How we watch bills:

  • Resources (examples below)
    • Florida House of Representatives Website
    • Florida Senate Website
    • LobbyTools Software
    • News sources/articles and social media
    • Florida House of Representatives printing office
    • Florida Senate printing office
  • With Key Words (examples below)
    • CCNA
    • Florida Building Codes
    • Expressway Authority
    • Infrastructure
  • With Statute Alerts (examples below)
    • Chapter 471 Engineering
    • 287.057 Procurement of Commodities or Contractual Services
    • Section 471.007 Board of Professional Engineers
    • Section 471.0195 Florida Building Code Training for Engineers
  •  Amendments (examples below)
    • Amendments to bills that open certain statutes
    • Bills used as vehicles for amendments

What we do when key alerts are triggered:

  •  Read the bill/amendment
  • Alert appropriate committees
  • Monitor bill/amendment
  • Get a second opinion (seasoned lobbyist/attorney)
  • Meet with the bill sponsor, stakeholders, and staff
  • Develop a strategy to support, amend or “kill” an adverse bill/amendment

How a bill becomes a law:

  • Bill is filed by the sponsor (Representative/Senator) during the bill filing period
  • Leadership (House Speaker/Senate President) assigns the bill to one or more committees for consideration
  • If the bill passes through all assigned committees, the bill is voted on by full chambers (House and Senate)
  • If the bill clears both chambers, the bill is sent to Governor and either signed into law or vetoed
  • If the bill is not vetoed by Governor, it will become law on the bill’s “effective date”

When we send out reports:

  • As soon as possible if the bill, or amendment to a bill, is of immediate concern
  • At the end of the committee/session week
  • After all passing bills have been either approved/vetoed by Governor

Where to find more information: