Table of Contents
Exploring Search & Browse User Interface 7
Exploring Table of Contents [TOC] Frame 8
Exploring Search & Browse User Options 10
Customizing Search & Browse for your device 12
Section 2: Searching Document Collections 18
Performing Advanced Searches 18
Performing Boolean Searches 20
Searching the Florida Constitution 26
Section 3: Searching Indexes and Tables 29
Florida Statutes Cross Reference Table 34
Section 4: Browsing and Printing Search Results 37
Working with Document Navigation Tools 37
Viewing Reference Information 38
Saving and Managing Search Results 40
Section 5: Document Collection Descriptions 43
Florida Statutes (1998–Current Year) 43
Florida Statutes Subject Index (1999–Current Year) 44
Laws of Florida (1976–Current Year 44
General Laws of Florida Subject Index (1999–Present Year) 44
Special and Local Laws of Florida Index (2000–Present Year) 44
Cumulative Special and Local Laws of Florida Index (Present Year) 44
Florida Constitution (Present Year) 45
Florida Constitution Subject Index 45
United States Constitution and Index 45
Definitions Index (2010–Present) 45
Section Changes Table (2000–Present) 45
Tracing Table (1999–Present) 45
Repealed and Transferred Sections Table (2000–Present) 46
Florida Statutes Cross Reference Table (2000–2009, 2013–Present) 46
Commission on Ethics Opinions 46
Legislative Conduct Opinions 46
GENERAL INFORMATION Back to TOC
Using Search & Browse Help
The Search & Browse Help file is in PDF format.
You can link directly to a section by clicking on a table of contents section or topic appearing on page one and two of the document.
Main headings in the help pages have a Back to TOC hyperlink to link back to page one of the table of contents; and every page has a link at the bottom to go back to the table of contents.
The PDF help file also has page thumbnails in the left frame. You can navigate by clicking on a page icon to go that page.
You can search within the PDF help file by using the PDF document search functionality inside the document window of Search & Browse.
The help file can also be printed to use as a hard copy for reference.
Introduction
Search & Browse is a dynamic, browser-based application that uses your browser and Search & Browse Search Engine for full-text search-and-retrieval. NOTE: Make sure that Java is enabled and that your computer accepts “cookies.” You can search for words, phrases, and numbers—or any information within the available publications. Search & Browse makes volumes of information easily accessible by providing the following features:
Search & Browse Features | Reference Section/Subsection |
Multiple document searches | Working with Document Collections Search Source |
Hit-to-hit highlighting | Exploring Table of Contents (TOC) Frame and Exploring Search & Browse User Options |
View Options:
| Exploring Search & Browse User Interface |
Online Help | Exploring Search & Browse Help |
Additional Search Features:
o Synonyms ("$")
| Performing Advanced Searches and Performing Boolean Searches |
Natural language queries
| Performing Boolean Searches |
Field Searches | Searching Document Collections |
Document navigation
| Browsing Search Results |
Exploring Search & Browse User Interface
Below is a view of the help graphic that appears in the initial Document view in Search & Browse.
Search & Browse User Interface
Adjustable frame that displays selected search source. Clicking [+] expands or [-] collapses a folder.
Search Form selection. The Advanced Search form displays the initial page. It also displays when Clear Search is clicked.
HELP Provides access to Search & Browse Help Manual.
Search forms are provided to allow you to initiate a search based on document type or specific parts of a document. Available search forms include Advanced (default), Simple, Laws of Florida, Florida Constitution, Florida Statutes and Boolean. Search forms will be discussed in more detail in later sections.
Steps to select a search form
Click Search Form down arrow at the upper right of the screen.
Select desired search form.
Exploring Table of Contents [TOC] Frame
The Search & Browse Table of Contents (TOC) frame identifies the current search source and provides access to select documents.
TOC Frame
Clicking Clear button clears search results displayed on the Results page, resets the TOC, and restores the check to the left of selected documents. When a search is initiated using Laws of Florida, or Florida Statutes search forms, you are returned to the Advanced Search form.
