New Florida Constitution Revision Commission sworn in

Tallahassee: New Florida Constitution Revision Commission sworn in

Once every 20 years, a group called the Constitution Revision Commission is created to suggest changes in the fundamental law of the Sunshine State.

The Constitution Revision Commission is a group of 37 people who will review and recommend changes to Florida’s Constitution.

They held their first meeting Monday and Supreme Court Chief Justice Jorge LaBarga urged them to exercise restraint

And if they do recommend changes, Senate President Joe Negron says the commission should put people first.

The commission will hold hearings across the state before suggesting amendments that will appear on the ballot in November of 2018.

Jeff Woodburn, currently Governor Rick Scott’s Policy Director, will serve as the executive director for the commission. The executive director is responsible for serving the chairman of the CRC and organizing the work of the commission, including the coordination of public meetings and the facilitation of the commission’s agenda.

Rick Scott appointment businessman Carlos Beruff as the commission’s chair.

Senator Joe Negron appointed:

Don Gaetz Okaloosa County
Anna Marie Hernandez Gamez Miami
Patricia Levesque Tallahassee
Sherry Plymale Martin County
William “Bill” Schifino, Jr. Hillsborough County
Chris Smith Broward County
Bob Solari Indian RIver County
Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch Martin County
Carolyn Timmann Martin County

Rick Scott appointed:

Dr. Jose “Pepe” Armas – Miami
Lisa Carlton – Sarasota
Timothy Cerio – Tallahassee
Emery Gainey – Tallahassee
Brecht Heuchan – Tallahassee
Marva Johnson – Winter Garden
Darlene Jordan – Palm Beach
Fred Karlinsky – Weston
Belinda Keiser – Parkland
Frank Kruppenbacher – Orlando
Dr. Gary Lester – The Villages
Jimmy Patronis – Panama City
Pam Stewart – Tallahassee
Nicole Washington – Miami Beach

House Speaker Richard Corcoran appointed:

Rep. Jose Felix Diaz, Miami
Rep. Jeannette Nunez, Miami
Sen. Tom Lee, Brandon
Sen. Darryl Rouson, St. Petersburg
Rich Newsome, Orlando
John Stemberger, Orlando
Erika Donalds, Naples
Chris Nocco, Pasco County
Chris Sprowls, Palm Harbor

Florida Chief Justice Jorge Labarga

Hank Coxe of Jacksonville

Arthenia Joyner of Tampa

 Roberto Martinez of Coral Gables

Constitutional Amendment Timeline Article XI Amendments

2017:

February 5, 2017 – Within 30 days of the convening of the 2017 Regular Legislative Session (March 7, 2017), the Constitution Revision Commission shall be established. It shall be composed of the Attorney General, 15 members selected by the Governor, 9 members selected by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, 9 members selected by the President of the Senate, and 3 members selected by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. (Art. XI, § 2(a)). The Governor designates the chair (Art. XI, § 2(b)).
Each Constitution Revision Commission shall convene at the call of the chair, adopt its rules of procedure, examine the constitution, hold public hearings, and file its proposals, if any, with the Secretary of State. (Art. XI, § 2(c)).

March 7, 2017 – May 5, 2017 – Regular Legislative Session
Any proposed amendment of a section or revision of one or more articles or the whole constitution must be proposed by a joint resolution approved by 3/5 of the membership of each house of the Legislature. (Art. XI, § 1).

Any proposal to amend the constitution must be submitted to the electors at the next General Election that is held more than 90 days after the proposal is filed with the Secretary of State. However, a single amendment or revision may be submitted at a special election held at least 90 days after the proposal is filed if authorized by law enacted by 3/4 of the membership of each house of the Legislature. (Art. XI, § 5(a)).

March 20, 2017 – First organizational meeting

2018:

January 9, 2018 – March 9, 2018 – Regular Legislative Session (ch. 2016-218, Laws of Florida).

May 10, 2018 – Not later than 180 days before the General Election, any proposals to revise the constitution by the Constitution Revision Commission must be filed with the Secretary of State (Art. XI, § 2(c)).

November 6, 2018 – A General Election shall be held in each county on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of each even-numbered year (Art. VI, § 5(a)).

January 8, 2019 – If a proposed amendment or revision of the constitution is approved by at least 60% of the electors voting on the measure and, unless another date is specified in the amendment or revision, the amendment shall be effective on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in January following the General Election. (Art. XI, § 5(e)).

 

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