FAQ - The Florida Senate

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elect officers?</a></li> <li><a href="#Question4">How can I tell the difference between a House and a Senate bill?</a></li> <li><a href="#Question5">What is the difference between an engrossed bill and an enrolled bill?</a></li> <li><a href="#Question6">What is a linked bill?</a></li> <li><a href="#Question7">What is a companion bill?</a></li> <li><a href="#Question8">What is a message and what does the action "In Messages" mean?</a></li> <li><a href="#9">How often is bill information updated on Flsenate.gov?</a></li> <li><a href="#10">How can I search for a bill on Flsenate.gov?</a></li> <li><a href="#Question11">How do I track a bill?</a></li> <li><a href="#Question12">Where can I find amendments for a particular bill?</a></li> <li><a href="#Question13">What does it mean when text in a bill or an amendment is underlined or stricken?</a></li> <li><a href="#Question14">How do I find all bills introduced or co-introduced by a Senator?</a></li> <li><a href="#Question15">How can I identify my state Senator or Representative?</a></li> <li><a href="#Question16">How can I contact my state Senator?</a></li> <li><a href="#Question17">Where can I find how a Senator voted on a bill?</a></li> <li><a href="#Question18">What is the Journal?</a></li> <li><a href="#Question19">What is the deadline for the Governor to sign or veto an act?</a></li> <li><a href="#Question20">What happens when the Governor vetoes an act?</a></li> </ol> <p id="Question1"><strong>1. When does the regular legislative session begin?</strong></p> <p>The regular legislative session begins on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in March of each odd-numbered year, and on the second Tuesday after the first Monday in January of each even-numbered year. For more information, see <a href="https://flsenate.gov/Laws/Constitution#A3S03">Article III, section 3 of the Florida Constitution</a>.</p> <p><a href="#questions">Return to Question List</a></p> <p id="Question2"><strong>2. How many days does the Legislature meet for session?</strong></p> <p>The Legislature meets in regular session for no more than 60 consecutive days, and in a special session for no more than 20 consecutive days, unless each house votes for an extension by an <a href="https://www.flsenate.gov/Reference/Glossary#V">extraordinary vote</a> of three-fifths.</p> <p><a href="#questions">Return to Question List</a></p> <p id="Question3"><strong>3. How often do the houses elect officers?</strong></p> <p>In November of each even-numbered year, the Legislature convenes for the sole purpose of organizing each <a href="https://flsenate.gov/Reference/Glossary#H">house</a>.  At this organization session, held fourteen days after the general election, members are sworn in, officers are elected, and rules are adopted.</p> <p><a href="#questions">Return to Question List</a></p> <p id="Question4"><strong>4. How can I tell the difference between a House and a Senate bill?</strong></p> <p>House <a href="https://www.flsenate.gov/Reference/Glossary#B">bills</a> receive odd numbers (1, 3, 5, …) and are prefixed by "H" or "HB"; Senate bills receive even numbers (2, 4, 6, ...) and are prefixed by "S" or "SB."</p> <p><a href="#questions">Return to Question List</a></p> <p id="Question5"><strong>5. What is the difference between an engrossed bill and an enrolled bill?  </strong></p> <p>An engrossed bill is a bill that has been amended on the floor. Adopted amendments are incorporated into the bill’s text to create a new version of the bill. A bill may be engrossed more than once.</p> <p>An enrolled bill, which may or may not have been engrossed, is a bill that has passed both houses of the Legislature. After passage, the bill is prepared as an <a href="https://www.flsenate.gov/Reference/Glossary#A">act</a> for signature by the legislative officers and presentation to the Governor or transmittal to the Secretary of State, as applicable.</p> <p><a href="#questions">Return to Question List</a></p> <p id="Question6"><strong>6. What is a linked bill?</strong></p> <p>A bill that is contingent upon passage of another bill. A trust fund bill, a bill providing a public record exemption, or an implementing bill may be a linked bill<strong>.