Steps to adjust TOC frame
Click and drag the double lines to the right of the TOC and drag the TOC window to the desired width. (see the TOC Navigation graphic below)
TOC Navigation
With Search & Browse, you can browse document collections as opposed to directly searching them. To browse documents, within the TOC frame, you can expand and collapse document folders to reveal sub-documents within a particular document collection. Double- click any sub-document you wish to see and it appears in the document frame (on the right) for your viewing. Once you have a sub-document to view in the document frame, use the Prev Doc and Next Doc buttons on the navigation bar to browse through sub-documents.
Steps to expand/collapse Document Folders
Click one of the following: (see example number 1 in the TOC Navigation graphic above)
Right-facing diamond at left of document collection to expand, or
Down-facing diamond at left of document collection to collapse
Exploring Search & Browse User Options
Search & Browse Options allow you to customize how the Table of Contents appears after performing a search. After clicking Settings, you can choose to hide or show (default) the number of hits (term(s) found by a search) displayed in the TOC, hide headings in the TOC that have no hits, and synchronize TOC with the current document. Clicking Defaults restores original Search & Browse defaults.
Search & Browse Options Box
Steps to hide/show hits in TOC
Click to Settings button to view the Options window.
Do one of the following:
Check Show hit numbers in the table of contents (after doing a search) to show TOC hits.
Uncheck Show hit numbers in the table of contents (after doing a search) to hide TOC hits.
Click Save.
Click Search Form drop-down.
Steps to hide/show headings with no hits
Click Settings.
Do one of the following:
Click Hide headings that have no hits (after doing a search) to hide headings.
Click again (it toggles to Off or On), Hide headings that have no hits (after doing a search) to show headings.
Click Save.
Click in Search form drop-down to select search form (e.g. Advanced).
Steps to turn automatic synchronization on/off
Click Settings.
Do one of the following:
Click Automatically synchronize table of contents (to current document) to turn synchronization off. (It is on by default and it toggles from Off to On)
Click Automatically synchronize table of contents (to current document) to turn synchronization back on.
Click Save.
Click Search form drop down and select desired search form (e.g. Advanced).
Customizing Search & Browse for your device
You can optimize Search & Browse for the type of device that you are using. By default, Search & Browse detects the type of device that you are using and configures your interface automatically. If preferred, you can select the type of device you are using in settings.
Click Settings
Settings Dialog to Customize Device/Browser3View Mode
Select one of the following:
Tablet mode
Phone mode
Mixed mode
Auto-select depending on screen-width
Click Save.
By default, the view is set to Auto-select, which will automatically detect and set the view for all devices.
Search & Browse Initial View on a Mobile Phone
Exploring the Search & Browse interface when accessing content from a mobile device.
Search & Browse detects when you are using a phone, tablet or mobile device and automatically changes the browser interface to optimize your user experience. The image to the left shows the default view when browsing using a mobile phone. The elements in the user interface such as icons and buttons have been sized down to optimize mobile browsing and using touch instead of a mouse.
Click on the Navigation button.
Table of Contents View,
After Clicking on Navigation Button
After clicking the Navigation button, you will see the available collections in the table of contents as seen in the graphic above.
Select the documents to search in by clicking the check box.
Mobile View - Search Form Selection Window
Click on the Search button and select the desired search form from the choices i.e. Laws of Florida, Florida Constitution, Florida Statutes, Boolean and Advanced; as seen in the screenshot on the right.
In this case, the default Advanced Search form is chosen from choices as seen on the left.
Mobile View - Search Form Selection Window
The Advanced search form will appear.
Click in the search form field, and type the search term.
Click on your phone’s Next button on the phone keyboard.
Click Go.
This will initiate the search.
Search Results Window
At the left, see the results as they are displayed. Click on a document to view the content.
You can switch views by clicking on the navigation buttons.
Click on the Navigation button to switch to the table of contents.
Click on the Results to view results.
Click on the Document button to switch back to the document view.
Section 2: Searching Document Collections Back to TOC
Introduction
The beauty of Search & Browse lies in the collection of documents available for research. There are many ways to refine your search and sift through these collections to find answers.
