Title Page
        Page i
    Members of the House of Representatives
        Page ii
        Page iii
    November 1976
        Tuesday, November 16
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Journa



I



S



of the

House of Representatives



ORGANIZATION SESSION




FIFTH LEGISLATURE
[under the Constitution as Revised in 1968]



NOVEMBER



16,



1976



and



APRIL 5 through JUNE 3,



1977



[Including a record of transmittal of Acts subsequent to sine die adjournment]








MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
[Democrats in Roman (92); Republicans in Italic (28)
(as of Organization Session)

District



District



Part of Escambia
1 Grover C. Robinson, III, Pensacola
2 Thomas R. "Tom" Patterson, Pensacola
3 Clyde H. "Jack" Hagler, Pensacola
Okaloosa, parts of Escambia, Santa Rosa, Walton
4 Edmond M. "Ed" Fortune, Pace
5 J. G. "Jerry" Melvin, Fort Walton Beach
6 James G. Ward, Fort Walton Beach
Holmes, parts of Jackson, Walton, Washington
7 Wayne Mixson, Marianna
Parts of Bay, Walton, Washington
8 Earl Hutto, Panama City
Calhoun, Gulf, parts of Bay, Gadsden, Jackson, Liberty
9 William J. "Billy Joe" Rish, Port St. Joe
Franklin, parts of Gadsden, Jefferson, Liberty,
Taylor, Wakulla
10 James Harold Thompson, Quincy
Leon, parts of Jefferson, Madison, Wakulla
11 Donald L. Tucker, Tallahassee
12 Herbert F. "Herb" Morgan, Tallahassee
Columbia, Hamilton, parts of Madison, Suwannee
13 Wayne Hollingsworth, Lake City
Citrus, Dixie, Gilchrist, Lafayette, Levy, parts of
Hernando, Marion, Suwannee, Taylor
14 Gene Hodges, Cedar Key
Baker, Nassau, parts of Duval, Union
15 George R. Grosse, Jacksonville
(Resigned July 31, 1977)
Part of Duval
16 Arnett E. Girardeau, D.D.S., Jacksonville
17 John R. Forbes, Jacksonville
18 John W. Lewis, Jacksonville
19 Eric B. Smith, Jacksonville
20 Carl Ogden, Jacksonville
21 Thomas L. "Tommy" Hazouri, Jacksonville
22 Steve Pajcic, Jacksonville
23 R. Earl Dixon, Jacksonville
24 Ander Crenshaw, Jacksonville
Bradford, Clay, part of St. Johns
25 Frank Williams, Starke
Alachua, parts of Marion, Putnam, Union
26 Sidney "Sid" Martin, Hawthorne
27 William C. "Bill" Andrews, Gainesville
Parts of Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns
28 A. H. "Gus" Craig, St. Augustine
Volusia, part of Flagler
29 William R. "Bill" Conway, Ormond Beach



30 Samuel P. Bell, III, Daytona Beach
31 J. Hyatt Brown, Ormond Beach
Parts of Lake, Marion
32 Wayne C. McCall, D.D.S., Ocala
Parts of Orange, Seminole
33 Bob Hattaway, Altamonte Springs
Parts of Lake, Marion, Seminole
34 Vince Fechtel, Jr., Leesburg
Parts of Lake, Marion, Sumter
35 Richard H. "Dick" Langley, Clermont
Parts of Hernando, Pasco, Polk, Sumter
36 John R. Culbreath, Brooksville
Parts of Pasco, Pinellas
37 Ronald R. "Ron" Richmond, New Port Richey
Part of Orange
38 Lawrence R. "Larry" Kirkwood, Winter Park
39 John L. Mica, Winter Park
40 W. E. "Bill" Fulford, Orlando
41 Fran Carlton, Orlando
42 Toni Jennings, Orlando
43 Dick J. Batchelor, Orlando
Parts of Brevard, Orange, Seminole
44 David L. "Dave" Barrett, Indialantic
45 Clark Maxwell, Jr., Melbourne
46 Marilyn Bailey Evans, Melbourne
47 C. William "Bill" Nelson, Melbourne
Indian River, parts of Brevard, Okeechobee, Osceola,
St. Lucie
48 R. Dale Patchett, Vero Beach
Parts of Highlands, Osceola, Polk
49 Robert B. "Bob" Crawford, Winter Haven
50 Beverly B. Burnsed, Lakeland
51 Gene Ready, Lakeland
52 C. Fred Jones, Auburndale
Part of Pinellas
53 Mary R. Grizzle, Clearwater
54 S. Curtis "Curt" Kiser, Palm Harbor
55 Tom R. Moore, Clearwater
56 Betty Easley, Largo
57 Dennis McDonald, St. Petersburg
58 George F. Hieber, II, St. Petersburg
59 Don Poindexter, St. Petersburg
60 T. M. "Tom" Woodruff, St. Petersburg
61 Dorothy Eaton Sample, St. Petersburg
Parts of Hillsborough, Polk
62 James L. "Jim" Redman, Plant City








District



63
64
65



John L. Ryals, Brandon
R. Ed Blackburn, Jr., Temple Terrace
James S. "Trooper Jim" Foster, Tampa



Part of Hillsborough
66 H. Lee Moffitt, Tampa
67 Pat Frank, Tampa
68 Richard S. "Dick" Hodes, M.D., Tampa
69 George H. Sheldon, Tampa
70 Helen Gordon Davis, Tampa
Hardee, parts of Manatee, Sarasota
71 Ralph H. Haben, Jr., Palmetto
72 Patrick K. "Pat" Neal, Bradenton
Parts of Charlotte, Manatee, Sarasota
73 Thomas E. "Tom" Danson, Jr., Sarasota
74 Ted Ewing, Venice
DeSoto, parts of Charlotte, Highlands, Sarasota
75 Frederic H. "Fred" Burrall, Port Charlotte
Parts of Martin, St. Lucie
76 K. Dale Cassens, Fort Pierce
Parts of Martin, Okeechobee, Palm Beach
77 William J. "Bill" Taylor, Tequesta
Parts of Broward, Palm Beach
78 Donald F. "Don" Hazelton, West Palm Beach
79 Reid Moore, Jr., Palm Beach
80 William G. "Bill" James, Delray Beach
81 Edward J. "Ed" Healey, West Palm Beach
82 John J. Considine, III, West Palm Beach
83 Thomas F. "Tom" Lewis, North Palm Beach
Part of Broward
84 Van B. Poole, Fort Lauderdale
85 Terence T. "Terry" O'Malley, Hallandale
86 Linda C. Cox, Lauderhill
87 Stephen James "Steve" Warner, Pompano Beach
88 Tom Gustafson, Fort Lauderdale
Collier, Glades, parts of Hendry, Highlands, Lee
89 Mary Ellen Hawkins, Naples



District
Parts of Charlotte, Hendry, Lee
90 Franklin B. Mann, Fort Myers
91 Hugh Paul Nuckolls, Fort Myers

Parts of Broward, Dade
92 Tom McPherson, Fort Lauderdale
93 Harold J. Dyer, Hollywood
94 John Adams, Hollywood
95 Walter C. "Walt" Young, Pembroke Pines
96 Charles W. "Charlie" Boyd, Hollywood
97 David J. Lehman, M.D., Hollywood

