Three Branches of Government
The state government of Florida is established and operated according to the Constitution of Florida and is composed of three branches of government:
- The executive branch consisting of the Governor of Florida, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Chief Financial Officer, and the Commissioner of Agriculture.
- The legislative branch, the Florida Legislature, consisting of the Senate and House.
- The judicial branch consisting of the Supreme Court of Florida and lower courts.
The State Legislative Structure
The Florida Legislature is a bicameral structure – meaning it has two houses, the Florida Senate and the Florida House of Representatives. The Senate and the House make rules or laws that govern our state. Members of the legislature, Senators and Representatives, are chosen by the citizens of Florida to represent them and the area where they live. These areas are called districts. Each is responsible for making sure that the people who elected them have a voice in all matters concerning the state.
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There are 40 Florida Senators serving 4 year terms limited to 2 - 2 year terms
There are 120 members of the Florida House of Representatives, each serve 2 year terms limited to 4 - 2 year terms
All must be at least 21 years old and must have lived in Florida for two years prior to running for election. They also must be a resident of the District they run in.
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Each year the legislature meets in legislative session to determine and debate issues important to the people of our state. The Florida Legislature meets in session every year for sixty consecutive days. A regular session shall convene on the first Tuesday following the first Monday in March of each odd-numbered year, and on the second Tuesday after the first Monday in January of each even-numbered year. Sessions end either in sine die adjournment, with the ceremonial dropping of white handkerchiefs by each house’s Sergeant at Arms, or in an extension of the regular session to complete unfinished work.
State lawmakers may introduce either a bill or a resolution. A bill is a proposal to enact new legislation or amend an existing statute. A resolution is a legislative proposal for an action not affecting statutory law. An example of a resolution would be to
- commend or honor an individual or organization,
- inform the U.S. Congress of the state legislature’s opinion on a particular issue,
- create a legislative commission, or
- request a legislative study of a specific subject area.
Committees are vital to the efficient work during a legislative session, and often continue their work between sessions. They are an integral part of Florida's legislative process as they perform fact-finding functions, and provide an efficient manner in which the public can provide input and testimony on specific issues prior to bills being introduced on the floor of the Florida House or Florida Senate. Read more about Florida's legislative committees.
