Florida House of Representatives

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.

Florida House of Representatives
2022–24 Florida Legislature
Coat of arms or logo
Type
Type
Term limits
4 terms (8 years)
History
FoundedMay 26, 1845
Preceded byLegislative Council of the Territory of Florida
Leadership
Paul Renner (R)
since November 22, 2022
Speaker pro tempore
Chuck Clemons (R)
since November 22, 2022
Majority Leader
Michael Grant (R)
since November 16, 2020
Minority Leader
Fentrice Driskell (D)
since November 21, 2022
Structure
Seats120
Composition of the Florida House of Representatives
Political groups
Majority
  •   Republican (83)

Minority

Vacant (2)
Length of term
2 years
AuthorityArticle III, Constitution of Florida
Salary$18,000/year + per diem (Subsistence & Travel)[1]
Elections
Last election
November 8, 2022
(120 seats)
Next election
November 5, 2024
(120 seats)
RedistrictingLegislative control
Motto
In God We Trust
Meeting place
House of Representatives Chamber
Florida Capitol
Tallahassee, Florida
Website
Official website

The Republicans hold a majority in the State House with 83 seats; Democrats are in the minority with 35 seats. Two seats are vacant.

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

Affiliation Party
(Shading indicates majority caucus)
Total
Republican Democratic Vacant
End of 2018–22 legislature 71 44 116 4
Start of previous (2020–22) legislature 78 42 120 0
End of previous legislature 76 118 2
Start of current (2022–24) legislature 85 35 120 0
December 8, 2022[14] 84 119 1
May 16, 2023[15] 85 120 0
June 11, 2023[16] 84 119 1
June 30, 2023[17] 83 118 2
Latest voting share 70.3% 29.7%

