Table Of ContentSTACKS
F328.065S
H842
1993
L
Bolley L. Johnson
Speaker
House of
Representatives
Dear Friend:
Welcome to the Florida House of Representatives.
Each of the 120 members of the House represents more than 107,000 resi
dents of Florida. The House works hard to respect the interests of all Floridians
while also bringing to the body a unique perspective of each district, with its
individual geography, special problems and unique constituency.
Ours is an institution charged with formulating policies and enacting laws
designed to promote and protect the public good. By understanding the House
of Representatives and communicating with its members, you can help to guar
antee that the decisions we make will better respond to you and to the growing
and complex needs of our state.
Thank you for your interest in the House. I hope this booklet will help you
understand how the House of Representatives works for the people of the State
of Florida.
Sincerely,
·~~
Bo Johnson
Speaker of the House
STATI! UBMRY opr FLORIM _Otli 6
l~9.l
L
Bolley L. Johnson
Speaker
House of
Representatives
Dear Friend:
Welcome to the Florida House of Representatives.
Each of the 120 members of the House represents more than 107,000 resi
dents of Florida. The House works hard to respect the interests of all Floridians
while also bringing to the body a unique perspective of each district, with its
individual geography, special problems and unique constituency.
Ours is an institution charged with formulating policies and enacting laws
designed to promote and protect the public good. By understanding the House
of Representatives and communicating with its members, you can help to guar
antee that the decisions we make will better respond to you and to the growing
and complex needs of our state.
Thank you for your interest in the House. I hope this booklet will help you
understand how the House of Representatives works for the people of the State
of Florida.
Sincerely,
·~~
Bo Johnson
Speaker of the House
STATI! UBMRY opr FLORIM _Otli 6
l~9.l
The 1868 Constitution provided Representatives from twenty
the Seminole Tribe was entitled to a counties.
member in the House and Senate,
"with all the rights, privileges, and 1868 Lawmaking body styled the
The House of Representatives ing upon the Committee on Territo remuneration, as other members of Legislature by the Constitu
you may be observing at work is a ries to inquire "into the expediency the Legislature." So far as can be tion for the first time, with a
direct descendant of Florida's first of reorganizing the Legislative Coun determined now, no Seminole ever Senate and an Assembly.
lawmaking body. cil of Florida Territory, so as to give served. However, a white clique
That was the Legislative Coun another branch to said Council, to be attempted unsuccessfully to pass off 1868 Southern-born whites were
cil, composed of "thirteen of the called a Senate." The unicameral a white as a Seminole to claim a always a majority in Florida
most fit and discreet persons of the Council became bicameral with Pres Seminole seat. Reconstruction legislatures.
territory." Congress established the ident Van Buren's signature on a In 1868, of seventy-six Sen
Council by a law approved by Presi congressional act on July 7, 1838. Following is a list of memorable ators and Representatives,
dent Monroe on March 30, 1822. They were stout-hearted men years in the House of Representatives: nineteen were freedmen,
The Council was to have met at who braved the wilderness to serve thirteen from the North,
Pensacola on June 10, 1822, but it even before the distance was halved 1822 First Legislative Council of 13 twenty-three white Demo
was not until July 22, forty-four days by establishing the capital at Talla Presidential appointees con crats and twenty-one white
late, that a quorum appeared and the hassee, midway between the old cap vened on July 22 near Pen Southern loyalists.
Council could organize. itals. sacola.
