Florida State Senate

Florida State Senate
General Information
Party control:	Republican
Session start:[1]	January 11, 2022
Session end:[1]	March 14, 2022
Term length:	2-4-4 year system
Term limits:	2 terms (8 years)
Redistricting:	Legislature-dominant
Salary:	$29,697/year + per diem
Members
Total:	40
Democrats:	16
Republicans:	23
Other:	0
Vacancies:	1
Leadership
President:	Wilton Simpson (R)
Maj. Leader:	Kathleen Passidomo (R)
Min. Leader:	Lauren Book (D)
Elections
Last election:	November 3, 2020
Next election:	November 8, 2022

The Florida State Senate is the upper chamber of the Florida State Legislature. Alongside the Florida House of Representatives, it forms the legislative branch of the Florida state government and works alongside the governor of Florida to create laws and establish a state budget. Legislative authority and responsibilities of the Florida State Senate include passing bills on public policy matters, setting levels for state spending, raising and lowering taxes, and voting to uphold or override gubernatorial vetoes.

The Florida State Senate meets in the state capitol complex in Tallahassee, Florida.

On March 3, 2022, the Florida Supreme Court approved new legislative maps drawn by the Florida State Legislature. These maps take effect for Florida's 2022 legislative elections. Click here for more information about redistricting after the 2020 census.

All 40 seats in the Florida State Senate are up for election in 2022.

A total of 20 of 40 Florida Senate seats were up for election in 2020. The chamber's Republican majority increased from 23-17 to 24-16. Click to read more »

Florida has a Republican trifecta. The Republican Party controls the office of governor and both chambers of the state legislature.

This page contains the following information on the Florida State Senate.

• Which party controls the chamber
• The chamber's current membership
• Partisan control of the chamber over time
• Elections in the chamber and how vacancies are filled
• A district map
• How redistricting works in the state
• Legislation currently under consideration
• Legislative session dates
• Legislative procedures, such as veto overrides and the state budget process
• A list of committees

Party control[edit]

Current partisan control[edit]

The table below shows the partisan breakdown of the Florida State Senate as of August 2022:

Party		As of August 2022
	Democratic Party	16
	Republican Party	23
	Other	0
	Vacancies	1
Total		40

Members[edit]

Leadership[edit]

The president of the Senate is selected by the majority party caucus and then elected by the full membership of the Senate. The president pro tempore is selected by the president of the Senate and elected by the full membership of the Senate.^[2][3]

Current leadership and members[edit]

• Senate president: Wilton Simpson (R)
• Majority leader: Kathleen Passidomo (R)
• Minority leader: Lauren Book (D)

Salaries[edit]

See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries

State legislators
Salary	Per diem
$29,697/year	$152/day for up to 50 days for senators and up to 60 days for representatives. Vouchered.

Swearing in dates[edit]

See also: When state legislators assume office after a general election

Florida legislators assume office on the day they are elected in the general election.

Membership qualifications[edit]

See also: State legislature candidate requirements by state

To run for the Florida State Senate, candidates must be 21 years old, have lived in Florida for two years and live in the district they intend to serve.^[4]

Historical party control[edit]

From 1992 to 2020, the Florida State Senate was mostly under Republican control. This was new for the chamber because prior to 1992 it was under solid Democratic control (like most southern state legislatures). The partisan change in the chamber coincided with the American South's shift from nearly 175 years of Democratic dominance to being solid Republican by the early 21st century. The table below shows the partisan history of the Florida State Senate following every general election from 1992 to 2020. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.

Florida State Senate election results: 1992-2020

Year	'92	'94	'96	'98	'00	'02	'04	'06	'08	'10	'12	'14	'16	'18	'20
Democrats	20*	19	17	15	15	14	14	14	14	12	14	14	15	17	16
Republicans	20*	21	23	25	25	26	26	26	26	28	26	26	25	23	24

*The two parties adopted a power-sharing agreement to accommodate the 20-20 tie in the chamber.

