CINXE.COM
Reference - The Florida Senate
<!DOCTYPE html> <html class="no-js"> <head> <meta charset="utf-8" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="/Content/img/apple-touch-icon.png"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="72x72" href="/Content/img/apple-touch-icon-72x72-precomposed.png"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="57x57" href="/Content/img/apple-touch-icon-57x57-precomposed.png"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="114x114" href="/Content/img/apple-touch-icon-114x114-precomposed.png"> <title> Reference - The Florida Senate </title> <link href="/Content/css/styles.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" media="screen" /> <link href="/Content/css/print.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" media="print" /> <link href="/Content/css/chosen.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" /> <script src="/Scripts/GoogleAnalytics.js"></script> <script> initializeGoogleAnalytics('https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=', 'G-8CSBCL4LLF'); </script> <script> initializeGoogleAnalytics('https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=', 'G-ZLT62P38CF'); </script> </head> <body> <!-- Transparent image to track how many users have JavaScript disabled --> <noscript><img src="/usercontent/img/icons/TransparentDot.gif" /></noscript> <script src="/Scripts/jquery-3.7.1.js"></script> <script src="/Scripts/modernizr-2.6.2-respond-1.1.0.min.js"></script> <script src="/Scripts/jquery.colorbox-min.js"></script> <script src="/Scripts/jquery.placeholder.js"></script> <script src="/Scripts/PhotoViewer.js"></script> <script src="/Scripts/Tracker.js"></script> <script src="/Scripts/chosen.jquery.js"></script> <!-- Htop: begin --> <div class="noindex"> <!--noindex class tells Site Search Crawler to ignore html inside this tag--> <p id="skip"><a href="#menu">Skip to Navigation</a> | <a href="#main">Skip to Main Content</a> | <a href="#footer">Skip to Site Map</a></p> <div id="htop" class="grid-100 grid-parent clearfix"> <p class="grid-50"><a href="http://www.flhouse.gov" id="FLHouseLink">FLHouse.gov</a> | <a class="GAMobile" href="/MobileSite">Mobile Site</a></p> <p class="grid-50 righttext">Senate Tracker: <a href="/Tracker/Signup">Sign Up</a> | <a href="/Tracker/Login">Login</a> </p> </div> </div> <!-- Htop: end --> <!-- Watch Session: end --> <div class="grid-container"> <div class="grid-100"> <div class="header-container"> <!-- Search box: begin --> <div class="noindex"> <!--noindex class tells Site Search Crawler to ignore html inside this tag--> <div id="searchbox"> <!--Go to Bill--> <form action="/Session/Bill" method="post" class="form-inline"> <input name="__RequestVerificationToken" type="hidden" value="4RDAc8xVaejqCEOOe3dxe0nBx1rgxOYZVWxSri-Dtf3fDH7kQDvLcCTRUYce4SAxmW-kvkx-iynHJw_pXP0DU___GO3FRePkYnhRV5ed5mo1" /> <span> <label for="BillNumber">Go to Bill:</label> </span> <input type="search" class="input-mini-em" name="BillNumber" id="BillNumber" placeholder="Bill #"> <label class="print" for="billYear">Year:</label> <select name="SessionYear" id="billYear" class="aytdropdown"> <option value="2025" selected="selected">2025</option> <option value="2025C">2025C</option> <option value="2025B">2025B</option> <option value="2025A">2025A</option> <option value="2024O">2024 Org.</option> <option value="2024">2024</option> <option value="2023C">2023C</option> <option value="2023">2023</option> <option value="2023B">2023B</option> <option value="2022A">2022A</option> <option value="2022O">2022 Org.</option> <option value="2022D">2022D</option> <option value="2022C">2022C</option> <option value="2022">2022</option> <option value="2021B">2021B</option> <option value="2021A">2021A</option> <option value="2021">2021</option> <option value="2020O">2020 Org.