Today is the day, and this promises to be a most memorable legislative session. Tonight at 6 p.m. the Governor gives his State of the State speech; you can watch it online via The Florida Channel. Here are a few political links for readers who may want a quick cross-section of Florida politics:
The Shark Tank
Sayfie Review
Fort Report
Of course, every major paper in the State has their own representative pages dedicated to state politics and are worth a look as well.
Below, I present dates that may be of interest as provided by the House and the Senate. If interested in this legislative session, first look to the chambers themselves. Both the House and the Senate have good, informative websites. Here are the 2011 dates:
Important Legislative Dates listed by the House
March 8; First Day of Session; [85th House since Statehood: 113th Regular Session since Statehood; 22nd House since 1968 Constitutional Revision] -- [Art. III, s. 3(b), FL Const.]
March 8; Final Member-Bill Filing Deadline: No general bill, local bill, joint resolution, concurrent resolution (except one relating to extension of a session or legislative organization or procedures), substantive House resolution, or memorial shall be given first reading unless approved for filing with the Clerk no later than noon of the first day of the regular session.
March 8; Day 1 [Art. III, s. 3(b), FL Const.; Rule 5.2(a)]
March 8; First day for committees or subcommittees to meet after giving notice no later than 4:30 p.m. of the 2nd day (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and official state holidays) before the committee or subcommittee meeting for the purpose of considering legislation. Day 1-45 [Rule 7.11(e)]
March 11; Request submission deadline by 5 p.m for additional bill filed after favorable reporting of repealer bill by its first committee of reference.
March 28; Filing deadline by noon, for additional bill filed after favorable reporting of a repealer bill by its first committee of reference. [Rule 5.3(c)]
April 7; Ceremonial Resolution Request Submission Deadline: By 5 p.m., ceremonial resolutions to be submitted to Rules & Calendar Committee.
April 17; After the 40th day (April 16), no bill may be retained for the purpose of reconsideration in committee or subcommittee. Day 41 [Rule 7.16(b)]
April 21; Last day for committees or subcommittees to meet after giving notice no later than 4:30 p.m. of
the 2nd day (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and official state holidays) before the committee or subcommittee meeting for the purpose of considering legislation. After the 45th day, the notice must be provided no later than 4:30 p.m. on the day (including Saturdays, Sundays, and official state holidays) before the committee or subcommittee meeting. Day 45 [Rule 7.11(e)]
April 21; Ceremonial Resolution Filing Deadline: No ceremonial resolution shall be given first reading unless approved for filing with the Clerk prior to the 46th day of regular session. [Rule 5.2(b)]
April 22; After the 45th day (April 21) of a regular session, by a majority vote, the House may, on motion of the Chair or Vice Chair of the Rules & Calendar Committee, move to Communications, Messages from the Senate, Bills and Joint Resolutions on Third Reading, or Special Orders. Day 46 [Rule 10.2(d)]
April 23; All measures transmitted to the Senate without delay. Last 14 Days [Rule 11.7(k)]
May 1; Last day of the regular session for the Special Order Calendar to be published in two Calendars of the House, and it may be taken up on the day of the second published Calendar. After the 55th day (May 1) of the regular session, the Special Order Calendar shall be published in one Calendar of the House and may be taken up on the day the Calendar is published. Day 55 [Rule 10.11(a)(3)]
May 1; Last day that main floor amendments must be approved for filing with the Clerk by 2 p.m. of the first day a bill appears on the Special Order Calendar in the Calendar of the House; and amendments to main floor amendments and substitute amendments for main floor amendments must be approved for filing by 5 p.m. of the same day. Day 55 [Rule 12.2(a)(1&2)]
May 2; After the 55th day (May 1) of regular session, main floor amendments must be approved for filing with the Clerk not later than 2 hours before session is scheduled to convene on the day a bill appears on the Special Order Calendar in the Calendar of the House; and amendments to main floor amendments and substitute amendments for main floor amendments must be approved for filing not later than 1 hour after the main floor amendment deadline. Day 56 [Rule 12.2(b)(1&2)]
May 2; After the 55th day (May 1) of regular session, no House bills on second reading may be taken up and considered by the House. Day 56 [Rule 10.18]
May 5; After the 58th day (May 4) of regular session, the House may consider only: Returning Messages, Conference Reports, and Concurrent Resolutions. Day 59 [Rule 10.19]
May 6; Last day of Regular Session, if Legislature completes work in 60 days
Important Legislative Dates listed by the Senate
March 8; Regular Session convenes (Article III, section 3(b), Constitution)
March 8; 12:00 noon, deadline for filing bills for introduction (Rule 3.7(1))
April 26; 50th day—last day for regularly scheduled committee meetings (Rule 2.9(3))
May 2; All bills are immediately certified (Rule 6.8)
Conference Committee Reports require only one reading (Rule 4.5(1))
Motion to reconsider made and considered the same day (Rule 6.4 (2)(b))
May 6; 60th day—last day of Regular Session (Article III, section 3(d), Constitution)
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There you have it. Now we'll just have to see what the end's gonna be. Until we get there, however, buddy you can probably bet your bottom dollar that there are going to be some serious sparks flying.
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