Before 1992, Democrats had controlled the Florida State Senate since the 1876 elections, which came in the aftermath of the Civil War and Reconstruction. After 1876, Democrats enjoyed large majorities in the chamber, much like they did in other southern legislatures. From 1894 to 1965, Republicans never controlled more than two seats. By the 1970s and 1980s, Republicans had established themselves as a formidable minority party, but they still could not win control of the chamber. In the late 1980s, they narrowed the Democratic majority to just a few seats and were within reach of a majority. In 1992 they won half of the chamber's seats and gained partial control of the chamber through a power-sharing agreement with Democrats.^[5]

Starting in 1994, Republicans took control of the Florida State Senate. By 1998 they controlled 25 of the chamber's seats and did not fall below that threshold through the 2016 elections. Six of the 10 elections between 2002 and 2020 left the chamber with a 26-14 Republican advantage. Republicans briefly expanded beyond that number in 2010 when they took control of 28 seats.

Prior to the 2016 elections, there was a court-ordered redrawing of the state Senate districts. The map was redrawn due to a lawsuit filed by the League of Women Voters of Florida. They claimed that the state Senate district maps that were passed in March 2012 violated a 2010 constitutional amendment prohibiting the drawing of district lines to create a partisan advantage or deny racial or language minorities "the equal opportunity to participate in the political process and elect representatives of their choice." The amendment also required that districts be contiguous and use existing political boundaries, such as city and county lines, when possible.

In December 2015, Circuit Court Judge George Reynolds approved a new map that was used in the 2016 elections. Because of the redistricting, all 40 seats in the chamber were up (in a normal election, only 20 of 40 seats are up for election). The Republican majority dropped to 25-15. In a special election held September 26, 2017, Democrats flipped a seat previously held by a Republican, and the party gained a seat in the 2018 election, bringing the chamber's partisan breakdown to 23-17, the closest margin since the 1996 elections. After the 2020 election, Republicans had a 24-16 majority.

Trifecta history[edit]

A state government trifecta is a term that describes single party government, when one political party holds the governor's office and has majorities in both chambers of the legislature in a state government. Between 1992 and 2021, Florida was under the following types of trifecta control:

• Democratic trifecta: 1992
• Republican trifecta: 1999-2009, 2011-2021
• Divided government: 1993-1998, 2010

Florida Party Control: 1992-2022
One year of a Democratic trifecta  •  Twenty-three years of Republican trifectas
Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.

Year	92	93	94	95	96	97	98	99	00	01	02	03	04	05	06	07	08	09	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22
Governor	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	I	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R
Senate	D	S	S	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R
House	D	D	D	D	D	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R

Elections[edit]

Elections by year[edit]

Florida state senators serve 2-4-4 terms, where senators serve one two-year term and two four-year terms each decade. Florida holds elections for its legislature in even years.

2022[edit]

See also: Florida State Senate elections, 2022

Elections for the Florida State Senate will take place in 2022. The general election is on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for August 23, 2022. The filing deadline was June 17, 2022.

2020[edit]

See also: Florida State Senate elections, 2020

Elections for the office of Florida State Senate took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for August 18, 2020. The filing deadline was June 12, 2020.

In the 2020 elections, Republicans increased their majority in the Florida State Senate from 23-17 to 24-16.

Florida State Senate
Party		As of November 3, 2020	After November 4, 2020
	Democratic Party	17	16
	Republican Party	23	24
Total		40	40

2018[edit]

See also: Florida State Senate elections, 2018

Elections for the Florida State Senate took place in 2018. A closed primary election took place on August 28, 2018.^[6] The general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline was June 22, 2018.^[7]

In the 2018 elections, Republicans increased their majority in the Florida State Senate from 22-16 to 23-17.

Florida State Senate
Party		As of November 6, 2018	After November 7, 2018
	Democratic Party	16	17
	Republican Party	22	23
	Vacancy	2	0
Total		40	40

2016[edit]

See also: Florida State Senate elections, 2016

Elections for the Florida State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election took place on August 30, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was June 24, 2016. Following a court-ordered redrawing of the state Senate map in 2015, all 40 seats were up for election in 2016.

