Eleanor Finch
The Florida 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 the only commission in the United States with the power to refer constitutional amendments directly to the ballot for a public vote. The commission's work involves holding public hearings, gathering public input, and researching issues to ultimately draft proposed constitutional amendments.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of members | 37 |
| Meeting frequency | Every 20 years |
| Purpose | To review and propose changes to the Florida Constitution |
| Powers | Can refer constitutional amendments to the ballot |
| Membership | Commissioners are appointed by the governor, legislative leaders, and the Florida Supreme Court; the Florida Attorney General is also a member |
| Proposal process | Holds public hearings, gathers ideas and feedback from citizens, and drafts proposals |
| Voting threshold | Proposals must be approved by 60% of voters to pass |
| Flexibility | Can package non-germane issues together, unlike the legislative process |
| Impact | Decisions on topics like gambling, education, and redistricting can affect Florida's families and businesses for the next 20 years |
| Reform | Some suggest requiring single-issue ballot measures and improving the appointment process to ensure bipartisanship |
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What You'll Learn
The CRC is made up of 37 members
The process of appointing members to the CRC is as follows: the Governor appoints 15 members, including the commission chair. The Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Senate President each select nine members. Three members are chosen by the Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court, and the Florida Attorney General is also a member.
The CRC is a powerful body that holds significant influence over Florida's Constitution. Its decisions on a range of topics, from gambling to education to redistricting, can have long-lasting impacts on the state's families and businesses. The CRC's proposals are placed directly on the ballot for a public vote, and if approved by 60% of voters, they become amendments to the Florida Constitution.
The CRC is a unique body in the United States, as Florida is the only state with a commission that can refer constitutional amendments to the ballot. The CRC provides an important pathway for the people of Florida to amend their constitution and have their voices heard in state governance. The CRC's ability to propose changes to the constitution is balanced by certain restraints, such as the requirement to hold public hearings and gather input from citizens across the state.
The CRC's work is not without controversy, however. There have been concerns about the influence of different branches of government on the commission's appointments and the potential for grouping unrelated proposals to increase the likelihood of passage by voters. Reforms have been suggested to address these issues and ensure the CRC remains a democratic pathway for Floridians to revise their constitution.
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It proposes changes to the Florida Constitution
The Florida Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) is a 37-member commission that proposes changes to the Florida Constitution. It is the only state commission in the United States with the power to refer constitutional amendments to the ballot. The CRC is composed of members from different locations, occupations, genders, and races, bringing diverse views to the table. The Commission meets every 20 years to review and recommend changes to the state's constitution.
The process of the CRC begins with public hearings where citizens can share their ideas and feedback on potential proposals. The Commission then drafts proposed changes to the constitution, which are placed directly on the ballot for the next general election. The CRC's proposals are not subject to a single-subject requirement, allowing them to group proposals together to increase the likelihood of passage by voters. This flexibility gives the CRC incredible power over Florida's Constitution, as their decisions can impact the state for the next 20 years.
The members of the CRC are appointed by the governor, legislative leaders, and the Florida Supreme Court. The governor appoints 15 members, including the commission chair. The Speaker of the House of Representatives and Senate President each pick nine members, and the Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court chooses three. The Florida Attorney General is also a member of the Commission.
The CRC provides an important pathway for the people of Florida to amend their constitution directly. It offers a form of direct democracy and citizen voice in state governance, empowering Floridians to have a say in the matters that impact their state. The CRC's ability to propose changes to the constitution every 20 years ensures that Florida's Constitution remains relevant and applicable to the current and future needs of the state and its citizens.
The CRC has faced some criticism and calls for reform, particularly after the 2017-2018 commission. However, the recognition is that the CRC should not be abolished, as it provides a valuable avenue for citizens to participate in shaping their state's future. Reforms could include improving the appointment process to ensure the commission is bipartisan and has balanced influence from the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government.
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The CRC meets every 20 years
The Florida Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) is a group of 37 people who meet once every 20 years to review and recommend changes to the Florida Constitution. The CRC was established in 1968, and Florida is the only state that allows for its state constitution to be revisited and changed through a regularly scheduled commission. The CRC's next meeting is in 2037.
The CRC's recommendations do not have a single-subject requirement, which means that the commission can package non-germane issues together to increase the likelihood of passage by voters. The CRC's proposals are put directly on the general election ballot for a vote by the public. The CRC holds incredible power over Florida's Constitution, and its decisions on topics such as gambling, education, redistricting, and the courts can impact Florida's families and businesses for the next 20 years.
