The Florida House of Representatives is the lower house of the Florida Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Florida, the Florida Senate being the upper house. Article III, Section 1 of the Constitution of Florida, adopted in 1968, defines the role of the Legislature and how it is to be constituted.[2] The House is composed of 120 members, each elected from a single-member district with a population of approximately 180,000 residents. Legislative districts are drawn on the basis of population figures, provided by the federal decennial census. Representatives' terms begin immediately upon their election.

The Republicans hold a supermajority in the State House with 84 seats; Democrats are in the minority with 36 seats.

Titles

Members of the House of Representatives are referred to as representatives. Because this shadows the terminology used to describe members of U.S. House of Representatives, constituents and the news media often refer to members as state representatives to avoid confusion with their federal counterparts.

Terms

Article III of the Florida Constitution defines the terms for state legislators.

The Constitution requires state representatives to be elected for two-year terms.

Upon election, legislators take office immediately.

Term limits

On November 3, 1992, almost 77 percent of Florida voters backed Amendment 9, the Florida Term Limits Amendment, which amended the state Constitution, to enact eight-year term limits on federal and state officials. Under the Amendment, former members can be elected again after a break.[3] In 1995, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that states could not enact congressional term limits, but ruled that the state level term limits remain.[4]

Qualifications

Florida legislators must be at least twenty-one years old, an elector and resident of their district, and must have resided in Florida for at least two years prior to election.[5]

Legislative session

Each year during which the Legislature meets constitutes a new legislative session.

Committee weeks

Legislators start Committee activity in September of the year prior to the regular legislative session. Because Florida is a part-time legislature, this is necessary to allow legislators time to work their bills through the committee process, prior to the regular legislative session.[6]

Regular legislative session

The Florida Legislature meets in a 60-day regular legislative session each year. Regular legislative sessions in odd-numbered years must begin on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in March. Under the state Constitution, the Legislature can begin even-numbered year regular legislative sessions at a time of its choosing.[7]

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 legislative 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 regular legislative session began in April. regular legislative session could start any day from April 2 through April 8, but never on April 1 – April Fool's Day. In recent years, the Legislature has opted to start in January in order to allow lawmakers to be home with their families during school spring breaks, and to give more time ahead of the legislative elections in the Fall.[8]

Organizational session

On the fourteenth day following each general election, the Legislature meets for an organizational session to organize and select officers.

Special session

Special legislative 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. During any special session the Legislature may only address legislative business that is within the purview of the purpose or purposes stated in the special session proclamation.[9]

Powers and process

The Florida House 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. 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.[10]

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".[11] The Florida Statutes are the codified statutory laws of the state.[11]

In 2009, legislators filed 2,138 bills for consideration. On average, the Legislature has passed about 300 bills into law annually.[12]

In 2013, the Legislature filed about 2,000 bills. About 1,000 of these are "member bills." The remainder are bills by committees responsible for certain functions, such as budget. In 2016, about 15% of the bills were passed.[13] In 2017, 1,885 lobbyists registered to represent 3,724 entities.[13]

The House also has the power to propose amendments to the Florida Constitution. Additionally, the House has the exclusive power to impeach officials, who are then tried by the Senate.

Leadership

The House is headed by a speaker, elected by the members of the House to a two-year term. The speaker presides over the House, appoints committee members and committee chairs, influences the placement of bills on the calendar, and rules on procedural motions. The speaker pro tempore presides if the speaker leaves the chair or if there is a vacancy. The speaker, along with the Senate president and governor of Florida, control most of the agenda of state business in Florida.

The majority and minority caucus each elect a leader.

PositionNamePartyDistrict
Speaker of the HousePaul RennerRepublican19
Speaker pro temporeChuck ClemonsRepublican22
Majority leaderMichael GrantRepublican75
Minority leaderFentrice DriskellDemocratic67

Composition

AffiliationParty
(Shading indicates majority caucus)
Total
RepublicanDemocraticVacant
End of 2018–22 legislature71441164
Start of previous (2020–22) legislature78421200
End of previous legislature761182
Start of current (2022–24) legislature85351200
December 8, 2022[14]841191
May 16, 2023[15]851200
June 11, 2023[16]841191
June 30, 2023[17]831182
December 5, 2023[18]841191
January 16, 2024[19]361200
Latest voting share70%30%