Heading into the election, Republicans held a 26-14 majority. Republicans lost one seat in the election, giving them a 25-15 majority.

Florida State Senate
Party		As of November 7, 2016	After November 8, 2016
	Democratic Party	14	15
	Republican Party	26	25
Total		40	40

Click [show] to see election information dating back to 2000

2014[edit] See also: Florida State Senate elections, 2014 Elections for the Florida State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on August 26, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was June 20, 2014. State senate seats in the even-numbered districts were on the ballot in 2012. Heading into the election, Republicans held a 26-14 majority. No partisan change occurred in the election. Florida State Senate Party As of November 3, 2014 After November 4, 2014      Democratic Party 14 14      Republican Party 26 26 Total 40 40 2012[edit] See also: Florida State Senate elections, 2012 Elections for the office of Florida State Senate took place in 2012. The primary election was held on August 14, 2012, and the general election was held on November 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was May 7, 2012. A total of 40 seats were up for election. Although Florida senators typically serve four-year terms, they are elected to a two-year term during the first election of the decade. Thus, rather than only half of all senators being up for election, all sitting members were on the ballot in 2012. Florida state senators are subject to term limits and may serve no more than two four-year terms. In 2012, 10 state senators were termed-out. Heading into the election, Republicans held a 28-12 majority. Republicans lost two seats in the election, giving them a 26-14 majority. Florida State Senate Party As of November 5, 2012 After the 2012 Election      Democratic Party 12 14      Republican Party 28 26 Total 40 40 The table below details the 10 districts with the smallest margin of victory in the November 6 general election in 2012. 2012 Margin of Victory, Florida State Senate District Winner Margin of Victory Total Votes Top Opponent District 34 Maria Sachs 5.7% 231,759 Ellyn Bogdanoff District 24 Tom Lee 8.1% 194,041 Elizabeth Belcher District 13 Andy Gardiner 10.8% 211,936 Christopher Charles Pennington District 10 David Simmons 11% 212,272 Leo Cruz District 8 Dorothy Hukill 14.1% 203,236 Frank Bruno, Jr. District 25 Joseph Abruzzo 14.3% 218,224 Melanie Peterson District 21 Denise Grimsley 14.8% 186,636 Stacy Anderson McCland District 7 Rob Bradley 15.4% 213,546 William Mazzota District 20 Jack Latvala 15.7% 221,223 Ashley M. Rhodes-Courter District 15 Kelli Stargel 16.9% 193,660 Stego Blue 2010[edit] See also: Florida State Senate elections, 2010 Elections for the office of Florida State Senate took place in 2010. The primary election was held on August 24, 2010, and the general election was held on November 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was April 30, 2010. State senate seats in the even-numbered districts were on the ballot in 2010. Heading into the election, Republicans held a 26-13 majority. Republicans gained two seats the election, giving them a 28-12 majority. Florida State Senate Party As of November 1, 2010 After the 2010 Election      Democratic Party 13 12      Republican Party 26 28      Vacancy 1 - Total 40 40 In 2010, the total amount of campaign contributions raised in senate elections was $14,617,863. The top 10 contributors were:[8] 2010 Donors, Florida State Senate Donor Amount Domino, Carl J $592,600 Florida Democratic Party $588,915 Florida Republican Party $525,959 