Florida State Legislature
General information
Type:	State legislature
Term limits:	2 terms (8 years) in Senate, 4 terms (8 years) in House
Session start:	January 13, 2026
Website:	Official Legislature Page
Leadership
Senate President:	Ben Albritton (R)
House Speaker:	Daniel Anthony Perez (R)
Majority Leader:	Senate:Jim Boyd (R) House:Tyler Sirois (R)
Minority Leader:	Senate:Lori Berman (D) House:Fentrice Driskell (D)
Structure
Members:	40 (Senate), 120 (House)
Length of term:	4 years (Senate),2 years (House)
Authority:	Art I, Section 1, Florida Constitution
Salary:	$29,697/year + per diem
Elections
Last election:	November 5, 2024
Next election:	November 3, 2026
Redistricting:	Florida Legislature has control

TheFlorida State Legislature is thestate legislature ofFlorida. TheFlorida Constitution mandates abicameral state legislature with an upper house, theFlorida State Senate, and alower house, theFlorida House of Representatives. Due toterm limits, House members may be elected for up to four terms (eight years), while State Senators can be elected for up to two terms (eight years).

The two houses convene within the Florida State Capitol complex in Tallahassee.

The Florida Legislature is a part-time body, meeting only 60 day regular sessions annually with the possibility of special sessions as needed. Outside of these regular sessions, the members of both houses participate in hearings, town hall meetings and legislative discussions throughout the year.

Florida has a Republicantrifecta. The Republican Party controls the office of governor and both chambers of the state legislature.

See also:Florida House of Representatives,Florida State Senate,Florida Governor

Senate

The Florida Senate is the upper house of the Florida State Legislature. There are 40 members in the senate. Generally, Senators in odd-numbered districts are elected in years divisible by four (in tandem with U.S. Presidential elections), and Senators in even-numbered districts are elected alongside elections for Florida's statewide offices. In years ending in the digit 2, all Senators are up for re-election. Thus, odd-number district Senators were elected to two-year terms in 2002, and even-number district Senators will be elected to two-year terms in 2012.

As of the 2020 Census, Florida state senators represented an average of539,263 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented472,519 residents.

Florida Senate districts are both organized by population over geographic areas. Although there are exactly three times as many members of the House (120) as in the Senate (40), the Senate districts do not consist of three Representative districts; the boundaries are independent.

Click here for a list of members of this chamber.

Republicans won control of the Florida State Senate in 1994. In2024, they won a 28-12 majority.

The table below shows the partisan history of the Florida Senate following every general election from 1992 to 2024. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin'sParty Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.

Before 1992

Democrats had controlled the Florida State Senate since the 1876 elections, which came in the aftermath of the Civil War and Reconstruction.

House of Representatives

The Florida House of Representatives is thelower house of the Florida State Legislature. It is composed of 120 members, each representing a district.

As of the 2020 Census, Florida state representatives represented an average of179,754 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented157,506 residents.

Representatives are elected to two-year terms during even-numbered years. Once elected, representatives are limited to four terms.

The entire Florida Legislature meets every year in a session beginning on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in March and lasting 60 calendar days. Special sessions may be called either by the Governor or by the leaders of both chambers acting jointly.

The Speaker of the House is elected by the representatives for a two-year term. The Speaker has the power to preside over the chamber during a 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.

Click here for a list of members of this chamber.

Republicans won control of the Florida House of Representatives in 1996. In2024, they won an 85-35 majority.

The table below shows the partisan history of the Florida House following every general election from 1992 to 2024. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin'sParty Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.

Before 1992

Before 1996, Democrats had controlled the Florida House of Representatives since the 1874 elections, which came in the aftermath of the Civil War and Reconstruction.

Elections

2026

See also:Florida State Senate elections, 2026 andFlorida House of Representatives elections, 2026

Elections for theFlorida State Senate will take place in 2026. The general election is onNovember 3, 2026. The primary isAugust 18, 2026. The filing deadline isJune 12, 2026.

Elections for theFlorida House of Representatives will take place in 2026. The general election is onNovember 3, 2026. The primary isAugust 18, 2026. The filing deadline isJune 12, 2026.

2024

See also:Florida State Senate elections, 2024 andFlorida House of Representatives elections, 2024

Elections for theFlorida State Senate took place in 2024. The general election was onNovember 5, 2024. The primary wasAugust 20, 2024. The filing deadline wasJune 14, 2024.

Elections for theFlorida House of Representatives took place in 2024. The general election was onNovember 5, 2024. The primary wasAugust 20, 2024. The filing deadline wasJune 14, 2024.

