How to find your Florida House, Senate members ahead of the legislative session
Read full article: How to find your Florida House, Senate members ahead of the legislative sessionThe annual Florida Legislative Session starts Tuesday, Jan. 13 in Tallahassee and runs for 60 days. If you want to see what your state lawmakers are up to, if you want to tell them something, here's how to find and contact them.
Primary Tuesday to choose GOP candidates for Florida Senate District 11 election
Read full article: Primary Tuesday to choose GOP candidates for Florida Senate District 11 electionRepublican voters in Sumter County will decide Tuesday who will win a special primary election for the only Florida Senate seat in the county, and move on to the November election.
Early voting in Florida Senate District 11 GOP special primary election starts this weekend
Read full article: Early voting in Florida Senate District 11 GOP special primary election starts this weekendRepublican voters in Sumter County can go to the polls early in a special primary election for the only Florida Senate seat in the county. Early voting in Sumter County runs from Saturday, Sept. 19, through Saturday, Sept. 27.
Polls open in Florida Senate, House special elections. Find out if you should be voting
Read full article: Polls open in Florida Senate, House special elections. Find out if you should be votingTuesday is Election Day for voters in west Orange County, with special elections to fill two vacancies in the Florida Legislature. The contests are for Senate District 15 and House District 40.
Early voting begins in Central Florida special elections after sample-ballot debacle
Read full article: Early voting begins in Central Florida special elections after sample-ballot debacleEarly voting starts soon in the special elections for Florida Senate District 15 and House District 40 after a printing error reached tens of thousands of people in the form of faulty sample ballots.
Florida bill to allow adult children to sue for wrongful death of parents on hold with 1 day left in session
Read full article: Florida bill to allow adult children to sue for wrongful death of parents on hold with 1 day left in sessionConcerns about medical malpractice insurance premiums going up have stalled a bill that would finally allow adult children to sue for medical malpractice in the deaths of their parents, with one day left in the Florida Legislative Session.
Florida lawmakers OK dangerous dogs bill while animal cruelty bill awaits final vote
Read full article: Florida lawmakers OK dangerous dogs bill while animal cruelty bill awaits final voteA bill aimed to better identify and regulate dangerous dogs in Florida is now heading for Gov. Ron DeSantis’ desk, while a bill to crack down on animal cruelty waits for final passage.
EpiPen training bill for schools passes Florida Senate, awaits House approval
Read full article: EpiPen training bill for schools passes Florida Senate, awaits House approvalA bill championed by an Orange County mother that would require EpiPen and anaphylaxis training in some school programs is a step closer to getting to Gov. DeSantis’ desk.
5 candidates qualify in Florida Senate District 15 special election; Democratic primary set for June
Read full article: 5 candidates qualify in Florida Senate District 15 special election; Democratic primary set for JuneCandidates include Former State Sen. Randolph Bracy, State Rep. LaVon Bracy Davis, former Congressman Alan Grayson, attorney Coretta Anthony-Smith, and nonprofit founder Willie J. Montague.
Florida Senate rejects bill with measure to bypass voter-approved rural boundary rules
Read full article: Florida Senate rejects bill with measure to bypass voter-approved rural boundary rulesA bill containing language that would have allowed property developers to get around county rural boundary requirements failed in the Florida Senate on Thursday. The Senate rejected SB 1080 on a vote of 18 to 19. Nine Republicans joined the 10 Senate Democrats in defeating the bill.
Florida Senate passes fluoride ban in water supplies
Read full article: Florida Senate passes fluoride ban in water suppliesAs cities and counties across the state debate the issue, the Florida Senate on Wednesday passed a bill that would prevent local governments from adding fluoride to water supplies.
Special election dates set for Florida Senate race to replace Geraldine Thompson
Read full article: Special election dates set for Florida Senate race to replace Geraldine ThompsonGov. Ron DeSantis issued the executive order calling for a special election to fill the seat left vacant by the unexpected death of State Sen. Geraldine Thompson in February. A special primary election will be held on June 24, with a special general election on Sept. 2.
Republican primaries Tuesday for Florida Senate, House special elections in Brevard County
Read full article: Republican primaries Tuesday for Florida Senate, House special elections in Brevard CountyThe Republican primaries for Florida Senate District 19 and Florida House District 32 are part of a cascade of special elections brought on when Florida Sen. Randy Fine resigned his SD-19 seat, effective April 1, to run for the U.S. House District 6 special election.