Members, 2022–2024

DistrictNamePartyResidenceCounties representedFirst Elected[18] Term-Limited
1 Michelle Salzman Rep Pensacola Part of Escambia 2020 2028
2 Alex Andrade Rep Pensacola Parts of Escambia and Santa Rosa 2018 2026
3 Joel Rudman Rep Navarre Parts of Okaloosa and Santa Rosa 2022 2030
4 Patt Maney Rep Destin Part of Okaloosa 2020 2028
5 Shane Abbott Rep DeFuniak Springs Calhoun, Holmes, Jackson, Walton, Washington 2022 2030
6 Philip Griffitts Rep Panama City Bay 2022 2030
7 Jason Shoaf Rep Port St. Joe Dixie, Franklin, Gulf, Hamilton, Lafayette, Liberty, Suwannee, Taylor, Wakulla, parts of Jefferson and Leon 2019* 2028
8 Gallop Franklin Dem Tallahassee Gadsden, part of Leon 2022 2030
9 Allison Tant Dem Tallahassee Madison, parts of Jefferson and Leon 2020 2028
10 Chuck Brannan Rep Macclenny Baker, Bradford, Columbia, Union, part of Alachua 2018 2026
11 Sam Garrison Rep Orange Park Part of Clay 2020 2028
12 Wyman Duggan Rep Jacksonville Part of Duval 2018 2026
13 Angie Nixon Dem Jacksonville Part of Duval 2020 2028
14 Kimberly Daniels Dem Jacksonville Part of Duval 2022,
2016-20
2030
15 Dean Black Rep Jacksonville Nassau, part of Duval 2022 2030
16 Kiyan Michael Rep Jacksonville Part of Duval 2022 2030
17 Jessica Baker Rep Orange Park Part of Duval 2022 2030
18 Cyndi Stevenson Rep St. Augustine Part of St. Johns 2015* 2024
19 Paul Renner Rep Palm Coast Flagler, part of St. Johns 2015* 2024
20 Bobby Payne Rep Palatka Putnam, parts of Clay, Marion and St. Johns 2016 2024
21 Yvonne Hayes Hinson Dem Gainesville Parts of Alachua and Marion 2020 2028
22 Chuck Clemons Rep Newberry Gilchrist, Levy, part of Alachua 2016 2024
23 Ralph Massullo Rep Lecanto Citrus, part of Marion 2016 2024
24 Ryan Chamberlin Rep Belleview Part of Marion 2023 2024
25 Taylor Yarkosky Rep Clermont Part of Lake 2022 2030
26 Keith Truenow Rep Tavares Part of Lake 2020 2028
27 Stan McClain Rep Ocala Parts of Lake, Marion and Volusia 2016 2024
28 Tom Leek Rep Ormond Beach Part of Volusia 2016 2024
29 Webster Barnaby Rep Deltona Part of Volusia 2020 2028
30 Chase Tramont Rep Port Orange Parts of Brevard and Volusia 2022 2030
31 Tyler Sirois Rep Merritt Island Part of Brevard 2018 2026
32 Thad Altman Rep Indialantic Part of Brevard 2016,
2003–08
2024
33 Randy Fine Rep Melbourne Beach Part of Brevard 2016 2024
34 Robbie Brackett Rep Vero Beach Indian River, part of Brevard 2022 2030
35 Vacant[17] Parts of Orange and Osceola
36 Rachel Plakon Rep Longwood Part of Seminole 2022 2030
37 Susan Plasencia Rep Orlando Parts of Orange and Seminole 2022 2030
38 David Smith Rep Winter Springs Part of Seminole 2018 2026
39 Doug Bankson Rep Apopka Parts of Orange and Seminole 2022 2030
40 LaVon Bracy Dem Ocoee Part of Orange 2022 2030
41 Bruce Antone Dem Orlando Part of Orange 2022,
2012-20,
2002-06
2030
42 Anna Eskamani Dem Orlando Part of Orange 2018 2026
43 Johanna López Dem Orlando Part of Orange 2022 2030
44 Rita Harris Dem Orlando Part of Orange 2022 2030
45 Carolina Amesty Rep Windermere Parts of Orange and Osceola 2022 2030
46 Kristen Arrington Dem Kissimmee Part of Osceola 2020 2028
47 Paula Stark Rep St. Cloud Parts of Orange and Osceola 2022 2030
48 Sam Killebrew Rep Winter Haven Part of Polk 2016 2024
49 Melony Bell Rep Fort Meade Part of Polk 2018 2026
50 Jennifer Canady Rep Lakeland Part of Polk 2022 2030
51 Josie Tomkow Rep Polk City Part of Polk 2018* 2026
52 John Temple Rep Wildwood Sumter, part of Hernando 2022 2030
53 Jeff Holcomb Rep Spring Hill Parts of Hernando and Pasco 2022 2030
54 Randy Maggard Rep Zephyrhills Part of Pasco 2019* 2028
55 Kevin Steele Rep Hudson Part of Pasco 2022 2030
56 Brad Yeager Rep New Port Ritchey Part of Pasco 2022 2030
57 Adam Anderson Rep Palm Harbor Part of Pinellas 2022 2030
58 Kim Berfield Rep Clearwater Part of Pinellas 2022,
2000-06
2030
59 Berny Jacques Rep Seminole Part of Pinellas 2022 2030
60 Lindsay Cross Dem St. Petersburg Part of Pinellas 2022 2030
61 Linda Chaney Rep St. Pete Beach Parts of Pinellas and Hillsborough (unpopulated) 2020 2028
62 Michele Rayner Dem St. Petersburg Parts of Hillsborough and Pinellas 2020 2028