Part of Dade
98 Elaine Gordon, North Miami
99 Barry Kutun, Miami Beach
100 Elaine Bloom, North Miami Beach
101 Paul B. Steinberg, Miami Beach
102 Gwen Margolis, North Miami
103 Alan S. Becker, North Miami Beach
104 William H. "Bill" Lockward, Miami Lakes
105 Joe Lang Kershaw, Miami
106 Gwendolyn Sawyer "Gwen" Cherry, Miami
107 A. M. "Tony" Fontana, Miami Lakes
108 John Allen Hill, Miami Lakes
109 Joseph M. "Joe" Gersten, Miami
110 Roberta Fox, Miami
111 C. Thomas "Tom" Gallagher, III, Coconut Grove
112 Barry Richard, Miami
113 William E. "Bill" Sadowski, Miami
114 Robert C. "Bob" Hector, Miami
115 James F. "Jim" Eckhart, Miami
116 Robert W. "Bob" McKnight, Miami
117 Charles C. "Charlie" Papy, Jr., Miami
118 John Cyril Malloy, Miami
(Mr. Malloy changed party affiliation from Re-
publican to Democratic on April 4, 1977.)
119 Hugo Black, III, Miami

Monroe, part of Dade
120 Joe Allen, Key West



OFFICERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES



Speaker-Donald L. Tucker
Speaker pro tempore-John L. Ryals



Clerk-Allen Morris
Sergeant at Arms-Wayne Westmark



- I I I II -
















W Ce Journal OOF THE


SIouse of Iepreseqtatives


ORGANIZATION SESSION



Tuesday, November 16, 1976


Journal of the House of Representatives for the Organization Session of the Fifth Legislature convened under
the Constitution of Florida as Revised in 1968, begun and held at the Capitol in the City of Tallahassee, in the
State of Florida, on Tuesday, November 16, 1976, being the day fixed by the Constitution for the purpose.



The House was called to order by The Honorable Donald L.
Tucker, Speaker of the 1974-1976 House, at 10:30 a.m.

The following certified list of Members elected to the House
of Representatives was received:
STATE OF FLORIDA )
)SS
OFFICE OF SECRETARY OF STATE)
I, BRUCE A. SMATHERS, Secretary of State of the State
of Florida, do hereby certify that the following Members of
the House of Representatives were elected at the General Elec-
tion held on the Second day of November, A. D., 1976 as shown
by the election returns on file in this office:
HOUSE DISTRICT
NUMBER
1-Grover C. Robinson, III, Pensacola
2-Tom Patterson, Pensacola
3-Clyde H. Hagler, Pensacola
4-Edmond M. Fortune, Pace
5-Jerry G. Melvin, Fort Walton
6-James G. Ward, Fort Walton Beach
7-Wayne Mixson, Marianna
8-Earl Hutto, Panama City
9-William J. (Billy Joe) Rish, Port St. Joe
10-James Harold Thompson, Quincy
11-Donald L. Tucker, Tallahassee
12-Herbert F. (Herb) Morgan, Tallahassee
13-Wayne Hollingsworth, Lake City
14-Gene Hodges, Cedar Key
15-George R. Grosse, Jacksonville
16-Arnett E. Girardeau, Jacksonville
17-John R. Forbes, Jacksonville
18-John W. Lewis, Jacksonville
19-Eric B. Smith, Jacksonville
20-Carl Ogden, Jacksonville
21-Tommy Hazouri, Jacksonville
22-Steve Pajcic, Jacksonville
23-R. Earl Dixon, Jacksonville
24-Ander Crenshaw, Jacksonville
25-Frank Williams, Starke
26-Sidney Martin, Hawthorne
27-Bill Andrews, Gainesville
28-A. H. "Gus" Craig, St. Augustine
29-William R. Conway, Ormond Beach
30-Samuel P. Bell, III, Daytona Beach
31-J. Hyatt Brown, Ormond Beach
32-Wayne C. McCall, Ocala
33-Bob Hattaway, Altamonte Springs
34-Vince Fechtel, Jr., Leesburg
35-Richard H. (Dick) Langley, Clermont
36-John R. Culbreath, Brooksville
37-Ronald R. Richmond, New Port Richey
38-Lawrence R. "Larry" Kirkwood, Winter Park
39-John L. Mica, Winter Park
40-Bill Fulford, Orlando
41-Fran Carlton, Orlando
42-Toni Jennings, Orlando



43-Dick J. Batchelor, Orlando
44-David L. Barrett, Indialantic
45-Clark Maxwell, Jr., Melbourne
46-Marilyn B. Evans, Melbourne
47-Bill Nelson, Melbourne
48-R. Dale Patchett, Vero Beach
49-Bob Crawford, Winter Haven
50-Beverly B. Burnsed, Lakeland
51-Gene Ready, Lakeland
52-C. Fred Jones, Auburndale
53-Mary R. Grizzle, Clearwater
54-S. Curtis Kiser, Palm Harbor
55-Tom R. Moore, Clearwater
56-Betty Easley, Largo
57-Dennis McDonald, St. Petersburg
58-George F. Hieber, II, St. Petersburg
59-Don Poindexter, St. Petersburg
60-T. M. "Tom" Woodruff, St. Petersburg
61-Dorothy Sample, St. Petersburg
62-James L. Redman, Plant City
63-John L. Ryals, Brandon
64-R. Ed Blackburn, Jr., Temple Terrace
65-James S. (Jim) Foster, Tampa
66-H. Lee Moffitt, Tampa
67-Pat Frank, Tampa
68-Richard S. Hodes, Tampa
69-George H. Sheldon, Tampa
70-Helen Gordon Davis, Tampa
71-Ralph H. Haben, Jr., Palmetto
72-Patrick K. Neal, Longboat Key
73-Thomas E. Danson, Jr., Sarasota
74-Ted Ewing, Venice
75-Frederic H. Burrall, Port Charlotte
76-K. Dale Cassens, Fort Pierce
77-William J. Taylor, Tequesta
78-Donald Francis Hazelton, West Palm Beach
79-Reid Moore, Jr., Palm Beach
80-Bill James, Delray Beach
81-Edward J. Healey, West Palm Beach
82-John J. Considine, III, West Palm Beach
83-Tom Lewis, North Palm Beach
84-Van B. Poole, Fort Lauderdale
85-Terry O'Malley, Hallandale
86-Linda Cox, Lauderhill
87-Stephen James "Steve" Warner, Pompano Beach
88-Tom Gustafson, Fort Lauderdale
89-Mary Ellen Hawkins, Naples
90-Franklin B. (Frank) Mann, Fort Myers
91-Hugh Paul Nuckolls, Fort Myers
92-Tom McPherson, Fort Lauderdale
93-Harold J. Dyer, Hollywood
94-John Adams, Hollywood
95-Walter C. Young, Pembroke Pines
96-Charles W. Boyd, Hollywood
97-David J. Lehman, Hollywood
98-Elaine Gordon, Miami
99-Barry Kutun, Miami Beach
100-Elaine Bloom, North Miami Beach
101-Paul B. Steinberg, Miami Beach
102-Gwen Margolis, North Miami



1










JOURNAL OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES



103-Alan S. Becker, North Miami Beach
104-William H. Lockward, Miami Lakes
105-Joe Lang Kershaw, Miami
106-Gwendolyn S. Cherry, Miami
107-A. M. "Tony" Fontana, Miami Lakes
108-John A. Hill, Miami Lakes
109-Joe Gersten, Miami
110-Roberta Fox, Miami
111-Tom Gallagher, Coconut Grove
112-Barry Richard, Miami
113-William E. "Bill" Sadowski, Miami
114-Robert C. Hector, Miami
115-James F. Eckhart, Miami
116-Bob McKnight, Miami
117-Charles C. Papy, Jr., Miami
118-John Cyril Malloy, Miami
119-Hugo Black, III, Miami
120-Joe Allen, Key West