Florida Senate bill does away with labor restrictions for 16, 17-year-olds
Read full article: Florida Senate bill does away with labor restrictions for 16, 17-year-oldsA year after lawmakers relaxed the state’s child labor laws, a divided Florida Senate panel on Tuesday gave initial approval to a measure that would further roll back work restrictions for kids as young as 14.
Early voting underway in US House, Florida Legislature special elections. Here’s where you can vote
Read full article: Early voting underway in US House, Florida Legislature special elections. Here’s where you can voteElection officials in Central Florida are making final preparations as early voting begins Saturday for the special election in Congressional District 6, which will determine who replaces Mike Waltz in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Florida lawmakers to keep later school start times, add exception for districts
Read full article: Florida lawmakers to keep later school start times, add exception for districtsFlorida lawmakers have hit snooze on a repeal of later school start times for middle and high schools, revising the House and Senate versions of the bill to keep the new times but adding exemptions for schools that aren’t yet able to comply.
Osceola County leaders push for statewide hands-free driving law
Read full article: Osceola County leaders push for statewide hands-free driving lawOsceola County leaders are calling for tougher distracted driving laws, formally backing a bill moving through the Florida Senate that would make the state hands-free.
Florida Senate bill bans, rolls back voter-approved rural boundary measures
Read full article: Florida Senate bill bans, rolls back voter-approved rural boundary measuresMeasures approved by voters in 2024 to tighten development in rural areas of two Central Florida counties would be banned under a bill currently in the Florida Senate. State Sen. Stan McClain, R-Ocala, is sponsoring SB 1118, which proposes changes to land use and development regulations.
These are the bills Central Florida State senators are pushing during the legislative session
Read full article: These are the bills Central Florida State senators are pushing during the legislative sessionWe asked Central Florida's 12 state senators (nine Republicans and three Democrats) what bills they hoped to pass this year and what issues they hoped the legislature would prioritize. Here are the responses we got.
Debbie Mayfield can be on the ballot for Florida Senate special election, Supreme Court rules
Read full article: Debbie Mayfield can be on the ballot for Florida Senate special election, Supreme Court rulesThe Florida Supreme Court on Thursday backed Rep. Debbie Mayfield in her bid to run in a special election for a Senate seat, ruling that state elections officials wrongly blocked her from appearing on the ballot.
Florida bill seeks to stop golf course, lodges in state parks
Read full article: Florida bill seeks to stop golf course, lodges in state parksAfter a bipartisan uproar last year about a proposal dubbed the “Great Outdoors Initiative,” the Florida Senate on Tuesday began moving forward with a bill that would prevent building such things as golf courses, pickleball courts and hotel-style lodges in state parks.
New Florida Legislature leaders take control in Tallahassee, no plans for condo special session
Read full article: New Florida Legislature leaders take control in Tallahassee, no plans for condo special sessionFiscal belt-tightening is coming in Tallahassee, according to Florida’s new legislative leaders who took their oaths of office Tuesday.
Geraldine Thompson wins reelection, beats Randolph Bracy for Florida Senate District 15
Read full article: Geraldine Thompson wins reelection, beats Randolph Bracy for Florida Senate District 15Geraldine Thompson won another term in the Florida Senate Tuesday, defeating former State Sen. Randolph Bracy III in a universal primary for Florida Senate District 15 Tuesday night.
Republican candidate’s libel suit against Florida Senate GOP committee can move forward, judge rules
Read full article: Republican candidate’s libel suit against Florida Senate GOP committee can move forward, judge rulesA Republican candidate for Florida Senate can continue to sue a campaign committee run by Florida Senate Republicans for libel, a judge ruled Monday.
Florida races set for August primaries; Democrats field candidate in every state race
Read full article: Florida races set for August primaries; Democrats field candidate in every state raceQualifying wrapped up Friday for the August and November elections, and while some state legislature candidates won with no opposition, most voters will find contested races on the ballot for Florida Senate and House.
Sumter County commissioner reinstated after conviction overturned
Read full article: Sumter County commissioner reinstated after conviction overturnedGov. Ron DeSantis has reinstated a suspended Sumter County commissioner whose conviction on a perjury charge was overturned by an appeals court last year.
