Article 3: Legislature

Question 1

Separation of Powers

Answer 1

The Florida Constitution expressly incorporates the doctrine of separation of powers, mandating separation of the executive, judicial and legislative branches of government.

Question 2

Legislative Sessions types

Answer 2

1. organizational
2. regular
3. special

Question 3

Organizational Session

Answer 3

• No new laws
• can only organize
• who is who / who is on what committee

Question 4

Regular Session

Answer 4

• any bill you want
• introducing / voting
• lasts 60 days
• can pass any bill

Question 5

Special Session

Answer 5

• called by Governor OR head of senate or house
• have to designate purpose of session
• can only pass bills related to that session

Question 6

Single-Subject Requirement

Answer 6

“Every bill shall embrace one subject & matters properly connected therewith.”

• if violated, entire bill struck

Question 7

Default Effective Date of Laws

Answer 7

Effective date = date government can start enforcing law
- bill can state when that is
- if bill doesn’t state, effective date is 60 days after the end of the session

Question 8

Executive Action After Bill Passage

Answer 8

• after session, bill gets sent to Governor: either signs or vetos
• if signs: becomes law
• if doesn’t sign: becomes law AFTER 7 DAYS

Question 9

Types of Law

Answer 9

1. general law
2. special law
3. general law of local application

Question 10

General Law

Answer 10

one that applies equally / uniformly statewide to all persons or circumstances

to pass:
(1) both parts of legislature (house & senate) vote to approve
(2) Governor signs

Question 11

Special Law

Answer 11

one that applies differently to different people or places in Florida

to pass: 2 ways:
(i) Notice to Affected people:
- Give Notice of law going to be passed
- Legislature votes
- Governor signs

OR

(ii) Referendum (vote by affected ppl):
- Legislature votes
- Affected people vote
- Governor signs

Question 12

General Law of Local Application

Answer 12

Think: does the law apply to population sizes?
Ex: No county with more than 100 people can do x

DO NOT NEED NOTICE OR REFERENDUM

Question 13

Prohibition on Certain Types of Special Law & General Laws of Local Application

Answer 13

Can’t make special / general laws of local app for these types because they NEED TO BE UNIFORM THROUGHOUT THE STATE:

• Election Law
• Domestic Relations (divorces; GDs; Adoptions)
• Property Rights