06 GIVEN under my hand and the
Great Seal of the State of Florida at
STallahassee, the Capital, this 12th
0 day of November, A. D. 1976.
Bruce A. Smathers
CDOE Secretary of State

The following Members were recorded present:



Eckhart
Evans
Ewing
Fechtel
Fontana
Fortune
Foster
Fox
Frank
Fulford
Gallagher
Gersten
Girardeau
Gordon
Grizzle
Grosse
Gustafson
Haben
Hagler
Hattaway
Hawkins
Hazelton
Hazouri
Healey
Hector
Hieber
Hill
Hodes
Hodges
Representatives



H ollingsworth Neal
Hutto Nelson
James Nuckolls
Jennings Ogden
Jones O'Malley
Kershaw Pajcic
Kirkwood Papy
Kiser Patchett
Kutun Patterson
Langley Poindexter
Lehman Poole
Lewis, J. W. Ready
Lewis, T. Redman
Lockward Richard
Malloy Richmond
Mann Rish
Margolis Robinson
Martin Ryals
Maxwell Sadowski
McCall Sample
McDonald Sheldon
McKnight Smith
McPherson Taylor
Melvin Thompson
Mica Ward
Moffitt Warner
Moore, R. Williams
Moore, T. Woodruff
Morgan Young
Dyer, Forbes, Mixson, and Stein-



A quorum was present.

Prayer

Prayer by Bishop Stephen Campora, Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints:
Our Father in Heaven, we're grateful for this oppor-
tunity as we gather here in the capacity of this Organiza-
tional Session for the Florida House of Representatives.
We're grateful for a free form of government that makes
this type of representation possible. We truly know that
it is a government inspired of Thee. Father, we ask that
those elected officials might be truly blessed as they go
forth and serve in their capacity in this two-year tenure
of their elected offices. We pray that they might be blessed
for safety as they come and go in their capacities in these
two years in transportation to and from the capital and
their various meetings, that they might do so in total
safety and well-being. We pray that their families might
be blessed in their absence, that they might be safe. And



Father, we pray at all times that the elected officials and
Members of this House might be truly cognizant of their
responsibilities and aware of the needs of the people of
Florida. We ask that they might be blessed with the power
of discernment, that they might truly be able to discern
the right and good things for the people of Florida and so
accordingly vote. We ask that Thy Spirit be present here
with us during this session, and we do it in the name of
our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Pledge
The Members pledged allegiance to the Flag.

Oath taken by Members
The Members together took the Oath of Office prescribed by
the Constitution of the State of Florida from Justice B. K.
Roberts of the Supreme Court.

Representative Mixson, on November 9, 1976, and Repre-
sentative Dyer, on November 10, 1976, took the Oath of Office
from Mr. Allen Morris, Clerk of the House, because they were
necessarily prevented from being present today.

The Speaker requested the Senior Member of the House,
Representative Craig, to preside.

MR. CRAIG IN THE CHAIR

Election of the Speaker
The Chair announced that nominations would now be received
for Speaker of the House of Representatives for a term of
two years from this date.

Remarks by Mr. Fortune
Representative Fortune nominated The Honorable Donald
L. Tucker for Speaker with the following remarks:
It's good for each of us to be here in Tallahassee, our home
away from home, and of course it's always a great honor
for each of us to participate in such a historical occasion
as that of selecting the Speaker of our House, one who will
lead us for two years. I've told many of you many times how
proud I am of my state and the district that I represent, and
I am confident that you are just as proud of being a Member
of this House and to be able to represent the people from your
district and the people of our Florida.

A few weeks ago the citizens of our state expressed confi-
dence in our ability to work as a team for all the people of
our state, and I'm here again to participate in this process
of nominating the Speaker of the Florida House. Each of these
occasions has been very significant for me, for it charts the
government of our state for the coming two years, and the
vote that you register here today will be one of the most im-
portant votes that you will make as a Member of the Florida
House of Representatives as you represent the people of our
state.

I rise today to place in nomination an individual whom I
have worked with during many legislative sessions and who has
demonstrated his great attributes as a concerned American, loyal
citizen to his party and to his country, a native Floridian, and
most of all a dedicated legislator. Mr. Chairman, I'm honored
to place in nomination as Speaker of the House of Representa-
tives, the name of Donald L. Tucker.

When we look and search for a leader for the Florida House,



we look for a person who has outstanding ability. The ability
should be evidenced by many ingredients: He must be able to
lead us, to guide us. He must possess the authority and ability



The Chair
Adams
Allen
Andrews
Barrett
Batchelor
Becker
Bell
Black
Blackburn
Bloom
Boyd
Brown
Burnsed
Burrall
Carlton
Cassens
Cherry
Considine
Conway
Cox
Craig
Crawford
Crenshaw
Culbreath
Danson
Davis
Dixon
Easley
Excused:
berg.



2



November 16, 1976











to bring about accomplishments. Our Speaker needs to have
the unique ability to quickly apprehend the problems and the
capability to act wisely. Our nominee must have the courage to
stand up and to speak his convictions. Coupled with these, he
must have a keen knowledge about legislative and state affairs.
Don Tucker is such a person. He has that knowledge. For two
years we have seen him lead and display the wisdom to guide
this legislature in setting the policies and passing laws that
will chart Florida's future for the next two years. Don Tucker
has demonstrated that he has all of these ingredients that I
spoke of. He will continue to work for unity and harmony in
our House. He understands the price of leadership. He has
been the target of criticism but he has always been out front
fighting for the best interests of all of Florida.

Don's legislative service has seen ten years of unselfish devo-
tion to his office, to his constituents, and to this House of
Representatives which we all are very proud of. The legisla-
tion that Don has sponsored and worked for during these
years as a legislator has sought to help not just individual
groups, but all the citizens of our state. His philosophy has
been one of active assistance, not of. obstruction. His record
speaks for itself. During these past two years, the essential
functions of state government were funded by the legislature
without any additional taxes. He initiated the concept of zero-
based budgeting for Florida during the past session. The House
appropriations bill was passed by this House the third week
of the session. That was a record that's never before been ac-
complished by a legislature in Florida. These past two years
have been productive and have addressed the needs of our state
in spite of a very tight fiscal year. The House funded public
education at a level higher than that requested by the Governor,
and certainly higher than the original priorities of the Senate.
The Florida Department of Criminal Law Enforcement re-
ceived every possible expression of support from this House.
Florida's needy, the blind, the elderly, dependent children, and
other individuals who genuinely need the assistance of the state
received modest increases. I could go on and on with items
such as consumer legislation, insurance reforms, and Don's
concern as to the needs for change in the legislative process.

I call these items to your attention because we must be
aware of the past, we must be concerned about the present, but
most of all we must be excited about the future. Don has proved
the leadership necessary to make this legislature an exciting
experience for each of us. I challenge you to join with me and
him in making Florida a better state because we have been
here at the beginning of our nation's third century. Ladies and
gentlemen, I'm honored and it's a great pleasure to nominate
Donald L. Tucker as the next Speaker of the Florida House
of Representatives.


Remarks by Mr. Kiser
Representative Kiser nominated The Honorable William G.
James for Speaker with the following remarks:
Mr. Chairman, fellow legislators, and distinguished guests:
It is an extreme pleasure to stand here this morning to place
in nomination the name of The Honorable William G. James,
Republican of Delray Beach, for the office of Speaker of the
House of Representatives of the great State of Florida.