Florida Senate president’s husband dies after fall
Read full article: Florida Senate president’s husband dies after fallJohn Passidomo, the husband of Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, died Wednesday after falling and suffering massive head trauma and other injuries, according to a memo distributed by the Florida Senate.
Florida Senate passes new social media bill with parent permission provision
Read full article: Florida Senate passes new social media bill with parent permission provisionA new version of the measure to force children off social media passed the Florida Senate Monday, setting up a final vote in the Florida House before the end of the legislative session this week.
Florida lawmakers push forward with short-term rental law changes
Read full article: Florida lawmakers push forward with short-term rental law changesA bill that is currently in the Florida Senate and its accompanying bill in the House would change vacation property regulations across the state. They would put control in the state's hands instead of the city or counties.
Florida monuments, flags bills could be dead for legislative session
Read full article: Florida monuments, flags bills could be dead for legislative sessionControversial bills aimed at preventing local governments from removing historical monuments and restricting the types of flags flown at schools and other public buildings appear to be dead in the Florida Senate.
Your Florida Daily: Bill to deter left-lane drivers advances in Tallahassee, AAA reports increased demand for cruises
Read full article: Your Florida Daily: Bill to deter left-lane drivers advances in Tallahassee, AAA reports increased demand for cruisesA bill to penalize drivers who don’t move to the right is ready to be heard by the full Florida Senate.
‘Crushed my soul:’ Florida lawmaker seeks to fix so-called ‘Free Kill Law’
Read full article: ‘Crushed my soul:’ Florida lawmaker seeks to fix so-called ‘Free Kill Law’That law — the Florida Wrongful Death Act — prohibits adult children or parents of patients who die due to medical malpractice from pursuing damages.
School recess will stay the same after Florida lawmakers proposed ending mandate
Read full article: School recess will stay the same after Florida lawmakers proposed ending mandateBills to make several reforms to Florida public schools are on the fast track in the Florida Senate, but a provision that would have fundamentally changed school recess rules is being left behind.
US Rep. Matt Gaetz’s father Don seeks return to Florida Senate chamber he once led as its president
Read full article: US Rep. Matt Gaetz’s father Don seeks return to Florida Senate chamber he once led as its presidentDon Gaetz says he plans to run again for the Florida Senate, which he led as president from 2012 to 2014.
Florida Senate votes to expand Parental Rights in Education law
Read full article: Florida Senate votes to expand Parental Rights in Education lawIn one of the most-controversial education issues of the 2023 legislative session, the Florida Senate on Wednesday passed a measure that would expand last year’s “Parental Rights in Education” law — known to critics as “don’t say gay.”
Florida House passes bill requiring AAPI history, culture instruction
Read full article: Florida House passes bill requiring AAPI history, culture instructionThe Florida House unanimously approved a bill Wednesday that would require schools to teach Asian American and Pacific Islander history in K-12 classrooms.
Bills blocking public access to Gov. DeSantis travel records pass two legislative committees
Read full article: Bills blocking public access to Gov. DeSantis travel records pass two legislative committeesTwo legislative committees approved a bill on Tuesday that would prevent the public from seeing travel records for Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Florida fight over ‘baby boxes’ part of bigger culture war
Read full article: Florida fight over ‘baby boxes’ part of bigger culture warA fight is developing in Florida's legislature over a measure that would allow fire stations and hospitals to install boxes where distressed mothers could leave their unwanted newborns.
Florida Senate proposes more election law changes
Read full article: Florida Senate proposes more election law changesThe Florida Senate on Monday released a 98-page bill that includes proposed changes ranging from clamping down on voter-registration groups to relaxing campaign-finance reporting rules.
Lawmakers seek to curb China land purchases in Florida
Read full article: Lawmakers seek to curb China land purchases in FloridaThe Florida Senate has started fast-tracking a proposal that would bar the sale of agricultural land and property within 20 miles of military bases to interests tied to the Chinese government or other nations on a list of “countries of concern.”
Florida Senate committee approves attractions safety act named for Tyre Sampson
Read full article: Florida Senate committee approves attractions safety act named for Tyre SampsonA Florida Senate committee approved a bill Monday afternoon to make changes to ride safety rules after the death of a tourist at an Orlando attraction.
