The Florida Legislature, which is divided into two houses, the Senate and the House of Representatives, makes “rules” or laws that govern our state. Members of the legislature, Senators and Representatives, are chosen by the citizens of Florida to represent them and the area where they live. These areas are called districts. Each member of the Florida Legislature must live in the district that he or she represents. Each Senator and Representative is responsible for making sure that the people who elected him or her have a voice in all matters concerning the state.

How a Bill Becomes Law

Senators are elected to serve four-year terms. Representatives are elected to serve two-year terms. Currently, 40 Senators and 120 members of the House of Representatives serve the people of Florida. Members of both houses must be at least 21 years old, a resident of the district where they have been elected, and must have lived in the state for two years before running for election.

Each year the legislature meets in legislative session to determine and debate issues important to the people in our state. Issues like drunk-driving, recycling, and education are debated. The regular session begins on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in March and lasts for sixty days. It ends either in sine die adjournment, with the ceremonial dropping of white handkerchiefs by each house’s Sergeant at Arms, or in an extension of the regular session to complete unfinished work.

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