</option> <option value="2020">2020</option> <option value="2019I">2019 I</option> <option value="2019">2019</option> <option value="2018O">2018 Org.</option> <option value="2018">2018</option> <option value="2017A">2017A</option> <option value="2017">2017</option> <option value="2016O">2016 Org.</option> <option value="2016">2016</option> <option value="2015C">2015C</option> <option value="2015B">2015B</option> <option value="2015A">2015A</option> <option value="2015">2015</option> <option value="2014O">2014 Org.</option> <option value="2014A">2014A</option> <option value="2014">2014</option> <option value="2013">2013</option> <option value="2012O">2012 Org.</option> <option value="2012B">2012B</option> <option value="2012">2012</option> <option value="2011">2011</option> <option value="2010A">2010A</option> <option value="2010O">2010 Org.</option> <option value="2010C">2010C</option> <option value="2010">2010</option> <option value="2009B">2009B</option> <option value="2009">2009</option> <option value="2009A">2009A</option> <option value="2008O">2008 Org.</option> <option value="2008">2008</option> <option value="2007D">2007D</option> <option value="2007C">2007C</option> <option value="2007B">2007B</option> <option value="2007">2007</option> <option value="2007A">2007A</option> <option value="2006O">2006 Org.</option> <option value="2006">2006</option> <option value="2005B">2005B</option> <option value="2005">2005</option> <option value="2004A">2004A</option> <option value="2004O">2004 Org.</option> <option value="2004">2004</option> <option value="2003E">2003E</option> <option value="2003D">2003D</option> <option value="2003C">2003C</option> <option value="2003B">2003B</option> <option value="2003A">2003A</option> <option value="2003">2003</option> <option value="2002O">2002 Org.</option> <option value="2002E">2002E</option> <option value="2002D">2002D</option> <option value="2002">2002</option> <option value="2001C">2001C</option> <option value="2001B">2001B</option> <option value="2001">2001</option> <option value="2001A">2000A (Dec.)</option> <option value="2000O">2000 Org.</option> <option value="2000">2000</option> <option value="2000A">2000A (Jan.)</option> <option value="1999">1999</option> <option value="1998O">1998 Org</option> <option value="1998">1998</option> </select> <input type="hidden" name="FromGoToBill" value="True" /> <input type="submit" value="Go" class="blue button round"> </form> <input type="hidden" id="DefaultSessionYear" value="" /> <!-- Search Statutes --> <form action="/Laws/Statutes" method="post" class="form-inline statuebox"> <input name="__RequestVerificationToken" type="hidden" value="3yB9IAL6frk_fkTOQGOUT5bxWJDxvkZh-gFBulRTaeBAKU40hpuYLbQvypYjdExt0LyvXx0mf2EYs6H1RfJqHXHTir_LkXMeq4C6H6IrAfA1" /> <span>Find Statutes:</span> <label class="print" for="statuteYear">Year:</label> <select name="StatuteYear" id="statuteYear" class="aytdropdown"> <option value="2024">2024</option> <option value="2023">2023</option> <option value="2022">2022</option> <option value="2021">2021</option> <option value="2020">2020</option> <option value="2019">2019</option> <option value="2018">2018</option> <option value="2017">2017</option> <option value="2016">2016</option> <option value="2015">2015</option> <option value="2014">2014</option> <option value="2013">2013</option> <option value="2012">2012</option> <option value="2011">2011</option> <option value="2010">2010</option> <option value="2009">2009</option> <option value="2008">2008</option> <option value="2007">2007</option> <option value="2006">2006</option> <option value="2005">2005</option> <option value="2004">2004</option> <option value="2003">2003</option> <option value="2002">2002</option> <option value="2001">2001</option> <option value="2000">2000</option> <option value="1999">1999</option> <option value="1998">1998</option> <option value="1997">1997</option> </select> <input type="search" name="StatuteSearchQuery" class="input-small-em" placeholder="Search Term"> <label class="print" for="statuteChap">Within Chapter:</label> <input type="search" name="GoToChapter" id="statuteChap" class="input-mini-em" placeholder="Chapter"> <input type="submit" value="Find" class="blue button round"> </form> <!