Florida lawmaker files ‘Death with Dignity’ bill, inspired by Daytona Beach hospital shooting
Read full article: Florida lawmaker files ‘Death with Dignity’ bill, inspired by Daytona Beach hospital shootingA new bill filed in the Florida Senate was inspired by a recent incident in Daytona Beach where a 76-year-old woman allegedly shot and killed her terminally-ill husband in a hospital.
Florida bill filed to require landlords to disclose flood zone information to renters
Read full article: Florida bill filed to require landlords to disclose flood zone information to rentersA new bill filed in the Florida Senate is set to get results for renters by requiring landlords to disclose information about flood zones.
Bill allowing Florida to fly migrants around the US passes state Senate
Read full article: Bill allowing Florida to fly migrants around the US passes state SenateRepublicans in the Florida Senate passed a bill that gives the state the authority to fly migrants who arrive here anywhere in the country to other locations.
Florida Senate passes bill clarifying election crimes prosecution
Read full article: Florida Senate passes bill clarifying election crimes prosecutionFlorida’s statewide prosecutor would have jurisdiction to prosecute more crimes related to elections and voting, under a bill passed by the Florida Senate Wednesday.
Passidomo points to housing, wildlife corridor as Florida Senate priorities
Read full article: Passidomo points to housing, wildlife corridor as Florida Senate prioritiesArmed with a large majority, Naples Republican Kathleen Passidomo outlined what she described as a voter-supported “conservative agenda” as she became Florida Senate president Tuesday.
Republican Wilton Simpson defeats Naomi Blemur in Florida commissioner of agriculture race
Read full article: Republican Wilton Simpson defeats Naomi Blemur in Florida commissioner of agriculture raceFlorida Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried’s decision to run for governor earlier means the cabinet seat is open for a new politician.
Results 2022: Meet the candidates for Florida commissioner of agriculture
Read full article: Results 2022: Meet the candidates for Florida commissioner of agricultureFlorida Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried’s decision to run for governor earlier means the cabinet seat is open for a new politician.
Results 2022: Meet the Republican candidates for Florida agriculture commissioner
Read full article: Results 2022: Meet the Republican candidates for Florida agriculture commissionerWith Nikki Fried running to be Florida governor, the Florida commissioner of agriculture seat is open for a new occupant.
Florida House approves governor’s redistricting map, bill to dissolve Reedy Creek
Read full article: Florida House approves governor’s redistricting map, bill to dissolve Reedy CreekThe Florida Senate already approved the special district bill on a largely party-line vote Wednesday, with one Republican joining all Democrats against the bill.
Florida Senate OKs controversial bill banning sexual identity discussion in schools
Read full article: Florida Senate OKs controversial bill banning sexual identity discussion in schoolsRepublicans in the Florida Senate passed the “parental rights in education” bill Tuesday, despite a day of debate and chants outside the chamber of “We say gay,” sending it to Gov. Ron DeSantis for his signature.
Florida GOP lawmakers OK redistricting maps despite DeSantis’ veto promise
Read full article: Florida GOP lawmakers OK redistricting maps despite DeSantis’ veto promiseThe House passed an unprecedented two redistricting maps with a 67-47 vote Friday. Seven Republicans joined Democrats in voting against the map.
Florida 15-week abortion ban nears final passage
Read full article: Florida 15-week abortion ban nears final passageRepublicans in the Florida Senate have advanced a proposal to ban abortions after 15 weeks, rejecting Democratic attempts to soften its restrictions and add exceptions for rape, incest or trafficking.
