Understanding Florida's Constitution Revision Commission

what is the purpose of the florida constitution revision commission

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 unique to Florida and allows for the state constitution to be revisited and amended. The commission holds public hearings to gather ideas and feedback from Floridians, and then proposes changes to the constitution, which are put to a public vote. The CRC has significant influence over Florida's constitution, impacting various aspects of life in the state, from gambling to education. While there have been attempts to abolish the CRC, it continues to play a crucial role in shaping Florida's governance.

Characteristics Values
Commission size 37 members
Commission type Commission members are appointed
Commission meetings Every 20 years
Commission purpose Reviews and proposes changes to the Florida Constitution
Commission powers Able to refer constitutional amendments directly to the ballot for a public vote
Commission rules Sets its own rules and procedures
Commission authority Granted by Article XI, Section 2(c) of the Florida Constitution

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The CRC is a 37-member commission that meets every 20 years

The Florida Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) is a 37-member commission that meets every 20 years. It was established in 1968 after a long period during which modernizing the Florida Constitution had been extremely difficult. Florida is the only state with a commission empowered to refer constitutional amendments to the ballot. The CRC's purpose is to propose changes to the Florida Constitution.

The CRC is composed of 37 Commissioners, 15 of whom are appointed by the Governor of Florida. Nine are appointed by the President of the Florida Senate, nine by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and three by the Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court. The Attorney General of Florida automatically serves on the CRC, and the Governor designates the Chair.

The CRC meets for approximately one year, travelling across the State of Florida, identifying issues, performing research, and recommending changes to the Florida Constitution. As part of this process, the CRC holds public hearings to learn about issues that matter most to Floridians and considers proposed constitutional amendments submitted by the public. The CRC's decisions on topics ranging from gambling to education to redistricting can impact Florida's families and businesses for the next 20 years.

The CRC is an important pathway for the people of Florida to amend their constitution. Abolishing the CRC would further diminish direct democracy and citizen voice in state governance and invest more power in the legislature.

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Commissioners are appointed by the governor, legislative leaders, and the Florida Supreme Court

The Florida Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) is a 37-member commission that reviews and proposes changes to the Florida Constitution. The CRC is convened every 20 years and holds public hearings to learn about issues that matter to Floridians. It is the only state commission in the United States with the power to refer constitutional amendments directly to the ballot for a public vote.

The CRC is composed of 37 commissioners, who 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 the Senate President each select nine members, and the Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court chooses three members. The Florida Attorney General automatically serves as the 37th member of the CRC.

The CRC's process involves gathering public input through hearings and considering proposed constitutional amendments submitted by the public. The commission then proposes changes to the Florida Constitution, which are placed directly on the ballot for voter consideration. Any proposals that pass the CRC's final vote are placed on Florida's General Election ballot and must secure at least 60% voter approval to become law.

The CRC provides an important pathway for the people of Florida to amend their constitution and exercise direct democracy. However, it has also faced criticism and attempts to abolish it, with some arguing that it grants too much power to the legislature. Reforms have been suggested to improve the appointment process and ensure a more bipartisan commission with balanced influence from the governor, legislature, and supreme court.

The CRC first convened in 1977-1978 and has since met during the following periods: 1997-1998, 2017-2018, and 2037. The next scheduled meeting is in 2037, with future meetings expected to occur every 20 years.

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The CRC holds public hearings to understand issues that matter to Floridians

The Florida Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) is a 37-member commission that reviews and proposes changes to the Florida Constitution. It is provided for in Section 2 of Article XI of the Florida Constitution, which was ratified in 1968. The CRC holds public hearings to understand the issues that matter to Floridians and to gather their feedback on potential proposals for the ballot.

The CRC is composed of 37 commissioners, 15 of whom are appointed by the Governor of Florida, nine by the President of the Florida Senate, nine by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and three by the Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court. The Attorney General of Florida automatically serves as the 37th member of the CRC. The CRC meets for approximately one year, travelling across the state of Florida, identifying issues, performing research, and recommending changes to the Florida Constitution.

The public hearings are a crucial part of the CRC's process. They are typically held in two sets: the first set of hearings is to gather ideas and input from the public, and the second set is to get feedback on the CRC's proposals. These hearings provide an opportunity for Floridians to speak directly to the Commissioners and propose constitutional amendments. The CRC's proposals are then placed directly on the ballot for a public vote, and they must secure at least 60% voter approval to become law.

