Florida House of Representatives

Florida House of Representatives
2016–18 Florida Legislature
Coat of arms or logo
Type
Type
Term limits
 4 terms (8 years)
History
Founded May 26, 1845
Preceded by Legislative Council of the Territory of Florida
New session started
 January 9, 2018
Leadership
Richard Corcoran (R)
Since November 22, 2016
House Speaker Pro Tempore
Jeanette Núñez[1] (R)
Since November 22, 2016
House Majority Leader
Ray Rodrigues[1] (R)
Since November 22, 2016
House Minority Leader
Janet Cruz (D)
Since November 21, 2016
Structure
Seats 120
Composition of the Florida House of Representatives
Political groups

Majority

Minority

Vacant: 4
Length of term
 2 years
Authority Article III, Florida Constitution
Salary $18,000/year + per diem (Subsistence & Travel)[2]
Elections
Last election
 November 8, 2016
(120 seats)
Next election
 November 6, 2018
(120 seats)
Redistricting Legislative Control
Motto
In God We Trust
Meeting place
House of Representatives Chamber
Florida Capitol
Tallahassee, Florida
Website
Official Website
Florida
This article is part of a series on the
politics and government of
Florida

The Florida House of Representatives is the lower house of the Legislature of the U.S. State of Florida. Along with the Senate, it comprises the Florida Legislature. Article III, Section 1 of the Florida Constitution, adopted in 1968, defines the role of the Legislature and how it is to be constituted.[3] The House is composed of 120 members, each elected from a single-member district with a population of approximately 157,000 residents. Legislative districts are drawn on the basis of population figures, provided by the federal decennial census. Senators' terms begin immediately, upon their election. As of 2018, Republicans hold the majority in the State House with 75 seats; Democrats are in the minority with 41 seats. Four seats are currently vacant, due to three resignations and one death.[4] The House Chamber is located in the State Capitol building.

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, using The Associated Press Stylebook, 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 two-year break.[5] 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.[6]

Qualifications

Each legislator shall be at least 21 years of age, an elector and resident of the District from which elected and shall have resided in the state for a period of two years prior to election.[7]

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.[8]

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.[9]

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.[10]

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.[11]

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.[12]

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".[13] The Florida Statutes are the codified statutory laws of the state.[13]

In 2009, legislators filed 2,138 bills for consideration. On average, the Legislature has passed about 300 bills into law annually.[14]

In 2013, the Legislature filed about 2000 bills. About 1000 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.[15] In 2017, 1,885 lobbyists registered to represent 3,724 entities.[15]

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 the Speaker of the House. The Speaker of the House is elected by the members of the Chamber to a two-year term. The Speaker has the power to preside over the Chamber during Session, to appoint committee members and chairs of committees, to influence the placement of bills on the calendar, and to rule 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.

Composition

75 4 41
Republican V Democratic
Affiliation Party
(Shading indicates majority caucus)
 Total
Republican Democratic NPA Vacant
Start of 2010–12 legislature 81 39 0 120 0
Start of 2012–14 legislature 76 44 0 120 0
Start of previous (2014–16) legislature 80 38 0 118 2
End of previous (2014–16) legislature 81 37 1 119 1
Begin (November 2016) 79 41 0 120 0
May 18, 2017[16] 78 119 1
August 15, 2017[17] 77 118 2
September 1, 2017[18] 76 117 3
September 26, 2017[19]
October 10, 2017[20] 77 118 2
November 1, 2017[21] 40 117 3
November 24, 2017[22] 76 116 4
December 19, 2017[23] 77 117 3
December 24, 2017[24] 76 116 4
February 13, 2018[25] 41 117 3
March 23, 2018[26] 75 116 4
April 9, 2018[27] 40 115 5
May 1, 2018[28] 76 41 117 3
June 30, 2018[29] 75 116 4
Latest voting share 64.7% 35.3%

Leadership

PositionNamePartyDistrict
Speaker of the HouseRichard CorcoranRepublican37
Speaker pro temporeJeanette NúñezRepublican119
Majority LeaderRay RodriguesRepublican76
Minority LeaderJanet CruzDemocratic62
Minority Leader pro temporeBobby DuBoseDemocratic94