The long delay had been caused When the call went out in 1838 1884 First Cuban-American, Fer
by the squalls, calms, and the capsizing for a constitutional convention in 1826 Congress ordered Territory nando Figueredo of Key
of a sloop bringing three of St. preparation for statehood, the two divided into thirteen districts, West, elected to serve in
Augustine's members to Pensacola delegates from Monroe County tra with Floridians to elect thir 1885 House.
and a fourth member perished in the veled from Key West to New York te~n members of the existing
loss of his ship. (Traveling by land by ship, then by stagecoach to Geor Legislative Council. 1885 New Constitution replaced
may have been less hazardous but gia, and finally by horseback to St. "Assembly" with "House of
virtually as time-consuming. By Joseph, the convention city. Travel 1838 Congress provided a Senate of Representatives."
horseback, the trip between the two time for the round trip was six eleven members and a House
territorial capitals, St. Augustine and weeks. It is little wonder that the of Representatives of twenty 1938 First party caucus for desig
Pensacola, required two weeks at Representatives from Monroe and nine members to form an elec nation of a Speaker held at
best.) Dade counties were days late for the tive Legislative Council. Moon Lake in Pasco County
Reaching Pensacola was not the organization session when statehood with G. Pierce Wood of Lib
end of the perils. Yellow fever raged came. 1838-1861 Constitutions of 1838 and erty County chosen over
in August, claiming the lives of the The 1864 Legislature had an 1861 provided a Senate and a LeRoy Collins of Leon
Council President and the Chief unusual problem: "Enemy (Union House of Representatives, the County, 55 to 40.
Clerk before the survivors decided to troops) [has] captured, taken off and two houses together known as
move the sessions to a residence hold as prisoners" two State Sena the General Assembly. 1939 First use of electrical voting
some 15 miles out of Pensacola. tors, one Representative and a num system calculated to save
Agitation for a two-house Leg ber of other state and county offi 1845 First General Assembly under twelve days in time required
islative Council achieved a milestone cials. "Under existing statutes, no Statehood convened at Talla during sixty-day session for
in 1838 when the United States provisions of law exist to remedy the hassee on June 23, with seven oral roll calls.
House of Representatives adopted a evils to the public interests caused by teen Senators and forty-one
resolution by Florida's delegate call- the absence of these officers."
2 3
The 1868 Constitution provided Representatives from twenty
the Seminole Tribe was entitled to a counties.
member in the House and Senate,
"with all the rights, privileges, and 1868 Lawmaking body styled the
The House of Representatives ing upon the Committee on Territo remuneration, as other members of Legislature by the Constitu
you may be observing at work is a ries to inquire "into the expediency the Legislature." So far as can be tion for the first time, with a
direct descendant of Florida's first of reorganizing the Legislative Coun determined now, no Seminole ever Senate and an Assembly.
lawmaking body. cil of Florida Territory, so as to give served. However, a white clique
That was the Legislative Coun another branch to said Council, to be attempted unsuccessfully to pass off 1868 Southern-born whites were
cil, composed of "thirteen of the called a Senate." The unicameral a white as a Seminole to claim a always a majority in Florida
most fit and discreet persons of the Council became bicameral with Pres Seminole seat. Reconstruction legislatures.
territory." Congress established the ident Van Buren's signature on a In 1868, of seventy-six Sen
Council by a law approved by Presi congressional act on July 7, 1838. Following is a list of memorable ators and Representatives,
dent Monroe on March 30, 1822. They were stout-hearted men years in the House of Representatives: nineteen were freedmen,
The Council was to have met at who braved the wilderness to serve thirteen from the North,
Pensacola on June 10, 1822, but it even before the distance was halved 1822 First Legislative Council of 13 twenty-three white Demo
was not until July 22, forty-four days by establishing the capital at Talla Presidential appointees con crats and twenty-one white
late, that a quorum appeared and the hassee, midway between the old cap vened on July 22 near Pen Southern loyalists.
Council could organize. itals. sacola.
The long delay had been caused When the call went out in 1838 1884 First Cuban-American, Fer
by the squalls, calms, and the capsizing for a constitutional convention in 1826 Congress ordered Territory nando Figueredo of Key
of a sloop bringing three of St. preparation for statehood, the two divided into thirteen districts, West, elected to serve in
Augustine's members to Pensacola delegates from Monroe County tra with Floridians to elect thir 1885 House.
and a fourth member perished in the veled from Key West to New York te~n members of the existing
loss of his ship. (Traveling by land by ship, then by stagecoach to Geor Legislative Council. 1885 New Constitution replaced
may have been less hazardous but gia, and finally by horseback to St. "Assembly" with "House of
virtually as time-consuming. By Joseph, the convention city. Travel 1838 Congress provided a Senate of Representatives."