Florida House Republicans pass redrawn legislature maps
Read full article: Florida House Republicans pass redrawn legislature mapsThe Florida House on Wednesday approved new legislative districts over the objections of Democrats, who anticipate legal challenges about minority representation and how the lines were drawn.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/6MRJI7UT5JELVFG4FR2FW6QPVE.jpg)
Florida bills seek to change booster seat, day care van requirements
Read full article: Florida bills seek to change booster seat, day care van requirementsTALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The age requirement for child booster seats would be boosted up a year and day care centers would have to install alarms in vans used to transport children under two bills unanimously approved by a Florida Senate committee on Wednesday. Right now, Florida requires children up to the age of five to be placed in a car seat or booster seat. Republican Sen. Keith Perry's bill would raise that age to six. The committee also approved Democratic Sen. Linda Stewart's bill to require alarms to alert child care center van drivers to check to see if any children are left in the vehicle. “Each and every year we hear about the tragedy that could be avoided and deaths in Florida,” Stewart said.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/3D2VVEUAEZE6NO4OHSHN4PCOSA.jpg)
Florida General Election Results for State Senate on Nov. 3, 2020
Read full article: Florida General Election Results for State Senate on Nov. 3, 2020Find All Race Results HereTALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida voters will not only be casting a vote to decide who will be the nation’s next president, they’ll also be asked to elect state legislators who will represent them in the Florida House and Senate. [LIVE RACE RESULTS: Scroll to bottom of story to see all race returns starting at 7 p.m. on Nov. 3]Currently, 40 senators -- 23 Republicans and 17 Democrats -- serve the people of Florida, according to FLSenate.gov. [MORE: Senate District 9 race pivotal for balance of Florida Legislature]Not sure which district is yours? Below is a list of candidates in the running to represent Central Florida districts in the Florida Senate. Here’s who’s running in your district:State Senate District 5 -- MarionState Senate District 7 -- FlaglerState Senate District 9 -- Seminole, VolusiaJason Brodeur (R)Patricia Sigman (D)Jestine Iannotti (NPA), no official campaign page could be foundState Senate District 11 -- OrangeState Senate District 13 -- OrangeState Senate District 15 -- Orange, OsceolaState Senate District 17 -- Brevard, Indian RiverState Senate District 20 -- PolkFind more election results and news on the Results 2020 page.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/10-25-2020/t_5576d04888b5424aacd732fd21519a13_name_image.jpg)
Senate District 9 race pivotal for balance of Florida Legislature
Read full article: Senate District 9 race pivotal for balance of Florida LegislatureSEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – One of the most hotly contested down-ballot races in Florida this year is the race for Florida Senate District 9. Former state Rep. Jason Brodeur, a Republican, faces Democratic candidate Patricia Sigman to replace term-limited GOP state Sen. David Simmons in what’s turning out to be one of the most expensive Florida Senate races on record. District 9, which encompasses Seminole County and a portion of Volusia, has been circled by Democratic leaders as a seat they can flip blue in their push to gain control of the Florida Senate. [TRENDING: Tracking Tropical Storm Zeta | Obama campaigning for Biden in Orlando this week | Leesburg man fatally shot by neighbor]“There are 17 Democrats in the Florida Senate and we believe that we’ll have at least 19 coming out of this election,” Sigman said. Watch the full episode Sunday at 7:30 a.m. on News 6.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-gmg.s3.amazonaws.com/public/K2GOTT4ETRHZVJ6HQTXYMZ4W7E.jpg)
When's the deadline for Gov. DeSantis to sign distracted driving bill?
Read full article: When's the deadline for Gov. DeSantis to sign distracted driving bill?So, with the bill passed, when is Gov. When HB 107 passed the House a second time -- the first version was amended by the Senate -- News 6 originally reported DeSantis would have seven days to sign the bill or it would automatically become a law. In Florida, as stated, the governor does have seven days to sign a bill or veto it, otherwise the bill automatically becomes a law. And if a lot of bills went through in the final days of the session, that could take some time. If you want to find out more about the whole process, read and click the excerpts below from the Florida Senate’s website:What is the deadline for the Governor to sign a bill?
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65):fill(FFF)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-gmg.s3.amazonaws.com/public/4KR7VSROVRBGRCLJXF442SZV3Q.jpg)
Senate passes amended House bill aimed at ending distracted driving
Read full article: Senate passes amended House bill aimed at ending distracted drivingTALLAHASSEE, Fla. – UPDATE: The Florida Senate has passed House Bill 107, aimed at fighting distracted driving, after amending it. After the amendments were approved, the Senate voted 33-5 to pass the bill and send it back to the House for approval. This all comes after the Senate dumped its own bill, Senate Bill 76, and adopted the House bill in an attempt to find common ground between the pieces of legislation so that one will eventually end up on the governor's desk. PREVIOUS STORY:A Florida state senator has filed an amendment to a distracted driving bill seeking common ground to get legislation to the governor’s desk. The state Senate could consider the amendment to HB 107; move to debate and then vote on the bill.