(1) The President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, by joint proclamation duly filed with the Department of State, may convene the Legislature in special session pursuant to the authority of s. 3, Art. III of the State Constitution.
(2) The Legislature may also be convened in special session in the following manner: When 20 percent of the members of the Legislature shall execute in writing and file with the Department of State their certificates that conditions warrant the convening of the Legislature into special session, the Department of State shall, within 7 days after receiving the requisite number of such certificates, poll the members of the Legislature, and upon the affirmative vote of three-fifths of the members of both houses, shall forthwith fix the day and hour for the convening of such special session. Notice thereof shall be given each member by registered mail within 7 days after receiving the requisite number of said certificates. The time for convening of said session shall not be less than 14 days nor more than 21 days from the date of mailing said notices. In pursuance of said certificates, affirmative vote of the membership, and notice, the Legislature shall convene in special session. Should the Department of State fail to receive the requisite number of said certificates requesting the convening of a special session of the Legislature within a period of 60 days after receipt of the first of said certificates, all certificates previously filed shall be rendered null and void and no special session shall be called, and said certificates shall not be used at any future time for the convening of the Legislature.
(3) During any special session convened pursuant to this section, only such legislative business may be transacted as is within the purview of the purpose or purposes stated in the proclamation, the certificates filed with the Secretary of State, or in a communication from the Governor or as is introduced by consent of two-thirds of the membership of each house.
History.—Former s. 2, Art. III of the Constitution of 1885, as amended; converted to statutory law by s. 10, Art. XII of the Constitution as revised in 1968; s. 6, ch. 69-52; ss. 10, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 1, ch. 96-318.
Note.—Subsection (2) former s. 11.012.