Cecily Zamora
The governor of Florida does not create laws in a vacuum; instead, they work in tandem with the state's legislative branch. The Florida Legislature meets annually for 60 days to discuss and debate bills filed by Representatives and Senators. These bills are assigned to committees for further review and discussion before being brought before the entire chamber of the House and Senate. If a bill is passed by both houses, it is then sent to the Governor for approval and signature. This process demonstrates the checks and balances in place for law-making in Florida, ensuring that the Governor cannot unilaterally impose laws on the state's residents.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who can file a bill? | Representatives and Senators |
| How often does the Florida Legislature meet? | Once a year for 60 days |
| What happens when a bill is filed? | It is referred to several committees to be reviewed by smaller groups of members |
| What happens after the committee process? | The bill is brought before the entire chamber of the House and Senate |
| What are the options for the committees when considering a bill? | They can approve the bill |
| What happens after a bill is passed by both houses? | It is prepared as an act for signature by the Governor |
| Can the Governor veto a bill? | Yes |
| Can the Governor pass a bill without the Legislature? | No |
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What You'll Learn
The Florida governor's role in making laws
The Florida governor plays a crucial role in the lawmaking process in the state. While the Florida Constitution establishes the powers and duties of the Florida Senate, with the Legislative Branch holding exclusive lawmaking power, the governor has significant influence and is a key part of the process for a bill to become a law.
The Florida Legislature meets once a year for up to 60 days to address the state's needs. Bills are filed by Representatives and Senators for consideration during the session. These bills are then referred to committees for review and discussion, where amendments can be made. After passing through committees, the bill is brought before the entire chamber of the House and Senate. If the bill is passed by both houses, it is then sent to the Governor for approval.
The Governor can approve the bill, in which case it becomes a law, or they can veto it. If vetoed, the bill does not become law unless the Legislature votes to override the veto by a three-fifths majority in each house. This showcases the power the Governor holds in the lawmaking process, being able to halt a bill in its tracks.
Additionally, the Governor can propose policies and influence the legislative agenda. For example, Governor Ron DeSantis put forward a proposal to the state Board of Education to expand the 'Don't Say Gay' classroom ban to all grades. The board, which is appointed by the Governor, approved the proposal, and the Legislature put it into law. DeSantis has also signed bills into law, such as the controversial 'Constitutional Carry' law, which allows anyone who can legally own a gun in Florida to carry one without a permit.
In summary, while the Florida Legislature initiates and debates bills, the Governor plays a critical role in the lawmaking process. They can approve or veto bills, propose policies, and influence the legislative agenda, ultimately shaping the laws that govern the state.
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The Florida Legislature's process of creating laws
The Florida Legislature meets annually for 60 days to discuss and address the needs of the state and its population of over 21.3 million people. During this legislative session, bills are filed by Representatives and Senators for consideration.
When a bill is filed, it is referred to multiple committees for review by smaller groups of members. The bill is then discussed, debated, and amendments can be made. This process allows the idea to be thoroughly vetted by legislators, the public, and those specific people the bill will affect. After passing out of committee, the bill is brought before the entire chamber of the House and Senate. Committees can choose to approve the bill, or pass it on to the full house for a vote.
The full house then votes on the bill, and if it passes in one house, it is sent to the other house for review. The bill goes through the same process in the second house as it did in the first. A bill can go back and forth between houses until a consensus is reached.
For example, Governor Ron DeSantis has signed several bills into law, including those concerning abortion, gun control, and education.
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The governor's power to veto bills
The governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis, has the power to veto bills. This was demonstrated by DeSantis when he vetoed a bill, choosing to sign off on ten others.
DeSantis has signed several bills into law, including those concerning abortion, guns, and LGBTQ+ rights. DeSantis has also been accused of waging a "targeted campaign of government retaliation" by Disney, which he allegedly targeted with bills increasing state oversight after the company opposed the sexual orientation and gender identity law.
DeSantis has been able to push through an aggressive agenda with the help of GOP supermajorities in the state house, forming the base of his 2024 presidential campaign. An example of this is the bill he signed banning abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, which will only take effect if the state's current 15-week ban is upheld in an ongoing legal challenge before the state Supreme Court.
Another example of DeSantis' legislative influence is the bill he signed into law that allows anyone who can legally own a gun in Florida to carry one without a permit, removing the requirements for training and background checks to carry concealed guns in public.
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The governor's influence on the state budget
The governor of Florida has a significant influence on the state budget. The state budget, known as the General Appropriations Act, must be balanced and is the only bill that legislators are required to pass each year. The governor is responsible for submitting this balanced budget to the legislature, which then passes its own budget, which the governor must also approve.
The process begins with the governor sending budget instructions to state agencies in June or July. In September or October, agencies submit their budget requests to the governor. The governor then makes a budget recommendation, which must be submitted at least 30 days before the legislative session. This recommendation serves as an important starting point for the Florida House of Representatives and the Florida Senate as they develop their own proposed budgets.
The governor's budget recommendation for the State Fiscal Year 2023-24 totalled approximately $114.8 billion, a 2.39% increase from the 2022 General Appropriations Act. This included funding for various programs and initiatives, such as beach management, resiliency, and pension funding. The governor's budget also included recommendations for employer contribution rates for the Florida Retirement System.
The Florida House and Senate then craft their own budget bills, which are passed to the governor for review and approval. The governor has 15 days to sign the budget bill and can exercise line-item vetoes to cancel specific funding allocations. A two-thirds majority vote is required to overturn any vetoed items.
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The governor's ability to propose and sign bills into law
The governor of Florida does not create laws, but they do have the power to propose and sign bills into law. The Florida Legislature, which consists of the House and the Senate, meets once a year for up to 60 days to address the state's needs. During this session, bills are filed by Representatives and Senators for consideration. The bills are then referred to several committees to be reviewed and discussed, allowing for amendments and changes. After passing through committees, the bill is brought before the entire chamber of the House and Senate. If the bill is approved by both houses, it is then sent to the Governor for approval. If the Governor approves the bill, it becomes law.
The governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis, has signed several bills into law, including those concerning abortion, gun control, and education. For example, DeSantis signed a bill banning abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, although it will only take effect if the current 15-week ban is upheld by the state Supreme Court. DeSantis has also signed a bill that allows anyone who can legally own a gun in Florida to carry one without a permit, eliminating the requirement for training and background checks for concealed guns in public.
In the field of education, DeSantis has put forward proposals to the state Board of Education, such as expanding the "Don't Say Gay" classroom ban to all grades. The board, which is appointed by DeSantis, approved the proposal, and the Legislature enacted it into law. Additionally, DeSantis signed a bill that prevents school staff and students from being required to refer to people by pronouns that do not correspond to their sex, barring school employees from inquiring about students' pronoun preferences.
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Frequently asked questions
The Florida governor cannot make laws alone. The Legislative Branch, as defined in the Constitution, has exclusive lawmaking power. Legislators propose bills which, if passed favorably by both houses and approved by the Governor, become law.
Bills are filed by Representatives and Senators for consideration during the legislative session. When a bill is filed, it is referred to several committees to be reviewed and debated. After passing out of committees, the bill is brought before the entire chamber of the House and Senate. If it passes both houses, it is prepared as an act for the Governor's signature.
The Florida Legislature meets once a year for up to 60 consecutive days. In a special session, they can meet for up to 20 consecutive days unless an extension is voted for.
Yes, the Governor can veto bills. If a bill is vetoed by the Governor, it does not become a law.
The current Florida governor, Ron DeSantis, has passed laws on gun control, abortion, education, and LGBTQ+ rights.