63 Dianne Hart Dem Tampa Part of Hillsborough 2018 2026
64 Susan Valdes Dem Tampa Part of Hillsborough 2018 2026
65 Karen Gonzalez Pittman Rep Tampa Part of Hillsborough 2022 2030
66 Traci Koster Rep Tampa Part of Hillsborough 2020 2028
67 Fentrice Driskell Dem Tampa Part of Hillsborough 2018 2026
68 Lawrence McClure Rep Dover Part of Hillsborough 2017* 2026
69 Danny Alvarez Rep Brandon Part of Hillsborough 2022 2030
70 Mike Beltran Rep Lithia Parts of Hillsborough and Manatee 2018 2026
71 Will Robinson Rep Bradenton Part of Manatee 2018 2026
72 Tommy Gregory Rep Lakewood Ranch Part of Manatee 2018 2026
73 Fiona McFarland Rep Sarasota Part of Sarasota 2020 2028
74 James Buchanan Rep Osprey Part of Sarasota 2018 2026
75 Michael J. Grant Rep Port Charlotte Parts of Charlotte and Sarasota 2016,
2004–08
2024
76 Spencer Roach Rep North Fort Myers DeSoto, parts of Charlotte and Lee 2018 2026
77 Tiffany Esposito Rep Fort Myers Part of Lee 2022 2030
78 Jenna Persons Rep Fort Myers Part of Lee 2020 2028
79 Mike Giallombardo Rep Cape Coral Part of Lee 2020 2028
80 Adam Botana Rep Bonita Springs Parts of Collier and Lee 2020 2028
81 Bob Rommel Rep Naples Part of Collier 2016 2024
82 Lauren Melo Rep Naples Hendry, part of Collier 2020 2028
83 Kaylee Tuck Rep Sebring Glades, Hardee, Highlands, Okeechobee 2020 2028
84 Dana Trabulsy Rep Fort Pierce Part of St. Lucie 2020 2028
85 Toby Overdorf Rep Palm City Parts of Martin and St. Lucie 2018 2026
86 John Snyder Rep Stuart Parts of Martin and Palm Beach 2020 2028
87 Mike Caruso Rep Delray Beach Part of Palm Beach 2018 2026
88 Jervonte Edmonds Dem West Palm Beach Part of Palm Beach 2022* 2030
89 David Silvers Dem West Palm Beach Part of Palm Beach 2016 2024
90 Joseph Casello Dem Boynton Beach Part of Palm Beach 2018 2026
91 Peggy Gossett-Seidman Rep Highland Beach Part of Palm Beach 2022 2030
92 Kelly Skidmore Dem Boca Raton Part of Palm Beach 2020, 2006–10, 2028
93 Katherine Waldron Dem Wellington Part of Palm Beach 2022 2030
94 Rick Roth Rep West Palm Beach Part of Palm Beach 2016 2024
95 Christine Hunschofsky Dem Parkland Part of Broward 2020 2028
96 Dan Daley Dem Coral Springs Part of Broward 2019* 2028
97 Lisa Dunkley Dem Sunrise Part of Broward 2022 2030
98 Patricia Hawkins-Williams Dem Lauderdale Lakes Part of Broward 2016 2024
99 Daryl Campbell Dem Fort Lauderdale Part of Broward 2022* 2030
100 Chip LaMarca Rep Lighthouse Point Part of Broward 2018 2026
101 Hillary Cassel Dem Hollywood Part of Broward 2022 2030
102 Michael Gottlieb Dem Davie Part of Broward 2018 2026
103 Robin Bartleman Dem Weston Part of Broward 2020 2028
104 Felicia Robinson Dem Miami Gardens Parts of Broward and Miami-Dade 2020 2028
105 Marie Woodson Dem Hollywood Part of Broward 2020 2028
106 Fabián Basabe Rep Miami Beach Part of Miami-Dade 2022 2030
107 Christopher Benjamin Dem Miami Gardens Part of Miami-Dade 2020 2028
108 Dotie Joseph Dem North Miami Part of Miami-Dade 2018 2026
109 Ashley Gantt Dem Miami Part of Miami-Dade 2022 2030
110 Tom Fabricio Rep Miami Lakes Part of Miami-Dade 2020 2028
111 David Borrero Rep Sweetwater Part of Miami-Dade 2020 2028
112 Alex Rizo Rep Hialeah Part of Miami-Dade 2020 2028
113 Vicki Lopez Rep Miami Part of Miami-Dade 2022 2030
114 Demi Busatta Cabrera Rep Coral Gables Part of Miami-Dade 2020 2028
115 Alina Garcia Rep Miami Part of Miami-Dade 2022 2030
116 Daniel Perez Rep Miami Part of Miami-Dade 2017* 2026
117 Kevin Chambliss Dem Florida City Part of Miami-Dade 2020 2028
118 Vacant[16] Part of Miami-Dade
119 Juan Carlos Porras Rep Miami Part of Miami-Dade 2022 2030
120 Jim Mooney Rep Islamorada Monroe and part of Miami-Dade 2020 2028

*Elected in a special election.

District map

Districts and party composition of the Florida House of Representatives after the 2022 elections
  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. "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. 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. And previous terms of service, if any.
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