Members, 2022–2024

DistrictNamePartyResidenceCounties representedFirst elected[20]Term-limited
1Michelle SalzmanRepPensacolaPart of Escambia20202028
2Alex AndradeRepPensacolaParts of Escambia and Santa Rosa20182026
3Joel RudmanRepNavarreParts of Okaloosa and Santa Rosa20222030
4Patt ManeyRepDestinPart of Okaloosa20202028
5Shane AbbottRepDeFuniak SpringsCalhoun, Holmes, Jackson, Walton, Washington20222030
6Philip GriffittsRepPanama CityBay20222030
7Jason ShoafRepPort St. JoeDixie, Franklin, Gulf, Hamilton, Lafayette, Liberty, Suwannee, Taylor, Wakulla, parts of Jefferson and Leon2019*2028
8Gallop FranklinDemTallahasseeGadsden, part of Leon20222030
9Allison TantDemTallahasseeMadison, parts of Jefferson and Leon20202028
10Chuck BrannanRepMacclennyBaker, Bradford, Columbia, Union, part of Alachua20182026
11Sam GarrisonRepOrange ParkPart of Clay20202028
12Wyman DugganRepJacksonvillePart of Duval20182026
13Angie NixonDemJacksonvillePart of Duval20202028
14Kimberly DanielsDemJacksonvillePart of Duval2022,
2016-20
2030
15Dean BlackRepJacksonvilleNassau, part of Duval20222030
16Kiyan MichaelRepJacksonvillePart of Duval20222030
17Jessica BakerRepOrange ParkPart of Duval20222030
18Cyndi StevensonRepSt. AugustinePart of St. Johns2015*2024
19Paul RennerRepPalm CoastFlagler, part of St. Johns2015*2024
20Bobby PayneRepPalatkaPutnam, parts of Clay, Marion and St. Johns20162024
21Yvonne Hayes HinsonDemGainesvilleParts of Alachua and Marion20202028
22Chuck ClemonsRepNewberryGilchrist, Levy, part of Alachua20162024
23Ralph MassulloRepLecantoCitrus, part of Marion20162024
24Ryan ChamberlinRepBelleviewPart of Marion2023*2032
25Taylor YarkoskyRepClermontPart of Lake20222030
26Keith TruenowRepTavaresPart of Lake20202028
27Stan McClainRepOcalaParts of Lake, Marion and Volusia20162024
28Tom LeekRepOrmond BeachPart of Volusia20162024
29Webster BarnabyRepDeltonaPart of Volusia20202028
30Chase TramontRepPort OrangeParts of Brevard and Volusia20222030
31Tyler SiroisRepMerritt IslandPart of Brevard20182026
32Thad AltmanRepIndialanticPart of Brevard2016,
2003–08
2024
33Randy FineRepMelbourne BeachPart of Brevard20162024
34Robbie BrackettRepVero BeachIndian River, part of Brevard20222030
35Tom KeenDemOrlandoParts of Orange and Osceola2024*2032
36Rachel PlakonRepLongwoodPart of Seminole20222030
37Susan PlasenciaRepOrlandoParts of Orange and Seminole20222030
38David SmithRepWinter SpringsPart of Seminole20182026
39Doug BanksonRepApopkaParts of Orange and Seminole20222030
40LaVon BracyDemOcoeePart of Orange20222030
41Bruce AntoneDemOrlandoPart of Orange2022,
2012-20,
2002-06
2030
42Anna EskamaniDemOrlandoPart of Orange20182026
43Johanna LópezDemOrlandoPart of Orange20222030
44Rita HarrisDemOrlandoPart of Orange20222030
45Carolina AmestyRepWindermereParts of Orange and Osceola20222030
46Kristen ArringtonDemKissimmeePart of Osceola20202028
47Paula StarkRepSt. CloudParts of Orange and Osceola20222030
48Sam KillebrewRepWinter HavenPart of Polk20162024
49Melony BellRepFort MeadePart of Polk20182026
50Jennifer CanadyRepLakelandPart of Polk20222030
51Josie TomkowRepPolk CityPart of Polk2018*2026
52John TempleRepWildwoodSumter, part of Hernando20222030
53Jeff HolcombRepSpring HillParts of Hernando and Pasco20222030
54Randy MaggardRepZephyrhillsPart of Pasco2019*2028
55Kevin SteeleRepHudsonPart of Pasco20222030
56Brad YeagerRepNew Port RitcheyPart of Pasco20222030
57Adam AndersonRepPalm HarborPart of Pinellas20222030
58Kim BerfieldRepClearwaterPart of Pinellas2022,
2000-06
2030
59Berny JacquesRepSeminolePart of Pinellas20222030