--Search Flsenate.gov--> <form accept-charset="utf-8" action="/search/results" class="form-inline" method="get"> <input type="search" autocomplete="off" class="input-medium-em" name="q" title="search" id="searchQuery" placeholder="Search Site"> <input type="submit" value="Search" class="blue button round"> </form> </div> </div> <noscript> <p class="right centertext redtext mar-bot0 width50" style="margin-top:3em;">Javascript must be enabled for site search.</p> </noscript> <!-- Search box: end --> <header class="wrapper clearfix"> <h1 class="print">The Florida Senate</h1> <div id="logo"> <a href="/" class="logo sealsImg"></a> </div> <!-- Menu:start --> <nav> <ul id="menu"> <li class="first"> <a href="/" class="drop">Home</a> <div class="dropdown_2columns"> <div class="col_2 noindex"> <!--noindex class tells Site Crawler to ignore html inside this tag--> <h2>Daily Digest</h2> </div> <div class="col_1"> <p><a class="GACalendarMenu" href="/?Tab=Calendar">Calendar</a></p> </div> <div class="col_1"> <p><a class="GACalendarMenu" href="/?Tab=FiledToday">Filed Today</a></p> <p><a class="GACalendarMenu" href="/?Tab=BillActions">Bill Actions</a></p> </div> <div id="spotlightsMenu" class="col_2 noindex"> <!--noindex class tells Site Crawler to ignore html inside this tag--> <h2>Spotlights</h2> <ol> <li>Senator Geraldine Thompson</li> <li><a class="GASlideMenuLink" href="https://www.flsenate.gov/PublishedContent/Offices/2024-2026/President/Documents/2_19_25_Memo_Re_Rural_Renaissance.pdf">Rural Renaissance</a></li> <li>2024 Organization Session</li> <li><a class="GASlideMenuLink" href="https://flsenate.photoshelter.com/galleries">Senate Photo Gallery</a></li> <li><a class="GASlideMenuLink" href="https://www.flsenate.gov/PublishedContent/Offices/2022-2024/President/Documents/Joint_Proclamation_Special_Session_C__November_6-9__2023.pdf">Florida Stands with Israel</a></li> </ol> </div> </div> </li> <li> <a href="/Senators" class="drop">Senators</a> <div class="dropdown_1column"> <div class="col_1"> <p><a href="/Senators">Senator List</a></p> <p><a href="/Senators/Find">Find Your Legislators</a></p> <p><a href="/Senators/Districts">District Maps</a></p> <p><a href="/Senators/VoteDisclosures">Vote Disclosures</a></p> </div> </div> </li> <li> <a href="/Committees" class="drop">Committees</a> <div class="dropdown_1column"> <div class="col_1"> <p><a href="/Committees">Committee List</a></p> <p> <a href="/Committees/Publications"> Committee<br /> Publications </a> </p> </div> </div> </li> <li> <a href="/Session" class="drop">Session</a> <div class="dropdown_3columns"> <div class="col_1"> <p><a href="/Session/Bills">Bills</a></p> <p><a href="/Session/Calendars">Calendars</a></p> <p><a href="/Session/Journals">Journals</a></p> </div> <div class="col_1"> <p><a href="/Session/Appropriations">Appropriations</a></p> <p><a href="/Session/Conferences">Conferences</a></p> <p><a href="/Session/Reports">Reports</a></p> </div> <div class="col_1"> <p><a href="/Session/ExecutiveAppointments">Executive Appointments</a></p> <p><a href="/Session/ExecutiveSuspensions">Executive Suspensions</a></p> <p><a href="/Session/Redistricting">Redistricting</a></p> </div> </div> </li> <li> <a href="/Laws" class="drop">Laws</a> <div class="dropdown_2columns"> <div