horseback, the trip between the two time for the round trip was six eleven members and a House
territorial capitals, St. Augustine and weeks. It is little wonder that the of Representatives of twenty 1938 First party caucus for desig
Pensacola, required two weeks at Representatives from Monroe and nine members to form an elec nation of a Speaker held at
best.) Dade counties were days late for the tive Legislative Council. Moon Lake in Pasco County
Reaching Pensacola was not the organization session when statehood with G. Pierce Wood of Lib
end of the perils. Yellow fever raged came. 1838-1861 Constitutions of 1838 and erty County chosen over
in August, claiming the lives of the The 1864 Legislature had an 1861 provided a Senate and a LeRoy Collins of Leon
Council President and the Chief unusual problem: "Enemy (Union House of Representatives, the County, 55 to 40.
Clerk before the survivors decided to troops) [has] captured, taken off and two houses together known as
move the sessions to a residence hold as prisoners" two State Sena the General Assembly. 1939 First use of electrical voting
some 15 miles out of Pensacola. tors, one Representative and a num system calculated to save
Agitation for a two-house Leg ber of other state and county offi 1845 First General Assembly under twelve days in time required
islative Council achieved a milestone cials. "Under existing statutes, no Statehood convened at Talla during sixty-day session for
in 1838 when the United States provisions of law exist to remedy the hassee on June 23, with seven oral roll calls.
House of Representatives adopted a evils to the public interests caused by teen Senators and forty-one
resolution by Florida's delegate call- the absence of these officers."
2 3
1967 After years of sparse represen 1984 House elected first woman FLORIDA'S GOVERNMENT
tation in House, Republicans Speaker pro tempore, Elaine
achieved a substantial share of Gordon of Dade County, and
seats, with 39 of the 119. Senate elected first woman pro
tempore, Betty Castor of The Constitution of Florida state official. Instead, this power is
1968 First African-American since Tampa. declares that "All political power is shared among three branches of
1891, Joe Lang Kershaw of inherent in the people." With the government. The first among these
Dade County, elected to 1984 First marriage of two R e p passing of each election, the will of branches is the Legislative, and the
House. resentatives; Dexter W. Lehti the people is carried out as those to oldest of the two legislative houses
nen and Ileana Ros wed after be governed choose those who will is the House of Representatives.
1970 First African-American woman engagement announced in run their government. The other two branches of govern
ever, Gwendolyn Sawyer House Chamber. Ileana Ros The Constitution also provides ment are the Executive and Judicial
Cherry of Dade County, elect Lehtinen was elected to Con that the power to govern shall not branches.
reside solely in the hands of a single
ed to House. gress in 1989.
1977 Last day the House met in the 1991 House completed program of
1939 Chamber was December computerization commenced
13th. in 1965 by Speaker E. C.
Rowell. Terminal screen
1978 First occupancy of House placed on each member desk
Chamber in new Capitol was in Chamber. Computer termi
April 4th. nals link member offices
statewide as well as with Tal
1982 First Cuban-American woman, lahassee.
Miss Ileana Ros of Dade
County, elected to House.
1982 Legislature established single
member districts for House
and Senate based on 1980
federal census.
1982 First elections from single
member districts resulted in
seating of two African-Ameri
can Senators and ten African
American Representatives.
Previously, there were no
African-American Senators
and five Representatives.
Allen Morris, Legislative Historian
4 5
1967 After years of sparse represen 1984 House elected first woman FLORIDA'S GOVERNMENT
tation in House, Republicans Speaker pro tempore, Elaine
achieved a substantial share of Gordon of Dade County, and
seats, with 39 of the 119. Senate elected first woman pro
tempore, Betty Castor of The Constitution of Florida state official. Instead, this power is
1968 First African-American since Tampa. declares that "All political power is shared among three branches of
1891, Joe Lang Kershaw of inherent in the people." With the government. The first among these
Dade County, elected to 1984 First marriage of two R e p passing of each election, the will of branches is the Legislative, and the
House. resentatives; Dexter W. Lehti the people is carried out as those to oldest of the two legislative houses
nen and Ileana Ros wed after be governed choose those who will is the House of Representatives.