Spelling plays an important role as to whether you achieve your desired search results. If your results are not what you expect, check the spelling of your search query
The Advanced Search form displays on the Search form page when Search & Browse opens. From this form, you can perform simple and complex searches. In addition to inputting search criteria using different filters, you can also search for
alternate word forms (stemming) and synonyms (thesaurus). You can choose to display short, medium, or long excerpt phrases along with your search results.
Advanced Search Form
Searches you perform using the Advanced Search form are not limited to a specific document type. All document collections selected from Search Source can be searched. The table below describes the search action of each query field on the Advanced Search form.
Query Field | Search Action |
containing all these words | Searches for a single word or phrase. |
and not containing any of these words | Eliminates words from the search. Use in conjunction with “containing all these words.” |
and containing one or more of these words | Searches for multiple words. |
and containing this exact phrase | Searches for a complete phrase. |
and containing these words near each other | Searches for words in close proximity to each other in the same document. |
Steps to search using Advanced Search form
Do one of the following:
Open Search & Browse.
Click Search Form down arrow at upper right of screen and select Advanced.
Click Clear
Alternately to clear, click in the URL address line select all and hit enter.
Type word(s) or phrase(s) in query field(s).
Click Find alternate word forms (stemming), if stemming search is desired.
Click Find synonyms (thesaurus), if synonym search is desired.
Stemming
Including any possible suffixes or other verb tenses to the search word is called “stemming.” Stemming is activated by clicking the Find alternate word forms (stemming) button, located at the bottom of the Advanced Search form. This is highly recommended when searching for words that can end with s, es, ed, ing, and have past tenses.
Synonyms
Stemming Option
When searching the document collection in Search & Browse, terminology may be formal, politically correct, gender-neutral, and often, not what you think it will be.
Statutory language refers to words and/or phrases used in the Florida Statutes, Laws of Florida, or Florida Constitution. You do not have to brainstorm to come up with statutory terminology. Search & Browse provides a customized thesaurus that matches many
related words when performing a search function. Keep in mind, however, that many common words and phrases may have distinctly different meanings in the Florida Statutes.
To search for synonyms, click Find synonyms (thesaurus) located at the bottom of the Advanced Search form, or type “$” after the word that you want to search.
Synonyms Option
Wildcards
Wildcards allow you to find words using patterns for a set of words and to find synonyms or various word forms. If stemming does not return a broad enough result, use an asterisk (*) as a wildcard at the end or beginning of a word, or for a portion of a word. For example:
Search Word | Hit Results |
govern* | govern, governs, governed, governing, government, governmental, governor |
ra* | range, rail, radiology, racial, … |
To fill in a missing character, use a question mark as a wildcard at the end, beginning, or anywhere within a portion of a word. This is a replacement wildcard. The number of question marks determines the number of additional characters included in the search.
For example:
Search | Hit Results |
fi?? | firm, fide, five, file, … |
wom?n | woman or women |
b??k | book, back, bank, bark, bulk, … |
The Boolean Search form allows you to focus your search on terms that are more specific. Boolean operators allow you to specify words, exclude words, look for words in proximity, search for synonyms or similar words (stemming), or add complex combinations of words to be found during a query. Boolean operators may be represented by words or symbols. Searches you perform using the Boolean Search form are not limited to a specific document type. All document collections selected from Search Source can be searched. The Boolean Search form illustrated below contains examples of syntax used for these types of queries. (See graphic)
Boolean Search Form
Steps to perform Boolean searches
Click Search Form down arrow.
Select Boolean.
Type words(s) and operators under Query terms.
Click Search.
Proximity Operators
Proximity operators allow you to specify how close (range) two or more words must be to each other in the same document to return a hit. When adding a range, keep in mind that if you reduce the range dramatically you may receive no matches. Words in proximity searches must be enclosed in quotation marks. Wildcards can be used with proximity searches.
Ordered proximity is used to specify the order in which words must appear within a given range to count as a hit. The ordered proximity operator is the forward slash [ / ].
