Florida House Speaker Dean Cannon: Expect No Major Floor Action During First Several Weeks of Session
Dec 21, 2011
In regard to the 2012 Florida Legislative Session, House Speaker Dean Cannon announced in a memo today, December 21, 2011, that he anticipates House Members spending less time on the Floor in formal Session.
The memo, which is reprinted below, also outlined Speaker Cannon’s plans for both the House Policy and Fiscal subcommittee meetings.
Should you have any comments or questions, please contact Colodny Fass.
MEMORANDUM
TO: Members, Florida House of Representatives
FROM: Dean Cannon, Speaker
DATE: December 21, 2011
RE: 2012 Session
The early start date for the 2012 Session will have a collateral impact on the timing and sequence of our work in the House. To assist you in managing your legislation this Session, I bring to your attention several items:
– We anticipate spending significantly less time on the Floor, in formal Session, than we did last year. I do not expect any major Floor action during the first several weeks of Session.
– The policy subcommittees will meet during weeks one through four of Session. Since the fiscal subcommittees will spend the first three weeks preparing their recommendations for the FY 2012-13 state budget, they will be given additional time during weeks five and six to consider Member bills. If necessary, additional subcommittee time will also be allotted in weeks five or six to the Community & Military Affairs Subcommittee to complete its consideration of local bills, the Government Operations Subcommittee to complete its public records exemption reviews, and the Civil Justice Subcommittee for the consideration of claims bills. The subcommittee agendas for these additional meetings will be limited to those enumerated topics.
– The policy and fiscal committees of the House will continue to meet through week seven of Session.
– Please be reminded that regardless of when you file your bills, referrals are based on content. The more expansive your bill, the more referrals your bill will likely receive.
Last Session, the House maintained the integrity of its committee process. We did not withdraw a single House bill from a subcommittee or committee, and we did not take up a single Senate bill whose House companion had not reached the House Calendar. It is my intention to adhere to the same principles for the 2012 Session.
I wish all of you Happy Holidays and look forward to working with you when you return to Tallahassee.
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