</strong></p> <p><a href="#questions">Return to Question List</a></p> <p id="Question7"><strong>7. What is a companion bill?</strong></p> <p>A bill that is introduced in one house and is substantially the same and identical to the specific intent and purpose of a bill introduced in the other house.</p> <p><a href="#questions">Return to Question List</a></p> <p id="Question8"><strong>8. What is a message and what does the action "In Messages" mean?</strong></p> <p>When a bill is transmitted from one house to another house, the bill is accompanied by a <a href="https://www.flsenate.gov/Reference/Glossary#M">message</a> stating the action that was taken on the bill by one house and requesting the other house to act. In <a href="https://www.flsenate.gov/Reference/Glossary#B">Bill History</a>, the action "In Messages" indicates that a bill has been acted on by one house and transmitted to the other house for consideration.</p> <p><a href="#questions">Return to Question List</a></p> <p id="Question9"><strong><a id="9" name="9"></a>9. How often is bill information updated on Flsenate.gov?</strong></p> <p>Bill information is continually updated on Flsenate.gov.</p> <p><a href="#questions">Return to Question List</a></p> <p id="Question10"><strong><a id="10" name="10"></a>10.  How can I search for a bill on Flsenate.gov?</strong></p> <ul> <li>Use the “Go to Bill” search, if you know the bill number and relevant session:</li> <li style="margin-left: 40px;">Type the bill’s number in the "Go to Bill" box at the top of your screen;</li> <li style="margin-left: 40px;">Select the appropriate session from the adjacent dropdown menu; and</li> <li style="margin-left: 40px;">Click the "Go" button.</li> <li>Using the <a href="https://flsenate.gov/Session/Bills/2025">Bill List page</a>:</li> <li style="margin-left: 40px;">Click on Bills under the Session navigation tab on the top navigation bar;</li> <li style="margin-left: 40px;">Enter any information known about the bill (see <a href="https://www.flsenate.gov/Search/BillSearchTips">Bill Search Tips</a> for more information on advanced search features and functions); and</li> <li style="margin-left: 40px;">Click Search.</li> </ul> <p>To search throughout Flsenate.gov, simply type your query into the “Search Site” box at the top of your screen. (See <a href="https://www.flsenate.gov/Search/BillSearchTips">Bill Search Tips</a> on ways to refine your search).</p> <p><a href="#questions">Return to Question List</a></p> <p id="Question11"><strong>11. How do I track a bill?</strong></p> <p>Flsenate.gov makes it easy to track a bill as it progresses through the legislative process. Every filed bill has a web page that offers current information about the bill and provides links to documents associated with the bill.  With a Senate Tracker account you can track items throughout the website, view the latest updates on the Tracker tab, and receive email notifications when those items are updated.  For more information, see the <a href="https://www.flsenate.gov/Tracker/Help">Tracker Help page</a>.</p> <p><a href="#questions">Return to Question List</a></p> <p id="Question12"><strong>12. Where can I find amendments for a particular bill?</strong></p> <p>All filed <a href="https://www.flsenate.gov/Reference/Glossary#A">amendments</a> for a bill are listed on that bill’s page under the Amendments tab. For information on refining your search, see <a href="https://www.flsenate.gov/search/BillSearchTips">Bill Search Tips</a>.</p> <p><a href="#questions">Return to Question List</a></p> <p id="Question13"><strong>13. What does it mean when text in a bill or an amendment is underlined or stricken?</strong></p> <p>Required by the rules of both houses of the Legislature, this style of markup, or <a href="https://www.flsenate.gov/Reference/Glossary#C">coding</a>, indicates that changes are being made to the language of an existing law or constitutional provision. Underlined text is new language that is added to an existing law or constitutional provision, while stricken text is language that is deleted from an existing law or constitutional provision.</p> <p><a href="#questions">Return to Question List</a></p> <p id="Question14"><strong>14. How do I find all bills introduced or co-introduced by a Senator?