Unordered proximity is used to specify a set of terms that must appear within a given range in any order. The unordered proximity operator is the “at” [@] symbol.
The Florida Statutes are the permanent, compiled laws of the state. They are organized into Chapters, Parts, and Sections. The section is the basic unit of the statutes. Each
statute is identified with a decimal number. Digits at the left of the decimal point indicate the chapter number. Digits at the right of the decimal point indicate the section number.
The statutes are updated annually after each regular (or special, if there are any changes) session of the Legislature. Updates reflect changes made by legislation passed since the release of the previous year’s statutes. Sections created by new legislation are integrated into the statutes. Changed sections appear as amended, repealed sections are deleted, and transferred sections appear in their new locations. All other sections carry forward unchanged from the previous year. In other words, the Florida Statutes contain the latest version of every statute section.
The Florida Statutes reflects the organization of the statutes into Chapters, Parts, and Sections. At the beginning of each chapter or part is a list of section numbers with catchlines (subjects) contained in that chapter or part, with a hyperlink to each section. The chapter and part lists are not searchable. Within section documents, cross-references to other statute sections are linked to those sections. Each superscript numeral within a section is linked to an editorial note at the end of the section to which it refers.
Florida Statutes Field Search Form
The Florida Statutes Field Search form allows you to search specific parts of a Statutes document. Word Wheels are also available to assist with selecting specific numeric values and words for your query. (See Word Wheel in next section)
Florida Statutes Field Search Form
A Florida Statutes document has four searchable fields:
Document Field | Section Searched |
Catchline | Section number and bolded text after section number |
Section Body | Section’s main body text |
History | Section history |
Notes | Editorial notes following the section |
Word Wheel
A Word Wheel contains a list of every word in a field. The list is in alphabetical order, with numbers appearing first. For example, when you search the Catchline field of the Florida Statutes, the Word Wheel provides a list of section numbers in numerical order.
Word Wheel
Steps to search by Florida Statutes field
Click Search Form down arrow.
Select Florida Statutes.
Do one of the following:
Type portion of or complete number or word in a field (Catchline, Section Body, History, or Notes), or
Type portion of number or word in a field and select desired number or word from Word Wheel, or
Scroll through field Word Wheel and double-click desired number or word.
Click Search Now.
The Laws of Florida are a compilation of all Chapter Laws, Resolutions, and Memorials passed during a legislative session. Only Chapter Laws and Joint Resolutions are included in Search and Browse. The Laws of Florida are divided into two broad categories—General Laws and Special and Local Laws. The Laws of Florida are published after each session of the Florida Legislature. They contain all laws passed during the regular session and at any special session since the previous year’s publication.
Laws of Florida Field Search Form
The Laws of Florida Field Search form allows you to query specific parts of a Law document. The Word Wheels assist with selecting specific numeric values and words for your query.
Laws of Florida Field Search Form
A Laws of Florida document has five searchable fields:
Document Field | Section Searched |
Law Title | Title and Whereas clauses |
Bill Number | House or Senate bill number that became law |
Law Body | Body of the law below the enacting clause |
Additions | Added text (represented by underlines) |
Deletions | Deleted text (represented by overstrikes) |
Steps to search by Laws of Florida field
Click Search Form down arrow.
Select Laws of Florida.
Do one of the following:
Type beginning portion of number or word in a field (Law Title, Bill Number, Law Body, Additions, or Deletions).
Type portion of number or word in a field and select desired number or word from Word Wheel.
Scroll through Word Wheel. Double-click desired number or word.
Click Search Now.
Searching the Florida Constitution
The Constitution of the State of Florida defines the basic powers and structure of state government. The Florida Constitution is divided into articles and sections.
Florida Constitution Field Search Form
The Florida Constitution Field Search form allows you to query specific parts of the Constitution text. Word Wheels assist with selecting specific numeric values and words for your query. (See Word Wheel on previous page)
Florida Constitution Field Search Form
The Florida Constitution has four searchable fields:
Document Field | Section Searched |
Catchline | Section number and bolded text after section number |
Section Body | Section's main body text |
History | Section history |
Notes | Editorial notes following the section |
Steps to Search by Florida Constitution field
Click on search field drop-down arrow (Simple Search shows by default)
Select Florida Constitution.
