User:Starrfruit/sandbox/2002-04 Florida Legislature

The 2002-04 Florida Legislature was the legislature of the U.S. state of Florida following the 2002 general election, occurring during the first two years of Governor Jeb Bush's second term. It was the 18th legislature convened under the 1968 Constitution and the 81th since statehood in 1845.

In the November 5, 2002 elections, the Republican Party gained one seat in the Senate, yielding a 26-14 majority. The Republicans gained five seats in the House of Representatives while the Democrats gained one, resulting in a 81-39 Republican majority.

The legislature met in eight sessions: a one-day organization session on November 19, 2002; the 2003 regular session from March 4 to May 2; five special sessions in the summer and fall of 2003 ("A" from May 12–27; "B" from June 16–19; "C" from July 9–21; "D" from August 12–13; and "E" from October 20–24); and the 2004 regular session from March 2 to April 30.

Senate
Membership changed with one death and one subsequent special elections, but the chamber's party balance remained constant.

House of Representatives
There were four resignations and four subsequent special elections during the course of the 2002-04 term. The party balance did not change.

Major legislation and events
Governor Jeb Bush was sworn in to his second term on January 7, 2003. Also on this day, the 1998 constitutional amendment restructuring and downsizing the Florida Cabinet took effect. Attorney General Charlie Crist was sworn in to his first term, Commissioner of Agriculture Charles Bronson began his first full term, and Tom Gallagher was sworn in as the first Chief Financial Officer (merged from Comptroller and Treasurer). The offices of Secretary of State and Education Commissioner were eliminated from the cabinet.

The 2003 regular session resulted in several major pieces of legislation: Because the legislature did not pass a budget during the 2003 regular session, Bush called a special session ("A") for May 12–27 to enact a budget and consider other legislation. CITE The legislature passed a budget and it was signed into law... CITE
 * Law 1
 * Law 2

Bush called three special sessions later in 2003 to address medical malpractice legislation. Special sessions "B" (June 16–19) and "C" (July 9–21) ended without a law passed, but session "D" (August 12–13) resulted in XX Act.

Bush called another special session ("E") for October 20–24, 2003 to consider legislation concerning economic development and stimulus, among other issues.

During the 2004 regular session, the legislature passed several significant new laws:
 * Law 1
 * Law 2