SESSION WATCH
Died SENATE · SESSION 2026

No. SB 2

Relief of the Estate of Danielle Maudsley by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
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SPONSOR
Jones
FILED BY
Shevrin D. Jones — District 34, Democrat [search donations]
EFFECTIVE
Upon becoming a law
DIED IN
Appropriations

Filed under Transportation.

PROVIDED SUMMARY

Relief of the Estate of Danielle Maudsley by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles; Providing for the relief of the Estate of Danielle Maudsley; providing an appropriation to compensate the estate for Ms. Maudsley’s death as a result of the alleged negligence of Trooper Daniel Cole and the Florida Highway Patrol, a division of the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles; providing a limitation on the payment of compensation and attorney fees, etc. CLAIM WITH APPROPRIATION: $1,750,000

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Plain English Summary

AI-GENERATED
Appropriates $1.75 million to settle the Estate of Danielle Maudsley's claim.

Appropriates $1.75 million from the state's General Revenue Fund to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, paying out the remaining balance of a settlement reached over Danielle Maudsley's death.

The Chief Financial Officer must pay the estate by warrant, first subtracting whatever is owed to satisfy Medicaid liens tied to Danielle Maudsley's medical care and treatment.

This payment, together with whatever the state already paid under its standard liability cap, closes out every present and future claim arising from her death, and caps attorney fees at 25 percent of the award.

KEY PROVISIONS
§ 1 $1.75 million appropriated to pay the estate major

AIThe Legislature appropriates $1.75 million from the state's General Revenue Fund to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to compensate the estate for Danielle Maudsley's injuries and death.

“The sum of $1.75 million is appropriated from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles” bill text, line 52 →
§ 2 Payment is the sole compensation for the death majors. 768.28

AIThe $1.75 million awarded here, combined with whatever the Division of Risk Management already paid under the state's standard liability cap, is declared the complete and final compensation for every present and future claim connected to Danielle Maudsley's death.

“are intended to provide the sole compensation for all present and future claims arising out of the factual situation described in this act” bill text, line 67 →
§ 3 Payout reduced by outstanding Medicaid liens moderate

AIThe Chief Financial Officer must pay the $1.75 million to the estate by warrant, but first subtracts whatever is owed to satisfy Medicaid liens tied to Danielle Maudsley's medical care, so the estate can receive less than the full appropriated sum.

“minus amounts required to satisfy outstanding Medicaid liens relating to the medical expenses and care of Danielle Maudsley” bill text, line 59 →
§ 4 Attorney fees capped at 25 percent of the award moderate

AINo attorney working on this claim may collect more than 25 percent of the $1.75 million awarded, capping legal fees regardless of any private fee agreement the estate's representative may have made.

“The total amount paid for attorney fees relating to this claim may not exceed 25 percent of the amount awarded under this act.” bill text, line 70 →
TIMELINE
3/13/2026
Died in Appropriations
2/13/2026
Now in Appropriations
2/12/2026
Favorable by Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism,...
2/9/2026
On Committee agenda-- Appropriations Committee on Transportation,...
2/3/2026
Now in Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and...
2/3/2026
Favorable by Judiciary; YEAS 11 NAYS 0
1/29/2026
On Committee agenda-- Judiciary, 02/03/26, 1:00 pm, 110 Senate Building
1/29/2026
Now in Judiciary
1/29/2026
Recommendation: Favorable by Special Master on Claim Bills
1/13/2026
Introduced
10/6/2025
Referred to Special Master on Claim Bills; Judiciary;...
8/1/2025
Filed
6 EARLIER →
STAFF ANALYSES