1970 First African-American woman engagement announced in run their government. The other two branches of govern
ever, Gwendolyn Sawyer House Chamber. Ileana Ros The Constitution also provides ment are the Executive and Judicial
Cherry of Dade County, elect Lehtinen was elected to Con that the power to govern shall not branches.
reside solely in the hands of a single
ed to House. gress in 1989.
1977 Last day the House met in the 1991 House completed program of
1939 Chamber was December computerization commenced
13th. in 1965 by Speaker E. C.
Rowell. Terminal screen
1978 First occupancy of House placed on each member desk
Chamber in new Capitol was in Chamber. Computer termi
April 4th. nals link member offices
statewide as well as with Tal
1982 First Cuban-American woman, lahassee.
Miss Ileana Ros of Dade
County, elected to House.
1982 Legislature established single
member districts for House
and Senate based on 1980
federal census.
1982 First elections from single
member districts resulted in
seating of two African-Ameri
can Senators and ten African
American Representatives.
Previously, there were no
African-American Senators
and five Representatives.
Allen Morris, Legislative Historian
4 5
EXECUTIVE BRANCH
The Legislative branch is com for reapportionment sessions, which Governor Lawton Chiles is head Commissioner of Agriculture
posed of two units, the House of occur every ten years. Sessions last of the Executive branch of govern Bob Crawford
Representatives and the Senate. The for sixty calendar days. ment. Along with the six elected Commissioner of Education
House has 120 members, and the Committees meet during the Cabinet officers, he administers the Betty Castor
Senate has 40. For a bill to become months prior to session on a schedule executive function of state govern
law, it must be approved by both set by the presiding officers. The ment. The following agencies are
houses in identical form. presiding officers of each house under the jurisdiction of the Gover
The Legislature has annual ses appoint committees to review legis Members of the Cabinet: nor: The Departments of Business
sions, the date established by the lation. Further discussion of the and Professional Regulation, Com
Constitution of Florida. Regular ses committee process is presented in a Secretary of State merce, Community Affairs, Elder
sions begin on the first Tuesday after following section of this booklet. Jim Smith Affairs, Health and Rehabilitative
the first Monday in February except Attorney General Services, Transportation, Correc
Bob Butterworth tions, Environmental Protection,
Comptroller Labor and Employment Security,
Gerald Lewis Citrus, Management Services and the
Treasurer Lottery.
Tom Gallagher
Left to right: Commis
sioner of Education
Betty Castor, Attorney
General Bob Butter
worth, Commissioner of
Agriculture Bob Craw
ford, Comptroller Gerald
Lewis, Governor Lawton
Chiles, Treasurer Tom
Gallagher, Secretary of
State Jim Smith
The Governor and the Cabinet
6 7
EXECUTIVE BRANCH
The Legislative branch is com for reapportionment sessions, which Governor Lawton Chiles is head Commissioner of Agriculture
posed of two units, the House of occur every ten years. Sessions last of the Executive branch of govern Bob Crawford
Representatives and the Senate. The for sixty calendar days. ment. Along with the six elected Commissioner of Education
House has 120 members, and the Committees meet during the Cabinet officers, he administers the Betty Castor
Senate has 40. For a bill to become months prior to session on a schedule executive function of state govern
law, it must be approved by both set by the presiding officers. The ment. The following agencies are
houses in identical form. presiding officers of each house under the jurisdiction of the Gover
The Legislature has annual ses appoint committees to review legis Members of the Cabinet: nor: The Departments of Business
sions, the date established by the lation. Further discussion of the and Professional Regulation, Com
Constitution of Florida. Regular ses committee process is presented in a Secretary of State merce, Community Affairs, Elder
sions begin on the first Tuesday after following section of this booklet. Jim Smith Affairs, Health and Rehabilitative
the first Monday in February except Attorney General Services, Transportation, Correc
Bob Butterworth tions, Environmental Protection,
Comptroller Labor and Employment Security,
Gerald Lewis Citrus, Management Services and the
Treasurer Lottery.