Members, 2016–2018

DistrictNamePartyResidenceCounties representedFirst Elected[30]
1 Clay Ingram Rep Pensacola Part of Escambia 2010
2 Frank White Rep Pensacola Parts of Escambia and Santa Rosa 2016
3 Jayer Williamson Rep Pace Parts of Okaloosa and Santa Rosa 2016
4 Mel Ponder Rep Destin Part of Okaloosa 2016
5 Brad Drake Rep DeFuniak Springs Holmes, Jackson, Walton, Washington, part of Bay 2014,
2008–12
6 Jay Trumbull Rep Panama City Part of Bay 2014
7 Halsey Beshears Rep Monticello Calhoun, Franklin, Gulf, Jefferson, Lafayette, Liberty, Madison, Taylor, Wakulla, part of Leon 2012
8 Ramon Alexander Dem Tallahassee Gadsden, part of Leon 2016
9 Loranne Ausley Dem Tallahassee Part of Leon 2016,
2000–08
10 Elizabeth W. Porter Rep Lake City Baker, Columbia, Hamilton, Suwannee, part of Alachua 2010
11 Cord Byrd Rep Neptune Beach Nassau, part of Duval 2016
12 Clay Yarborough Rep Jacksonville Part of Duval 2016
13 Tracie Davis Dem Jacksonville Part of Duval 2016
14 Kimberly Daniels Dem Jacksonville Part of Duval 2016
15 Jay Fant Rep Jacksonville Part of Duval 2014
16 Jason Fischer Rep Jacksonville Part of Duval 2016
17 Cyndi Stevenson Rep St. Augustine Part of St. Johns 2015*
18 Travis Cummings Rep Orange Park Part of Clay 2012
19 Bobby Payne Rep Palatka Bradford, Putnam, Union, part of Clay 2016
20 Clovis Watson, Jr. Dem Alachua Parts of Alachua and Marion 2012
21 Chuck Clemons Rep Newberry Dixie, Gilchrist, part of Alachua 2016
22 Charlie Stone Rep Ocala Levy, part of Marion 2012
23 Stan McClain Rep Belleview Part of Marion 2016
24 Paul Renner Rep Palm Coast Flagler, parts of St. Johns and Volusia 2015*
25 Tom Leek Rep Ormond Beach Part of Volusia 2016
26 Patrick Henry Dem Daytona Beach Part of Volusia 2016
27 David Santiago Rep Deltona Part of Volusia 2012
28 Jason Brodeur Rep Sanford Part of Seminole 2010
29 Scott Plakon Rep Longwood Part of Seminole 2014,
2008–12
30 Bob Cortes Rep Altamonte Springs Parts of Orange and Seminole 2014
31 Jennifer Sullivan Rep Mount Dora Parts of Lake and Orange 2014
32 Vacant[29] Part of Lake
33 Vacant[24] Sumter, parts of Lake and Marion
34 Ralph Massullo Jr. Rep Lecanto Citrus, part of Hernando 2016
35 Blaise Ingoglia Rep Spring Hill Part of Hernando 2014
36 Amber Mariano Rep Hudson Part of Pasco 2016
37 Richard Corcoran Rep Land O' Lakes Part of Pasco 2010
38 Danny Burgess Rep Zephyrhills Part of Pasco 2014
39 Josie Tomkow Rep Polk City Parts of Osceola and Polk 2018*
40 Colleen Burton Rep Lakeland Part of Polk 2014
41 Sam Killebrew Rep Winter Haven Part of Polk 2016
42 Mike La Rosa Rep St. Cloud Parts of Osceola and Polk 2012
43 John Cortes Dem Kissimmee Part of Osceola 2014
44 Bobby Olszewski Rep Winter Garden Part of Orange 2017*
45 Kamia Brown Dem Orlando Part of Orange 2016
46 Bruce Antone Dem Orlando Part of Orange 2012
47 Mike Miller Rep Orlando Part of Orange 2014
48 Amy Mercado Dem Orlando Part of Orange 2016
49 Carlos Guillermo Smith Dem Orlando Part of Orange 2016
50 Rene Plasencia Rep Orlando Parts of Brevard and Orange 2014
51 Tom Goodson Rep Titusville Part of Brevard 2010
52 Thad Altman Rep Rockledge Part of Brevard 2016,
2003–08
53 Randy Fine Rep Melbourne Beach Part of Brevard 2016
54 Erin Grall Rep Vero Beach Indian River, part of St. Lucie 2016
55 Cary Pigman Rep Avon Park Glades, Highlands, Okeechobee, part of St. Lucie 2012
56 Ben Albritton Rep Wauchula DeSoto, Hardee, part of Polk 2010
57 Jake Raburn Rep Lithia Part of Hillsborough 2012
58 Lawrence McClure Rep Dover Part of Hillsborough 2017*
59 Ross Spano Rep Dover Part of Hillsborough 2012