2022

See also:Florida State Senate elections, 2022 andFlorida House of Representatives elections, 2022

Elections for theFlorida State Senate took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for August 23, 2022. The filing deadline was June 17, 2022.

Elections for theFlorida House of Representatives took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for August 23, 2022. The filing deadline was June 17, 2022.

2020

See also:Florida State Senate elections, 2020 andFlorida House of Representatives elections, 2020

Elections for the office ofFlorida State Senate took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for August 18, 2020. The filing deadline was June 12, 2020.

Elections for the office ofFlorida House of Representatives took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for August 18, 2020. The filing deadline was June 12, 2020.

In the 2020 elections, Republicans increased their majority in the Florida House of Representatives from 71-46 with three vacancies to 78-42.

2018

See also:Florida State Senate elections, 2018 andFlorida House of Representatives elections, 2018

Elections for theFlorida State Senate took place in 2018. Aclosed primary election took place on August 28, 2018.^[1] The general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline wasJune 22, 2018.^[2]

Elections for theFlorida House of Representatives took place in 2018. Aclosed primary election took place on August 28, 2018.^[3] The general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline wasJune 22, 2018.^[4]

2016

See also:Florida State Senate elections, 2016 andFlorida House of Representatives elections, 2016

Elections for theFlorida State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election took place on August 30, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was June 24, 2016.

Elections for theFlorida House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election took place on August 30, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was June 24, 2016.

2014

See also:Florida State Senate elections, 2014 andFlorida House of Representatives elections, 2014

Elections for theFlorida State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on August 26, 2014. The general election was held onNovember 4, 2014. Thesignature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was June 20, 2014.

Elections for theFlorida House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on August 26, 2014. The general election was held onNovember 4, 2014. Thesignature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was June 20, 2014.

2012

See also:Florida State Senate elections, 2012 andFlorida House of Representatives elections, 2012

Elections for the office of Florida State Senate took place in 2012. The primary election was held on August 14, 2012, and the general election was held onNovember 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was May 7, 2012.

Elections for the office of Florida House of Representatives took place in 2012. The primary election was held on August 14, 2012, and the general election was held onNovember 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was May 7, 2012.

2010

See also:Florida State Senate elections, 2010 andFlorida House of Representatives elections, 2010

Elections for the office of Florida State Senate took place in 2010. The primary election was held on August 24, 2010, and the general election was held onNovember 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was April 30, 2010.

Elections for the office of Florida House of Representatives took place in 2010. The primary election was held on August 24, 2010, and the general election was held onNovember 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was April 30, 2010.

Sessions

Article III of the Florida Constitution establishes when the Legislature is to be in session. Section 3 of Article III states that the regular session of the Legislature is to convene on the second Tuesday after the first Monday in March of each odd-numbered year and on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in January of each even-numbered year. Regular sessions of the Legislature are not to exceed sixty days, unless extended by a three-fifths vote of each house.

Section 3 also allows for the convening of special sessions, either by the proclamation of thegovernor of Florida or as otherwise provided by law.

2025

See also:2025 Florida legislative session andDates of 2025 state legislative sessions

In 2025, the legislature was scheduled to convene on March 4, 2025, and adjourn on June 16, 2025.

Click [show] for past years' session dates.