Perniciaro, Charles $385,980 Dockery, Paula B $281,500 McGriff Jr, Perry C $150,500 Hospital Corporation of America $67,500 Burkert, Pete $67,315 Margolis, Gwen $65,000 Florida Chamber of Commerce $62,000 2008[edit] See also: Florida State Senate elections, 2008 Elections for the office of Florida State Senate consisted of a primary election on August 26, 2008, and a general election on November 4, 2008. During the 2008 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $13,201,165. The top 10 contributors were:[9] 2008 Donors, Florida State Senate Donor Amount Florida Republican Party $1,451,514 Florida Democratic Party $591,635 Ryan, Timothy M $142,570 Grant, Michael J $132,532 Campbell Jr, Walter Skip $81,841 Woodard, Maurice $66,749 Hospital Corp of America $57,500 Florida Hospital Association $53,500 AT&T $41,000 Florida Cable Telecommunications Association $38,500 2006[edit] See also: Florida State Senate elections, 2006 Elections for the office of Florida State Senate consisted of a primary election on September 5, 2006, and a general election on November 7, 2006. During the 2006 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $16,698,450. The top 10 contributors were:[10] 2006 Donors, Florida State Senate Donor Amount Slosberg, Irving $2,935,000 Ring, Jeremy S $1,360,500 Florida Republican Party $1,350,456 Florida Democratic Party $420,384 Young, Ray $89,170 Gaetz, Don $53,332 Wellcare Health Plans $52,000 Hospital Corp of America $42,500 Florida Association of Realtors $37,000 Florida Hospital Association $33,500 2004[edit] See also: Florida State Senate elections, 2004 Elections for the office of Florida State Senate consisted of a primary election on August 31, 2004, and a general election on November 2, 2004. During the 2004 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $4,973,600. The top 10 contributors were:[11] 2004 Donors, Florida State Senate Donor Amount Florida Republican Party $280,048 Florida Democratic Party $223,544 Hospital Corp of America $31,500 Florida Association Of Realtors $25,000 Florida Hospital Association $24,500 Florida Police Benevolent Association $21,000 Florida Cable Telecommunications Association $20,000 Teco Energy $18,000 Florida Phosphate $17,000 Florida Institute of Cpas $17,000 2002[edit] See also: Florida State Senate elections, 2002 Elections for the office of Florida State Senate consisted of a primary election on September 10, 2002, and a general election on November 5, 2002. During the 2002 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $13,012,199. The top 10 contributors were:[12] 2002 Donors, Florida State Senate Donor Amount Florida Republican Party $923,822 Florida Democratic Party $558,973 Bennett, Michael S $100,000 Lerner, Cindy L $50,374 Florida Hospital Association $44,000 Merchant, Sharon J $35,100 Florida Cable Telecommunications Association $34,500 Florida Power & Light $32,000 Hospital Corp of America $32,000 Cosgrove, John F $30,500 2000[edit] See also: Florida State Senate elections, 2000 Elections for the office of Florida State Senate consisted of a primary election on September 5, 2000, and a general election on November 7, 2000. During the 2000 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $12,151,845. The top 10 contributors were:[13] 2000 Donors, Florida State Senate Donor Amount Florida Democratic Party $850,482 Florida Republican Party $816,398 Casey, Bob $65,500 Constantine, Lee $50,000 Florida Cable Telecommunications Association $38,978 Boyd, Janegale $38,331 Florida Power & Light $35,500 Bellsouth $31,500 Cowin, Anna $31,000 Scales, Leslie $30,500

