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Fl. Legislature Votes to Move 2016 Session Date

Florida legislators could begin their session a bit earlier in 2016.

The Florida House on Thursday voted in favor of a bill (HB 9) that would start the annual legislative session in January of that year.

The vote was 93-22. The legislation heads to the desk of Gov. Rick Scott.

The 60-day session now starts in March. Legislators every 10 years meet in January when they are drawing new Congressional and legislative districts.

Florida's constitution requires the session start in March in odd-numbered years but leaves it up to legislators to fix the date in even-numbered years.

Rep. Alan Williams, D-Tallahassee, voted against the bill after arguing it could harm the economy in the state capital if the session was held during winter months.

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