Term limits 4 terms (8 years) New session started March 7, 2017 | Founded January 7, 1839 | |
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Type Lower house of the Florida Legislature Preceded by Legislative Council of the Territory of Florida Speaker Richard Corcoran (R)
Since November 22, 2016 | ||
The Florida House of Representatives is the lower house of the legislature of the U.S. state of Florida. Along with the Senate, it comprises the Florida Legislature. The House has 120 members, each elected from a single-member district with a population of about 157,000. The House meets at the State Capitol in Tallahassee.
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Members serve two-year terms and are restricted by term limits, limiting them to four consecutive two-year terms, but after sitting out one term may run again.
The Florida Constitution establishes the powers and duties shared by the House and Senate, which include passing laws, developing an annual state budget, and making investigations. Additionally, the House has the exclusive power to impeach state officials.
The House has its origins in Florida’s territorial period, when the existing Florida Territorial Legislative Council was expanded, renamed the House of Representatives, and made the lower house in a new, bicameral Legislative Council in 1838.
Terms and qualifications
State representatives are elected to two-year terms during even-numbered years. A representative must be at least 21 years of age, a resident of the district in which he or she will serve, and a resident of Florida for at least two years before being qualified to run for election. Once elected, representatives are limited to four consecutive terms but can run again after sitting out one election.
Session
The entire Florida Legislature meets every year in a session beginning on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in March and lasting 60 calendar days. Special sessions may be called either by the Governor or by the leaders of both chambers acting jointly. The Speaker of the House is elected by the representatives for a two-year term. The Speaker has the power to preside over the chamber during a session, to appoint committee members and chairs of committees, to influence the placement of bills on the calendar, and to rule on procedural motions. The Speaker pro tempore presides if the Speaker leaves the Chair or if there is a vacancy.