</strong></p> <p>There are several ways to find the bills introduced or co-introduced by a particular Senator:</p> <ul> <li>Using the <a href="https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bills/2025">Bill List search page</a>:</li> <li style="margin-left: 40px;">Click on Bills under the Session navigation tab on the top navigation bar; and</li> <li style="margin-left: 40px;">Select the Senator’s name from the “Filed By” dropdown menu.</li> <li>Using each <a href="https://flsenate.gov/Senators">Senator’s page</a>:</li> <li style="margin-left: 40px;">Click on the Senators navigation tab on the top navigation bar;</li> <li style="margin-left: 40px;">Click on a Senator's name to bring up that Senator's page; and</li> <li style="margin-left: 40px;">Click on the Bills Introduced tab to display a list of bills introduced or co-introduced by that Senator in a specific session.</li> <li>Using the <a href="https://flsenate.gov/Session/Reports/2025">Bill Information Reports page</a>:</li> <li style="margin-left: 40px;">Click on Reports under the Session navigation tab on the top navigation bar;</li> <li style="margin-left: 40px;">Click on the Senate Introducers Report; or</li> <li style="margin-left: 40px;">Go to the Introducer/Sponsor Report by Legislator or Committee:</li> <li style="margin-left: 80px;">Select the Senator from the Introducer dropdown menu;</li> <li style="margin-left: 80px;">Select the desired Senator’s name from the next dropdown menu; and</li> <li style="margin-left: 80px;">Click Open Report.</li> </ul> <p>NOTE: Each method will only return results for a single legislative session.</p> <p><a href="#questions">Return to Question List</a></p> <p id="Question15"><strong>15. How can I identify my state Senator or Representative?</strong></p> <p>Flsenate.gov has a page to help you <a href="https://www.flsenate.gov/Senators/Find">find your legislator</a>.</p> <p><a href="#questions">Return to Question List</a></p> <p id="Question16"><strong>16. How can I contact my state Senator?</strong></p> <p>The address, phone number, and email for each Senator's district and Tallahassee office are listed on a Senator's page. Click on the Senators navigation tab on the top navigation bar to view current Senators.</p> <p><a href="#questions">Return to Question List</a></p> <p id="Question17"><strong>17. Where can I find how a Senator voted on a bill?</strong></p> <p>Floor and committee votes for a bill are available on the bill’s page on Flsenate.gov.</p> <p><a href="#questions">Return to Question List</a></p> <p id="Question18"><strong>18. What is the Journal?</strong></p> <p>The <a href="https://www.flsenate.gov/Reference/Glossary#J">Journal</a> is the official record of the proceedings within each house.</p> <p><a href="#questions">Return to Question List</a></p> <p id="Question19"><strong>19. </strong></p> <p><strong>What is the deadline for the Governor to sign or veto an act?</strong></p> <p>While the Legislature is in session, the Governor has 7 days to sign or veto an act after it has been presented to the Governor. If the Legislature adjourns <a href="https://www.flsenate.gov/Reference/Glossary#S">sine die</a> before an act is presented to the Governor, or while an act is in the Governor’s possession, the Governor has 15 days to sign or veto the act. For more information, see <a href="https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Constitution/#A3S08">Article III, section 8 of the Florida Constitution</a>.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="#questions">Return to Question List</a></p> <p id="Question20"><strong>20. What happens when the Governor vetoes an act?</strong></p> <p>By vetoing an act, the Governor prevents it from becoming a law and sends it back to its house of origin. If two-thirds of the members of each house vote to override (set aside) the Governor's veto, the act becomes a law. For more information, see <a href="https://flsenate.gov/Laws/Constitution#A3S03">Article III, section 8 of the Florida Constitution.