On Tuesday, March 2, Senate President Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, and House Speaker Chris Sprowls, R-Palm Harbor, opened the 2021 Florida legislative session. The Florida Legislature meets in session every year for 60 consecutive days, convening in March in odd-numbered years, and in January in even-numbered years. At the end of each week of the session, the FCCB will provide a summary of legislative activity on priority bills and other items of interest at the capitol.
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the House and the Senate have put in place a series of new protocols to safely conduct their work during the session. The House is offering limited seating at committee meetings and requiring visitors to register online to gain access to meeting rooms. The Senate has barred members of the public from attending committee meetings in person and is requiring testimony be given remotely from the nearby Donald L. Tucker Civic Center. The state capitol complex remains largely closed to the public. Lawmakers and staff have been meeting with lobbyists and constituents mainly via phone or video conferencing.
Bill text and legislative action on bills filed for the 2021 legislative session can be found on the websites of the
Florida House and
Florida Senate.