ORLANDO, Fla. – On Tuesday, June 6, the Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) held a public meeting of the full commission at the University of Central Florida. During the meeting, the CRC achieved wide consensus and formally adopted rules to govern the CRC. The newly adopted rules will allow the CRC to begin forming committees and drafting proposed revisions to the Florida Constitution.

The 2017-2018 rules are based on the rules passed by the previous CRC held in 1997-1998, with key revisions incorporated to facilitate an open and transparent process for the public and to ensure that all Commissioners have a voice during the process.

Rules of the 2017-2018 Constitution Revision Commission

• Adopts the same language from the 1997-1998 rules to ensure an open and transparent public process.

Rule 1.23: “All proceedings and records of the Commission shall be open to the public.”

• Revises the 1997-1998 rules to ensure all Commissioner proposals have an opportunity to be heard by the full commission and to empower individual Commissioners.

Rule 4.5: “After the Commission Chair has referred a proposal, any Commissioner may move to remove a proposal from committee. This motion may be adopted by a majority vote. Any proposal removed from committee shall be placed on the special order calendar at the next full Commission meeting.”

• Revises the 1997-1998 rules to require the membership of the Rules and Administration Committee to have proportional representation of the appointing authorities.

Rule 2.3, Paragraph 2: “The Rules and Administration Committee shall be responsible for setting the daily calendar and any additions thereto … The committee shall be composed of nine (9) voting members, appointed as follows:

a.      Four (4) Commissioners who were appointed to the Commission by the Governor;

b.      Two (2) Commissioners who were appointed to the Commission by the President of the Senate;

c.       Two (2) Commissioners who were appointed to the Commission by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and

d.      One (1) Commissioner who was appointed to the Commission by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

Members shall be appointed in accordance with Rule 1.3.”

• Revises the 1997-1998 rules to ensure the public has adequate notice of all public meetings. 

Rule 1.11: “The Secretary shall publish a calendar as provided by the Committee on Rules and Administration in accordance with these Rules. In the event the Commission goes into recess, the Secretary shall publish an interim calendar, which sets forth notices of public hearings, and all other matters of public information as shall be necessary to properly advise the members and the public of the official meetings of the Commission. Such notice, including an agenda of items to be considered, shall be published no less than five (5) days prior to Commission meetings.”

• Revises the 1997-1998 rules to eliminate the ability of the chairman to create additional standing committees and adopts the same substantive standing committees from the 1997-1998 rules.

Rule 2.1: “There is herby created the following substantive standing committees:

1.      Declaration of Rights (Article I)

2.      Executive (Article IV)

3.      Judicial (Article V)

4.      Legislative (Article III)

5.      Local Government (Article VIII)

6.      Finance and Taxation (Article VII)

7.      Ethics and Elections (Article VI, part of Article II)

8.      Bonding and Investments (Article VII)

9.      Education (Article IX)

10.  General Provisions (Articles II, X, XI, and XII)

Each standing committee shall be composed of no less than five (5) members.”

To read the Rules of the 2017-2018 Constitution Revision Commission, visit flcrc.gov/Reference.

To watch the public meeting held in Orlando, visit the Florida Channel’s website which has a page dedicated to all CRC public hearings and meetings. Additional public hearings and meetings will be scheduled and announced at a future date.

### 

ABOUT THE FLORIDA CONSTITUTION REVISION COMMISSION (CRC)

Once every twenty years, Florida's Constitution provides for the creation of a thirty-seven member revision commission for the purpose of reviewing Florida's Constitution and proposing changes for voter consideration. The Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) meets for approximately one year, traveling the State of Florida, identifying issues, performing research and possibly recommending changes to the Constitution. Any amendments proposed by the CRC would be placed on the 2018 General Election ballot. For additional information, visit flcrc.gov. Follow the CRC on Twitter (@FloridaCRC) and Instagram (@FloridaCRC). Like the CRC on Facebook (@FloridaCRC).