year to raise the limits on how much victims of government negligence can receive, a Florida lawmaker is back with a more ambitious plan—seeking a tenfold increase. On Thursday March 20, 2025 , the House Budget Committee voted 25-3 to approve [**HB 301**](https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/301), sponsored by [Rep. Fiona McFarland](https://www.flhouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/details.aspx?MemberId=4780), a Sarasota business owner and Navy veteran. ### What the Bill Would Change Currently, Florida law **caps** the amount a person can receive from a government-related injury at **$200,000 per person** and **$300,000 per incident**—even in cases of serious harm. If the bill passes, those limits would rise to: - **$1 million per person** and **$3 million per incident** - And increase again in 2030 to **$1.1 million per person** and **$3.2 million per incident** Right now, any compensation above these limits requires a **claims bill**, which must be approved by lawmakers—a process that can take years. McFarland’s bill would also allow **local governments to settle cases beyond the cap** without waiting for legislative approval. ### The Debate: Justice vs. Financial Burden Supporters argue that the current system is unfair, especially to people with life-altering injuries. [Gainesville attorney Julie Fine](https://www.floridabar.org/directories/find-mbr/profile/?num=91070) shared an example where the University of Florida refused to take responsibility after a **truck driver struck and severely injured her client in a crosswalk**—even though video evidence proved the driver was at fault. “They denied responsibility because they knew they were protected by the cap,” Fine said. A jury later awarded her client **$1.5 million**, but delayed medical care and financial struggles made recovery even harder. On the other hand, local governments, schools, and small cities worry they **can’t afford** the proposed increases. - [**Bob Harris**,](https://www.lawfla.com/attorney/bob-l-harris/) general counsel for a group of rural schools, warned that the bill could **drain local budgets** and encourage more lawsuits. - [**David Cruz**, a lobbyist](http://www.leg.state.fl.us/lobbyist/index.cfm?Lobbyists=View_Lobbyist_Info&Tab=lobbyist&Submenu=2&First_Name=David&Last_Name=Cruz&Suffix1=&Lobbyist_ID=005986&LobbyistYear=2014) for the Florida League of Cities, pointed out that **one $3 million lawsuit** could devastate a small city with an annual budget of only $5 million. ### What Happens Next? HB 301 has passed two House committees and awaits a final hearing before reaching the full House for a vote. Meanwhile, a similar bill in the Senate ([**SB 1570**](https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/1570)) has yet to be heard. 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