Legal Updates

FLORIDA GEORGIA WATER WAR The seven-year battle between the two states over water usage appears to be winding down. A federal circuit judge in New Mexico appointed by the U.S. Supreme Court has issued a 96-page recommendation against Florida, who sought caps on Georgia water usage through 2050. The Supreme Court can accept the findings, reject them and schedule additional oral arguments, or appoint another special master to conduct another review.

BRIGHTLINE FINANCING A U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld a ruling against Indian River County who had sought to invalidate a U.S. Department of Transportation authorization for Brightline to issue $1.15 billion in private bonds to fund the high-speed rail project.

FIU BRIDGE SETTLEMENT A U.S. bankruptcy judge has approved a $102.7 million settlement with the victims of the 2018 Florida International University bridge collapse in Miami, which killed six and injured ten others. The court had jurisdiction because the construction contractor sought bankruptcy as a result of the disaster. All but one of the implicated companies will now have settled the claims.