Florida House of Representatives

Florida_House_of_Representatives

The Florida House of Representatives is the lower house of the Florida Legislature, the legislative branch of the U.S. state of Florida. The House is composed of 120 members, each elected from single-member districts across the state. Members of the House are elected to two-year terms and are limited to four consecutive terms in office.

History[edit | edit source]

The Florida House of Representatives was established in 1838, following the creation of the Florida Constitution. The House has undergone several changes in its structure and function over the years, adapting to the growing population and evolving political landscape of Florida.

Structure and Function[edit | edit source]

The Florida House of Representatives operates under a bicameral system, alongside the Florida Senate. The House is responsible for drafting and passing legislation, which must then be approved by the Senate and signed by the Governor of Florida to become law.

Leadership[edit | edit source]

The House is led by the Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, who is elected by the members of the House. The Speaker presides over House sessions, appoints committee chairs, and plays a significant role in setting the legislative agenda. The current Speaker is Paul Renner.

Committees[edit | edit source]

The House has several standing committees that focus on specific areas of policy, such as education, health care, and transportation. These committees review proposed legislation, hold hearings, and make recommendations to the full House.

Legislative Process[edit | edit source]

The legislative process in the Florida House of Representatives involves several steps:

1. **Introduction of Bills**: Any member of the House can introduce a bill. 2. **Committee Review**: Bills are assigned to relevant committees for review and discussion. 3. **Floor Debate**: If a bill passes out of committee, it is debated on the House floor. 4. **Voting**: Members vote on the bill. If it passes, it moves to the Florida Senate for consideration. 5. **Governor's Approval**: If both houses pass the bill, it is sent to the Governor for approval or veto.

Elections[edit | edit source]

Members of the Florida House of Representatives are elected every two years during the general elections. Each member represents a district of approximately 157,000 residents. The districts are redrawn every ten years following the United States Census to ensure equal representation.