Welcome to Our Legislation Page
This page contains The Florida Bar's legislative positions, information about Bar advocacy, and other links for those interested in the legislative process.
Click on a heading to jump directly to that section.
Funding Florida's Courts
The Current Legislative Session
2009 Bill Reports
Important Legislative Dates
Legislation of Interest
Contact a State Legislator
Legislative Links
Online Sunshine - The Florida Legislature's official website
Florida's Secretary of State
What The Florida Bar is Advocating
Florida Bar Legislative Positions
Legislative Position Request Form for Sections, Divisions and Committees
Legislative Information for Bar members
How The Florida Bar May Advocate Issues
Rules Regulating The Florida Bar
Case Law on Legislative Activities of The Florida Bar
Standing Board Policies
The Legislation Committee
The Current Legislative Session
The Governmental Relations staff reviews all proposed legislation and attempts to identify every Bar committee, section or division that may be interested in any bill. Compilations of those bills are arranged by division, committee or section name and may be accessed in various 2010 Bill Reports. This link also includes a separate compilation of all bills filed during the current legislative session.
Any committee or section of The Florida Bar that is interested in advocating a position related to any bill or other legislative issue must first comply with official Bar policies governing such advocacy. See the official list of all legislative positions within The Florida Bar.
Legislative bill text and analysis can also be viewed via “Online Sunshine” – the Florida Legislature’s official Internet site at www.leg.state.fl.us. You can use either the House of Representatives or the Senate link to look up bill information.
The legislative process is ever changing. The Bar’s and the Florida Legislature's websites should be consulted regularly for developments in a bill's progress. Continuing updates to The Florida Bar site may show new listings of bar groups that we think could be potentially interested in a particular bill.
If you need any help, please call Elizabeth May at (800) 342-8060 ext. 5662.
Important Florida Legislative Session Dates
Although legislative sessions only last for 60 days, throughout the year there are committee meetings and other important dates including Organizational Session and bill filing deadlines.
2009 Lawyers in the Legislature
Legislation of Interest to the Legal Profession
Listed is a summary of bills that passed during the previous session which may be of interest to Florida Bar members.
Legislative Links
The Florida Legislature's On-line Sunshine
This WWW site also provides individuals with access to bill summaries, bill text and legislative actions; House and Senate Committee schedules; registered lobbyists; the Florida Statutes and Constitution; and a list of legislators and their committee assignments.
See video of the Florida House and Senate activities.
The Secretary of State's Home page
Among other facts, this site contains election information and a listing of all new laws that were enacted in the previous session.
Any comments, questions or requests should be directed to: The Florida Bar, Governmental Affairs, 651 E. Jefferson Street, Tallahassee, Florida, 32399-2300. Call: 800/342-8060, ext. 5661 or contact Elizabeth May at emay@flabar.org or 850/561-5662.
What The Florida Bar is Advocating
Florida Bar Legislative Positions
Here you will find the master list of all Bar, section, division and committee positions for the 2008-2010 legislative biennium. All legislative positions within The Florida Bar expire at the conclusion of each legislative biennium.
Legislative positions of The Florida Bar and its committees are officially noticed in the Bar News edition immediately following approval by the Board of Governors. Under Rule 2-9.3(b)-(e) , Rules Regulating The Florida Bar, within 45 days of such notice, members may file a written objection to any of these positions which are funded by Bar membership fees. Objections are considered for a refund of that portion of mandatory fees applicable to any contested legislative position.
Section positions are advanced with the voluntary dues and separate resources of those groups -- and in their name only.
Also available is a position request form for any Bar section, division, or committee wishing to take a position.
How The Florida Bar May Advocate Issues
Rules Regulating The Florida Bar Relating to Legislative Activities
The Florida Bar's legislative activities are primarily influenced by the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar, as promulgated by the Supreme Court of Florida.
Chapter 1
Rule 1-1, Name
Rule 1-2, Purpose | Chapter 2
Bylaw 2-3.2 (d)(4)Powers
Bylaw 2-7.5, Legislative Action of Sections and Divisions
Bylaw 2-9.3, Legislative Policies |
Case Law Relating to Legislative Activities
Legislative activity of The Florida Bar is additionally defined by a number of state and federal court opinions that have clarified the First Amendment rights of individual members in connection with political or ideological activities of their unified bar.
Standing Board Policies of The Florida Bar Relating to Legislative Activities
The Florida Bar's legislative program is further shaped by its own operational guidelines, within the 900 Series of the Standing Policies of the Board of Governors.
Legislation Committee Members