Do one of the following
Type beginning portion of number or word in a field and select desired number or word from Word Wheel.
Type portion of number or word in a field ` and select desired number or word from Word Wheel.
Scroll through Word Wheel. Double-click desired number or word.
Click Search Now
Section 3: Searching Indexes and Tables Back to TOC
The subject index and tables documents can be viewed and/or searched. See Section 5 for a description of each.
Search Indexes
References following index entries are linked to the text that is referred to.
NOTE: For Florida Statutes and Laws of Florida document collections, prior editions may be selected using the Search Source drop down. Table and other indexes are limited to the current year.
Search Source Drop down
Other indexes and tables are limited to the current year.
Steps to search Florida Statutes Index
Do one of the following.
Check right-facing diamond at left of Statutes and click in all index open boxes to select all indexes.
Click right-facing diamond at left of Statutes and select desired index.
Do one of the following.
Click right-facing diamond at left of desired index and click diamonds to expand index to desired title hyperlink.
Verify Advanced Search form is displayed, type search term in desired query field, and click Search.
Steps to search Laws of Florida Index
Do one of the following:
Click right-facing diamond next to Laws Documents to expand TOC. Select Laws Index to select all indexes.
Click right-facing diamond next to Laws Documents to expand TOC. Select Laws
Index diamond to expand indexes, and select desired indexes.
Do the following:
Click on right-facing diamond at left of desired index to expand index and click desired title hyperlink.
Verify Advanced Search form is displayed, type search term in desired query field,
and click Search.
Steps to search Florida Constitution Index
Do one of the following:
Click check box next to Florida Constitution Index to select entire index.
Click right-facing diamond at left of Florida Constitution Index to expand the index.
Do the following:
Click check box of desired title hyperlink.
Verify Advanced Search form is displayed, type search term in desired query field, and click Search.
Steps to search the United States Constitution Index
Do one of the following:
Click check box next to United States Constitution Index to select entire index.
Click right-facing diamond at left of United States Constitution Index to expand the index.
Do the following:
Click check box of desired title hyperlink.
Verify Advanced Search form is displayed, type search term in desired query field, and click Search.
Steps to search Definitions Index
Do one of the following:
Click check box next to Definitions Index to select entire index.
Click right-facing diamond at left of Definitions Index.
Do the following:
Click check box of desired title hyperlink.
Verify Advanced Search form is displayed, type search term in desired query field, and click Search.
Florida Statutes Tracing Table
The Tracing Table traces provisions of the Laws of Florida into the Florida Statutes. This table lists each law, each section within the law, and the section or sections of the Florida Statutes that the law affected. Statute section numbers are linked to those sections in the Florida Statutes document collection. If a section number is not linked, that section no longer appears in the statutes. Law numbers are linked to those laws in the Laws of Florida document collection.
Florida Statutes Tracing Table
Steps to Access Florida Statutes Tracing Table
Click the right-facing diamond at left of Tracing Table.
Click the diamond to expand the index and select the desired Tracing Table chapter law hyperlink.
Steps to search Florida Statutes Tracing Table
Click right-facing diamond at left of Tracing Table, if necessary.
Do one of the following:
Check the open check box on Tracing Table to select all chapters, or
Click the right-facing diamond at left of to expand TOC Tracing Table and check desired chapter.
Verify Advanced Search form is displayed.
Type search term in desired query field.
Do one of the following:
Click Search, or
Press [Enter].
Florida Statutes Table of Section Changes
Finding sections of the Florida Statutes that have been changed, the nature of the change, and which law made the change. If a section number is not linked, that section no longer appears in the statutes.
Florida Statutes Table of Section Changes
Steps to access Florida Statutes Table of Section Changes chapters
Click right-facing diamond at left of Statutes Documents to display Table of Section Changes (if it is not already expanded).
Click right-facing diamond to select the desired Table of Section Changes Chapters hyperlink.
