The past two weeks have seen a flurry of unexpected activities in the Capitol! First, committee meetings the week of January 20 were canceled in advance of a winter storm that swept across the Southeast. The storm brought snow and ice stretching from Texas to Florida and created wintery conditions we rarely see in this part of the country. Ice skating on New Orleans streets, snow on Gulf beaches, and sledding on Tallahassee hills! We hope everyone remained safe throughout the storm and cold weather.
The week of January 27 marked the start of a special session, called by Governor DeSantis earlier this month. Under the Florida Constitution, the governor has the authority to call the legislature to a special session to focus on designated issues outside of the regular session dates. Governor DeSantis called for a special session to focus on immigration, condominiums, hurricane relief, and the process for citizen petition ballot initiatives. While the governor has the authority to call the legislature into special session based on certain issues, the legislature retains the authority to determine what legislative activity and business is then conducted within the special session.
On Monday, January 27, the legislature gaveled in to Special Session A, called by Governor DeSantis, and gaveled out without moving forward on any of the legislation filed for that special session. The legislature then gaveled in to Special Session B, called by the legislature, and proceeded to focus on one immigration bill. House regular session committee meetings previously scheduled for the week of January 27 were canceled for special session legislative activities. The Senate did not have any regular session committee meetings scheduled for the week. On Tuesday, January 29, the legislature passed the immigration bill. The governor has indicated that he plans to veto the bill.
The committee meeting schedule for the regular session is expected to recommence next week. Check back to the Impact Zone for updates about ocean and coastal priorities and reports from the committee meetings!