Florida Legislature
Florida Legislature | |
|---|---|
| 2016-18 Florida Legislature | |
 | |
| Type | |
| Type | |
| Houses | Senate House of Representatives |
| History | |
| Founded | May 26, 1845 |
| Preceded by | Legislative Council of the Territory of Florida |
New session started | March 7, 2017 |
| Leadership | |
| Structure | |
| Seats | 40 senators 120 representatives |
Senate political groups | Republican Party: 25 Democratic Party: 15 |
House political groups | Republican Party: 79 Democratic Party: 41 |
| Authority | Article III, Florida Constitution |
| Salary | $29,697/year + per diem |
| Elections | |
Last general election | November 8, 2016 |
Next general election | November 6, 2018 |
| Redistricting | Legislative control |
| Motto | |
| In God We Trust | |
| Meeting place | |
 | |
| Florida Capitol (Old Capitol in foreground), Tallahassee | |
| Website | |
| www.leg.state.fl.us | |
The Florida Legislature is the two houses that act as the state legislature of the U.S. state of Florida. The Florida Constitution states that "The legislative power of the state shall be vested in a legislature of the State of Florida," composed of a Senate and House of Representatives.[1] The legislature is seated at the Florida State Capitol in Tallahassee. Both chambers have been under Republican control since 1996.
Composed of 160 state legislators term-limited to eight consecutive years. There is no limit on total number of terms. The state legislature meets beginning in March for a period not to exceed 60 calendar days. Special sessions are called as needed.
Its statutes, called "chapter laws" or generically as "slip laws" when printed separately, are compiled into the Laws of Florida and are called "session laws".[2] The Florida Statutes are the codified statutory laws of the state.[2]
Powers and process
The Florida Legislature is authorized by the Florida Constitution to create and amend the laws of the U.S. state of Florida, subject to the governor's power to veto legislation. To do so, legislators propose legislation in the forms of bills drafted by a nonpartisan, professional staff.[3] Successful legislation must undergo committee review, three readings on the floor of each house, with appropriate voting majorities, as required, and either be signed into law by the governor or enacted through a veto override approved by two-thirds of the membership of each legislative house.[3]
The Legislature also has the power to propose amendments to the Florida Constitution. The rules for the Florida Legislature are laid out within the Constitution of Florida, and is also prescribed the respective chambers when applicable. Florida has had a total of six different state constitutions, signed in 1838, 1861 (secession), 1865, 1868, 1885, and 1968 (the current Florida Constitution).
In 2009, legislators filed 2,138 bills for consideration. On average, the Legislature has passed about 300 bills into law annually.[4]
Earmarks that have not gone through the normal legislative process are known colloquially as "turkeys." In 2010, Florida TaxWatch, a government watchdog organization, counted 41 "turkeys" totaling $61 million.[5]
Organization
Membership
The Florida Constitution mandates a bicameral state legislature with an upper house Florida Senate of no more than 40 members and a lower Florida House of Representatives of no more than 120 members.[1] A legislator of either house must be at least 21 years of age, a resident of the district in which he or she will serve, and a resident of Florida for at least two years before being qualified to run for election.
Due to term limits, state representatives may be elected for up to four terms (eight years), while state senators can be elected for up to two terms (eight years). Former members can be elected again after a two-year break.
Both chambers have been under Republican control since 1996.
Leadership
The House of Representatives is headed by the Speaker, while the Senate is headed by the President. The House Speaker and Senate President control the assignment of committees and leadership positions, along with control of the agenda in their chambers. The two leaders, along with the Governor of Florida, control most of the agenda of state business in Florida.
- President of the Senate: Joe Negron (R)
- President pro tempore of the Senate: Anitere Flores (R)
- Majority Leader of the Senate: Wilton Simpson (R)
- Minority Leader of the Senate: Oscar Braynon (D)
- Speaker of the House: Richard Corcoran (R)
- Speaker pro tempore of the House: Jeanette Núñez (R)
- Majority Leader of the House: Ray Rodrigues (R)
- Minority Leader of the House: Janet Cruz (D)
Sessions
The Florida Legislature meets in a 60-day regular session each spring. While sessions in odd-numbered years must begin on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in March, the Legislature can by law adjust the schedule for even-numbered years.[6][7] In recent years, the Legislature has opted to start in January so as to allow lawmakers to be home with their families during schools' spring breaks, and to give more time ahead of the legislative elections in the fall.[8] Legislators start committee activity in September of the year prior to the regular session. This is to promote their bills through committee in time for the official session.[9]
On the fourteenth day following each general election, the Legislature meets for an organization session to organize and select officers.[6]
Special sessions may be called by the governor, by a joint proclamation of the Senate President and House Speaker, or by a three-fifths vote of all legislators.[6][10]
History
In 2013, the legislature filed about 2000 bills. About 1000 of these are "member bills." The remainder are bills by committees responsible for certain functions, such as budget.[9]
See also
- Florida State Capitol
- Florida House of Representatives
- Florida Senate
- The Florida Channel
- Government of Florida
- Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability
- American Legislative Exchange Council members
- Pork Chop Gang
- Florida Legislative Investigation Committee
References
- ^ a b The Florida Constitution
- ^ a b "Statutes & Constitution: Online Sunshine". Florida Legislature. Retrieved 26 September 2013.
- ^ a b Senate Handbook, 2012-2014, Florida Senate (accessed April 28, 2013)
- ^ Flemming, Paul (March 8, 2009). Capital Ideas: Lawmakers face 2,138 proposals. Florida Today.
- ^ Schweers, Jeff (27 May 2010). "Supporters object after group calls parkway project a 'turkey'". Melbourne, Florida: Florida Today. pp. 1B.
- ^ a b c "Article III, Section 3". Constitution of Florida. 1968. Retrieved 2016-02-18.
- ^ Prior to 1991, the regular legislative session began in April. Senate Joint Resolution 380 (1989) proposed to the voters a constitutional amendment (approved November 1990) that shifted the starting date of regular session from April to February. Subsequently, Senate Joint Resolution 2606 (1994) proposed to the voters a constitutional amendment (approved November 1994) shifting the start date to March, where it remains. The reason for the "first Tuesday after the first Monday" requirement stems back to the time when session began in April. Session could start any day from April 2nd through April 8th, but never on April 1 -- April Fool's Day.
- ^ Buzzacco-Foerster, Jenna (2016-02-18). "Proposal to move 2018 session to January heads House floor". Florida Politics. Retrieved 2016-02-18.
- ^ a b Dockery, Paula (January 18, 2014). "Editorial:Advice to Legislature:Pursue limited agenda". Florida Today. Melbourne, Florida. pp. 11A. Retrieved January 18, 2014.
- ^ § 11.011, Fla. Stat. (2015)
External links
Current members of the Florida Senate | ||
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