The recent Florida Supreme Court decision to invalidate eight of Florida’s 27 Congressional Districts introduced new legal precedent. This opinion will govern the ongoing litigation
concerning the Senate map adopted by the Legislature on March 27, 2012.
Given these implications, the Senate has entered into a stipulation and consent judgment with the Plaintiffs and agreed the enacted Senate map will be revised prior to the 2016 primary and general elections.
It has been the practice of each chamber to draw its own districts. Senate professional staff, with the advice of counsel and at the express direction of the members of the Senate, drew the Enacted Senate Plan. By entering into this consent judgment, the Senate accepts full responsibility for the Enacted Senate Plan. The House was not involved in drawing the Senate map, nor did the House amend the Senate map prior to its enactment. The House did not intend to favor or disfavor any political party or incumbent, and had no knowledge of any constitutional infirmities relating to the Enacted Senate Plan. Taking these facts into account, the House does not object to the consent judgment and has agreed to be bound by its terms.
View entire memo from Senate president Andy Gardner and House Speaker Steve Crisafulli to Members of the Florida Legislature here.