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The CRC completed its work and submitted its final report. This website is maintained for archival purposes.

Florida Constitution Revision Commission

Commissioner Rich Newsome

Appointed by Speaker

Proposals Introduced

  • P 0029 MISCELLANEOUS, Employment eligibility verification requirements
    Last Action: 5/11/2018 Died in Style and Drafting, see P 6010
  • P 0051 MISCELLANEOUS, Rights of electricity customers
    Last Action: 5/11/2018 Died in General Provisions
  • P 0052 GENERAL PROVISIONS, Ethics in government; prohibited financial transactions
    Last Action: 1/22/2018 Withdrawn from further consideration

Proposals Co-Introduced

  • P 0072 FINANCE AND TAXATION, Supermajority vote required to impose, authorize, or raise state taxes or fees
    Last Action: 3/20/2018 Withdrawn from further consideration
  • P 0091 GENERAL PROVISIONS, Natural resources and scenic beauty; prohibition on drilling for oil or natural gas in coastal waters
    Last Action: 5/11/2018 Died in Style and Drafting, see P 6004
  • P 6002 First Responder and Military Member Survivor Benefits; Public Colleges and Universities
    Last Action: 5/9/2018 Filed with Secretary of State
  • P 6007 Lobbying and Abuse of Office by Public Officers
    Last Action: 5/9/2018 Filed with Secretary of State

Biographical Information

Occupation: Senior partner of the Newsome Melton Law Firm
City: Orlando (Orange County)

Commissioner Rich Newsome is a native Floridian and senior partner at the Newsome Melton law firm where he represents individuals and families in complex civil litigation. In 2016, he was selected as the “Orlando Personal Injury Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers, a peer review publication. In 2015, he received the Steven C. Sharpe Public Service Award from the American Association for Justice, in recognition of his representation of a client. He is also a member of the Summit Council, a national group of America's finest trial lawyers for plaintiffs.

Commissioner Newsome attended Florida State University where he received his bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Economics, and then received his Juris Doctor from the University of Florida College of Law in 1989. While at both FSU and the University of Florida, he worked for the Florida House Minority Office.

After law school, Commissioner Newsome worked as a federal prosecutor for the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Northern and Middle Districts of Florida where he prosecuted a variety of cases ranging from white collar fraud to narcotic conspiracies. In 2001, he was appointed by Governor Jeb Bush to the Fifth District Court of Appeals Judicial Nominating Commission and served as the JNC’s Chairman during his term.

Commissioner Newsome is a Past-President of the Orlando Federal Bar Association, Past-President of the Florida Justice Association, Past-Member of the Board of Governors of the American Association for Justice and Past-President of the Central Florida Trial Lawyers Association. He currently serves as a Member of the Board of Directors for the Florida Guardian Ad Litem Foundation and is a past member of the St. James Cathedral Parish Council. Additionally, he owns a staffing company, 4 Corner Resources, with his brother Pete Newsome. 4 Corner, with offices in Orlando and Tampa, specializes in recruiting and placing employees in the IT and technical sector.

Commissioner Newsome’s family has deep roots in Florida, going back nine generations to St. Augustine. He and his wife Marcy live in Orlando and have three children.