Governor calls special session of the legislature to address illegal immigration, condominium regulation, hurricane relief funds, and the citizens’ initiative petition process

Governor Ron DeSantis announced a special session in a January 13 press conference

Press release from the Office of Governor Ron DeSantis

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Yesterday, Governor Ron DeSantis issued the below proclamation, calling for a special session of the Florida Legislature to convene on January 27, 2025, and to address the following issues: combating illegal immigration, condominium regulation, agricultural relief in response to natural disasters, replenishing the My Safe Florida Home program, and the citizens’ initiative petition process.

PROCLAMATION 
STATE OF FLORIDA 
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
TALLAHASSEE 
TO THE HONORABLE MEMBERS OF THE FLORIDA SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 


     WHEREAS, Article III, Section 3 of the Florida Constitution permits the Governor to convene the Legislature in Special Session during which only such legislative business may be transacted as is within the purview of this Proclamation, or of a communication from the Governor, or as is introduced by consent of two-thirds of the membership of each house of the Legislature; and

     WHEREAS, Article III, Section 3 of the Florida Constitution limits the duration of a Special Session to twenty (20) consecutive days; and

     WHEREAS, the State of Florida is experiencing a wide range of issues that require immediate attention; and

     WHEREAS, the federal government’s open border policies under Joe Biden have caused an unprecedented increase of illegal immigration into the United States, including Florida, which has resulted in massive costs and other adverse impacts to the American people; and

     WHEREAS, the federal government’s policies demonstrate a brazen disregard for the rule of law and pose a threat to public safety; and

     WHEREAS, on November 5, 2024, the American people elected Donald J. Trump as the 47th President of the United States; and

     WHEREAS, President-Elect Trump will be inaugurated on January 20, 2025, and has conveyed plans to immediately address the Biden border crisis; and

     WHEREAS, the State of Florida will play an important role in supporting the Trump administration and must be fully prepared with sufficient resources; and

     WHEREAS, the Florida condominium market continues to face challenges including soaring costs related to assessments, repairs, and inspections; and

     WHEREAS, it is necessary for the Legislature to address these challenges to ensure that Florida residents can continue to afford to live in their homes; and

     WHEREAS, in 2024, Florida experienced significant natural disasters causing wide-spread disruption to the agricultural industry; and

     WHEREAS, these disruptions have revealed several needs within the agricultural industry and the communities highly affected by the agricultural industry that necessitates immediate Legislative action; and

     WHEREAS, the integrity of the election process is of critical importance; and

     WHEREAS, the Department of State has identified several instances of fraud in the citizen initiative petition process the past election cycle; and

     WHEREAS, both in-state and out-of-state organizations exploited loopholes in the citizen initiative petition process; and

     WHEREAS, the loopholes need to be immediately closed and the citizens’ initiative petition process needs to be strengthened to ensure the integrity of our election process.

     NOW, THEREFORE, I, RON DESANTIS, Governor of the State of Florida, by virtue of the power and authority vested in me by Article III, Section 3(c)(1) of the Florida Constitution, do hereby proclaim as follows:

          Section 1: The Legislature of the State of Florida is convened in Special Session commencing at 9:00 a.m., Monday, January 27, and extending no later than 11:59 p.m., Friday, January 31, 2025.

          Section 2: The Legislature of the State of Florida is convened in Special Session for the sole and exclusive purpose of considering legislation and appropriations relating to (a) combatting illegal immigration, (b) condominium regulation, (c) agricultural relief in response to natural disasters, (d) replenishing the My Safe Florida Home program, and (e) citizens’ initiative petition process.

  • You combat illegal immigration by targeting their criminal employers. Why does every single government representative refuse to acknowledge this?…oh, maybe because they work for corporations and not for citizens. This really isn’t that complicated unless you’re being dishonest

  • You may not be able to control insurance companies but you should at least deal with the rising rates.
    There should be ways to put a cap on the crazy premiums and the wealthy shouldn’t be the only people able to afford living here.

    • And the people who live away from flood zones, waterfronts and temporary barrier island sand, should not have to subsidize insurance costs for the rich people who do choose to live in those risky places.

  • Definitely to all the above! We’re so blessed in Florida, to have a common sense governor. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 Imagine what it’d be like if Dems ran this state the last several years….💩👺🤡👹👿

  • Well Ronnie, you have passed out goodies to every special interest group in Florida.
    Like the King of candy you have made a lot of friends with the swag you have delivered.
    You forgot one group Ronnie boy, us staunch never quit 2nd amendment folk.
    Open carry was just a phone call away, yet you chose to ignore us to keep the other groups happy.
    A BIG disappointment Ronnie, one we won’t forget next time you run for an office.

  • citizens’ initiative petition process

    I can bet what this is about. Republican dictatorial control over the people

    “Any constitutional amendment petition restricting abortion shall get on the ballot with 5% of the voters signing a petition, and shall pass with 5% of the voters voting for it in the general election, and cannot be repealed for at least 1000 years.

    Any constitutional amendment liberalizing abortion laws shall get on the ballot only if 110% of the voters sign a petition within a single 36 hour window, and shall require 120% of the voters to vote for it to pass in the general election. The governor and the legislature are authorized to veto any amendment liberalizing abortion laws, cuz any one Republican knows better than 120% of the people.”

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