Tom Gallagher
Left to right: Commis
sioner of Education
Betty Castor, Attorney
General Bob Butter
worth, Commissioner of
Agriculture Bob Craw
ford, Comptroller Gerald
Lewis, Governor Lawton
Chiles, Treasurer Tom
Gallagher, Secretary of
State Jim Smith
The Governor and the Cabinet
6 7
THE JUDICIAL BRANCH
THE SPEAKER POLITICAL PARTY
ORGANIZATION
The Constitution describes the Rosemary Barkett is the Chief
The Speaker of the House is the
Judicial branch as " ... a supreme Justice of the Supreme Court. Other
presiding officer, the leader of the Both the Democrats and Repub
court, district courts of appeal, circuit justices, in order of seniority, are
House for a two-year term. He is licans have a formalized leadership
courts and county courts." Ben F. Overton, Parker Lee McDon
elected by his fellow Representatives. structure.
The courts exercise their judicial ald, Leander J. Shaw, Jr., Stephen H.
Among his most important duties are The Democratic officers in addi
power in trying persons who are Grimes, Gerald Kogan and Major B.
the appointment of committees, and tion to the Speaker include the
accused of a criminal offense, or Harding.
selection of their chairmen. His Speaker pro tempore, Majority
when someone seeks to recover darn There are five District Courts of
chairmen are the key players in carry Leader, Deputy Majority Leaders, a
ages for an injury caused by the Appeal comprised of 57 judges. The
ing out his program throughout the Majority Whip and a Majority Fresh
wrongful act of another. The court breakdown is as follows:
term. man Whip. The Speaker and Speaker
system oversees enforcement of judi 1st District-Tallahassee
pro tempore are selected in caucus
cial decisions rendered. (13 judges)
and then elected at the Organization
Of the three branches of govern 2nd District -Lakeland
Session. The Majority Leader and
ment it may be said that the courts (12judges)
other leadership officers are chosen
have a greater power than the other 3rd District -Miami
by the Speaker.
two because it is within their authori (11 judges)
Republican officers include the
ty to strike down certain acts of the 4th District-West Palm Beach
Republican Leader, Republican
legislative or executive branches. If (12judges)
Leader pro tempore, Republican Cau
there is a question of the provisions 5th District -Daytona Beach
cus Chair, Republican Caucus Vice
of the Constitution being violated, the (9 judges) Incoming Speaker Bo Johnson, right,
receives the gavel from outgoing Speaker Chair, Republican Floor Leader, and
courts would serve as arbiters to There are 20 Circuit Courts
T. K. Wetherell the Republican Whips. The Republi
resolve the issue. including 421 judges. The number
can Leader and Republican Leader
The highest court is the Supreme of judges in a circuit depends upon
THE REPUBLICAN LEADER pro tempore are elected by Republi
Court, based in Tallahassee. There is the population and case load.
can Members of the House; other
a Chief Justice, selected by other The County Courts, of which
The Republican Members of the Republican officers are selected by
members of the Supreme Court, and there is one for each county, have
House elect their leader, who will the Republican Leader.
six other justices. These justices are one or more judges for each county.
organize, control and supervise the
appointed by the Governor from a list In the 67 county courts, there are 241
Republican Office. Unlike the
of qualified judges submitted by the judges. These judges are elected for
Speaker, who has the task of presid
Judicial Nominating Commission. terms of four years.
ing over the House and maintaining
Each appellate district is represented
an impersonal approach, the Republi
by at least one justice.
can Leader is free to actively articu
late his or her party's viewpoint on
the House floor during sessions. The
Republican Leader is an influential
player in the legislative process.
Republican Leader Sandra Mortham
8 9
