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WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced a priority initiative to develop a statewide business court in Florida to support small businesses and job creators statewide. Florida's courts have the most extensive case backlog in the country, and this proposal will expedite complicated business cases and relieve the burden of these cases on the state's overwhelmed court dockets.

CFO Jimmy Patronis said, "Today, I’m proud to announce that my office is taking steps to create a Statewide Business Court dedicated to supporting Florida’s businesses and strengthening our economic future. As a former small business owner myself, I understand firsthand the intricate challenges of running a business—navigating complex regulations, overcoming layers of red tape, and sometimes just working to make payroll. With thin margins and new challenges arising daily, these hurdles can feel overwhelming. By establishing a dedicated business court, we can create a more favorable environment for businesses of all sizes to thrive in Florida. Florida has the highest backlog of business-related court cases nationwide, outpacing states like Texas, California, and New York, with more than 481,000 cases as of January 2024. This initiative will help streamline the resolution of business-related disputes, making the legal process more accessible and efficient. A statewide business court will also ease the burden on our current court system by allowing complex cases to be handled by industry experts, freeing resources to serve the public more effectively and reducing the strain on an already overloaded system.

"Ultimately, I want Florida to stand out worldwide as the most business-friendly state in the nation—the best place to start, operate, and grow a business. This business court is a meaningful step toward that vision, positioning Florida as a state where businesses are supported, growth is encouraged, and economic opportunity is accessible to all. Thank you to the team at Florida TaxWatch for having me, and I look forward to working with the Florida Bar and stakeholders statewide to expand on this initiative further."

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About CFO Jimmy Patronis 
Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis is a statewide elected official and a member of Florida’s Cabinet who oversees the Department of Financial Services. CFO Patronis works each day to fight insurance fraud, support Florida’s firefighters, and ensure the state’s finances are stable to support economic growth in the state. Follow the activities of the Department on Facebook (FLDFS) and X (@FLDFS).