Term limits[edit]

See also: State legislatures with term limits

The Florida legislature is one of 15 state legislatures with term limits. Voters enacted the Florida Term Limits Act in 1992. That initiative said that Florida senators are subject to term limits of no more than two four-year terms.

The first year that the term limits enacted in 1992 impacted the ability of incumbents to run for office was in 2000.^[14]

Vacancies[edit]

See also: How vacancies are filled in state legislatures

If there is a vacancy in the Florida State Legislature, a special election must be called to fill the vacant seat.^[15] The governor is responsible for calling the election and must consult with the secretary of state to set the election dates and nominating deadlines.^[16] The person elected to fill the seat serves for the remainder of the unexpired term.^[17]

See sources: Florida Stat. § 100.101

District map[edit]

See also: Florida state legislative districts

The state of Florida has 40 state Senate districts. Each district elects one senator.

Use the interactive map below to find your district.

The map below shows this district's current boundaries, not those enacted as part of the 2020 redistricting cycle.

Redistricting[edit]

See also: Redistricting in Florida

In Florida, both congressional and state legislative district lines are drawn by the state legislature. Congressional lines are adopted as regular legislation and are subject to gubernatorial veto. State legislative lines are passed via joint resolution and are not subject to gubernatorial veto. State legislative district maps are automatically submitted to the Florida Supreme Court for approval. In the event that the court rejects the lines, the legislature is given a second chance to draft a plan. If the legislature cannot approve a state legislative redistricting plan, the state attorney general must ask the state supreme court to draft a plan. There are no similar procedures in place for congressional districts.^[18]

The Florida Constitution requires that all districts, whether congressional or state legislative, be contiguous. Also, "where doing so does not conflict with minority rights, [districts] must be compact and utilize existing political and geographical boundaries where feasible." Districts cannot be drawn in such a way as to "favor or disfavor a political party or incumbent."^[18][19]

2020[edit]

See also: Redistricting in Florida after the 2020 census

On March 3, 2022, the Florida Supreme Court approved new legislative maps drawn by the Florida State Legislature. These maps take effect for Florida's 2022 legislative elections.

The maps were passed by the legislature as a joint resolution. The Florida State Senate voted 34-3 to approve the bill on January 20, and the Florida House of Representatives voted 77-39 to approve the bill on February 2.^[20] Since the maps were passed as a joint resolution, they did not require the signature of Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) to become law. After the legislature approved the maps, they submitted them to Attorney General Ashley B. Moody (R), who then petitioned the Florida Supreme Court to review the maps on February 9.^[21][22]

District map after 2020 redistricting[edit]

Click here to view the map. This map takes effect for Florida's 2022 legislative elections.

2010[edit]

See also: Redistricting in Florida after the 2010 census

Florida received its 2010 local census data on March 16, 2011. The state population increased by 2.8 million residents, or 17.6 percent.^[23] The 2010 redistricting process was impacted by Amendment 5, passed by voters in 2010, which established that legislative district boundaries had to be drawn so that they used city, county, and geographical boundaries, and were as equal in population as possible.^[24]

The Senate redistricting committee approved a proposed map on January 11, which ultimately received final approval from the Florida State Legislature on February 9. The legislative maps were approved 80-37 in the House and 31-7 in the Senate, moving to the Florida Supreme Court for approval.^[25] On March 10, the Florida Supreme Court issued a 234-page decision rejecting the state’s new Senate maps, while upholding the new House districts and providing an interpretation of the state's 2010 redistricting reform amendment. The Court found that eight districts had been drawn to favor incumbents and thus violated the state's legislative redistricting amendment. In addition, the court found that districts had been renumbered in order to allow select incumbents to serve longer terms.^[26] The Legislature modified 24 districts on the map and sent it back to the Court, who approved it on April 27. Three days later it was approved by the U.S. Department of Justice.^[27][28]

Sessions[edit]

Legislation[edit]

The legislation tracker below displays all legislation that the Florida State Senate has approved in its most recent legislative session—this includes legislation that has been sent from the Senate to the House and legislation that has already been approved by both chambers and signed by the governor. The table below includes the bill number, its name, progress, most recent action date, and sponsor. Scroll up and down and side to side to see more. Click the bill number to read the bill text and see its voting history. Click the headings to sort the content. Rearrange the order of the headings by clicking and dragging them. Click the magnifying glass in the bottom left corner to search for specific terms. The legislation tracker is maintained and updated by BillTrack50.

Dates of legislative sessions in Florida by year[edit]

2022[edit]

See also: 2022 Florida legislative session and Dates of 2022 state legislative sessions

In 2022, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 11, 2022, and adjourn on March 14, 2022.

2021[edit]

See also: 2021 Florida legislative session and Dates of 2021 state legislative sessions

In 2021, the legislature was scheduled to convene on March 2, 2021, and adjourn on April 30, 2021.

2020[edit]

See also: 2020 Florida legislative session and Dates of 2020 state legislative sessions

In 2020, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 14, 2020, and adjourn on March 19, 2020.

Effect of coronavirus pandemic[edit]

See also: Changes to state legislative session dates in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

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Several state legislatures had their sessions impacted as a result of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. No modifications to state legislative activity in Florida were made.