2024 See also:2024 Florida legislative session andDates of 2024 state legislative sessions In 2024, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 9, 2024, and adjourn on March 8, 2024. 2023 See also:2023 Florida legislative session andDates of 2023 state legislative sessions In 2023, the legislature was scheduled to convene on March 7, 2023, and adjourn on May 5, 2023. 2022 See also:2022 Florida legislative session andDates of 2022 state legislative sessions In 2022, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 11, 2022, and adjourn on March 14, 2022. 2021 See also:2021 Florida legislative session andDates of 2021 state legislative sessions In 2021, the legislature was scheduled to convene on March 2, 2021, and adjourn on April 30, 2021. 2020 See also:2020 Florida legislative session andDates of 2020 state legislative sessions In 2020, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 14, 2020, and adjourn on March 19, 2020. Effect of coronavirus pandemic See also:Changes to state legislative session dates in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020 Coronavirus pandemic Select a topic from the dropdown below to learn more. Political responses overviewState reopening plansDocumenting America's Path to RecoveryElection changesChanges to vote-by-mail and absentee voting proceduresFederal responsesState responsesState executive ordersStay-at-home ordersMultistate agreementsNon-governmental reopening plansEvictions and foreclosures policiesTravel restrictionsEnacted state legislationState legislative session changesSchool closuresState court closuresInmate releasesLocal government responsesDiagnosed or quarantined politiciansBallot measure changesArguments about government responsesThe 1918 influenza pandemicPandemic Response Accountability CommitteeUnemployment filingsLawsuitsBallotpedia's polling on the coronavirus pandemicSubmit Several state legislatures had their sessions impacted as a result of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. No modifications to state legislative activity in Florida were made. 2019 See also:2019 Florida legislative session andDates of 2019 state legislative sessions In 2019, the legislature was in session from March 5, 2019, through May 3, 2019. 2018 See also:2018 Florida legislative session andDates of 2018 state legislative sessions In 2018, the legislature was in session from January 9, 2018, through March 11, 2018. To read about notable events and legislation from this session, clickhere. 2017 See also:Dates of 2017 state legislative sessions In 2017, the legislature was in session from March 7, 2017, through May 8, 2017. The legislature held a special session from June 7, 2017, to June 9, 2017. 2016 See also:Dates of 2016 state legislative sessions In 2016, the legislature was in session from January 12 through March 11. 2015 See also:Dates of 2015 state legislative sessions In 2015, the legislature was in session from March 3 through May 1. The first special session was held from June 1 to June 19. The second special session was held from August 10 to August 21. A third special session was held from October 19 to November 5.[5] Major issues in 2015 Major issues during the 2015 legislative session includedGov. Rick Scott's (R) proposed $77 billion annual budget, water quality, and the use of testing to evaluate students across the state.[6] 2014 See also:Dates of 2014 state legislative sessions In 2014, the legislature was in session from March 3 through May 5. Major issues in 2014 Major issues during the 2014 legislative session included creating a new budget using an $850 million surplus, a package of $500 million in tax cuts called for by the governor,Common Core, and Medicaid expansion.[7] The legislature approved several bills, including legislation that would provide stand your grand immunity for people that fire warning shots, the legalization of non-euphoric medical marijuana, and allowing students born to undocumented immigrants to receive in-state tuition rates at state universities and colleges.[8] On May 2, 2014, legislators approved a $77 billion state budget which increased spending on schools, child welfare, and the cleanup of damaged water bodies. The budget included a 5 percent raise for state law-enforcement officers and an increase for some working in the judiciary. Critics of the budget argued that the budget should have included raises for a much larger portion of state workers.[9][10] 2013 See also:Dates of 2013 state legislative sessions In 2013, the legislature was in session from March 5 to May 3. Major issues in 2013 Major issues during the 2013 legislative session included ethics and election reforms, gambling laws, Medicaid, sales tax, and unmanned drone use by law enforcement.[11][12] 2012 See also:Dates of 2012 state legislative sessions In 2012, the Legislature wasin session from January 10 through March 9. 2011 See also:Dates of 2011 state legislative sessions In 2011, the legislature was in session from March 8 through May 6. Session highlights In 2011, the legislature reduced government spending and avoided raising taxes. Spending was reduced by $1 billion from the previous year, and $4 billion less than in 2006. Florida also removed 14,000 businesses from corporate tax income rolls. Areas that spending was cut included education and social programs. The legislature removed funding from a veteran's homeless support group, reduced payments to social workers by 15 percent, and spent $2.5 billion less on education than the previous year.[13] 2010 See also:Dates of 2010 state legislative sessions In 2010, the legislature was in session from March 2nd to April 30th.

Role in state budget

See also:Florida state budget and finances

The state operates on an annual budget cycle. The sequence of key events in the budget process is as follows:^[14]

1. InJune orJuly, thegovernor sends budget instructions to state agencies.
2. InSeptember orOctober, agencies submit their budget requests to the governor.
3. Budget hearings are held with the public fromOctober through February.
4. The governor submits his or her proposed budget to thestate legislature30 days before the legislature convenes.
5. The legislature adopts a budget inMarch,April, orMay, effective for the fiscal year beginning onJuly 1. A simple majority is required to pass a budget.

The governor is statutorily required to submit a balanced budget to the legislature. In turn, the legislature must pass a balanced budget, and any budget signed into law by the governor must be balanced.^[14]

Florida is one of 44 states in which the governor hasline item veto authority.^[14][15]

Florida budgets three major funds: the General Fund, the Major Special Revenue Fund, and the Special Revenue Fund. Both the Major Special Revenue Fund and the Special Revenue Fund are composed of lesser funds. The Major Special Revenue Fund is composed of three lesser funds, and the Special Revenue Fund is composed of about 19 to 20 lesser funds.^[16]