Steps to search Florida Statutes Table of Section Changes
Do the following:
Click right-facing diamond next to Florida Statutes Documents to expand the TOC (if it is not already expanded).
Click check box next to Table of Section Changes to select all chapters.
Click right-facing diamond at left of Table of Section Changes to expand all chapters and check desired chapter.
Verify Advanced Search form is displayed.
Type search term in desired query field.
Do one of the following:
Click Search.
Press [Enter].
Repealed and Transferred Sections Table
Find Florida Statute section numbers that are no longer part of the statutes.
Florida Statutes Repealed and Transferred Section Table
Steps to access Florida Statutes Repealed and Transferred Sections chapters
Click right-facing diamond at left of Statutes Documents to expand the TOC (if it is not already expanded).
Click on right-facing diamond next to expand Repealed and Transferred Sections Table (if it is not already expanded).
2. Click next to desired chapter Cross-references hyperlink.
Steps to search Florida Statutes Repealed and Transferred Sections Table
Do one of the following:
Click check box next to Repealed and Transferred Sections Table to select all chapters, or
Click right-facing diamond at left of Repealed and Transferred Sections Table and
check desired chapter.
Verify Advanced Search form is displayed.
Type search term in desired query field.
Do one of the following:
Click Search, or
Press [Enter].
Florida Statutes Cross Reference Table
The Cross Reference Table contains a list of every internal cross reference to a statutes section or section subunit in the Florida Statutes, subdivided by statute chapter. The section and subunit that contain the reference appear alongside and are hyperlinked to the Florida Statutes document collection.
Florida Statutes Cross Reference Table
Steps to access Florida Statutes Cross Reference Table
Click right-facing diamond at left of Statutes Documents to show Cross Reference Table.
Click right-facing diamond to expand the Cross Reference Table and show Statutes chapter hyperlink.
Steps to search Florida Statutes Cross Reference Table
Click right-facing diamond at left of Cross Reference Table, if necessary.
Do one of the following:
Click check box next to Cross Reference Table to select all chapters, or
Click right-facing diamond at left of Cross Reference Table to expand it, and check desired chapter.
Verify Advanced Search form is displayed.
Type search term in desired query field.
Do one of the following:
Click Search, or
Press [Enter].
Section 4: Browsing and Printing Search Results Back to TOC
Introduction
You can browse document collections and search results.
Search results display in table format on the RESULTS page. Links in the Title column allow you to open a returned document for browsing. The Location and Catchline columns identify each returned document. Document Excerpts allow you to show or hide document excerpts. This option displays five (Short), 10 (Medium), or 25 (Long) words before and after your query term.
RESULTS Page
Working with Document Navigation Tools
The Documents page displays document content resulting from your search. Similarly, the Results page displays the search results frame.
DOCUMENT Page
The Document toolbar is located above the content. This toolbar allows you to browse documents, and synchronize document content with the TOC, clear highlighted hits, display current document references, and print a document. This toolbar is found only on the Document page.
Document navigation tools allow you to browse document content.
Document Toolbar
The Reference bar is at the bottom of the Document frame. This bar identifies the document you are currently browsing. You can also hyperlink back to other levels of the referred material/TOC.
Reference Information Bar
Printing may be done from the Document toolbar. Search & Browse uses your browser's print facility and therefore print function will vary depending on your browser and its print options. For example, Adobe Acrobat Professional users will be able to print or save results as .pdf files.
These instructions are for printing using Google Chrome. Click File, Print and the Print dialog box appears. If you are unsure about what will print, preview it before printing.
To print, you can click on the Print Doc button on the Search & Browse toolbar, or if there is a document open, you can click on the Print Doc button on the document navigation toolbar.
Print Button Location
Print Dialog Box (Chrome)
Saving and Managing Search Results
Saving your search query results allows you to reuse common search syntax. If a specific search locates the information you need, saving the search makes it easier to find the same content the next time you need to search for the information. You can save as many search results as you want. Search & Browse stores saved search results as part of your user preferences. NOTE: Saved search results are saved on your local device as cookies; if you clear cookies, your saved searches results will be cleared as well.
