The Florida House of Representatives recently passed a joint resolution 82-33 that would amend the Florida Constitution to institute eight-year term limits for county commissioners and school district board members.
Rep. Michelle Salzman (R-Escambia County) filed the joint resolution (HJR 679). Rep. Salzman detailed HJ 679 on the House floor.
"This is the House joint resolution to put term limits for county commissioners and school board members at eight years on the ballot," Salzman said.
Rep. Lindsay Cross (D-St. Petersburg) asked Salzman if the joint resolution nullified local charter provisions that were lawfully enacted by local voters. Rep. Cross said that her representation, Pinellas County, voted for 12-year term limits.
"It doesn't do anything but put it back on the ballot and let the voters decide," Salzman said.
Salzman noted that over 80% of Americans support term limits at every level of government.
The bill also included a strike-all, which passed earlier this month. The strike-all keeps the eight-year term limit for county commissioners and school board members on the ballot but adjusts the term limit to allow county commissioners to serve for eight years, take a one-term break, and run again if they choose to do so.
Under HJR 679, the term limit would apply to county commissioners starting on or after Nov. 3, 2026. A term limit for school district board members would start before Nov. 8, 2022.
Notably, a "joint resolution" is the only way by which the Florida Legislature can propose amendments to the Constitution.
Rep. Cross, in debate, expressed opposition to the bill.
"I believe that this will ultimately strip voters of their abilities in many counties to self-govern by forcing them to vote on terms that limit things statewide," Cross said. "Already, we have 12 counties that have imposed term limits by their own choice. All of our counties are able to do this electively right now."
Cross added that the state did not need a "one-size-fits-all" approach to the bill's intent.
"I believe it should be incumbent on each of the individual counties to make that decision on their own," Cross continued.
Sen. Blaise Ingoglia (R-Spring Hill) is carrying the Senate version of the bill (SB 802). His bill has two committee stops remaining.
If fully passed, the resolution will be placed on the 2026 general election ballot for voter approval.
