04-04-2025
Despite backlash, Florida county term limit bill advances in the House
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) — Florida voters may have the chance to set term limits, not just for state lawmakers, but also for county commissioners and school board members.
The proposed maximum? Eight years in office. But the effort to put this issue on the 2026 ballot comes with a fiery debate.
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'We know that Americans want term limits at all levels of government. We know Floridians want term limits at all levels of government,' said State Representative Michelle Salzman (R-Escambia County).
Term limits are a topic wildly debated on the national, state, and even local levels. The debate back and forth on the issue continues at the state capitol this year with updated legislation now moving through both chambers.
State Senator Blaise Ingoglia (R-Spring Hill) and Representative Salzman teamed up on term limits. Joint Resolution 679 and its Senate companion seek to set an eight-year term limit for all county commissioners and school board members. Voters would get to decide on the 2026 ballot whether or not they want them.
Representative Salzman shared with 8 On Your Side that this is her second attempt at getting the bill across the finish line.
'Last year, the bill was just putting it in statute, saying it's eight-year term limits. But the biggest argument we received, even from the members was, 'Can you just put this on the ballot? Can you make this a constitutional amendment so we can vote on it as Floridians?'' Salzman said.
This time around, folks against the move argue that this should be decided on the county level, not in a statewide vote. 'About 80% of the voters want term limits, and they want it set at eight years, and all we're asking is to put it on the ballot, let them answer the question,' said Sen. Ingoglia.
However, critics of the move argue that they want the decision to be made county-by-county.'Where do we campaign in our district? Who makes the decision to put us here? The people in our district, not the entire state. The entire state did not vote for me to sit here because they don't know me from an Adam,' said State Rep. Jose Alvarez (D-Kissimmee).
But even with those arguments, the bill sponsor says no matter how you dice up the votes, local communities will still get their say on the issue.'The same people that vote for the governor will be voting for this. Are we going to now say that the governor doesn't really represent the rural communities because a majority of the voters came from Miami,' said Rep. Salzman.
Salzman added that she is going to make some adjustments to the language, allowing folks to come back after they've taken a break. And says for commissioners who are currently seated, they will get to serve another eight years beyond implementation of the law if it makes it across the finish line and on the governor's desk.
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