Steps to save search results
Scroll to end of search results on the Results page.
Type desired name for search results in Save search as text box.
Click Save.
The Saved Search drop-down will be added in the upper left in the search area.
Saved Search Drop Down
Managing Search Results
Clicking the Manage Saved Searches link, located at the bottom of the Results page, opens the Manage Saved Searches window providing access to your saved searches. Buttons provided on this window allow you to rename a saved search.
Manage Saved Searches Window
Steps to rename or delete one saved search results
Do one of the following:
Click Saved Search down arrow at the upper right of the screen and select desired saved search, or
Select Results page.
Scroll to end of page.
Click Manage Saved Searches.
Select desired saved search.
Do one of the following:
Click Delete, or
Type another name for search and click Rename.
Click Exit.
Steps to delete all saved search results
Do one of the following:
Click Saved Search down arrow at the upper right of the screen and select desired saved search, or
Select Results page.
Scroll to end of page.
Click Manage Saved Searches.
Click Delete All.
Click Exit.
Section 5: Document Collection Descriptions Back to TOC
Florida Statutes (1998–Current Year)
The Florida Statutes are published in their entirety each year following the regular and special legislative sessions. Sections that were created or amended during each session appear in that year’s text. Sections that have been repealed are removed. Transferred sections appear at their new locations. All other sections are carried forward from the previous edition of the Florida Statutes.
The Florida Statues are divided into chapters, parts, and individual sections. At the beginning of each chapter or part is an index of the section numbers contained in that chapter or part. Each section in that index is linked to its text. With sections, cross-references to other sections are linked to those sections. Superscripts are also linked to the footnotes to which they refer.
Use the “All Years” under the “Search Source” menu option to access previous editions of the Florida Statutes, going back to 1994.
Florida Statutes Subject Index (1999–Current Year)
The Florida Statutes Subject Index contains the alphabetic subject index to the Florida Statutes. It is divided into letters and main headings. Citations to Florida Statutes and Florida Constitution sections are linked to those sections in the Florida Statutes and Florida Constitution respectively. Internal cross-references are linked to main headings within the index.
Laws of Florida (1976–Current Year
The Laws of Florida contain the laws, both general and special in nature, passed by the Legislature. As with the statutes, the Laws of Florida may be researched by year (and by session within a given year back to 1989 for general laws and to 1976 for special laws) using the “All Years” feature.
The Laws of Florida contain subdivisions for General Laws and Special and Local Laws passed at each session and for Joint Resolutions. Individual laws are divided into title and sections. Query results are reported on the law level, i.e., as the number of laws that contain hits.
Each law is divided into three fields. The “number” field includes the chapter and bill numbers at the beginning of each law; the “title” field contains the law's title and enacting clause; and the “law” field contains the body of the law below the enacting clause.
General Laws of Florida Subject Index (1999–Present Year)
The General Laws of Florida Subject Index contains the alphabetic subject index to
the General Laws of Florida. It is divided into letters and main headings. Citations to laws are linked to laws in the General Laws portion of the Laws of Florida. Internal cross- references are linked to main headings within the index.
Special and Local Laws of Florida Index (2000–Present Year)
The Special and Local Laws of Florida Index contains references to laws in the Special and Local Laws portion of the Laws of Florida. It is organized by local government entities.
Cumulative Special and Local Laws of Florida Index (Present Year)
A cumulative index of all special and local laws from statehood to the present year. The index appears in two publications – the first index spanning the years 1845-1970 and the second index covering 1971 to the present year. These indexes are not searchable.
Florida Constitution (Present Year)
The Florida Constitution contains the text of the Florida Constitution, as amended in the last general election. The Constitution is divided into articles and sections within articles. Query results are reported on the section level, i.e., as the number of sections that contain hits.
Florida Constitution Subject Index
The Florida Constitution Subject Index contains the alphabetic subject index to the Florida Constitution. It is divided into letters and main headings. Citations to articles and sections are linked to the Florida Constitution. Internal cross-references are linked to main headings within the index.