2019[edit]

See also: 2019 Florida legislative session and Dates of 2019 state legislative sessions

In 2019, the legislature was in session from March 5, 2019, through May 3, 2019.

2018[edit]

See also: 2018 Florida legislative session and Dates of 2018 state legislative sessions

In 2018, the legislature was in session from January 9, 2018, through March 11, 2018. To read about notable events and legislation from this session, click here.

Click [show] for past years' session dates.

2017[edit] See also: Dates of 2017 state legislative sessions In 2017, the legislature was in session from March 7, 2017, through May 8, 2017. The legislature held a special session from June 7, 2017, to June 9, 2017. 2016[edit] See also: Dates of 2016 state legislative sessions In 2016, the legislature was in session from January 12 through March 11. 2015[edit] See also: Dates of 2015 state legislative sessions In 2015, the legislature was in session from March 3 through May 1. The first special session was held from June 1 to June 19. The second special session was held from August 10 to August 21. A third special session was held from October 19 to November 5.[29] Major issues in 2015[edit] Major issues during the 2015 legislative session included Gov. Rick Scott's (R) proposed $77 billion annual budget, water quality, and the use of testing to evaluate students across the state.[30] 2014[edit] See also: Dates of 2014 state legislative sessions In 2014, the legislature was in session from March 3 through May 5. Major issues in 2014[edit] Major issues during the 2014 legislative session included creating a new budget using an $850 million surplus, a package of $500 million in tax cuts called for by the governor, Common Core, and Medicaid expansion.[31] The legislature approved several bills, including legislation that would provide stand your grand immunity for people that fire warning shots, the legalization of non-euphoric medical marijuana, and allowing students born to undocumented immigrants to receive in-state tuition rates at state universities and colleges.[32] On May 2, 2014, legislators approved a $77 billion state budget which increased spending on schools, child welfare, and the cleanup of damaged water bodies. The budget included a 5 percent raise for state law-enforcement officers and an increase for some working in the judiciary. Critics of the budget argued that the budget should have included raises for a much larger portion of state workers.[33][34] 2013[edit] See also: Dates of 2013 state legislative sessions In 2013, the legislature was in session from March 5 to May 3. Major issues in 2013[edit] Major issues during the 2013 legislative session included ethics and election reforms, gambling laws, Medicaid, sales tax, and unmanned drone use by law enforcement.[35][36] 2012[edit] See also: Dates of 2012 state legislative sessions In 2012, the Legislature was in session from January 10 through March 9. 2011[edit] See also: Dates of 2011 state legislative sessions In 2011, the legislature was in session from March 8 through May 6. Session highlights[edit] In 2011, the legislature reduced government spending and avoided raising taxes. Spending was reduced by $1 billion from the previous year, and $4 billion less than in 2006. Florida also removed 14,000 businesses from corporate tax income rolls. Areas that spending was cut included education and social programs. The legislature removed funding from a veteran's homeless support group, reduced payments to social workers by 15 percent, and spent $2.5 billion less on education than the previous year.[37] 2010[edit] See also: Dates of 2010 state legislative sessions In 2010, the legislature was in session from March 2nd to April 30th.

About legislative sessions in Florida[edit]

The Tenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution declares that any power not already given to the federal government is reserved to the states and the people.^[38] State governments across the country use this authority to hold legislative sessions where a state's elected representatives meet for a period of time to draft and vote on legislation and set state policies on issues such as taxation, education, and government spending. The different types of legislation passed by a legislature may include resolutions, legislatively referred constitutional amendments, and bills that become law.

Article III of the Florida Constitution establishes when the Legislature is to be in session. Section 3 of Article III states that the regular session of the Legislature is to convene on the second Tuesday after the first Monday in March of each odd-numbered year and on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in January of each even-numbered year. Regular sessions of the Legislature are not to exceed sixty days, unless extended by a three-fifths vote of each house.

Section 3 also allows for the convening of special sessions, either by the proclamation of the governor of Florida or as otherwise provided by law.

