Simone Lawson
The Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) is a 37-member commission that meets every 20 years to review and propose changes to the Florida Constitution. The CRC is unique in that it is the only commission in the United States that is empowered to refer constitutional amendments directly to the ballot for a public vote. The CRC's decisions can have a significant impact on the laws and families of Florida, bypassing the usual legislative process and checks and balances. The next meeting of the CRC is scheduled for 2037, and it will be the fourth convening of the commission since its establishment in 1968.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Frequency of meetings | Every 20 years (next meeting in 2037) |
| Number of members | 37 |
| Meeting procedure | Public meetings, issue research by appointed subcommittees, and thorough discussions |
| Meeting outcomes | Drafts proposed changes to the constitution for inclusion on Florida's general election ballot |
| Meeting location | Florida |
| Meeting purpose | To review and propose changes to the Florida Constitution |
| Meeting participants | Commissioners, appointed by the governor, legislative leaders, and the Florida Supreme Court |
| Meeting requirements | A simple majority vote is required to further consider an amendment |
| Meeting minutes | Must be documented and may be covered by the media |
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What You'll Learn
The Florida Constitution Revision Commission
The CRC is composed of 37 members, who are referred to as commissioners. All but one of the commissioners are appointed. The Florida Constitution provides for the automatic membership of the state attorney general. The governor appoints 15 commissioners, including the commission chair, legislative leaders appoint 18, and the Florida Supreme Court appoints three. The CRC sets its own rules and procedures and must examine the state constitution, except for matters related to taxation or the state budgetary process. The Commission must also hold public hearings to gather ideas and feedback from the public.
The CRC meets every 20 years and has convened three times since its establishment: in 1977, 1997, and 2017. The next meeting is scheduled for 2037. The CRC typically holds two sets of public hearings throughout the state. The first set of hearings is to collect ideas from the public, while the second set is to gather feedback on the proposals. After the CRC approves the proposals, they are placed directly on the General Election ballot for a public vote. A simple majority vote is required to further consider an amendment, and at least 59.5% of commissioners must vote in favour of a proposed amendment for it to be referred to the ballot.
The CRC of 2017-2018 was the third convening of the commission. During this period, the full commission adopted rules to govern the CRC and created 10 standing committees to address proposed changes to the 12 articles of the Florida Constitution. The CRC referred eight constitutional amendments to the 2018 ballot, combining multiple proposals in some of the amendments. While Amendment 8 was blocked from appearing on the ballot, the remaining seven measures referred by the CRC were approved.
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CRC's unique authority and impact on state laws
The Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) is a unique body with significant authority and influence over state laws in Florida. It is a commission provided for in the state constitution that reviews, proposes, and amends the Florida Constitution. The CRC is composed of 37 members, referred to as commissioners, who are appointed, with the exception of the state attorney general, whose membership is automatic per the Florida Constitution. The commission is led by a chair, appointed by the governor, who selects 14 other commissioners.
The CRC holds incredible power over Florida's Constitution and, by extension, state laws. The commission has the authority to refer constitutional amendments directly to the ballot, bypassing the traditional legislative process. This power is unique to Florida, as it is the only state with such a commission. The CRC's decisions on a wide range of topics, including gambling, education, redistricting, and the courts, can have a profound and long-lasting impact on the state's families and businesses. The commission's amendments can shape the direction of the state for the next 20 years, until the next CRC convenes.
The CRC's process for proposing amendments is well-defined. Before proceeding to a final vote, the CRC votes on whether to further consider an issue. If a simple majority of commissioners votes in favour, the proposal is sent to the Style and Drafting Committee, responsible for clarifying and codifying the proposals. The committee then drafts the ballot language for the proposed amendment. After this, the proposal is voted on again, requiring at least 59.5% of commissioners to vote in favour for the amendment to be referred to the ballot.
The CRC's authority and impact on state laws are further highlighted by the fact that it operates outside of the traditional three branches of government. This unique position allows the commission to act independently and exert direct influence on the state constitution and, by extension, state laws. The CRC's decisions can shape public policy and the legal framework within which Florida operates, making it a powerful and influential body in the state's governance.
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CRC's proposal process and voting requirements
The Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) is a 37-member commission that meets every 20 years to propose changes to the Florida Constitution. The CRC is unique in that it is the only commission in the United States with the power to refer constitutional amendments directly to the ballot for a public vote. This means that the CRC can make laws directly in the state Constitution, bypassing the normal legislative process with its multiple committees, hearings, and amendment processes.