Bill James is truly an outstanding individual, a credit to his
community and an exceptional leader in his own party. Bill's
legislative record is one filled with accomplishments, and in



Bill's eight years of legislative experience he has compiled and
established a very distinguished record as Minority Leader in



3



the Florida Legislature. We can all say that today Florida is a
better place because of Bill James' participation in this House.
Bill is a legislator with unique characteristics of being able
to sponsor a wide range of legislation covering a variety of
subject matters, reflecting the talents that he possesses. For
more than one reason, we all know that Bill stands shoulder
to shoulder with the school children of the State of Florida.
He led the fight for the most major legislative reform in the
State of Florida by calling for the creation of legislative single-
member districts. He has taken the time to represent a single
constituent trampled upon by the bowels of bureaucracy. Many
of us shall never forget that moving speech that he gave on the
floor of the House where he described the tragedy in Palm
Beach County that was worse than the "creature feature" that
runs on Friday night television. I am speaking of course of
the Cleary Brothers claim bill.

Yes, Bill has a very diverse and enviable record as a legislator
and it is these very qualities which will make him an outstand-
ing Speaker of the House of Representatives. Just as the out-
come of this important race may well depend on turnout and
we in the political process know that you can't see the winner
until every ballot has been counted I would ask from both
nominees for Speaker that they truly consider these important
lines from Shakespeare's memorable Merchant of Venice:
"The quality of mercy is not strained
It droppeth as the gentle rain from Heaven
Upon the place beneath: it is twice blest;
It blesseth him that gives, and him that takes:
'Tis mightiest in the mightiest: it becomes
The throned monarch better than his crown;
His sceptre shows the force of temporal power,
The attribute to awe and majesty,
Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings;
But mercy is above this sceptered sway;
It is enthroned in the hearts of kings,
It is an attribute to God Himself;
And earthly power doth then show likest God's
When mercy seasons justice."

Representatives Tucker and James were the nominees for
Speaker. When the votes were cast for Speaker, the result was:

Tucker-88



The Chair
Adams
Allen
Andrews
Barrett
Batchelor
Becker
Bell
Black
Blackburn
Bloom
Boyd
Brown
Burnsed
Carlton
Cassens
Cherry
Considine
Conway
Cox
Crawford
Culbreath

James-28
Burrall
Crenshaw
Danson



Davis
Dixon
Eckhart
Fontana
Fortune
Foster
Fox
Frank
Fulford
Gersten
Girardeau
Gordon
Grosse
Gustafson
Haben
Hagler
Hattaway
Hazelton
Hazouri
Healey
Hector
Hill



Easley
Evans
Ewing



Hodes
Hodges
Hollingsworth
Hutto
Jones
Kershaw
Kutun
Lehman
Lewis, J. W.
Lockward
Mann
Margolis
Martin
McCall
McKnight
McPherson
Melvin
Moffitt
Moore, T.
Morgan
Neal
Nelson



Fechtel
Gallagher
Grizzle



Ogden
O'Malley
Pajcic
Papy
Patterson
Poindexter
Ready
Redman
Richard
Rish
Robinson
Ryals
Sadowski
Sheldon
Smith
Taylor
Thompson
Tucker
Ward
Warner
Williams
Young


Hieber
James
Hawkins



November 16, 1976



JOURNAL OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES








JOURNAL OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES



Jennings
Kirkwood
Kiser
Langley



Lewis, T.
Malloy
Maxwell
McDonald



Mica
Moore, R.
Nuckolls
Patchett



Poole
Richmond
Sample
Woodruff



Mr. Tucker was declared the duly elected Speaker for the
next two-year term beginning today.

On motion by Mrs. Bloom, the Chair appointed Representa-
tives Bloom, Haben, Smith, Gordon, and Williams as a com-
mittee to escort Mr. Tuicker and his wife to the rostrum.

Mr.o Justice Roberts administered the Oath of Office to the
Speaker.

The Speaker was given the gavel and then presented by the
Chair to the membership.

THE SPEAKER IN THE CHAIR

Election of Speaker pro tempore
The Speaker announced that nominations would now be re-
ceived for Speaker pro tempore of the House for a term of two
years from this date.

Remarks by Mr. Blackburn
Representative Blackburn nominated The Honorable John L.
Ryals for Speaker pro tempore with the following remarks:
My colleagues in this House of Representatives: First of all
let me say that I share the same views, the same thoughts, the
same moment of concern and humility that were so ably ex-
pressed by Mr. Fortune when he pointed out what a privilege
it was that we were allowed to serve the people of Florida
again.

Just two years ago I stood in this same place, nominated and
recommended to you John Ryals as the Speaker pro ter of the
Florida House of Representatives. And I think perhaps since a
member of the Minority Party has chosen to quote Mr. Shake-
speare, another quote from him might be appropriate for my
nominee, for as I recall, Mr. Shakespeare said, "All the world's
a stage, and all the men and women merely players." I want
to assure you that my nominee is one of the great players and
has made a great record of distinction in this Florida House.
Since you chose him two years ago, he's done an excellent job.
He has served more time in the Speaker's Chair than any other
Speaker pro tern in my memory, and he has presided master-
fully and with the grace, the dignity, and the fairness that befits
this high position. He also has carved for himself a new notch
in the history of this House, for the record shows that no one
ever before has served as Speaker pro tem while chairing a
major committee. He has presided as Chairman over the House
Administration Committee, where other new records have been
set. For the first time in the modern history of this state this
House has operated within its budget, and under his leadership
this House has returned over three-quarters of a million of the
taxpayers' dollars, dollars that had been appropriated for the
operation of this Chamber. The Auditor General has continually
given him high praise for the accounting of these public monies.
John Ryals has served with distinction in this House since he
was first elected in 1966. He has handled every assignment with
both ability and integrity. He has proved indeed to be an out-
standing Speaker pro tem, and it is my privilege again to
nominate him for this important position.

Remarks by Mr. Hieber
Representative Hieber nominated The Honorable Mary R.
Grizzle for Speaker pro tempore with the following remarks:



Mr. Speaker, fellow House Members, and distinguished guests:
It gives me a great deal of pleasure to put into nomination the
name of Representative Mary Grizzle for Speaker pro tern.
As far as you new Democrats are concerned, I'm sure the
Speaker has encouraged you to be independent without reper-
cussions today, so I encourage you to hold up on your pledges.

Representative Grizzle represents the prestigious Pinellas
Delegation, which has long been a favorite of our Speaker.
Seriously, Representative Grizzle has been a real asset to the
House since she was first elected in 1963, and she is now the
Dean of Republican Legislators and second in seniority to our
beloved Rules Chairman, Representative Craig. She has ex-
hibited leadership both as Minority Leader pro tem, as past
Chairman of the Federation of Republican Women, also as past
Chairman of the Pinellas County Legislative Delegation, and
past Chairman of the Republican Platform Committee. She has
served on all major committees, including the present Appro-
priations Committee and Education Committee, on which she
now serves. Her effectiveness can be shown not only in the
passage of major legislation, such as the Wilson-Grizzle Act
which is a landmark piece of legislation dealing with the en-
vironment, but also she worked a great deal with women's rights
long before the ERA movement began. She also played a major
role in Constitutional Revision and Governmental Operations
and Organization. Time will not allow me to elaborate on more
legislation she's done to concern herself with all Floridians
everywhere.

