Meeting Summary
October 16, 1996
Room 415, House Office Building
Tallahassee, Florida 32399The Steering Committee met for the third time and considered a series of issues.
Internet Homepage Update. Pursuant to the direction of the Steering Committee, the Steering Committee homepage has been placed online. The homepage contains all relevant information relating to the Steering Committee. The Steering Committee staff asked for and received permission to continue to work with the Florida State College of Law to expand the site for the Constitution Revision Commission.
Public Forums. The Steering Committee, in cooperation with the League of Women Voters and other civic groups, expressed an interest in developing a series of public forums. The purpose of the forums is to involve the public in the process of identifying issues and proposing solutions to some of the major problems facing Florida.
Constitutional Research. The Steering Committee received offers to research issues from The Florida Bar and the University of Florida College of Law. The Florida Bar offered to locate constitutional scholars and have them research issues for the commission with no budgetary impact. Dean Richard Matasar offered a three-pronged approach regarding research: (1) provide background research, (2) identify issues for the commission through public polling and the media, and (3) perform detailed research on issues identified by the commission.
Commission Budget. Staff provided the Steering Committee an update of the budget presented to the Florida Legislature. The Steering Committee requested that Senator Fred R. Dudley and Mr. Buzzett continue to work on the budget and a supplemental budget.
Repository for Commission Records. The Steering Committee approved staff's suggestion that the Supreme Court Library be designated as the temporary custodian of commission materials. After the court converts the materials to electronic form, the original records will be forwarded to the State Archives for permanent storage.
Commission Office Space. Staff reported that it is trying to locate office space for the revision commission. The Steering Committee stated a preference for offices within the greater capitol complex. Staff is prepared to make a more formal presentation relating to office space at the November meeting of the steering committee.
Commission Library. Staff requested and the Steering Committee approved the creation of a library for the purpose of assembling research materials that will be necessary for the revision process. Staff has been given permission to negotiate long-term loans for materials from local libraries.
Rules for Lobbyists. The Steering Committee considered the issue of developing rules for persons lobbying the revision commission. After a brief discussion, the Steering Committee requested that Judge Barkdull and staff develop proposed rules for consideration at the November Steering Committee meeting.
Past Amendments to the Constitution. Staff prepared and presented a table that succinctly summarizes every amendment placed on the ballot from 1968 to the present. The table summarizes each amendment and provides the final vote. The table has been placed on the Internet.
(For complete minutes of Steering Committee meetings, please contact the Steering Committee or the Steering Committee Internet homepage.)