60Lindsay CrossDemSt. PetersburgPart of Pinellas20222030
61Linda ChaneyRepSt. Pete BeachParts of Pinellas and Hillsborough (unpopulated)20202028
62Michele RaynerDemSt. PetersburgParts of Hillsborough and Pinellas20202028
63Dianne HartDemTampaPart of Hillsborough20182026
64Susan ValdesDemTampaPart of Hillsborough20182026
65Karen Gonzalez PittmanRepTampaPart of Hillsborough20222030
66Traci KosterRepTampaPart of Hillsborough20202028
67Fentrice DriskellDemTampaPart of Hillsborough20182026
68Lawrence McClureRepDoverPart of Hillsborough2017*2026
69Danny AlvarezRepBrandonPart of Hillsborough20222030
70Mike BeltranRepLithiaParts of Hillsborough and Manatee20182026
71Will RobinsonRepBradentonPart of Manatee20182026
72Tommy GregoryRepLakewood RanchPart of Manatee20182026
73Fiona McFarlandRepSarasotaPart of Sarasota20202028
74James BuchananRepOspreyPart of Sarasota20182026
75Michael J. GrantRepPort CharlotteParts of Charlotte and Sarasota2016,
2004–08
2024
76Spencer RoachRepNorth Fort MyersDeSoto, parts of Charlotte and Lee20182026
77Tiffany EspositoRepFort MyersPart of Lee20222030
78Jenna PersonsRepFort MyersPart of Lee20202028
79Mike GiallombardoRepCape CoralPart of Lee20202028
80Adam BotanaRepBonita SpringsParts of Collier and Lee20202028
81Bob RommelRepNaplesPart of Collier20162024
82Lauren MeloRepNaplesHendry, part of Collier20202028
83Kaylee TuckRepSebringGlades, Hardee, Highlands, Okeechobee20202028
84Dana TrabulsyRepFort PiercePart of St. Lucie20202028
85Toby OverdorfRepPalm CityParts of Martin and St. Lucie20182026
86John SnyderRepStuartParts of Martin and Palm Beach20202028
87Mike CarusoRepDelray BeachPart of Palm Beach20182026
88Jervonte EdmondsDemWest Palm BeachPart of Palm Beach2022*2030
89David SilversDemWest Palm BeachPart of Palm Beach20162024
90Joseph CaselloDemBoynton BeachPart of Palm Beach20182026
91Peggy Gossett-SeidmanRepHighland BeachPart of Palm Beach20222030
92Kelly SkidmoreDemBoca RatonPart of Palm Beach2020, 2006–10,2028
93Katherine WaldronDemWellingtonPart of Palm Beach20222030
94Rick RothRepWest Palm BeachPart of Palm Beach20162024
95Christine HunschofskyDemParklandPart of Broward20202028
96Dan DaleyDemCoral SpringsPart of Broward2019*2028
97Lisa DunkleyDemSunrisePart of Broward20222030
98Patricia Hawkins-WilliamsDemLauderdale LakesPart of Broward20162024
99Daryl CampbellDemFort LauderdalePart of Broward2022*2030
100Chip LaMarcaRepLighthouse PointPart of Broward20182026
101Hillary CasselDemHollywoodPart of Broward20222030
102Michael GottliebDemDaviePart of Broward20182026
103Robin BartlemanDemWestonPart of Broward20202028
104Felicia RobinsonDemMiami GardensParts of Broward and Miami-Dade20202028
105Marie WoodsonDemHollywoodPart of Broward20202028
106Fabián BasabeRepMiami BeachPart of Miami-Dade20222030
107Christopher BenjaminDemMiami GardensPart of Miami-Dade20202028
108Dotie JosephDemNorth MiamiPart of Miami-Dade20182026
109Ashley GanttDemMiamiPart of Miami-Dade20222030
110Tom FabricioRepMiami LakesPart of Miami-Dade20202028
111David BorreroRepSweetwaterPart of Miami-Dade20202028
112Alex RizoRepHialeahPart of Miami-Dade20202028
113Vicki LopezRepMiamiPart of Miami-Dade20222030
114Demi Busatta CabreraRepCoral GablesPart of Miami-Dade20202028
115Alina GarciaRepMiamiPart of Miami-Dade20222030
116Daniel PerezRepMiamiPart of Miami-Dade2017*2026
117Kevin ChamblissDemFlorida CityPart of Miami-Dade20202028
118Mike RedondoRepMiamiPart of Miami-Dade2023*2032
119Juan Carlos PorrasRepMiamiPart of Miami-Dade20222030
120Jim MooneyRepIslamoradaMonroe and part of Miami-Dade20202028