Legislative roles and procedures[edit]

Every state legislature throughout the country features its own internal procedures that it uses to govern itself and how it interacts with other parts of state government. Ballotpedia's coverage of internal state legislative procedures includes veto overrides, the role of the legislature in the state budget, term limits, and procedures for filling membership vacancies.

Veto overrides[edit]

See also: Veto overrides in state legislatures

State legislatures can override governors' vetoes. Depending on the state, this can be done during the regular legislative session, in a special session following the adjournment of the regular session, or during the next legislative session. The rules for legislative overrides of gubernatorial vetoes in Florida are listed below.

How many legislators are required to vote for an override? Two-thirds of members present in both chambers.

Two-thirds of members present in both chambers must vote to override a veto. If all members are in attendance, this is 80 of the 120 members in the Florida House of Representatives and 27 of the 40 members in the Florida State Senate. Florida is one of 36 states that requires a two-thirds vote from both of its legislative chambers to override a veto.

How can vetoes be overridden after the legislature has adjourned?

Vetoes can be overridden in a special session or when the next regular session convenes.[39][40] Three-fifths of members or the presiding officers of both legislative chambers must agree to call for a special session.[41]

Authority: Article III, Section 8 of the Florida Constitution.

"If each house shall, by a two-thirds vote, re-enact the bill or reinstate the vetoed specific appropriation of a general appropriation bill, the vote of each member voting shall be entered on the respective journals, and the bill shall become law or the specific appropriation reinstated, the veto notwithstanding."

Role in state budget[edit]

See also: Florida state budget and finances

Florida on

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The state operates on an annual budget cycle. The sequence of key events in the budget process is as follows:^[42]

1. In July, the governor sends budget instructions to state agencies.
2. In October, agencies submit their budget requests to the governor.
3. Budget hearings are held with state agencies October through February.
4. The governor submits his or her proposed budget to the state legislature 30 days before the legislature convenes.
5. The legislature adopts a budget in April or May, effective for the fiscal year beginning in July. A simple majority is required to pass a budget.

The governor is constitutionally and statutorily required to submit a balanced budget to the legislature. In turn, the legislature must pass a balanced budget, and any budget signed into law by the governor must be balanced.^[42]

Florida is one of 44 states in which the governor has line item veto authority.^[42]

Florida budgets three major funds: the General Fund, the Major Special Revenue Fund, and the Special Revenue Fund. Both the Major Special Revenue Fund and the Special Revenue Fund are composed of lesser funds. The Major Special Revenue Fund is composed of three lesser funds, and the Special Revenue Fund is composed of about 19 to 20 lesser funds.^[43]

Committees[edit]

See also: List of committees in Florida state government

Every state legislature and state legislative chamber in the country contains several legislative committees. These committees are responsible for studying, amending, and voting on legislation before it reaches the floor of a chamber for a full vote. The different types of committees include standing committees, select or special, and joint.

• Standing committees are generally permanent committees, the names of which sometimes change from session to session.
• Select or special committees are temporary committees formed to deal with specific issues such as recent legislation, major public policy or proposals, or investigations.
• Joint committees are committees that feature members of both chambers of a legislature.

Ballotpedia covers standing and joint committees. The Florida State Senate has 19 standing committees:

Constitutional amendments[edit]

In every state but Delaware, voter approval is required to enact a constitutional amendment. In each state, the legislature has a process for referring constitutional amendments before voters. In 18 states, initiated constitutional amendments can be put on the ballot through a signature petition drive. There are also many other types of statewide measures.

The methods in which the Florida Constitution can be amended:

See also: Article XI of the Florida Constitution and Laws governing ballot measures in Florida

There are more ways to put proposed amendments to the state constitution before voters in Florida than in any other state. For any proposed amendment to take effect, at least 60 percent of statewide voters casting a vote on the proposal must vote "yes." Article XI specifies the following different methods for putting an amendment to a vote of the people:

• Section 1 says that the Florida State Legislature can put a proposed amendment on the ballot if 60 percent or more of the legislators in each chamber agree to do so in a joint resolution.
• Section 2 says that, starting 30 days before the 2017 session of the state legislature convenes, and every 20 years thereafter, a Florida Constitution Revision Commission shall meet. It can recommend proposed amendments or revisions, which will go on a statewide ballot.
• Section 3, with some limits, grants the people the power to petition for initiated constitutional amendments.