60 Jackie Toledo Rep Tampa Part of Hillsborough 2016
61 Sean Shaw Dem Tampa Part of Hillsborough 2016
62 Janet Cruz Dem Tampa Part of Hillsborough 2010
63 Shawn Harrison Rep Tampa Part of Hillsborough 2014
64 J. W. Grant Rep Tampa Parts of Hillsborough and Pinellas 2015,*
2010–14
65 Chris Sprowls Rep Palm Harbor Part of Pinellas 2014
66 Larry Ahern Rep Seminole Part of Pinellas 2010
67 Chris Latvala Rep Clearwater Part of Pinellas 2014
68 Ben Diamond Dem St. Petersburg Part of Pinellas 2016
69 Kathleen Peters Rep South Pasadena Part of Pinellas 2012
70 Wengay Newton Dem St. Petersburg Parts of Hillsborough, Manatee, Pinellas, Sarasota 2016
71 Jim Boyd Rep Bradenton Parts of Manatee and Sarasota 2010
72 Margaret Good Dem Sarasota Parts of Sarasota 2018*
73 Joe Gruters Rep Sarasota Parts of Manatee and Sarasota 2016
74 Julio Gonzalez Rep Venice Part of Sarasota 2014
75 Michael J. Grant Rep Port Charlotte Charlotte 2016,
2004–08
76 Ray Rodrigues Rep Estero Part of Lee 2012
77 Dane Eagle Rep Cape Coral Part of Lee 2012
78 Heather Fitzenhagen Rep Fort Myers Part of Lee 2012
79 Matt Caldwell Rep Lehigh Acres Part of Lee 2010
80 Byron Donalds Rep Naples Hendry, part of Collier 2016
81 Joe Abruzzo Dem Wellington Part of Palm Beach 2016,
2008–12
82 MaryLynn Magar Rep Tequesta Parts of Martin and Palm Beach 2012
83 Gayle Harrell Rep Stuart Parts of Martin and St. Lucie 2010,
2000–08
84 Larry Lee, Jr. Dem Port St. Lucie Part of St. Lucie 2012
85 Rick Roth Rep Loxahatchee Part of Palm Beach 2016
86 Matt Willhite Dem Wellington Part of Palm Beach 2016
87 David Silvers Dem West Palm Beach Part of Palm Beach 2016
88 Al Jacquet Dem Lantana Part of Palm Beach 2016
89 Bill Hager Rep Delray Beach Part of Palm Beach 2010
90 Vacant[27] Part of Palm Beach
91 Emily Slosberg Dem Boca Raton Part of Palm Beach 2016
92 Patricia Hawkins-Williams Dem Lauderdale Lakes Part of Broward 2016
93 George Moraitis Rep Fort Lauderdale Part of Broward 2010
94 Bobby DuBose Dem Fort Lauderdale Part of Broward 2014
95 Barrington Russell Dem Lauderdale Lakes Part of Broward 2016
96 Kristin Jacobs Dem Pompano Beach Part of Broward 2014
97 Jared Moskowitz Dem Coral Springs Part of Broward 2012
98 Katie Edwards-Walpole Dem Plantation Part of Broward 2012
99 Evan Jenne Dem Hollywood Part of Broward 2014
100 Joe Geller Dem Aventura Parts of Broward and Miami-Dade 2014
101 Shevrin D. Jones Dem West Park Part of Broward 2012
102 Sharon Pritchett Dem Miami Gardens Parts of Broward and Miami-Dade 2012
103 Manny Díaz, Jr. Rep Hialeah Parts of Broward and Miami-Dade 2010
104 Richard Stark Dem Weston Part of Broward 2012
105 Vacant[26] Parts of Broward, Collier, and Miami-Dade
106 Bob Rommel Rep Naples Part of Collier 2016
107 Barbara Watson Dem Miami Gardens Part of Miami-Dade 2011*
108 Roy Hardemon Dem Miami Part of Miami-Dade 2016
109 Cynthia Stafford Dem Miami Part of Miami-Dade 2010
110 José R. Oliva Rep Miami Lakes Part of Miami-Dade 2011*
111 Bryan Avila Rep Hialeah Part of Miami-Dade 2014
112 Nicholas Duran Dem Miami Part of Miami-Dade 2016
113 David Richardson Dem Miami Beach Part of Miami-Dade 2012
114 Javier Fernandez Dem South Miami Part of Miami-Dade 2018*
115 Michael Bileca Rep Miami Part of Miami-Dade 2010
116 Daniel Perez Rep Miami Part of Miami-Dade 2017*
117 Kionne McGhee Dem Miami Part of Miami-Dade 2012
118 Robert Asencio Dem Miami Part of Miami-Dade 2016
119 Jeanette Núñez Rep Miami Part of Miami-Dade 2010
120 Holly Merrill Raschein Rep Key Largo Monroe and part of Miami-Dade 2012