*Elected in a special election.

District map

Current districts and party composition of the Florida House of Representatives
  Democratic Party
  Republican Party

Past composition of the House of Representatives

From 1874 to 1996, the Democratic Party held majorities in the Florida House of Representatives. Following sizable GOP gains in the 1994 election, which significantly reduced the Democratic Party majority in the Florida House, Republicans captured a majority in the 1996 election. The Republican Party has been the majority party since that time in the House.

Additional information on the past composition of the Florida House of Representatives can be found in Allen Morris's The Florida Handbook (various years, published every two years for many years).

Notable people

See also

References

  1. ^ "The 2017 Florida Statutes F.S. 11.13 Compensation of members". Florida Legislature.
  2. ^ "Constitution of the State of Florida". Florida Legislature. Archived from the original on December 8, 2008. Retrieved December 7, 2017.
  3. ^ "Vote Yes On Amendment No. 9 To Begin Limiting Political Terms". Sun-Sentinel.
  4. ^ "Florida Backs Article V Convention for Constitutional Amendment on Congressional Term Limits". Sunshine State News.
  5. ^ "CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA". Florida Legislature.
  6. ^ "Editorial:Advice to Legislature:Pursue limited agenda". Florida Today.
  7. ^ "CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA". Florida Legislature.
  8. ^ Buzzacco-Foerster, Jenna (February 18, 2016). "Proposal to move 2018 session to January heads House floor". Florida Politics. Retrieved February 18, 2016.
  9. ^ "The Florida Constitution". Florida Legislature.
  10. ^ "The Florida Senate Handbook" (PDF). Florida Senate.
  11. ^ a b "Statutes & Constitution: Online Sunshine". Florida Legislature. Retrieved September 26, 2013.
  12. ^ Flemming, Paul (March 8, 2009). Capital Ideas: Lawmakers face 2,138 proposals. Florida Today.
  13. ^ a b Cotterell, Bill (March 7, 2017). "Legislative session by the numbers". Florida Today. Melbourne,Florida. pp. 5A.
  14. ^ Republican Joe Harding (District 24) resigned after being indicted on federal wire fraud and money laundering charges.Schorsch, Peter (December 8, 2022). "Joe Harding resigns after wire fraud, money laundering indictment". Florida Politics. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  15. ^ Republican Ryan Chamberlin elected to replace Joe Harding (District 24).Ogles, Jacob (May 17, 2023). "Full House: Ryan Chamberlin wins HD 24 Special Election". Florida Politics. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
  16. ^ Republican Juan Fernandez-Barquin (District 118) resigned after being appointed Miami-Dade County clerk of court.Hanks, Douglas (June 9, 2023). "DeSantis names Republican ally to succeed Miami-Dade's longtime Democratic clerk". Miami Herald. Retrieved June 12, 2023.
  17. ^ Republican Fred Hawkins (District 35) resigned after being hired as president of South Florida State College."Representative Fred Hawkins - Florida House of Representatives". www.myflordiahouse.gov. Retrieved August 7, 2021.
  18. ^ Republican Mike Redondo elected to replace Juan Fernandez-Barquin (District 118).Johnson, Alyssa (December 5, 2023). "Republican Mike Redondo wins special election for Miami-Dade seat in Florida House". Miami Herald. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
  19. ^ Democrat Tom Keen elected to replace Fred Hawkins (District 35).Ogles, Jacob (January 16, 2024). "Tom Keen flips HD 35 from red to blue in critical Special Election". Florida Politics. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  20. ^ And previous terms of service, if any.

External links