Redistricting

See also:Redistricting in Florida

In Florida, both congressional and state legislative district lines are drawn by the state legislature. Congressional lines are adopted as regular legislation and are subject to gubernatorial veto. State legislative lines are passed via joint resolution and are not subject to gubernatorial veto. State legislative district maps are automatically submitted to theFlorida Supreme Court for approval. In the event that the court rejects the lines, the legislature is given a second chance to draft a plan. If the legislature cannot approve a state legislative redistricting plan, the stateattorney general must ask the state supreme court to draft a plan. There are no similar procedures in place for congressional districts.^[17]

TheFlorida Constitution requires that all districts, whether congressional or state legislative, be contiguous. Also, "where doing so does not conflict with minority rights, [districts] must be compact and utilize existing political and geographical boundaries where feasible." Districts cannot be drawn in such a way as to "favor or disfavor a political party or incumbent."^[17][18]

2020

See also:Redistricting in Florida after the 2020 census

On March 3, 2022, theFlorida Supreme Court approved new legislative maps drawn by theFlorida State Legislature. These maps took effect for Florida's 2022 legislative elections.

The maps were passed by the legislature as a joint resolution. TheFlorida State Senate voted 34-3 to approve the bill on January 20, and theFlorida House of Representatives voted 77-39 to approve the bill on February 2.^[19] Since the maps were passed as a joint resolution, they did not require the signature of Gov.Ron DeSantis (R) to become law. After the legislature approved the maps, they submitted them to Attorney GeneralAshley B. Moody (R), who then petitioned the Florida Supreme Court to review the maps on February 9.^[20][21]

2010

See also:Redistricting in Florida after the 2010 census

Florida received its 2010 local census data on March 16, 2011. The state population increased by 2.8 million residents, or 17.6 percent.^[22] Going into redistricting, it was clear thatAmendment 5, passed by voters in 2010, was going to have a major impact on the process. Amendment 5 established that legislative district boundaries had to be drawn in such ways that they establish "fairness," are "as equal in population as feasible" and use "city, county and geographical boundaries."^[23]

The Senate and House redistricting committees introduced draft maps for their respective chambers in early December 2011.^[24] The maps for both chambers were easily passed by early February and then moved on to thestate Supreme Court for approval. On March 10, theFlorida Supreme Court issued a 234-page decision rejecting the state’s new Senate maps, while upholding the new state House districts and providing extensive interpretation of the state's2010 redistricting reform amendment. The Court found eight districts unconstitutional and also ruled that district numbers had been assigned as to favor particular incumbents over others.^[25]

The Legislature went back to work on the map, modifying 24 districts. The plan was then sent back to the Court, who approved it on April 27. Three days later it was approved by theU.S. Department of Justice.^[26]

Legislators

Salaries

See also:Comparison of state legislative salaries

When sworn in

See also:When state legislators assume office after a general election

Florida legislators assume office on the day they are elected in the general election.^[28]

Leaders

The House is headed by the Speaker, while the Senate is headed by the President. The House Speaker and Senate President the assignment of committees and leadership positions, along with control of the agenda in their chambers. The two leaders are considered powerful statewide leaders and along with theGovernor of Florida control most of the agenda of state business in Florida.

Senate

• President of the Senate:Vacant (R)
• Presidentpro tempore of the Senate:Vacant (R)
• Majority Leader of the Senate:Bill Galvano (R)
• Minority Leader of the Senate:Vacant (D)

House

• Speaker of the House:Vacant (R)
• Majority Leader of the House:Vacant (R)
• Minority Leader of the House:Vacant (D)

District maps

State Senate

State House

Veto overrides

See also:Veto overrides in state legislatures

State legislatures can override governors' vetoes. Depending on the state, this can be done during the regular legislative session, in a special session following the adjournment of the regular session, or during the next legislative session. The rules for legislative overrides of gubernatorial vetoes in Florida are listed below.

How many legislators are required to vote for an override? Two-thirds of members present in both chambers.

How can vetoes be overridden after the legislature has adjourned?

Authority:Article III, Section 8 of theFlorida Constitution.

History

Partisan balance 1992-2013

See also:Ballotpedia:Who Runs the States andBallotpedia:Who Runs the States, Florida

Partisan breakdown of the Florida legislature from 1992-2013

Florida State Senate:From 1992-2013, the Republican Party was the majority in the Florida State Senate for the last 19 years while the Democrats were the majority for one year. The Florida State Senate is one of 13 state senates that was Republican for more than 80 percent of the years between 1992-2013. During the final three years of the study, Florida was under Republicantrifectas.

Across the country, there were 541 Democratic and 517 Republican state senates from 1992 to 2013.