class="col_1"> <p><a href="/Laws/Statutes">Statutes</a></p> <p> <a href="/Search/StatuteSearchTips"> Help Searching<br> Statutes </a> </p> <p><a href="/Laws/Constitution">Constitution</a></p> </div> <div class="col_1"> <p><a href="http://laws.flrules.org/">Laws of Florida <span class="newWindowIco16 commonIco"></span></a></p> <p><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="newWindowIco16 commonIco"></span></a></p> </div> </div> </li> <li> <a href="/Media" class="drop">Media</a> <div class="dropdown_2columns"> <div class="col_1"> <p> <a href="/Media/VideoSchedule"> Video Broadcast<br> Schedule </a> </p> <p><a href="/Media/PressReleases">Press Releases</a></p> <p><a href="/Media/Publications">Publications</a></p> </div> <div class="col_1"> <p><a href="/Media/Videos">Videos</a></p> <p><a href="/Media/Topics">Topics</a></p> </div> </div> </li> <li> <a href="/About" class="drop">About</a> <div class="dropdown_2columns"> <div class="col_1"> <p><a href="/About/Employment">Employment</a></p> <p><a href="/About/Accessibility">Accessibility</a></p> </div> <div class="col_1"> <p><a href="/About/Visit">Visit Us</a> </p> <p><a href="/About/Contact">Contact Us</a></p> <p><a href=" https://senatepages.flsenate.gov/">Page Program</a></p> </div> </div> </li> <li> <a href="/Offices" class="drop">Offices</a> <div class="dropdown_2columns align_right"> <div class="col_1"> <p><a href="/Offices/President">President's Office </a></p> <p><a href="/Offices/Majority">Majority Office</a></p> </div> <div class="col_1"> <p><a href="/Offices/Minority">Minority Office</a></p> <p><a href="/Offices/Secretary">Secretary's Office </a></p> </div> </div> </li> <li> <a href="/Reference" class="drop">Reference</a> <div class="dropdown_2columns align_right"> <div class="col_1"> <p><a href="/Reference/Glossary">Glossary</a></p> <p><a href="/Reference/FAQ">FAQ</a></p> <p><a href="/Reference/Help">Help</a></p> <p><a href="/Reference/Links">Links</a></p> <p><a href="/Search/SiteSearchTips">Search Tips</a></p> </div> <div class="col_1"> <p><a href="/Reference/Publications">Publications</a></p> <p><a href="/Reference/SenateRules">Rules</a></p> <p><a href="/Reference/Publications/SenateHandbooks">Handbooks</a></p> <p><a href="/Reference/AdvisoryOpinions">Advisory Opinions</a></p> <p><a href="/Reference/PublicRecords">Public Records</a></p> </div> </div> </li> <li class="last"> <a href="/Tracker">Tracker</a> <div class="dropdown_1column align_right"> <div class="col_1"> <p><a href="/Tracker/Login">Login</a></p> <p><a href="/Tracker/Signup">Sign Up</a></p> <p><a href="/Tracker/Help">Tracker Help</a></p> </div> </div> </li> </ul> </nav> <!-- Menu:end --> </header> </div> <div id="main" class="grid-100"> <div class="main wrapper clearfix"> <div id="breadcrumbs"> <a href="/">Home</a> > Reference </div> <!-- Full Column: Begin--> <div class="grid-100"> <h2>Reference</h2> </div> <div class="grid-66"> <p>The Florida Senate offers users a wealth of information. Below are reference tools for common terms, publications, and links. This section also provides frequently asked questions and information on how to use this site. If you cannot find the information you seek, <a href="/About/Contact">contact the Legislature</a> to assist you.</p> </div> <div class="grid-33"> <div class="quicklink"> <p class="ql-title">Quick Links</p> <ul> <li><a href="/Offices/Secretary/">Office of Senate Secretary</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="grid-100"> <h3 class="inSection rounded">In this Section</h3> <h3><a href="/Reference/Glossary">Glossary</a></h3> <p>An alphabetical list of common terms used for legislation. The term and definition are provided. Also, a list of commonly used acronyms in The Florida Senate are provided.