Florida House of Representatives facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Florida House of Representatives |
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| 2018–2020 Florida Legislature | |
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| Type | |
| Type |
Lower house of the Florida Legislature
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Term limits
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4 terms (8 years) |
| History | |
| Founded | May 26, 1845 |
| Preceded by | Legislative Council of the Territory of Florida |
| Leadership | |
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Speaker of the House
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José R. Oliva (R)
Since November 20, 2018 |
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House Speaker Pro Tempore
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MaryLynn Magar (R)
Since November 20, 2018 |
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House Majority Leader
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Dane Eagle (R)
Since November 19, 2018 |
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House Minority Leader
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Kionne McGhee (D)
Since November 19, 2018 |
| Structure | |
| Seats | 120 |
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Political groups
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Majority
Minority
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Length of term
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2 years |
| Authority | Article III, Constitution of Florida |
| Salary | $29,697/year + per diem (Subsistence & Travel) |
| Elections | |
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Last election
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November 6, 2018 (120 seats) |
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Next election
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November 3, 2020 (120 seats) |
| Redistricting | Legislative control |
| Motto | |
| In God We Trust | |
| Meeting place | |
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| House of Representatives Chamber Florida Capitol Tallahassee, Florida |
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| Website | |
| Official website: https://www.myfloridahouse.gov | |
The Florida House of Representatives is one of two main groups that make laws for the state of Florida. It's like the "lower house" of Florida's government, while the Florida Senate is the "upper house." Together, they form the Florida Legislature, which is Florida's lawmaking body.
The House has 120 members. Each member is chosen by voters from a specific area, called a "district," which has about 157,000 people living in it.
Contents
What the Florida House Does
The main job of the Florida House of Representatives is to create and vote on new laws for the state. These laws affect everyone living in Florida, from how schools are run to how roads are built.
Making Laws for Florida
Members of the House work on many different issues. They listen to what people in their districts need and try to make laws that help them. When a new idea for a law comes up, it's called a "bill." The House members discuss these bills and vote on them. If a bill passes in the House and the Senate, and the Governor signs it, it becomes a law.
How Members Are Chosen
Members of the Florida House are elected by the people. They serve for two years at a time. There's a rule that says a person can only serve four terms, which means a total of eight years. This rule helps bring new ideas and people into the government.
Who Leads the House
The leader of the Florida House of Representatives is called the Speaker of the House. The Speaker is chosen by the other members of the House. This person helps guide discussions and makes sure meetings run smoothly.
Important Leaders
- Speaker of the House: This person is the main leader. They decide which bills are discussed and voted on.
- House Speaker Pro Tempore: This person helps the Speaker and takes their place if they are not there.
- House Majority Leader: This leader represents the political party that has the most members in the House.
- House Minority Leader: This leader represents the political party that has fewer members in the House.
Where They Meet
The Florida House of Representatives meets in the House of Representatives Chamber. This room is inside the Florida Capitol building in Tallahassee, Florida. This is where all the important discussions and votes happen.
History of the House
The Florida House of Representatives was officially started on May 26, 1845. Before that, Florida had a different type of government called the Legislative Council of the Territory of Florida. The House has been making laws for Florida ever since it became a state.
See Also
- In Spanish: Cámara de Representantes de Florida para niños
