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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 Chris Smith

Appointed by President

Proposals Introduced

  • P 0007 SUFFRAGE AND ELECTIONS, Disqualifications; restoration of voting rights
    Last Action: 1/26/2018 Withdrawn from further consideration
  • P 0061 LOCAL GOVERNMENT, Counties; Municipalities; home rule
    Last Action: 5/11/2018 Died in Legislative
  • P 0087 FINANCE AND TAXATION, technical revisions; Article VII
    Last Action: 3/2/2018 Withdrawn from further consideration
  • P 0101 JUDICIARY, Retention; election and terms; Vacancies
    Last Action: 1/19/2018 Withdrawn from further consideration

Proposals Co-Introduced

  • 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 6001 Rights of Crime Victims; Judges
    Last Action: 5/9/2018 Filed with Secretary of State
  • P 6004 Prohibits Offshore Oil and Gas Drilling; Prohibits Vaping in Enclosed Indoor Workplaces
    Last Action: 5/9/2018 Filed with Secretary of State

Biographical Information

Occupation: Attorney
City: Fort Lauderdale (Broward County)

Commissioner Chris Smith embarked on his career of public service as a youth and has served the state of Florida in many roles, including as a former state representative and state senator. He got his start in his home city of Fort Lauderdale and in 1995 he was appointed to the City's Planning and Zoning Board where he fought to balance the need for economic development and the rights of property and home owners. 

In 1998 Commissioner Smith was elected to the Florida House of Representative serving the City of Fort Lauderdale and six surrounding municipalities. In his third term he was elected Democratic Leader of the Florida House of Representatives. After being term limited out of the House of Representatives, he was elected to the Florida Senate in 2008 representing Broward and Palm Beach Counties. After redistricting, Commissioner Smith represented 14 municipalities in Central Broward County. In only the third year of his first term he was once again elected Democratic Leader of his chamber. During his time in office, Commissioner Smith was consistently ranked by the Miami Herald and the South Florida Sun Sentinel as a top legislative leader.  

Commissioner Smith has discussed Florida law and politics on many national and local programs such as CNN, MSNBC, Fox News Channel, NPR, Jim Defede Show and the Michael Putney Show. He has received many awards including, the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (FACDL) Legislative Champion of Justice, Legislator of the Year from the American Jewish Congress and Humanitarian Award from the Young Democrats. He is also actively involved in the community serving on the Board of Directors for Mount Bethal Community Development Corporation, Inc., Youth Advisor for the NAACP, Vice President for The Gold Coast Alumni Chapter of Johnson C. Smith University and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

A partner with the Tripp Scott Law Firm, Commissioner Smith received his undergraduate degree from Johnson C. Smith University and his J.D. from Florida State University College of Law. He is married to Desorae Giles-Smith and they are the proud parents of two children, Christopher and Christian.