</p> <h3><a href="/Reference/FAQ/">FAQ</a></h3> <p>A list of frequently asked questions, such as different types and versions of bills or how to tell the difference between a House and Senate bill.</p> <h3><a href="/Reference/Help">Help</a></h3> <p>Information on how to use this site. </p> <h3><a href="/Reference/Publications/">Publications</a></h3> <p>Links to common Senate and House publications are referenced. Also provided are links to the Calendar, Journal, Lobbyist Reports and Guides, Laws/Statutes/Constitution, Bill Information Reports, Citator, and Committee Reports. </p> <h3><a href="/Reference/Links">Links</a></h3> <p>A list of Legislative and State Government websites.</p> <h3><a href="/Reference/SenateRules">Rules</a></h3> <p>The rules of the Senate are provided from 1839 to present.</p> <h3><a href="/Reference/Publications/SenateHandbooks">Handbooks</a></h3> <p>The historic handbooks are provided from 1970 to the present.</p> <h3><a href="/Reference/AdvisoryOpinions">Advisory Opinions</a><span style="display:none"> </span></h3> <p>Advisory Opinions are issued by the Senate General Counsel to answer questions from Senators relating to the interpretation and enforcement of Rules regulating legislative conduct and ethics.</p> <h3><a href="/Reference/PublicRecords">Public Records</a><span style="display:none"> </span></h3> <p>Find out the definition of what can be included as public records and how to request public records from the Office of the Senate Secretary.</p> </div> <!-- Full Column: end--> </div> <!-- #main:end --> </div> <!-- #main-container:end --> <!-- Footer: begin--> <footer id="footer"> <!--Footer Site Map Nav: begin--> <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> <!--footer site map nav:end--> <div class="grid-100" id="disclaimer"> <div class="noindex"> <!--noindex class tells Site Crawler to ignore html inside this tag--> <p>Disclaimer: The information on this system is unverified. The journals or printed bills of the respective chambers should be consulted for official purposes.</p> </div> <p> <span class="noPrint"> <a href="/About/Privacy">Privacy Statement</a>|<a href="/About/Accessibility">Accessibility</a><br> </span> <div class="noindex">Copyright © 2000- 2025 State of Florida.</div> </p> </div> <!-- Footer: end --> </footer> </div> </div> <script src="/Scripts/jquery.history.js"></script> <script src="/Scripts/jquery.placeholder.js"></script> <script src="/Scripts/jquery.colorbox-min.js"></script> <script> $(function () { //Google Analystics Event Handling AddGoogleTracking("#FLHouseLink", "Global", "Link Click", "FLHouse.gov"); $(".GACalendarMenu").click(function () { LogEvent("CalendarHome", "Link Click", $(this).text()); }); $(".GASlideMenuLink").click(function () { LogEvent("Spotlights", "Menu", $(this).text()); //Slide Menu }); $(".GAMobile").click(function () { LogEvent("Mobile", "Link Click", "Mobile Site"); }); //Set Default Session Year data var defaultSession = $("#billYear").val(); $("#DefaultSessionYear").val(defaultSession); $('input, textarea').placeholder(); $("#session_name").chosen({ 'search_contains': true }); //$('.chzn-drop').css({ "width": "100px" }); $("#billYear").chosen({ 'search_contains': true }); $(".aytdropdown").chosen({ 'search_contains': true }); $('.chzn-drop').css({ "z-index": "1000", "text-align": "left" }); $('#billYear_chzn .chzn-drop').css({ "width": "125px" }); $('#session_name_chzn .chzn-drop').css({ "width": "125px" }); $('#UserSelectedTerm_chzn .chzn-drop').css({ "width": "300px" }); }); //end document.ready function RefreshTheData(data) { if (data != null) { $('#watchNow').show(); $('#BillNumber').html(data.BillName); $('#BillOwner').html(data.BillOwner); $('#BillTitle').html(data.BillShortTitle); } else { $('#watchNow').hide(); } } </script> </body> </html>