United States Constitution and Index
The United States Constitution contains the text of the original 7 articles plus the 27 subsequent amendments to the Constitution. The United States Constitution is divided into articles and sections, with the amendments designated by numbers enclosed in brackets.
The United States Constitution Index is displayed by subject matter arranged alphabetically. Citations are linked to the relevant articles in the Unites States Constitution.
Definitions Index (2010–Present)
The Definitions Index lists all terms and phrases that are defined in the Florida Statutes and the Florida Constitution. Entries include all terms and phrases specifically stated to be definitions, as well as those considered to function as definitions in the context of a particular statute or constitution section. Citations are linked to the Florida
Statutes and Florida Constitution.
Section Changes Table (2000–Present)
The Section Changes Table lists each Florida Statutes section affected by legislation passed at the latest regular session of the Legislature and any special sessions. For each statutes section listed, the type of transaction (creation, amendment, repeal, transfer, etc.); and the law or laws that affected the section are provided. The table is divided into sections, and query results are reported on the section level. Statutes section numbers are linked to those sections in the Florida Statutes. If a section number is not linked, that section no longer appears in the statutes. Law numbers are linked to those laws in the Laws of Florida.
The Tracing Table lists each law for the current publication year, each section within that law, and the Florida Statutes sections into which the law section was incorporated. An “omitted” entry indicates that language was not incorporated in the statutes either because of
the transaction type (e.g. a repeal or transfer) or because it was not of a general and permanent nature and therefore not subject to codification in the statutes. The table is divided into laws, and query results are reported on the law level. Statute section numbers are linked to those sections in the current year’s Florida Statutes. If a section number is not linked, that section no longer appears in the statutes. Law numbers are linked to those laws in the Laws of Florida.
Repealed and Transferred Sections Table (2000–Present)
The Repealed and Transferred Sections Table is a cumulative table that lists all former Florida Statutes sections that are no longer part of the statutes. If a user is searching for a particular statute section, and that section is not in the current Florida Statutes, the user can look here to find whether the section was repealed, and if so by what law; or if transferred, by what law and to what new location in the statutes.
Florida Statutes Cross Reference Table (2000–2009, 2013–Present)
The Florida Statutes Cross Reference Table lists every internal reference to a statutes section that appears in another section. The left column of the table contains the sections referred to, including subunits if present. References to a range of sections appear as a hyphenated pair. The right column contains the sections and subunits in which the references appear.
Hyperlinks allow the user to view the references in context. References are sorted in order of sections referred to, and any references to sections that do not appear in the current Florida Statutes are shown in gray.
The Commission on Ethics Opinions are interpretations of the ethics laws by the Commission in response to questions from a public officer or public employee about the applicability of the law to himself or herself in a particular situation. Opinions are legally binding determinations of law unless overturned by a District Court of Appeals.
The Legislative Conduct Opinions are divided into parts. There is a 658-page PDF document: Legislative Conduct Opinions Published September 2006, containing legislative conduct opinions from 1968 until 2006. There are also legislative conduct opinion collections received after September 2006. They are broken down into parts: House Speaker Opinions (Received after September 2006), House General Counsel (Received after September 2006), OLS General Counsel Opinions (Received after September 2006) and Commission on Ethics – Selected Legislative Related Opinions (Received after September 2006).
The Florida Senate Journals are the official legal records of the proceedings of the Senate. Each day of session, the Senate publishes a journal. The Journal records only the formal action in the Legislature and committees. Its contents include titles of bills introduced and considered, a record of members’ votes on issues, as well as motions and other business before the Legislature.
The Florida Senate Rules are the processes for conducting its business and rules that each house determines and adopts at the beginning of each legislative term.
The Florida House Journals are the official legal records of the proceedings of the House. Each day of session, the House publishes a journal. The Journal records only the formal action in the Legislature and committees. Its contents include titles of bills introduced and considered, a record of members’ votes on issues, as well as motions and other business before the Legislature.
The Florida House Journals also include the official legal records of the Territorial Journals.