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ARTICLE IV. Legislative Department. Section 1. The Legislative power of this State shall be vested in two
distinct branches, the one to be styled the Senate, the other the House of
Representatives, and both together "The General Assembly of the State of
Florida," and the style of the laws shall be, "Be it enacted by the Senate and
House of Representatives of the State of Florida in General Assembly convened."
Section 2. The members of the House of Representatives shall be chosen
by the qualified voters, and shall serve for the term of two years from the day
of the general election, and no longer: and the sessions of the General Assembly
shall be annual, and commence on the second Wednesday in November in each year.
Section 3. The Representatives shall be chosen every two years on the
first Monday in the month of October, until otherwise directed by law. Section 4. No person shall be a Representative unless he be a white
man, a citizen of the United States, and shall have been an inhabitant of the
State two years next preceding his election, and the last year thereof a
resident of the County for which he shall be chosen, and shall have attained the
age of twenty-one years. Section 5. The Senators shall be chosen by the qualified electors for
the term of two years, at the same time, in the same manner, and at the same
places where they vote for members of the House of Representatives; and no man
shall be a Senator unless he be a white man, a citizen of the United States, and
shall have been an inhabitant of this State two years next preceding his
election, and the last year thereof a resident of the District or County for
which he shall be chosen, and shall have attained the age of twenty-five years.
Section 6. The House of Representatives, when assembled, shall choose
Section 7. A majority of each House shall constitute a quorum to do
business, but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, and may compel the
attendance of absent members, in such manner and under such penalties as each
House may prescribe. Section 8. Each House may determine the rules of its own proceedings,
punish its members for disorderly behavior, and with the consent of two-thirds,
expel a member, but not a second time for the same cause. Section 9. Each House, during the session, may punish, by
imprisonment, any person not a member, for disrespectful or disorderly behavior
in its presence, or for obstructing any of its proceedings, provided, such
imprisonment shall not extend beyond the end of the session. Section 10. Each House shall keep a Journal of its proceedings, and
cause the same to be published immediately after its adjournment; and the yeas
and nays of the members of each House shall be taken and entered upon the
Journals upon the final passage of every bill, and may, by any two members, be
required upon any other question; and any member of either House shall have
liberty to dissent from, or protest against, any act or resolution which he may
think injurious to the public, or an individual, and have the reasons of Section 11. Senators and Representatives shall in all cases, except of
treason, felony, or breach of the peace, be privileged from arrest during the
session of the General Assembly, and in going to, or returning from the same,
allowing one day for every twenty miles such member may reside from the place at
which the General Assembly is convened, and for any speech or debate in either
House they shall not be questioned in any other place. Section 12. The General Assembly shall make provision by law, for
filling vacancies that may occur in either House by the death, resignation, (or
otherwise) of any of its members. Section 13. The doors of each House shall be open when in legislative
session, except on such occasions as, in the opinion of the House, the public
safety may imperiously require secrecy. Section 14. Neither House shall, without the consent of the other,
adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other place than that in which they
may be sitting. Section 15. Bills may originate in either House of the General
Assembly; and all bills passed by one House may be discussed, amended or
rejected by the other; but no bill shall have the force of law, until on three
several days it be read in each House and free discussion be allowed thereon,
unless in cases of urgency, four-fifths of the House in which the same shall be
depending, may deem it expedient Section 16. Each member of the General Assembly shall receive from the
public Treasury such compensation for his services as may be fixed by law; but
no increase of compensation shall take effect during the term for which the
Representatives were elected, when such law passed. Section 17. The sessions of the General Assembly shall not extend in
duration over thirty days, unless it be deemed expedient by a concurrent
majority of two-thirds of the members of each House; and no member shall receive
pay from the State for his services after the expiration of sixty days
continuously from the commencement of the session. Section 18. The General Assembly shall by law authorize the Circuit
Court to grant licenses for building Toll-Bridges, and to establish Ferries, and
to regulate the tolls of both; to construct dams across streams not navigable;
to ascertain and declare what streams are navigable; but no special law for such
purpose shall be made. Section 19. The General Assembly shall pass a general law prescribing
the manner in which names of persons may be changed, but no special law for such
purpose shall be passed; and no law shall be made allowing minors to contract,
or manage their estates. Section 20. The General Assembly shall pass a general law for the
incorporation of Towns, Religious, Literary, Scientific, Benevolent, Military
and other Associations, not Commercial, Industrial or Financial; but no special
act incorporating any such association shall be passed. Section 21 . No act incorporating any Railroad, Banking, Insurance,
Commercial or Financial corporation shall be introduced into the General
Assembly, unless the person or persons applying for such corporation shall have
deposited with the Treasurer the sum of one hundred dollars as a bonus to the
State. Section 22. Officers shall be removed from office for incapacity,
misconduct or neglect of duty, in such manner as may be provided by law, when no
mode of trial or removal is provided in this Constitution.
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