Florida legislative session extended

Tallahassee, Florida – As lawmakers need extra time to pass a state budget, the House and Senate on Friday formally extended the legislative session to Monday.
Lawmakers approved a resolution (SCR 2002) that extended the session until 11:59 p.m. Monday, but the extension will only apply to the budget and budget-related bills. Other legislation will die Friday night if it hasn’t passed.
On Friday, lawmakers were scheduled to end the 60-day session, but budget negotiators were unable to finish a spending plan by a Tuesday deadline. That deadline involves a law requiring a 72-hour “cooling off” period before lawmakers can vote on the completed budget.
On Thursday, starting the 72-hour clock, House Appropriations Chairman Jay Trumbull, R-Panama City, and Senate Appropriations Chairwoman Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland, finished the budget.