In closing, because of her honesty, her hard work, her leader-
ship ability, and effectiveness, I encourage all you House Mem-
bers to give your support to Representative Mary Grizzle for
House Speaker pro tem.

Representatives Ryals and Grizzle were the nominees for
Speaker pro tempore.

When the votes were cast for Speaker pro tempore, the result



was:

Ryals-87
The Chair
Adams
Allen
Andrews
Barrett
Batchelor
Becker
Bell
Black
Blackburn
Bloom
Boyd
Brown
Burnsed
Carlton
Cassens
Cherry
Considine
Conway
Cox
Craig
Crawford



Culbreath
Davis
Dixon
Eckhart
Fontana
Fortune
Foster
Fox
Frank
Fulford
Gersten
Girardeau
G'ordon
Grosse
Gustafson
Haben
Hagler
Hattaway
Hazelton
Hazouri
Healey
Hector



Hill
Hodes
Hodges
Hollingsworth
Hutto
Jones
Kershaw
Kutun
Lehman
Lewis, J. W.
Lockward
Mann
Margolis
Martin
McCall
McKnight
McP'herson
Melvin
Moffitt
Moore, T.
Morgan
Neal



Nelson
Ogden
O'Malley
Pajcic
Papy
Patterson
Poindexter
Ready
Redman
Richard
Rish
Robinson
Sadowski
Sheldon
Smith
Taylor
Thompson
Ward
Warner
Williams
Young



Representative Ryals passed.

Grizzle-28



Burrall
Crenshaw
Danson
Easley
Evans
Ewing
Fechtel



Gallagher
Grizzle
Hawkins
Hieber
James
Jennings
Kirkwood



Kiser
Langley
Lewis, T.
Malloy
Maxwell
McDonald
Mica



Moore, R.
Nuckolls
Patchett
Poole
Richmond
Sample
Woodruff



4



November 16, 1976








JOURNAL OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES



Mr. Ryals was declared the duly elected Speaker pro tempore.

On motion by Mr. Culbreath, the Speaker appointed Repre-
sentatives Blackburn, Dixon, Fortune, Culbreath, and Becker
as a committee to escort Mr. Ryals to the rostrum.

Remarks by the Speaker pro tempore
The Speaker presented Mr. Ryals who addressed the House
as follows:
Thank you very much. Mr. Speaker, and Members of the
greatest House of Representatives that exists today in the entire
United States of America, Mr. Justice, Mr. Clerk, distinguished
guests all: Let me just briefly tell you that two years ago when
I stood on this rostrum and accepted your support when I was
first elected Speaker pro tem, I thought that it was the great-
est moment of my life. After having served in that capacity for
two years, the fact that you have returned me to that same
office today is even a greater thrill. I deeply and sincerely
appreciate your confidence that you've placed in me. I look
forward to working with you for the next two years. I look
forward to working with an individual that I think is the
greatest Speaker any House of Representatives has ever had.
My job will be to support him, to support you, and to help
you and to help him in any way that I possibly can. Thank
you so much for the confidence you have placed in me.

Election of the Clerk
The Speaker announced that nominations would now be re-
ceived for Clerk of the House for a term of two years from this
date.

Remarks by Mr. Redman
Representative Redman nominated Mr. Allen Morris for Clerk
with the following remarks:
I'm always thrilled to stand before this body. I'm awed by
the privilege and responsibility that we share representing the
people of this state, and I consider it one of the highest privi-
leges to recommend to you our beloved Clerk, Allen Morris.
Mr. Morris came to Tallahassee in the year 1941 as political
editor of the Miami Herald. From 1947 'til 1965 he served as
consultant to the Committee on Rules & Calendar of this body.
In 1966, when many of us were freshmen, Mr. Morris was
chosen to be our Clerk, and he has served in that capacity until
today. Our Clerk not only is a distinguished gentleman, but
he is also a distinguished author. He has served this state well
in a number of capacities. He was one of the founding fathers
of the Judicial Council. He served as Secretary of the Industrial
Development Council, and Secretary of the Council for Economic
Development. He served as President of the Legislative Corre-
spondents Association and later was voted an honorary life
membership in the Capitol Press Corps. He is known throughout
the state for his writings. His newspaper articles have been
cited as some of the best in the nation. Mr. Morris's Handbook
has been the official reference of Florida and its government
since li947. Many of us were present in this Chamber on April
9, 1973, when Florida State University conferred the Degree of
Doctor of Humane Letters on Mr. Morris, and we shared in this
great honor. In 1974 he was given the Outstanding Citizen
Award by the Florida Library Association, and in 1976 he again
was recognized by the Association with a plaque presented in
the Association's name by Governor Askew in the presence of
the Cabinet and other leaders.
As we begin a new session, many of us will be calling on



Mr. Morris because he is the expert on our Rules of Procedure.
He knows more about the Rules of the Florida House of Repre-



sentatives than any other person. He is very competent, you'll
see that he's business-like, his dedication to this House is be-
yond compare. During my service in the House I have never
learned what party registration he has. Mr. Morris is your
friend, he's my friend, he's a friend to the people of the State
of Florida. As I was reviewing some of my documents, going
through my scrapbook, I ran across a letter that he wrote to
us back in 1967 at which time he stated in this letter that he
would like to be a part of the rise and flowering of the State
of Florida. I'm here today to tell you that he has been a part
of the rise and flowering of the State of Florida. He's been a
part of making this House one of the best in the United States.
I'm honored and privileged to nominate Dr. Allen Morris as your
Clerk.

Remarks by Mr. James
Mr. James, prefaced by the following remarks, moved that the
nominations cease and a unanimous ballot be cast for Mr. Mor-
ris:
Mr. Speaker and Members of the House: During my lifetime
and years of public service, I have admired many people, but
there is no one for whom admiration extends beyond the high
esteem that I hold for Dr. Allen Morris. I am thankful that
I have been privileged to be one of that special fraternity that
is able to have benefited from the good judgment and counsel
of this learned man. I do not face a hard decision or a legisla-
tive crisis in this body without first going to this man and seek-
ing his good counsel and his advice. I agree with our colleague
Jim Redman that Allen Morris is the best friend the people of
Florida have ever had. If you new Members will listen to him,
he will enable you to be capable of becoming the very finest
of legislators. His lifetime of involvement as a citizen, news-
paperman, historian, and our Clerk makes him the one man
who best knows Florida's past, Florida's present, and Florida's
future. As I stand here today I feel a sense of pity for the
future legislators of the State of Florida who will not have Allen
Morris as their counselor and their friend.

It's therefore with love, admiration, and respect that, Mr.
Speaker, I move you, Sir, that nominations cease and a unani-
mous ballot be cast for Allen Morris as our Clerk.

The motion was agreed to and a unanimous ballot was cast
for Mr. Morris as Clerk, Mr. Justice Roberts administered the
Oath of Office to Mr. Morris.

Remarks by Mr. Morris
Mr. Morris addressed the House as follows:
Mr. Justice Roberts, Mr. Speaker Tucker, Members of the
House, my dear friends. I should be content to acknowledge my
gratitude to Messrs. Redman and James, and to each of you-
how sweet it is to receive bouquets when one still is able to smell
the flowers!

Yet, I feel this is a very special occasion and so I shall impose
upon the House for something more than the usual expression
of appreciation.

If experience is knowledge, then this House is the most knowl-
edgeable in the half century that the Clerk has tallied. This is
so because you have among you the smallest percentage of first-
termers since the Clerk's tally began in 1925.