The CRC's 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 an automatic member. The commissioners come from varying locations, occupations, genders, and races, bringing diverse views of Florida's guiding document.
After the full Commission is named, Article XI, Section 2(c) of the Florida Constitution grants the Commission its authority. The CRC must adopt its rules of procedure, examine the state constitution (except for matters related to taxation or the state budgetary process), and hold public hearings. The CRC typically holds two sets of public hearings throughout the state. The first set of hearings is to gather ideas from the public, and the second set is to gain feedback on the proposals. The CRC's work is ongoing for one year, during which time they travel the state, gathering public input and researching issues.
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Its proposals are put directly on the ballot
The Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) of Florida is a unique body with significant power and influence over the state's constitution. The CRC is composed of 37 members, also known as commissioners, who are appointed to review and propose changes to the Florida Constitution. The CRC is the only commission in the United States with the authority to refer constitutional amendments directly to the ballot. This sets Florida apart from other states, as it is the only state that allows its constitution to be regularly reviewed and amended through this commission.
The CRC's process involves holding public hearings and gathering input from Floridians across the state. The commission receives proposals from the public and learns about the issues that matter to Floridians. After considering and discussing these proposals, the CRC drafts potential changes to the constitution. The commission's proposals are then put directly on the ballot for a public vote, bypassing the legislative process. This direct democracy feature of the CRC is essential for ensuring that the voices of Florida's citizens are heard and considered in the state's governance.
The CRC's ability to place proposals directly on the ballot gives it considerable power. The commission can package multiple proposals together, regardless of the subject matter, to increase the likelihood of passage by voters. This flexibility is not afforded to other methods of amending the state constitution, such as citizen initiatives or legislative referrals. The CRC's proposals only need to meet the 60% voter approval threshold to pass, further enhancing the commission's ability to shape the state's constitution.
The CRC's direct impact on the ballot was evident in the 2017-2018 cycle. During this period, the CRC referred eight constitutional amendments to the 2018 ballot, with seven measures ultimately being approved. The CRC's work can lead to significant changes in Florida, impacting families and businesses for the next 20 years. The commission's decisions cover a wide range of topics, including gambling, education, redistricting, and the courts.
The CRC's role in the constitutional amendment process is automatic and recurring every 20 years. The commission's automatic nature and the appointed membership of the commissioners ensure that the CRC can consistently provide an avenue for Floridians to amend their constitution. The CRC's next meeting is scheduled for 2037, where it will once again play a crucial role in shaping the future of Florida's constitution.
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The CRC provides an important pathway for citizens to amend the constitution
The Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) is a group of 37 people appointed to review and recommend changes to the Florida Constitution once every 20 years. The CRC is the only commission of its kind in the United States, as Florida is the only state with a commission empowered to refer constitutional amendments to the ballot. The CRC provides an important pathway for citizens to amend the constitution, especially since recent legislative measures have made the citizen initiative process more difficult and more expensive.
The CRC is composed of members from varying locations, occupations, gender, and race, bringing diverse views of Florida's guiding document. The CRC receives proposals from the public and hears about issues that matter to Floridians across the state. After gathering public input, the CRC drafts proposed changes to the Constitution for inclusion on Florida's general election ballot. The CRC holds two sets of public hearings throughout the state. The first set of hearings is to gather ideas from the public, and the second set is to gain feedback on the proposals.
The CRC's recommendations do not have a single-subject requirement, which means that the commission can package non-germane issues together in the hopes of increasing the likelihood of passage by voters. The CRC's proposals are put directly on the ballot for a public vote and pass if 60% of voters approve. The CRC also has the power to remove portions of the Constitution that serve no purpose.
The CRC should not be abolished, as it would diminish direct democracy and the citizen voice in state governance. However, reforms could be made to improve the appointment process to ensure the commission is bipartisan and has more balanced influence from the three branches of government.
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Frequently asked questions
The Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) is a group of 37 people appointed to review and recommend changes to the Florida Constitution once every 20 years.
The CRC drafts proposed changes to the Constitution for inclusion on Florida's general election ballot. The CRC may also remove portions of the Constitution that serve no purpose.
The CRC holds public hearings throughout the state where citizens can attend and share ideas and feedback on potential proposals for the ballot. After gathering public input, the CRC will recommend proposals for the ballot.
The Governor appoints 15 members, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and Senate President each pick nine members, three members are chosen by the Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court, and the Florida Attorney General is a member as well.
