The Florida Legislature completed three weeks of committee meetings in January in preparation for the 2023 Session. House members, who are allowed by the rules to file seven bills, had to submit two of their measures to bill drafting by January 24th. Representatives and Senators submitted bill placeholders that same week on January 26th and 27th respectively. There are three more weeks of legislative committee weeks scheduled in February before the March 7th start of the 2023 Session.
A special election is underway for House District 24 in southwest Marion County, which was formerly held by Representative Joe Harding (R-Ocala), who resigned in early December. Five Republican candidates and one write-in candidate are vying for the seat to fill the remainder of the term. The primary election is scheduled for March 7th and the general election will be held on May 16th.