The CRC's proposal process begins with receiving proposals from the public and hearing about issues that matter to Floridians across the state. The CRC then drafts proposed changes to the Constitution through a series of public meetings, issue research by appointed subcommittees, and thorough discussions. The CRC may also propose the removal of portions of the Constitution that are no longer relevant or applicable.
Before proceeding to a final vote, the CRC votes on whether to further consider an issue and send a proposal to the Style and Drafting Committee to write the ballot language. A simple majority vote is required to further consider an amendment. The Style and Drafting Committee is responsible for clarifying and codifying the proposals. At least 22 out of 37 commissioners (59.5%) must vote in favor of a proposed amendment for it to be referred to the ballot. Commissioners are required to be present for votes unless a written note of absence is provided. They are prohibited from voting on issues that would result in special gains or losses for themselves, their relatives, or business associates.
Once the CRC's proposals are finalized, they are put directly on the general election ballot for a public vote. For a proposal to pass, 60% of voters must approve it. The CRC's decisions on topics such as gambling, education, redistricting, and the courts can have a significant impact on Florida's families and businesses for the next 20 years.
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Standing committees and their meeting frequency
Standing committees are an essential component of the legislative process, providing a forum for detailed deliberation and debate on specific issues. These committees play a crucial role in shaping policies and laws that impact the lives of citizens. The frequency of their meetings can vary, but there are typically standard guidelines in place to ensure regular discussions and decision-making processes.
In the context of the United States Congress, standing committees are required to meet at least once each month. This regularity is essential for maintaining legislative momentum and addressing the diverse range of issues that arise. These meetings are generally open to the public, fostering transparency and allowing citizens to observe the inner workings of their government.
However, there are exceptions to this openness. In certain situations, a committee may vote to close a meeting, shielding its deliberations from public view. Additionally, some bills may be directed to select committees, which tend to have narrower jurisdictions than standing committees. These select committees can provide a more focused environment for addressing specific issues.
The process by which a bill is considered within these committees involves several steps. Witnesses and experts are invited to present their cases for or against a bill, offering insights and expertise to inform the committee's decision-making. Subsequently, the committee members engage in a mark-up session, where they debate the merits of the bill and may propose amendments or revisions. This back-and-forth exchange allows for a thorough examination of the legislation.
In contrast to the frequent meetings of standing committees, the Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) in Florida operates on a different timeline. The CRC is a unique entity, established in 1968, that meets every 20 years to review and propose changes to the Florida Constitution. This commission is composed of 37 members, a combination of appointed individuals and representatives from various branches of government. The impact of the CRC's decisions is significant, as they have the power to directly shape the state's constitution, bypassing the typical legislative hurdles.
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Congress sessions and legislative procedures
Most legislative proposals are introduced as bills, but some are introduced as joint resolutions. There is little practical difference between the two, except that joint resolutions may include preambles, whereas bills may not. Joint resolutions are the normal method used to propose a constitutional amendment or to declare war. Concurrent resolutions (passed by both houses) and simple resolutions (passed by only one house) do not have the force of law. Instead, they serve to express the opinion of Congress or to regulate procedure.
Ideas for legislation and drafts of legislation come from many areas, including members of Congress, Congressional committees, constituents, lobbyists, state legislatures, the president, federal departments, and federal agencies. The House Office of the Legislative Counsel and Senate Office of the Legislative Counsel are available to create or modify legislation for members and committees. In many cases, lobbyists write legislation and submit it to a member for introduction. Congressional lobbyists are legally required to be registered in a central database.
Standing committees meet at least once each month. Almost all standing committee meetings for transacting business must be open to the public unless the committee votes, publicly, to close the meeting. Open committee meetings may be covered by the media. In some cases, bills may be sent to select committees, which tend to have more narrow jurisdictions than standing committees. If a bill is important, the committee may set a date for public hearings announced by the committee's chairperson. Each standing and select committee is led by a chair (who belongs to the majority party) and a ranking member (who belongs to the minority party). Witnesses and experts can present their case for or against a bill. Sometimes transcripts of these meetings are made public. Then, a bill may go to what's called a markup session, where committee members debate the bill's merits and may offer amendments or revisions.
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Frequently asked questions
The Constitution Revision Committee (CRC) meets every 20 years.
The CRC is a 37-member commission that reviews and proposes changes to the Florida Constitution. The CRC has the power to refer constitutional amendments directly to the ballot for a public vote.
The CRC members are appointed by the governor (15 members), legislative leaders (18), and the Florida Supreme Court (3). The Attorney General also serves on the CRC as a member.