As I look upon this new House, I wonder how many United
States Senators, how many Governors, how many Lieutenant



Governors, how many members of Congress, how many State
officials, I see.



November 16, 1976



5








JOURNAL OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES



Oh yes, you are there: the historical record evidences your
presence. Of Florida's 39 Governors, 30 served in the Legis-
lature and 24 in the House of Representatives. Seven had been
Speakers of the House. Of the present Congressional delegation,
both United States Senators served in the Legislature, as did
10 of the 15 Congressmen. Of the 11 Lieutenant Governors, nine
started here. Of the 119 members of the State Cabinet over the
life of our state, 53 had served in the Legislature.
Interestingly, perhaps, the early tallies on Superintendent of
Public Instruction and Treasurer seemed to indicate the people
were willing to trust everything in State government to former
members of the Legislature except their children and their
money. Now, however, that is no longer true, for Commissioner
Turlington and Treasurers Ashler and Gunter were graduates of
the legislative school. So we may say with certainty that the
Legislature is the place where the people look for their leaders.
Thus, we are today in the presence of the future governmental
leaders of our State.
Thank you all for the privilege of allowing me to occupy
again what I regard as the "best seat in the House."

Designation of the Sergeant at Arms
The Speaker announced the designation of Mr. Wayne West-
mark as Sergeant at Arms and requested the concurrence of
the House.

Remarks by Mr. Ryals
Mr. Ryals moved that the House concur in the designation of
Mr. Westmark as Sergeant at Arms with the following remarks:
When our Sergeant that had been with us for quite some time
departed, we were charged with the responsibility by the Speak-
er's Office of going through a very extensive process of screen-
ing a number of applicants and candidates for the position. We
did this by selecting resumes, we did this by personal interviews,
and then we made a recommendation to the Speaker. He con-
curred in that recommendation. Of all the candidates that we
interviewed, I felt and the committee felt that Mr. Westmark
could best suit the demands, the responsibilities that the office
of the Sergeant at Arms carries.
I have not, since September 1 when he came on board, been
disappointed for one second. If you have not had the opportunity
to meet Mr. Westmark, you will have in the next few days and
also today. In my opinion, he has done an outstanding job in the
very brief time that he has been with us. I think that he is
going to make the Florida House of Representatives a great
Sergeant at Arms. He is just like all of us when we start,
he has a lot to learn, but he is a fast learner. He is a very per-
sonable individual and I know that you're going to like him.
You're going to like him as much as I do and as much as the
Speaker does, and the people who have already had the oppor-
tunity to meet him and get to know him.
He is a native Floridian, he's about the same age as I am,
he's married, has children, and is just a real fine man. I couldn't
concur more, Mr. Speaker, in your recommendation to this
House that we do concur in the designation of Mr. Wayne West-
mark as our new Sergeant at Arms.
The motion was agreed to, and the Oath of Office was ad-
ministered to Mr. Westmark by Justice B. K. Roberts.

Remarks by Mr. Westmark
Mr. Westmark addressed the House as follows:



Mr. Justice, Mr. Speaker, Members of the House: I sincerely
thank you for your concurrence in my designation as your Ser-



geant. I appreciate your support and I assure you that not only
will I serve you faithfully and without regard to political affili-
ation, but all members of my staff will serve you so that you
may do your duty as an elected Representative of the State of
Florida. Thank you.

Tribute to Justice Roberts
The Speaker paid tribute to Justice B. K. Roberts with the
following remarks:
At this time, I would like to call to your attention, as we thank
Justice B. K. Roberts, that he has administered the Oath
of Office to more officials than any other judicial officer in the
State of Florida. This is the last task of this kind that he will
perform, and he consented to do this for us today. It's very im-
portant to me and means a great deal to me, not so much because
of his experience, his renown as a jurist, but because he's from
Wakulla County, notably Sopchoppy, and since I share the
distinction of being from that small county also, it always gives
me a warm spot in my heart to see this great man. We're all
going to miss him when he leaves the judiciary of Florida and
goes back to his private life.
I think I can speak for this entire House, Mr. Justice, in
saying that we love you and we respect you, and as far as we're
concerned, you'll always be Chief Justice of Florida.

Committee to the Governor
On motion by Mr. Hazouri, the Speaker appointed Representa-
tives Richard, Moffitt, and Crenshaw as a committee to inform
the Governor that the House was convened for the purpose of
organization.

Committee to the Senate
On motion by Mr. Martin, the Speaker appointed Representa-
tives Smith, Redman, and Mann as a committee to inform the
Senate that the House was convened for the purpose of organi-
zation.
The committees were excused to execute their responsibilities
and report back to the House.

Committee from the Senate
A committee from the Senate consisting of Senators Gordon,
G(allen, Holloway, Williamson, and Scott was received and an-
nounced that the Senate was convened and organized.

Introduction of House Resolution

By Representative Craig-
HR 1-Org.-A resolution establishing the Rules of the House
of Representatives.
Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of
Florida:
1. The Rules of the House for the biennium 1976-1978 shall
be the Rules of the House in force at sine die adjournment on
June 4, 1976, except as provided now or hereafter:
(a) Rule 3.6 is amended to read:
3.6-The Clerk shall prepare the copy for all printed forms
used by the House. The Clerk shall have the responsibility for
distribution of documents originating in the Office of the Clerk.
(b) Rule 4.2 is amended to read:



4.2-The Sergeant at Arms shall enforce strictly the rules
relating to the privileges of the Chamber and be responsible to
the Speaker for the official conduct of doorkeepers and other
employees of the Sergeant's Office. The Sergeant at Arms shall
assign such undesignated assistants as the Speaker authorizes.
(c) Rule 5.4 is amended to read:



November 16, 1976








JOURNAL OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES



5.4-Any member, having answered roll call (taken either
orally or by the voting machine) at the opening of any daily
session, or who enters after roll call and informs the Clerk of
his presence, shall thereafter be deemed as present unless leave
of absence is obtained from the Speaker.
(d) Rule 6.1 is amended to read:
6.1-Beginning with the Organization Session, the Speaker
shall appoint the membership of these standing committees:
Agriculture & General Legislation
Appropriations
Claims
Commerce
Community Affairs
Corrections, Probation & Parole
Criminal Justice
Education
Elections
Finance & Taxation
Governmental Operations
Health & Rehabilitative Services
House Administration
Judiciary
Natural Resources
Regulated Industries & Licensing
Retirement, Personnel & Collective Bargaining
Rules & Calendar
Standards & Conduct
Tourism & Economic Development
Transportation
Veterans Affairs
With the exception of the Committee on House Administration
and the Committee on Claims, each standing committee shall
consist of not less than five nor more than 29 members, one of
whom shall be designated by the Speaker as chairman and an-
other as vice chairman. The Speaker shall, ex office, be an addi-
tional member of every committee. The chairman of the Com-
mittee on Claims also shall be known as Coordinator of the
Subcommittees on Claims.
Committees shall meet on the call of the chairman; or, in his
absence, the vice chairman, or, upon the written request of
three or more members of the committee to the remaining
members.
The Speaker shall appoint such select committees as may be
necessary or authorized by the House.
(e) Rule 6.2 is amended to read:
6.2-Except the Committee on Rules & Calendar and the
Committee on House Administration, for the first 45 calendar
days of a session, the chairman, or in his absence, the vice
chairman, of a committee or subcommittee, shall cause to be
given two legislative days prior notice in writing of any bill
to be considered to the introducer and to the Clerk, Sergeant
at Arms, and members of the committee as provided in Rule
6.4. If notice is given by 4:30 P.M. on any legislative day, a bill
may be heard at any time on the second succeeding legislative
day. This notice shall include a listing of all bills to be con-
sidered whether in a subcommittee report or being considered
directly. After the forty-fifth calendar day the chairman, or
in his absence, the vice chairman, shall cause to be given at
least two hours prior notice in writing to the introducer of any
bill to be considered by the committee or subcommittee. A
committee may continue the consideration of properly noticed
legislation after the expiration of the time set for the meet-
ing if a majority of all committee members attending agree to
temporarily recess to continue the meeting at a time and place
certain on the same day. Any bill reported unfavorably by any
committee without the required notice to and an opportunity to
be heard having been given to its introducer, shall be recom-
mitted to the committee reporting the same unfavorably upon
the point of order being made within three legislative days after
such report is printed in the Journal. This privilege shall also
extend to any Member, not an introducer, who has given the
chairman timely written notice of his desire to be notified on a
specific bill. The committee to which the bill is thus com-
mitted shall proceed to reconsider it and shall report on it as
if originally referred.