• To place a constitutional amendment on the ballot, proponents must collect signatures equal to 8 percent of the total number of votes cast in the last presidential election in Florida.

• Section 4 grants the people the right to put a question on the ballot as to whether a convention shall be called. The question asked is, "Shall a constitutional convention be held?"

• To place a call for a constitutional convention on the ballot, proponents must collect signatures equal to 15 percent of the total number of votes cast in the last presidential election in Florida.

• Section 6 establishes the Florida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission, which can decide on proposed constitutional amendments to go before the people. It meets every 20 years starting in 2007.

Historical context:

• A total of 78 measures appeared on the statewide ballot between 2000 and 2020, including six measures that appeared on the statewide ballot in odd-numbered years.
• From 2000 to 2020, an average of about seven measures appeared on the ballot during even-numbered years in Florida.
• The number of measures appearing on the even-year statewide ballot between 2000 and 2020 ranged from three to 13.
• Between 2000 and 2020, 71.79% (56 of 78) of statewide measures were approved by voters and 28.21% (22 of 78) were defeated.
• In 2006, Florida Amendment 3 raised the requirement for approving a constitutional amendment to 60 percent. Between 2008 and 2020, five measures were approved by a simple majority, but failed to meet the supermajority requirement and thus were defeated.

Florida statewide ballot measures, 2000-2020
Years	Total number	Approved	Percent approved	Defeated	Percent defeated	Annual average	Annual median	Annual minimum	Annual maximum
2000-2020	78	56	71.79%	22	28.21%	4	3	0	12

2023 measures:

See also: 2023 ballot measures

Certified:

The following measures were certified for the ballot.

No measures to list

2022 measures:

Below is a list of measures that were referred to the 2022 ballot by the legislature.

See also: Florida 2022 ballot measures

Certified:

The following measures were certified for the ballot.

Florida Amendment 1, Disregard Flood Resistance Improvements in Property Value Assessments Measure				Democrats	Republicans
Senate:	Required: 24	Yes votes: 40 (100.00%)	No votes: 0 (0.00%)	Yes: 16; No: 0	Yes: 24; No: 0
House:	Required: 72	Yes votes: 118 (98.33%)	No votes: 0 (0.00%)	Yes: 42; No: 0	Yes: 76; No: 0
Florida Amendment 2, Abolish the Constitution Revision Commission Measure				Democrats	Republicans
Senate:	Required: 24	Yes votes: 27 (67.5%)	No votes: 12 (30.0%)	Yes: 3; No: 12	Yes: 24; No: 0
House:	Required: 72	Yes votes: 86 (71.66%)	No votes: 28 (23.33%)	Yes: 11; No: 28	Yes: 75; No: 0
Florida Additional Homestead Property Tax Exemption for Certain Public Service Workers Amendment				Democrats	Republicans
Senate:	Required: 24	Yes votes: 37 (94.87%)	No votes: 1 (2.56%)	Yes: 13; No: 1	Yes: 24; No: 0
House:	Required: 72	Yes votes: 115 (96.63%)	No votes: 0 (0.00%)	Yes: 41; No: 0	Yes: 74; No: 0

See also[edit]

Elections	Florida State Government	State Legislatures	State Politics
Florida State Senate elections, 2022 Florida State Senate elections, 2020 Florida State Senate elections, 2018	Florida State Legislature Florida House of Representatives Governor of Florida Florida Supreme Court	State legislative elections, 2022 State legislative elections, 2021 State legislative elections, 2020 State legislative elections, 2019 State legislative elections, 2018	State government trifectas State government triplexes State executives State courts Ballot measures

Footnotes[edit]

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