It has been a very busy summer with the Florida Legislature in Tallahassee for a special session in June to complete the FY 2015-16 budget and, soon again, for special sessions on redistricting.
The Florida Supreme Court ruled on July 9th that eight congressional district maps were unconstitutional and must be redrawn by October 17th. The districts include those held by Congresswoman Corrine Brown (5), Congressman David Jolly (13), Congresswoman Karen Castor (14), Congressman Ted Deutch (21), Congresswoman Lois Frankel (22), Congressman Diaz-Balart (25), Congressman Carlos Curbelo (26) and Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (27). However, all 27 congressional districts will be affected to some degree.
Legislators will return to the Capitol for a special session from August 10th-21st to draw the new maps. Senate President Andy Gardiner (R-Orlando) and House Speaker Steve Crisafulli (R-Merritt Island) announced the members of the select committees tasked with the map-drawing. The Senate Committee on Reapportionment members may be found here and the House Select Committee on Redistricting members may be found here.
A third special session will be held October 19th-November 6th to redraw the Florida Senate district maps. This session will run concurrently with the previously scheduled interim committee meeting weeks.
Legislators will stay busy throughout the Fall as they prepare for the 2016 Session, which starts early on January 12th. In addition to the two special sessions, interim committee meetings will be held from September to December.
This has been one of the busiest legislative years in recent history. Throughout it all, we hope that JEJ & Associates has helped keep you informed as to what is going on in Tallahassee and the State.