Florida S644: Attorney Fees, Suit Money, and Costs

What the bill says

An act relating to attorney fees, suit money, and costs; amending ss. 61.16 and 742.045, F.S.; authorizing a court to order attorney fees, suit money, and costs in appellate proceedings; providing that an award of attorney fees, suit money, and costs may be awarded retroactively and prospectively; authorizing the inclusion of certain fees, money, and costs in an award of attorney fees, suit money, and costs; prohibiting the award of attorney fees, suit money, and costs under certain circumstances…

From the introduced text, February 20, 2026:

A bill to be entitled An act relating to attorney fees, suit money, and costs; amending ss. 61.16 and 742.045, F.S.; authorizing a court to order attorney fees, suit money, and costs in appellate proceedings; providing that an award of attorney fees, suit money, and costs may be awarded retroactively and prospectively; authorizing the inclusion of certain fees, money, and costs in an award of attorney fees, suit money, and costs; prohibiting the award of attorney fees, suit money, and costs under certain circumstances; providing that a trial court has continuing jurisdiction for certain purposes; authorizing the court to consider if a good faith offer of settlement was rejected when awarding attorney fees, suit money, and costs; authorizing the court to award, deny, or reduce attorney fees, suit money, and costs under certain circumstances; requiring the court to consider the relative financial resources of the parties for certain purposes; providing an exception; providing that payment of support owed to the obligee has priority over fees, costs, and expenses; providing that attorney fees and suit money may be assessed only under certain circumstances; authorizing the court to take certain actions in criminal contempt proceedings; providing an effective date. Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: Section 1. Section 61.16, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 61.16 Attorney …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Judiciary (I) · primary sponsor
• Judiciary · primary sponsor
• Grall, Erin (R, SD-029) · primary sponsor

Latest actions

1. March 13, 2026: Died in Rules
2. February 24, 2026: CS/CS by Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice read 1st time
3. February 23, 2026: Now in Rules
4. February 20, 2026: Pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)
5. February 18, 2026: CS by Judiciary read 1st time
6. February 18, 2026: CS/CS by Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice; YEAS 7 NAYS 0
7. February 13, 2026: On Committee agenda-- Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice, 02/18/26, 10:30 am, 37 Senate Building
8. February 12, 2026: Now in Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice
9. February 11, 2026: Pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)
10. February 10, 2026: CS by Judiciary; YEAS 11 NAYS 0

Votes

• Senate: S 644 c1 (February 18, 2026): 7 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Senate: S 644 Filed (February 10, 2026): 11 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is S644?

S644 is a bill in the Florida Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Attorney Fees, Suit Money, and Costs.

What does S644 do?

In its own words: An act relating to attorney fees, suit money, and costs; amending ss. 61.16 and 742.045, F.S.; authorizing a court to order attorney fees, suit money, and costs in appellate proceedings; providing that an award of attorney fees, suit money, and costs may be awarded retroactively and prospectively; authorizing the inclusion of certain fees, money, and costs in an award of attorney fees, suit money, and costs; prohibiting the award of attorney fees, suit money, and costs under certain circumstances…

What is the status of S644?

Failed as of March 13, 2026. Latest action: Died in Rules (March 13, 2026).

Who sponsored S644?

Judiciary (I), with 2 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for S644?

On the Florida Legislature website: https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/644