The CRC provides an important pathway for the people of Florida to amend their constitution and have their voices heard in state governance. It is a unique process that allows for high levels of citizen input and participation in shaping the state's constitution. The CRC's impact can be significant, as its decisions on topics like gambling, education, redistricting, and the courts can affect Florida's families and businesses for the next 20 years.

The CRC has faced some criticism and reform efforts, particularly after the 2017-2018 commission. However, there is also recognition that abolishing the CRC would diminish direct democracy and citizen influence in state-level decision-making. Reforms suggested include requiring single-issue ballot measures and improving the appointment process to ensure the commission is bipartisan and has balanced influence from the governor, legislature, and supreme court.

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The CRC can propose changes to the Florida Constitution for voter consideration

The Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) is a group of 37 people who review and propose changes to the Florida Constitution for voter consideration. The CRC is convened every 20 years and travels across the State of Florida, identifying issues, performing research, and recommending changes to the Florida Constitution. The CRC holds public hearings to learn about issues that matter most to Floridians and considers proposed constitutional amendments submitted by the public. The CRC's proposals are put directly on the ballot for public vote and must secure at least 60% voter approval to become law.

The CRC is an important pathway for the people of Florida to amend their constitution. It provides a means for citizens to have a direct voice in state governance and offers high-level input from citizens. The CRC's decisions on topics ranging from gambling to education to redistricting can have a significant impact on Florida's families and businesses for the next 20 years.

The CRC is composed of 15 Commissioners appointed by the Governor of Florida, nine by the President of the Florida Senate, nine by the Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, and three by the Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court. The Attorney General of Florida automatically serves on the CRC, and the Governor designates the Chair.

The CRC holds two sets of public hearings. The first set of hearings is to gather ideas from the public, while the second set is to gain feedback on the proposals. After the proposals have been approved by the CRC, they are placed on the General Election ballot for voter consideration.

The 2017-2018 CRC, chaired by Carlos Beruff, was the third of its kind in Florida history. It referred eight constitutional amendments to the 2018 ballot, combining multiple proposals in some of the amendments. The CRC's work is an essential step in the process of amending the Florida Constitution and ensuring that the Constitution remains relevant and applicable to the current and future needs of the state.

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The CRC's proposals must secure 60% voter approval to become law

The Florida Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) is a 37-member commission that reviews and proposes changes to the Florida Constitution. The CRC is unique to Florida, as it is the only state with a commission empowered to refer constitutional amendments directly to the ballot for a public vote. The CRC's proposals are put directly on the ballot and must secure 60% voter approval to become law.

The CRC is composed of 37 commissioners, 15 of whom are appointed by the Governor of Florida, nine by the President of the Florida Senate, nine by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and three by the Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court. The Attorney General of Florida automatically serves as the 37th member of the CRC. The Governor also designates the Chair of the CRC.

The CRC is required to convene every 20 years to examine the Florida Constitution and propose changes. The CRC holds public hearings throughout the state to gather input from citizens on issues that matter to Floridians and to propose constitutional amendments. The CRC's proposals are then placed on the ballot for the next general election, and if they secure 60% voter approval, they become law.

The 2017-2018 CRC referred eight constitutional amendments to the 2018 ballot, and seven of them were approved. However, it is important to note that while the CRC has significant influence over Florida's Constitution, it is not the only method for amending it. Other methods include citizen initiatives, legislative referrals, and constitutional conventions.

The CRC provides an important pathway for the people of Florida to amend their constitution directly. It offers a high level of citizen input and participation in the democratic process, allowing Floridians to propose constitutional amendments that reflect their values and priorities.

Frequently asked questions

The Florida Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) is a 37-member commission that reviews and proposes changes to the Florida Constitution.

The CRC meets once every 20 years.

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.

The purpose of the CRC is to examine the Florida Constitution and propose changes for voter consideration. The CRC holds public hearings to learn about issues that matter most to Floridians and considers proposed constitutional amendments submitted by the public.

The CRC was established in 1968 after Florida voters ratified three separate amendments rewriting significant portions of the Florida Constitution.

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