(f) 6.18(g) is amended to read:
6.18 (g)-When a subcommittee has unfavorably reported a
bill to the parent committee, the following shall occur: At



the same meeting that the parent committee considers and con-
firms the unfavorable report, a motion may be made at that
meeting to reconsider at the next regular meeting of the parent
committee. The bill shall be automatically placed on the agenda
for reconsideration at the next regular meeting of the parent
committee. At that meeting, the bill either shall be reconsid-
ered at the request of any member present, or the motion for
reconsideration shall be deemed abandoned and the committee
secretary shall forthwith report the bill, with an unfavorable
report, to the Clerk of the House. During the last five legislative
days of a regular session, the motion to reconsider shall be dis-
posed of when made. If no motion is made at the meeting of
first consideration by the parent committee, the committee secre-
tary shall forthwith send the bill, with an unfavorable report,
to the Clerk of the House.
(g) 7.15 is deleted as obsolete.
(h) 7.16 is amended to read:
7.16-All general bills affecting revenues, expenditures, or
fiscal liability shall be accompanied by a fiscal note upon
being reported favorably by the Committee on Appropriations or
the Committee on Finance & Taxation. Fiscal notes shall state
in dollars the estimated increase or decrease in revenues or
expenditures and the present and future fiscal implications of
the bill. A fiscal note shall embrace the requirements of Section
11.075, F.S., relating to economic impact.
Fiscal notes shall be regarded as a memorandum of factual
information, their contents made available to Members through
distribution in the same manner as printed bills. A fiscal note
shall not express comment nor opinion relative to the merits
of the legislation proposed but may point out technical or me-
chanical defects.
Staff for the Committee on Appropriations or the Committee
on Finance & Taxation in cooperation with the staff of the
Department of Administration and of other appropriate agencies,
shall be responsible for preparing the fiscal note, insofar as
practicable, the fiscal note shall be made available to other
committees in instances of joint reference.
In the event of any bill of this nature being reported favor-
ably by the Committee on Appropriations or by the Committee
on Finance & Taxation without a fiscal note having been pre-
pared, it shall be the right of any Member to raise a point
of order on second reading and the Speaker may, in his discre-
tion order return of the bill to the appropriate fiscal committee.
A fiscal note prepared for a House bill shall be presumed as
prepared also for its Senate companion.
(i) 8.15 is amended to read:
8.15-(a) Any committee or individual Member of the House
may apply to the Committee on Rules & Calendar to place a
bill on the Special Order Calendar. The Committee on Rules &
Calendar may grant such requests by a majority vote.
(b) The Committee on Rules & Calendar shall submit from
day to day a Special Order Calendar determining the priority
for consideration of legislation. Each Special Order Calendar
so submitted shall be only for the day specified in the Special
Order Calendar. No other bills shall be considered for the day
set forth except that any bill appearing on this calendar may
be stricken therefrom by a two-thirds vote of the Members
present or any bill may be added pursuant to Rule 8.14. Any
bill not reached in consideration of a Special Order Calendar
shall be retained on the regular calendar.
(c) The Committee on Rules & Calendar shall publish, dur-
ing the first forty-five calendar days of a regular session, the
Special Order Calendar no later than 24 hours prior to its pre-
sentation to the House.
2. The Clerk of the House is directed to cause to be printed
a sufficient number of copies of the Rules of the House of
Representatives, as amended by the adoption of this Resolu-
tion, to serve the needs of the House. The clerk shall include
in the Rule book the Committees of the House with their mem-
bership, and listings of the Members of the House by Districts,
by name in alphabetical order, and by committee assignments,
together with the appropriate indices.



-was read the first time by title. On motions by Mr. Craig,
the rules were waived and the resolution was read the second
time by title and adopted.



7"



November 16, 1976.








JOURNAL OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES



Address by Speaker Tucker
The Speaker addressed the House as follows:
Ladies and gentlemen of the House, it's a real honor for me
to serve once again as Speaker of this House. There are many
people who have had serious doubts about the Speaker having
the opportunity to succeed himself. Frankly, one of the things
it has done is give me, as your presiding officer, a chance to
review my performance as well as the performance of several
Members of the House, in trying to make determinations on
committee assignments.
To help me in drafting a new committee structure, I met with
Representatives Fortune, Culbreath, Jones, Haben, Hill, Rish,
Brown, Craig, Ryals, and Bloom, and with our Clerk, Allen
Morris, and our Deputy Clerk, Jimmy Helms, to receive their
recommendations, even though the final decision had to be mine,
in trying to draft a more equitable committee structure that
would better serve the interests of the people in Florida and
more expeditiously handle the legislation that comes through
this Chamber.
We need to remember that where we serve is not nearly as
important as how we serve. We need to maintain stability and
utilize experience in our Members, but by the same token we
need to give newer Members a chance to show what they
can do in responsible positions. In selecting chairmen, vice
chairmen, and members of key committees, I've tried to recog-
nize both talent and experience. I won't please everyone; I
may not please anyone. But I've done what I think is right,
both for the efficient operation of the House and for the best
interests of the people in Florida. I've considered these choices
very carefully.
I had intended to consult with each of you about the assign-
ments that I'm going to ask you to accept, but I became ill last
week and have been unable until this point to finalize them and
to be able to present them to you. So I am asking you to serve
in the positions that I'm about to name because in each one I
feel that you, of all the Members in this Chamber, are better
able to serve in that particular position. So I am going to name
at this time the chairmen and vice chairmen of the committees:
Agriculture & General Legislation-the Chairman, Wayne
Mixson; the Vice Chairman, Jim Eckhart.
Appropriations-Overall Chairman, Ed Fortune; overall Vice
Chairman, Bob Hector; Chairman, HRS-Judicial Appropriations
Committee, Earl Dixon; Chairman, Education Appropriations
Committee, Bill Andrews; Chairman, Federal-State Appropria-
tions Committee, Elaine Bloom; Chairman, General Government
Appropriations Committee, Herb Morgan.

Commerce--Chairman, John Forbes; Vice Chairman, John
Lewis.

Community Affairs-Chairman, Tom McPherson; Vice Chair-
man, Gwen Cherry.

Corrections, Probation & Parole-Chairman, Don Hazelton;
Vice Chairman, Helen Gordon Davis.

