Malcolm Rivera
The Florida Constitution establishes the state government's powers, duties, structure, and function, as well as the basic laws of the state. Florida has had six constitutions since becoming a US state in 1845, with the current version ratified in 1968. The Florida Legislature meets annually for 60 days, during which bills are filed by Representatives and Senators for consideration. These bills are then referred to committees for review, discussion, and potential amendments. After passing through committees, the bill is brought before the entire chamber of the House and Senate, where it can be approved.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How often the Florida Legislature meets | Once a year for 60 days |
| Who files bills | Representatives and Senators |
| When a bill is filed, what is it referred to | Several committees |
| What happens through the committee process | The bill is discussed, debated, and amendments or changes can be added |
| Who can approve the bill | Committees |
| What happens after the committee process | The bill is brought before the entire chamber of the House and Senate |
| What is Article IV about | Election of the governor and lieutenant governor, as well as the cabinet |
| What is Article V about | Appointment and jurisdiction of the Florida Supreme Court and the Florida District Courts of Appeal, as well as circuit and county courts |
| What is Article VIII about | Establishes local governments, from counties to municipalities and the transfer of powers |
| What is Article XI about | According to Section 4, a constitutional convention can be called through an initiative petition |
| What is Article XI about | The Florida Constitution Revision Commission can refer constitutional amendments to the ballot |
| What is required for the Florida State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot | 60% vote during one legislative session |
| What is required for amendments on the ballot to pass | 60% of voters |
| When was the current Constitution of Florida ratified | November 5, 1968 |
| How many constitutions has Florida had | 6 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Bills are filed by Florida Representatives and Senators for consideration during the session
- Bills are referred to committees for review and debate
- Amendments or changes can be added to the bill
- Bills are brought before the entire chamber of the House and Senate
- A bill becomes law when passed by both houses
Bills are filed by Florida Representatives and Senators for consideration during the session
The Florida Constitution establishes the powers, duties, structure, and functions of the government of the state of Florida, outlining the basic laws of the state. Florida has had six constitutions since it became the 27th state in 1845, with the current version being the sixth and ratified in 1968.
The Florida Legislature meets annually for 60 days to discuss the needs of the state and its population of over 21.3 million people. Bills are filed by Florida Representatives and Senators for consideration during the session. When a bill is filed, it is referred to several committees to be reviewed by smaller groups of members. The bill is then discussed, debated, and amendments or changes can be made. This process allows the idea to be thoroughly vetted by legislators, the public, and those specific people who the bill will affect. After passing out of committees, the bill is brought before the entire chamber of the House and Senate. Committees have several options when considering a bill, including approval.
Article IV of the Florida Constitution governs the election of the governor, lieutenant governor, and cabinet, specifying that the cabinet must consist of an Attorney General, a Chief Financial Officer, and a Commissioner of Agriculture, all of whom must be elected. Article V establishes the appointment and jurisdiction of the Florida Supreme Court and the Florida District Courts of Appeal, as well as circuit and county courts. Article VIII establishes local governments, from counties to municipalities and the transfer of powers.
To amend the Florida Constitution, a legislative, citizen-initiated, or convention-referred constitutional amendment process can be undertaken. Additionally, the Florida Constitution Revision Commission and the Florida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission can refer amendments. All constitutional amendments require voter approval, with a 60% vote needed during one legislative session for an amendment to be placed on the ballot.
The Constitution and Political Parties: What's the Deal?
You may want to see also
Bills are referred to committees for review and debate
The Florida Legislature meets annually for 60 days to discuss and address the state's needs. Bills are filed by representatives and senators for consideration during the session. Once a bill is filed, it is referred to several committees for review and debate by smaller groups of members. This committee process allows the idea to be thoroughly discussed and debated by legislators, the public, and those directly affected by the bill.
Committees are composed of both House and Senate members and are considered the heart of the legislative process. They are responsible for fact-finding and groundwork that the Senate and House of Representatives could not accomplish as effectively as a whole. Through the committee process, the bill is discussed and debated, and amendments or changes can be made. This process allows for the thorough review and discussion of the bill by all relevant parties.
A bill may be substantially amended in committee and become a committee substitute. This substitute bill may undergo further amendments and be replaced by a new committee substitute, either in the same committee or when another committee hears it. As multiple committees may review a bill, the final version presented to the full chamber may be referred to as "the Committee Substitute for Committee Substitute for Committee Substitute for House/Senate Bill X."
The process of amending a bill onto another bill is complex. Generally, the bill must have passed its first committee of reference and share the same subject as the host bill. The title of the bill is presented at the top of the document and may span several pages depending on the bill's length and complexity.
After passing through committees, the bill is brought before the entire chamber of the House and Senate. Committees have several options when considering a bill, including approval. If each house passes the bill by a two-thirds vote, it becomes law, overriding any veto.
