Continuing a process that began last spring and is approaching a final May 10 deadline, the Florida Constitution Revision Commission (the “Commission”) is traveling across the state to hold public hearings for additional public feedback on the 37 proposals under its active consideration. 

This follows a nearly seven-hour public hearing held last week in Fort Lauderdale. More than 700 people attended, and over 330 commented. Additional hearings for public comment are scheduled for February 19 in Melbourne, February 20 in Jacksonville, February 27 in Pensacola, and March 13 in St. Petersburg. Despite these noticed hearings, there is no indication when the Commission will actually vote as a body on any of the proposals.

This is especially important because, set against the looming May 10 deadline to file approved proposals with the Secretary of State, a proposal must be approved by a majority of the Commission before it is sent to the Style and Drafting Committee to craft ballot language. Then, after ballot language is drafted, the proposal returns to the full Commission and must receive 22 Commissioner votes in order to place the proposal on the general election ballot in November.

With constitutional amendment topics including public education changes, the expansion of legislative and local government lobbying prohibitions and restrictions, the enactment of a greyhound racing ban, and the prohibition on judicial deference for state agency interpretation of rules and statutes, the Constitution Revision Commission process has far-reaching implications for subjects that affect public, private, and business interests throughout the state.