Claims-We're going to go back to the system of claims that
we had during the Pettigrew administration and the Schultz
administration. I'm going to name an individual to be the
Claims Chairman-Coordinator. Every Member of the House will
serve as a committee member on Claims, and you will be desig-
nated from time to time when claim bills arise that are outside



of the jurisdiction that you represent. To handle that job, we're
asking James Harold Thompson to be Chairman-Coordinator.



Criminal Justice-Chairman, Ralph Haben; Vice Chairman,
Barry Richard.
At this time I'm going to appoint a select committee under the
Criminal Justice Committee, the Select Committee on Organized
Crime. Now a great deal has been talked, over the past ten
years that I've been in state government, about doing something
about organized crime in this state, and yet crime has continued
on the increase and nothing has been done to solve it. We find
that the organized crime families are moving out of the North-
east and settling in Florida, and we want to invite them to
return to their home base. This select committee will operate
with the full jurisdiction of its parent committee, will travel all
over the State of Florida, will operate on the same pattern that
was established by the New Jersey Crime Commission that was
successful in driving organized crime from that state, and I'm
asking Representative Eric Smith to be Chairman of this com-
mittee.
Education-'m concerned that more and more, local control
has been taken from the educational system in our state. I'm
going to ask this committee to do everything within their power
to repeal those obsolete laws relating to education, to return
education back to control of local government, and to ask the
Department of Education to act in the advisory capacity that
was intended for it when it was initiated under our Constitution.
Chairman, Jim Redman; Vice Chairman, Steve Pajcic.
Elections-It's going to be a very difficult subject during the
next two years, and I've asked Representative Joe Lang Ker-
shaw to remain as Chairman, with Vice Chairman, Sam Bell.
Finance & Taxation-Chairman, Charlie Boyd; Vice Chair-
man, Frank Williams.
Governmental Operations-Chairman, Hyatt Brown; Vice
Chairman, Lee Moffitt.
Health & Rehabilitative Services-Chairman, Elaine Gordon;
Vice Chairman, David Lehman.
House Administration-Chairman, John Ryals; members, John
Hill and Bill James. That will be the sole membership of that
committee.

Judiciary-Chairman, Billy Joe Rish; Vice Chairman, Alan
Becker.

Natural Resources-Chairman, Bill Ftilford; Vice Chairman,
Gene Hodges.

Regulated Industries & Licensing-Chairman, John Culbreath;
Vice Chariman, Carl Ogden.

Retirement, Personnel & Collective Bargaining-This com-
mittee has a similar counterpart in the Senate. It's going to be
one of the most difficult problems that state government and
local government will face in the next few years. It was no
favor to the individual I selected to chair this, but out of respect
to this House and a desire to be of service to the people in this
state, Representative George Grosse has consented to chair this
important and very difficult committee assignment. Vice Chair-
man will be Tommy Hazouri.

Rules & Calendar-Chairman, Gus Craig; Vice Chairman, Ed
Blackburn.

Standards & Conduct-This is a very difficult assignment also,
one which I haven't even had a chance to discuss with the Chair-



man, but he's going to do an excellent job. Chairman, Sidney
Martin; Vice Chairman, Harold Dyer.



8



November 16, 1976








JOURNAL OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES



Representative Jerry Melvin has worked long and hard on
Retirement, Personnel & Claims ever since I've been in the
Legislature. His first love has always been Tourism and Eco-
nomic Development. He's entitled to his reward, and he'll be
Chairman of that committee, and his Vice Chairman will be
John Considine.
Transportation-Chairman, Fred Jones; Vice Chairman, Frank
Mann.
Veterans Affairs-Chairman, Bill Lockward; Vice Chairman,
Jim Foster.
None of these are select committees. We decided that since we
had a system beforehand of select committees, we always ended
up making them full committees anyway, so what we really
have is one more committee this year than we had last.
The Majority Leader will be John Hill.

I'm now going to name two important committees, and the
rest of them I will not name until the Members have had a
chance to indicate their preferences.

The Rules Committee will consist of Craig, Blackburn, Bloom,
Boyd, Brown, Culbreath, Dixon, Fortune, Forbes, Fulford,
Grosse, Gordon, Haben, Hazelton, Jones, Kershaw, Lockward,
Martin, McPherson, Melvin, Mixson, Redman, Rish, Ryals, Hill,
Burrall, Crenshaw, Grizzle, James, and Richmond.

The Appropriations Committee will consist of Fortune, Hector,
Andrews, Bell, Bloom, Blackburn, Boyd, Burnsed, Craig, Dixon,
Fulford, Gordon, Grosse, Hagler, Jones, Mann, McPherson, Mel-
vin, Mixson, Morgan, Neal, Ogden, Redman, Rish, Easley, Griz-
zle, Tom Lewis, Malloy, Maxwell.

Now I'm going to say a few other things because I want to
get all this out of the way as we reorganize this House. We're
going to have some difficulty, I'm sure, with staffing and related
problems, so I'm going to ask you chairmen to consult with the
Speaker's Office as we try to ensure that career employees in
the House of Representatives are given first opportunity for
new positions that arise, so that people don't lose their jobs
because of the restructuring of the committees. I'm sure this
is going to be especially true with relation to the Minority
Office.



Mr. James has pointed out how helpful our Clerk is, how he's
nonpartisan, how he renders a great service. Our Sergeant is
also nonpartisan and he renders a great service. Every staff
person, outside of the individual aide of a Member, should be
nonpartisan in this Legislature, and any Member who is denied
access to information by an employee of this House, irrespective
of their party, that employee will be fired. What I'm getting
at is, we have positions authorized for the House Majority Office
and the Speaker's Office that total 11 positions; there are 11
positions authorized for the Minority Office. We don't need
that and we're not going to have it. The Minority Office will
have a secretary and an aide; the Majority Office will have a
secretary and an aide. Those employees of the Legislature work-
ing in those offices will be given an opportunity to work else-
where in the House and be assimilated into the full system.
Employees of the Legislature will work for everybody. Now
this may not set well with some of you, and I'm sorry, but that's
the way it's going to be.
I'm going to give you the best two years of my life, because
the next two years of my life will be the best. I'm going to
make you an outstanding Speaker. I say that not in a bragga-
docian manner; I say it because I'm willing to dedicate my time
and my efforts to being your Speaker. Regardless of what people
might say, and I have said myself, about my political ambi-
tions, I don't really know at this point that I have any further
ambitions. To be recognized by my colleagues as their Speaker
for a second term, heaven knows is honor enough for any man.
I feel a very deep responsibility to serve you and to serve the
people in Florida. I'm willing to take the criticism that comes
to me. I'm willing to stand in the midst of all the controversy
that may surround me. But there will be one thing you can
always depend upon, as your Speaker I'll never deceive you, I'll
never betray you, and I'll never deny you access to me. We have
a great opportunity now to do something for people in Florida.
Let's gird up our loins and do it.

On motion by Mr. Morgan, the rules were waived and all
organizational remarks were spread upon the Journal.

Adjournment
Having completed its organization, the House of Representa-
tives, on motion by Mr. Craig, adjourned at 12 noon sine die.



CERTIFICATE

THIS IS TO CERTIFY that the foregoing pages numbered 1
through 9, inclusive, are and constitute a complete, true and
correct journal and record of the proceedings of the House of
Representatives of the State of Florida at the Organization
Session of the Fifth Legislature under the Constitution as Re-
vised in 1968, held on November 16, 1976.



Clerk
Tallahassee, Florida
November 16, 1976



November 16, 1976



9