Judge's Trump Card: Immigration Policy and Constitution Clash
You may want to see also
Amendments or changes can be added to the bill
The Florida Constitution establishes and describes the powers, duties, structure, and function of the government of the U.S. state of Florida, and establishes the basic law of the state. Florida has been governed by six different constitutions since acceding to the United States. The current Constitution of Florida was ratified on November 5, 1968, and has been modified by initiative and referendum several times since.
The Florida Legislature meets once a year for 60 days to address the state's needs. Bills are filed by Representatives and Senators for consideration during the session. When a bill is filed, it is referred to several committees to be reviewed by smaller groups of members. Through the committee process, the bill is discussed and debated, and amendments or changes can be added to the bill. This process allows the idea to be thoroughly discussed and debated by the legislators, the public, and those specific people who the bill will affect. After passing out of committees, the bill is brought before the entire chamber of the House and Senate.
Committees have several options when considering a bill. They can approve the bill, or the bill can be vetoed. If the president chooses to veto a bill, in most cases, Congress can vote to override that veto, and the bill becomes a law. However, if the president does not sign off on a bill and it remains unsigned when Congress is no longer in session, the bill will be vetoed by default, called a "pocket veto", which cannot be overridden by Congress.
In the context of the US Constitution, amendments can be proposed by Congress with a two-thirds majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Alternatively, amendments can be proposed by a constitutional convention called for by two-thirds of the State legislatures. Once an amendment is proposed, it becomes part of the Constitution as soon as it is ratified by three-fourths of the States (38 out of 50). The Archivist of the United States is responsible for administering the ratification process.
Executive Orders: A Historical Overview
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![Legislative Process: [Connected eBook] (Aspen Casebook) (The Aspen Casebooks)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51uxZsyo55L._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Bills are brought before the entire chamber of the House and Senate
The Florida Legislature meets annually for 60 days to discuss the state's needs. Bills are filed by representatives and senators for consideration during this session. Once a bill is filed, it is referred to several committees for review and discussion. The legislators, public, and affected parties debate and amend the bill as needed. After passing through committees, the bill is brought before the entire chamber of the House and Senate.
The bill is then discussed and voted on by the entire chamber of the House and Senate. If the bill passes, it is sent to the other chamber for consideration. If the other chamber approves the bill, it is sent to the governor for signature or veto. If the governor signs the bill, it becomes a law. If the governor vetoes the bill, it is sent back to the legislature for further consideration.
If the originating house votes to override the veto and the other house does not consider or fails to override the veto, the bill is dead and cannot be considered further. However, if the originating house votes to override the veto and the other house also overrides the veto by a two-thirds vote, the bill becomes law despite the governor's veto.
This process allows for thorough discussion and debate on the bill, ensuring that all stakeholders have a chance to provide input and that the final decision is made by the entire legislative body of the House and Senate.
The Constitution's Three Promises to Americans
You may want to see also
A bill becomes law when passed by both houses
The Florida Constitution establishes and describes the powers, duties, structure, and function of the government of the U.S. state of Florida, and outlines the basic law of the state. Florida has had six constitutions since it became the 27th state on March 3, 1845: in 1812, 1838, 1861, 1868, 1885, and 1968. The current constitution was ratified on November 5, 1968, and has been modified several times since.
The Florida Legislature meets annually for 60 days to discuss the state's needs. Bills are filed by Representatives and Senators for consideration during the session. Once a bill is filed, it is referred to several committees for review and discussion. The bill is then debated, and amendments or changes can be added. This process allows the idea to be thoroughly discussed by legislators, the public, and those specifically affected by the bill. After passing out of committee, the bill is brought before the entire chamber of the House and Senate.
For a bill to become a law in Florida, it must be passed by both houses. If the originating house votes to re-enact a vetoed measure and the other house does not consider it or fails to re-enact it, the bill cannot be considered further. However, if each house approves the bill by a two-thirds vote, it becomes law, regardless of any veto.
The Florida Constitution can be amended with a legislative, citizen-initiated, or convention-referred constitutional amendment, or through commission referrals from the Florida Constitution Revision Commission and the Florida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission. All constitutional amendments in Florida require voter approval.
Understanding ProAir Prescriptions: 90-Day Supply Explained
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The Florida Constitution is the document that establishes and describes the powers, duties, structure, and function of the government of the U.S. state of Florida, and establishes the basic law of the state.
The Florida Legislature meets once a year for 60 days to address the state's needs.
Bills are filed by Representatives and Senators for consideration during the session. When a bill is filed, it is referred to several committees to be reviewed by smaller groups of members.
The body of a bill is constructed in one of two ways, depending on whether it amends an existing section of law or creates a new one. The title of the bill begins at the very top and may run on for several pages depending on the length and complexity of the bill.