Florida State House of Representatives:From 1992-2013, the Republican Party was the majority in the Florida State House of Representatives for the last 17 years while the Democrats were the majority for five years. During the final three years of the study, Florida was under Republicantrifectas.

Across the country, there were 577 Democratic and 483 Republican State Houses of Representatives from 1992 to 2013.

Over the course of the 22-year study, state governments became increasingly more partisan. At the outset of the study period (1992), 18 of the 49 states with partisan legislatures had single-party trifectas and 31 states had divided governments. In 2013, only 13 states had divided governments, while single-party trifectas held sway in 36 states, the most in the 22 years studied.

The chart below shows the partisan composition of theOffice of the Governor of Florida, theFlorida State Senate and theFlorida House of Representatives from 1992 to 2013.

SQLI and partisanship

To read the full report on theState Quality of Life Index (SQLI) in PDF form, clickhere.

The chart below depicts the partisanship of the Florida state government and the state's SQLI ranking for the years studied. For the SQLI, the states were ranked from 1-50, with 1 being the best and 50 the worst. During the years studied, Florida achieved place in the top-10 in only one year (2007). The state had one Democratic trifecta in 1992, while it has had a Republican trifecta for a total of fourteen years. Florida’s most precipitous drop in the SQLI ranking occurred between 2007 and 2008, when the state dropped from 8th to 19th. Florida also experienced a significant drop in the ranking between 2009 and 2010.

• SQLI average with Democratic trifecta: 29.00
• SQLI average with Republican trifecta: 19.00
• SQLI average with divided government: 29.71

Chart displaying the partisanship of Florida government from 1992-2013 and the State Quality of Life Index (SQLI).

Joint committees

See also:Public policy in Florida

• Joint Administrative Procedures
• Joint Committee on Public Counsel Oversight
• Joint Legislative Auditing
• Joint Legislative Budget
• Collective Bargaining Committee

Constitutional amendments

In every state but Delaware, voter approval is required to enact a constitutional amendment. In each state, the legislature has a process forreferring constitutional amendments before voters. In 18 states,initiated constitutional amendments can be put on the ballot through a signature petition drive. There are alsomany other types of statewide measures.

The methods in which the Florida Constitution can be amended:

See also:Article XI of the Florida Constitution andLaws governing ballot measures in Florida

TheFlorida Constitution provides five mechanisms for amending the state's constitution—a citizen-initiated process, a legislative process, a state constitutional convention process, and a commission-referral process with two commissions that have the power to refer amendments. Florida requires 60% supermajority vote for voters to approve constitutional amendments.

Article XI of the Florida Constitution provides for amendments to the constitution.

Initiative

See also:Initiated constitutional amendment

Aninitiated constitutional amendment is acitizen-initiated ballot measure that amends astate's constitution. Eighteen (18) states allow citizens to initiate constitutional amendments.

In Florida, thenumber of signatures required for an initiated constitutional amendment is equal to 8% of the votes cast in the last presidential election. Proponents must obtain signatures equaling at least 8% of the district-wide vote in the most recent presidential election in at least half (14) of the state's 27 congressional districts. A 60% vote is required for voter approval. In 2006, voters passed anamendment for the 60% vote requirement.

Legislature

See also:Legislatively referred constitutional amendment

A 60% vote is required during one legislative session for theFlorida State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 72 votes in theFlorida House of Representatives and 24 votes in theFlorida State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot. Amendments on the ballot must be approved by 60% of voters to pass.

Convention

See also:Convention-referred constitutional amendment

According toSection 4 of Article XI of theFlorida Constitution, a constitutional convention can be called through an initiative petition. Proponents must collect signatures equal to 15% of the total number of votes cast in the last presidential election.

Commission-referred constitutional amendments

See also:Commission-referred ballot measure

According toArticle XI of theFlorida Constitution, theFlorida Constitution Revision Commission can refer constitutional amendments to the ballot. The Constitution Revision Commission convenes every 20 years, beginning in 1977. TheFlorida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission is also empowered to refer constitutional amendments related to taxation and the state budget to the ballot. The Taxation and Budget Reform Commission convenes every 20 years beginning in 2007. Florida is the only state with commissions empowered to refer constitutional amendments to the ballot.

See also

Elections	Florida State Government	State Legislatures	State Politics
Florida elections, 2024 Florida elections, 2022 Florida elections, 2020 Florida elections, 2018	Florida State Senate Florida House of Representatives Governor of Florida Florida Supreme Court	State legislative elections:2025,2024,2023,2022,2021,2020,2019, and2018	State government trifectas State government triplexes State executives State courts Ballot measures The State Legislative Decade

External links

• Florida Legislature

Footnotes