*Elected in a special election.

District map

Current districts and party composition of the Florida House of Representatives
  Democratic Party
  Republican Party
  Vacant

Past composition of the House of Representatives

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "House Majority Leadership Team". Florida House of Representatives.
  2. ↑ "The 2017 Florida Statutes F.S. 11.13 Compensation of members". Florida Legislature.
  3. ↑ "CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA". Florida Legislature.
  4. ↑ "Representatives". Florida House of Representatives.
  5. ↑ "Vote Yes On Amendment No. 9 To Begin Limiting Political Terms". Sun-Sentinel.
  6. ↑ "Florida Backs Article V Convention for Constitutional Amendment on Congressional Term Limits". Sunshine State News.
  7. ↑ "CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA". Florida Legislature.
  8. ↑ "Editorial:Advice to Legislature:Pursue limited agenda". Florida Today.
  9. ↑ "CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA". Florida Legislature.
  10. ↑ Buzzacco-Foerster, Jenna (2016-02-18). "Proposal to move 2018 session to January heads House floor". Florida Politics. Retrieved 2016-02-18.
  11. ↑ "The Florida Constitution". Florida Legislature.
  12. ↑ "The Florida Senate Handbook" (PDF). Florida Senate.
  13. 1 2 "Statutes & Constitution: Online Sunshine". Florida Legislature. Retrieved 26 September 2013.
  14. ↑ Flemming, Paul (March 8, 2009). Capital Ideas: Lawmakers face 2,138 proposals. Florida Today.
  15. 1 2 Cotterell, Bill (March 7, 2017). "Legislative session by the numbers". Florida Today. Melbourne,Florida. pp. 5A.
  16. ↑ Republican Eric Eisnaugle (District 44) resigned after being appointed to the 5th District Court of Appeal. Powers, Scott (May 22, 2017). "Eric Eisnaugle makes House departure official". Florida Politics. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
  17. ↑ Republican Dan Raulerson (District 58) resigned due to health issues. March, William (July 25, 2017). "Dan Raulerson resigning from Florida House on Aug. 15". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on August 23, 2017. Retrieved August 22, 2017.
  18. ↑ Republican Alexandra Miller (District 72) resigned to spend more time at home. Staff Reports (August 24, 2017). "Alex Miller resigns from House; James Buchanan seeks to replace her". Florida Politics.
  19. ↑ Republican José Félix Díaz (District 116) resigned effective this day to run in a special election for Senate District 40. Republican Daniel Perez was elected to succeed him. Smiley, David (September 26, 2017). "Taddeo wins as Democrats pick up Florida Senate seat". Miami Herald.
  20. ↑ Republican Bobby Olszewski was elected to District 44. Lemongell, Steven (October 10, 2017). "Republican Bobby Olszewski wins Florida House District 44 special election". Orlando Sentinel.
  21. ↑ Democrat Daisy Baez (District 114) resigned after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor perjury charge stemming from an investigation of whether she lived in her district. Mazzei, Patricia (2017-11-01). "State lawmaker from Miami-Dade resigns seat over perjury case". Miami Herald.
  22. ↑ Republican Neil Combee (District 39) resigned after being appointed Florida director of the USDA Farm Service Agency. Hollyfield, Amy (2017-11-09). "Rep. Neil Combee resigning to take federal farm service job". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 2017-11-24.
  23. ↑ Republican Lawrence McClure was elected to District 58. March, William (2017-12-19). "Lawrence McClure wins Hillsborough's House District 58 seat". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 2017-12-19.
  24. 1 2 Republican Don Hahnfeldt (District 33) died. Schorsch, Peter (2017-12-25). "Rest in peace: Don Hahnfeldt, Republican lawmaker, former submarine commander, dead at 73". Florida Politics. Retrieved 2017-12-25.
  25. ↑ Democrat Margaret Good was elected to District 72. "Democrat Margaret Good Flips Seat in Florida, The 36th Democratic Flip Since Trump's Inauguration".
  26. 1 2 Republican Carlos Trujillo resigned after being confirmed as Ambassador to the Organization of American States. Daugherty, Alex (2018-04-12). "Miami Republican Carlos Trujillo confirmed as U.S. ambassador to OAS". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 2018-03-23. "Representative Carlos Trujillo". Florida House of Representatives.
  27. 1 2 Democrat Lori Berman resigned effective this date to run in a special election for Senate District 31. Rosica, Jim (2017-11-22). "Lori Berman resigns from House—but not leaving till April". Florida Politics. Retrieved 2018-04-10.
  28. ↑ Republican Josie Tomkow and Democrat Javier Fernandez were elected to Districts 39 and 114, respectively. Wilson, Drew (2018-05-01). "Blue wave continues: Javier Fernandez defeats Andrew Vargas in HD 114 special". Florida Politics. Retrieved 2018-05-01.
  29. 1 2 Republican Larry Metz (District 32) resigned effective this day after being appointed to the 5th Judicial Circuit Court. Ruiter, Jason (2018-03-11). "Scott appoints state Rep. Larry Metz judge for 5th Judicial Circuit". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 2018-06-30.
  30. ↑ And previous terms of service, if any.
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