All Roll Calls
Yes: 185 • No: 0
FloridaSB 102025SenateWALLET
Relief of Sidney Holmes by the State of Florida
Sponsored By: Jason W. B. Pizzo (Independent)
Signed by Governor
AppropriationSpecial Master on Claim BillsJudiciaryAppropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil JusticeAppropriationsHouse Calendar
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Sidney Holmes gets $1.722 million
The law awards Sidney Holmes a one-time $1.722 million payment for wrongful incarceration. It provides the money from Florida’s General Revenue Fund to the Department of Financial Services. Florida’s Chief Financial Officer must issue the payment to Holmes. The law took effect upon becoming law.
Sidney Holmes gets tuition-free education
The law waives Sidney Holmes’s tuition and fees for up to 120 total hours of instruction. Eligible schools are Florida public career centers, Florida College System institutions, and state universities. The waiver requires him to meet and maintain the school’s regular admission and registration requirements. He must also make satisfactory academic progress, as defined by the school.
Limits on Sidney Holmes’s relief benefits
After receiving payment, Holmes cannot apply for wrongful-incarceration compensation under Florida’s Chapter 961. The award is intended as his only compensation for all present and future claims arising from these events. He cannot use the award for attorney or lobbying fees tied to his claim. Any unused benefits end if a court later finds he participated in any way in the armed robbery, based on DNA or other evidence. The law does not waive the state’s sovereign immunity from lawsuits or raise its legal liability limits.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Jason W. B. Pizzo
Independent • Senate
Cosponsors
Judiciary
Affiliation unavailable
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/30/2025
House Floor Vote
Yes: 112 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/29/2025
Senate Floor Vote
Yes: 38 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/17/2025
Appropriations Vote
Yes: 16 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/10/2025
Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice Vote
Yes: 8 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/19/2025
Judiciary Vote
Yes: 11 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Chapter No. 2025-215
7/8/2025Approved by Governor
7/1/2025Signed by Officers and presented to Governor
6/18/2025Ordered enrolled
4/30/2025SenateCS passed; YEAS 112, NAYS 0
4/30/2025HouseRead 3rd time
4/30/2025HouseAdded to Third Reading Calendar
4/30/2025HousePlaced on 3rd reading
4/30/2025HouseRead 2nd time
4/30/2025House1st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)
4/29/2025HouseBill added to Special Order Calendar (4/30/2025)
4/29/2025HouseBill referred to House Calendar
4/29/2025HouseIn Messages
4/29/2025HouseCS passed; YEAS 38 NAYS 0 -SJ 622
4/29/2025SenateRead 3rd time -SJ 622
4/29/2025SenateRead 2nd time -SJ 622
4/29/2025SenatePlaced on Special Order Calendar, 04/29/25
4/28/2025SenatePlaced on Calendar, on 2nd reading
4/18/2025SenateFavorable by- Appropriations; YEAS 16 NAYS 0
4/17/2025SenateOn Committee agenda-- Appropriations, 04/17/25, 9:00 am, 110 Senate Building
4/14/2025SenateNow in Appropriations
4/11/2025SenateFavorable by Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice; YEAS 8 NAYS 0
4/10/2025SenateOn Committee agenda-- Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice, 04/10/25, 11:00 am, 37 Senate Building
4/7/2025SenateNow in Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice
3/20/2025SenateCS by Judiciary read 1st time
3/19/2025Senate
Bill Text
er
7/1/2025
c1
3/19/2025
Filed
8/2/2024