</a></p> <p><a href="#questions">Return to Question List</a></p> </div>  </div>  </div>   <footer id="footer">  <nav> <a href="/" title="Home"> <p class="seal sealsImg iconOnly">Home</p> </a> <div class="grid-20"> <p><a href="/Senators">Senators</a></p> <ul> <li><a href="/Senators">Senator List</a></li> <li><a href="/Senators/Find">Find Your Legislators</a></li> <li><a href="/Senators/Districts">District Maps</a></li> <li><a href="/Senators/VoteDisclosures">Vote Disclosures</a></li> </ul> <p><a href="/Committees">Committees</a></p> <ul> <li><a href="/Committees/#com-list">Committee List</a></li> <li><a href="/Committees/Publications">Committee Publications</a></li> </ul> <p><a href="/Search/Results">Search</a></p> <ul> <li><a href="/Search/BillSearchTips">Bill Search Tips</a></li> <li><a href="/Search/StatuteSearchTips">Statute Search Tips</a></li> <li><a href="/Search/SiteSearchTips">Site Search Tips</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="grid-20"> <p><a href="/Session">Session</a></p> <ul> <li><a href="/Session/Bills">Bills</a></li> <li><a href="/Session/Calendars">Calendars</a></li> <li><a href="/Session/Journals">Journals</a></li> <li><a href="/Session/Appropriations">Appropriations</a></li> <li><a href="/Session/Conferences">Conferences</a></li> <li><a href="/Session/Reports">Reports</a></li> <li><a href="/Session/ExecutiveAppointments">Executive Appointments</a></li> <li><a href="/Session/ExecutiveSuspensions">Executive Suspensions</a></li> <li><a href="/Session/Redistricting">Redistricting</a></li> </ul> <p><a href="/Laws">Laws</a></p> <ul> <li><a href="/Laws/Statutes">Statutes</a></li> <li><a href="/Laws/Constitution">Constitution</a></li> <li><a href="http://laws.flrules.org/">Laws of Florida <span class="newWindowWhiteIco16 commonIco"></span></a></li> <li><a href="http://www.leg.state.fl.us/cgi-bin/View_Page.pl?Tab=info_center&Submenu=2&File=index.html&Directory=portal/legistore/&Location=app">Order - Legistore <span class="newWindowWhiteIco16 commonIco"></span></a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="grid-20"> <p><a href="/Media">Media</a></p> <ul> <li><a href="/Media/PressReleases">Press Releases</a></li> <li><a href="/Media/Publications">Publications</a></li> <li><a href="/Media/Videos">Videos</a></li> <li><a href="/Media/Topics">Topics</a></li> <li><a href="/Media/VideoSchedule">Video Broadcast Schedule</a></li> </ul> <p><a href="/About">About</a></p> <ul> <li><a href="/About/Employment">Employment</a></li> <li><a href="/About/Visit">Visit Us</a></li> <li><a href="/About/Contact">Contact Us</a></li> <li><a href=" https://senatepages.flsenate.gov/">Page Program</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="grid-20"> <p><a href="/Offices">Offices</a></p> <ul> <li><a href="/Offices/President">President's Office </a></li> <li><a href="/Offices/Majority">Majority Office</a></li> <li><a href="/Offices/Minority">Minority Office</a></li> <li><a href="/Offices/Secretary">Secretary's Office</a></li> </ul> <p><a href="/Reference">Reference</a></p> <ul> <li><a href="/Reference/Glossary">Glossary</a></li> <li><a href="/Reference/FAQ">FAQ</a></li> <li><a href="/Reference/Help">Help</a></li> <li><a href="/Reference/Links">Links</a></li> <li><a href="/Search/SiteSearchTips">Search Tips</a></li> <li><a href="/Reference/Publications">Publications</a></li> <li><a href="/Reference/SenateRules">Rules</a></li> <li><a href="/Reference/Publications/SenateHandbooks">Handbooks</a></li> <li><a href="/Reference/AdvisoryOpinions">Advisory Opinions</a></li> <li><a href="/Reference/PublicRecords">Public Records</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="grid-20"> <p><a href="/About/Contact#connect">Connect with the Senate</a></p> <ul class="inline"> <li><a href="http://www.twitter.com/flsenate" class="twitterIco16 commonIco iconOnly">Twitter</a></li> <li><a href="/Tracker/RSS" class="rssIco16 commonIco iconOnly">RSS</a></li> </ul> <br class="clear"> <p><a href="/Tracker">Senate Tracker</a></p> <ul> <li><a href="/Tracker/Login">Login</a></li> <li><a href="/Tracker/Signup">Sign Up</a></li> <li><a href="/Tracker/Help">Tracker Help</a></li> </ul> <p><a href="/About/Accessibility#plugins">Plug-ins</a></p> <ul> <li><a href="http://get.adobe.com/reader/" target="_blank">Adobe Acrobat Reader <span class="newWindowWhiteIco16 commonIco"></span></a></li> <li><a href="http://www.winzip.com/win/en/downwz.htm" target="_blank">WinZip <span class="newWindowWhiteIco16 commonIco"></span></a></li> </ul> </div> </nav>  <div class="grid-100" id="disclaimer"> <div class="noindex">  <p>Disclaimer: The information on this system is unverified. 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