Florida Legislature facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Florida Legislature |
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| Type | |
| Type | |
| Houses | Senate House of Representatives |
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Term limits
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Senate 2 terms (8 years) House of Representatives 4 terms (8 years) |
| History | |
| Founded | May 26, 1845 |
| Preceded by | Legislative Council of the Territory of Florida |
| Leadership | |
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President of the Senate
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Bill Galvano (R)
Since Nov. 20, 2018 |
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Senate Majority Leader
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Kathleen Passidomo (R)
Since Nov. 26, 2018 |
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Senate Minority Leader
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Audrey Gibson (D)
Since Nov. 19, 2018 |
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Speaker of the House
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José R. Oliva (R)
Since Nov. 20, 2018 |
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House Majority Leader
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Dane Eagle (R)
Since Nov. 19, 2018 |
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House Minority Leader
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Kionne McGhee (D)
Since Nov. 19, 2018 |
| Structure | |
| Seats | 160 voting members
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State Senate political groups
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House of Representatives political groups
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Length of term
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Senate 4 years House of Representatives 2 years |
| Salary | $18,000/year + per diem (Subsistence & Travel) |
| Elections | |
| Redistricting | Legislative control |
| Motto | |
| In God We Trust | |
| Meeting place | |
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| Florida Capitol (Old Capitol in foreground), Tallahassee | |
| Website | |
| Official Website: http://www.leg.state.fl.us/ | |
The Florida Legislature is the group of elected people who make laws for the U.S. State of Florida. It's like a big team that decides how Florida is run. This team has two main parts: the Senate and the House of Representatives.
There are 160 people in total in the Florida Legislature. This includes 120 members in the House and 40 in the Senate. They all meet in the Florida State Capitol building. This important building is located in Tallahassee, which is Florida's capital city.
Contents
What is the Florida Legislature?
The Florida Legislature is the law-making branch of Florida's government. Its main job is to create, debate, and pass laws. These laws affect everyone living in Florida. They cover many things, from schools to roads and healthcare.
The Legislature also approves the state's budget. This budget decides how Florida spends its money. They make sure the state has enough funds for important services.
How the Legislature is Organized
The Florida Legislature is a "bicameral" body. This means it has two separate chambers or houses. Having two parts helps make sure laws are carefully reviewed. It also ensures different viewpoints are heard.
The Florida Senate
The Florida Senate is the upper chamber of the Legislature. It has 40 members, called senators. Each senator serves a four-year term. They can serve a maximum of two terms, which is 8 years.
Senators represent larger areas of Florida. They focus on big issues that affect the whole state. The leader of the Senate is called the President of the Senate.
The Florida House of Representatives
The Florida House of Representatives is the lower chamber. It has 120 members, called representatives. Each representative serves a two-year term. They can serve up to four terms, which is also 8 years.
Representatives usually represent smaller areas. They often deal with issues closer to local communities. The leader of the House is called the Speaker of the House.
Where They Meet: The Florida Capitol
The Florida Legislature meets in the Florida State Capitol building. This building is in Tallahassee. It's where all the important discussions and votes happen.
The Capitol building is a symbol of Florida's government. It's where decisions are made that shape the future of the state.
Important Leaders in the Legislature
Both the Senate and the House have leaders. These leaders help guide the work of their chambers. They also represent their political parties.
- The President of the Senate leads the Senate.
- The Speaker of the House leads the House of Representatives.
There are also majority and minority leaders. These leaders represent the main political parties. They help their party members work together.
How Long Do Members Serve?
Members of the Florida Legislature have specific term lengths.
- Senators serve for 4 years per term.
- Representatives serve for 2 years per term.
They also have "term limits." This means there's a maximum number of years they can serve.
- Senators can serve a total of 8 years (two 4-year terms).
- Representatives can serve a total of 8 years (four 2-year terms).
Term limits help bring new ideas and people into government.
Images for kids
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A diagram showing the structure of the Florida Senate.
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A diagram showing the structure of the Florida House of Representatives.
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The Florida State Capitol building in Tallahassee.
See also
In Spanish: Legislatura de Florida para niños
