Search & Browse is a dynamic, browser-based application that uses your browser and Rocket NXT 4.11 Search Engine for full-text search-and-retrieval. NOTE: Make sure that Java is enabled and that your compter 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: · document · results · doc/results	Exploring Search & Browse User Interface
Online Help	Exploring Search & Browse Help
Additional Search Features: · Stemming (%) · Customized Thesauruses o Synonyms ("$") · Wildcards o Single Characters ("?") o Multiple Characters ("*") · Proximity Searches o Ordered ("/") o Unordered ("@")	Performing Advanced Searches and Performing Boolean Searches
Natural language queries · Boolean Operators (And, Or, Not, Xor)	Performing Boolean Searches
Field Searches	Searching Document Collections
Document navigation · Next/Prev Match · Next/Prev Doc Hits · Next/Prev Doc · Links (Hyperlinks)	Browsing Search Results

Exploring Search & Browse User Interface

Search & Browse is a dynamic, browser-based application that uses your browser and Rocket NXT 4.11 Search Engine for full-text search-and-retrieval. NOTE: Make sure that Java is enabled and that your compter 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 User Interface

Search Form	Drop-down list consisting of document search forms.
Table of Contents (TOC) Frame	Adjustable frame that displays selected search source. Clicking [+] expands or [-] collapses a folder.
SEARCH FORM Page	Allows you to enter search criteria. Page appearance is based on Search Form selection. The Advanced Search form displays as initial page or when Clear Search is clicked.
DOCUMENT Page	Displays selected search results document with search criteria highlighted.
RESULTS Page	Displays search results table. Hyperlinks allow you to open documents containing hits.
DOC/RESULTS Page	Comprised of two frames. Displays document and navigation tools in upper frame. Displays search results in lower frame. Independent scrolling is provided on both frames.
RESET DOMAIN	Resets TOC view and clears search criteria.
CLEAR SEARCH	Clears search criteria and results, and redisplays the Advanced Search form.
OPTIONS	Allows you to customize how the table of contents appears.
HELP	Provides access to Search & Browse Help Manual.

Working with Search Forms

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), Boolean, Laws of Florida, and Florida Statutes. Search forms will be discussed in more detail in later sections.

: Steps to select a search form

1. Click Search Form down arrow at the upper right of the screen.

2. 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

Search & Browse provides two commands to assist with managing the TOC: reset domain and clear search.

Clicking RESET DOMAIN removes TOC selections and resets the search range to include all documents in the selected search source. The last search form used redisplays with all search criteria cleared.

Clicking CLEAR SEARCH clears search results displayed on the results and doc/results pages, 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

1. Hover mouse pointer over right border of frame until pointer changes to horizontal double-headed arrow.

2. Click and drag border to desired position.(see example number 2 in 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)

· [+] at left of document collection to expand, or

· [-] 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 OPTIONS, 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 Restore Defaults restores original Rocket NXT4 defaults.

NXT 4 Options Box

: Steps to hide/show hits in TOC

1. Click OPTIONS.

2. 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.

3. Click Save.

4. Click SEARCH FORM..

: Steps to hide/show headings with no hits

1. Click OPTIONS.

2. Do one of the following:

· Check Hide headings that have no hits (after doing a search) to hide headings.

· Uncheck Hide headings that have no hits (after doing a search) to show headings.

3. Click Save.

4. Click SEARCH FORM..

: Steps to turn automatic synchronization on/off

1. Click OPTIONS.

2. Do one of the following:

· Check Automatically synchronize table of contents (to current document) to turn synchronization on.

· Uncheck Automatically synchronize table of contents (to current document) to turn synchronization off.

3. Click Save.

4. Click SEARCH FORM..

Back to TOC

Section 2: Searching Document Collections

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 aren't what you expect, check the spelling of your search query.

Performing Advanced Searches

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

1. Do one of the following:

· Open Search & Browse.

· Click Search Form down arrow at upper right of screen and select Advanced.

· Click RESET DOMAIN

· Click CLEAR SEARCH

NOTE: Type an asterisk (*) or question mark (?), if wildcard search is desired.

2. Type word(s) or phrase(s) in query field(s).

3. Check Find alternate word forms (stemming), if stemming search is desired.

4. Check 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 checking Find alternate word forms (stemming) 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.

Stemming Option

Synonyms

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. But, 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, check Find synonyms (thesaurus) located at the bottom of the Advanced Search form, or type “$” after the word 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, …

Performing Boolean Searches

The Boolean Search form allows you to focus your search on more specific terms. 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

1. Click Search Form down arrow.

2. Select Boolean.

3. Type words(s) and operators under Query terms.

4. 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.

Searching Florida Statutes

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

1. Click Search Form down arrow.

2. Select Florida Statutes.

3. 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.

4. Click Search Now.

NOTE: Advanced Search search form is displayed when CLEAR SEARCH is clicked after displaying search results initiated from this form.

Searching Laws of Florida

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 and 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)

NOTE: The enacting clause of each law is not searchable.

: Steps to search by Laws of Florida field

1. Click Search Form down arrow.

2. Select Laws of Florida.

3. 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.

4. Click Search Now.

NOTE: Advanced Search search form is displayed when clear search is clicked after CLEAR SEARCH is clicked after displaying search resultes initiated from this form.

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

1. Click Search form down arrow

2. Select Florida Constitution.

3. 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.

4. Click Search Now

Back to TOC

Section 3: Searching Indexes and Tables

The subject index and tables documents can be viewed and/or searched. See Section 5 for a description of each.

· Florida Statutes Index

· Laws of Florida Legislature Index

· Florida Constitution Index

· U.S. Constitution Index

· Definitions Index

· Florida Statutes Tracing Table Index

· Florida Statutes Repeal and Transfer Table

Searching 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

1. Do one of the following.

· Check Statutes Index to select all indexes.

· Click [+] at left of Statutes Index and select desired index.

2. Do one of the following.

· Click [+] at left of desired 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 Laws of Florida Index

1. Do one of the following:

· Check Laws Index to select all indexes.

· Click [+] at left of Laws Index and select desired index.

2. Do one of the following:

· Click [+] at left of desired 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

1. Do one of the following:

· Check Florida Constitution Index to select all indexes.

· Click [+] at left of Florida Constitution Index and select desired index.

2. Do one of the following:

· Click [+] at left of desired 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 the United States Constitution Index

1. Do the following:

· Check United States Constitution Index to select all indexes.

· Click [+] at left of United States Constitution Index and select desired index.

· Verify Advanced Search form is displayed, type search term in desired query field, and click Search.

2. Do the following:

· Click [+] at left of desired hyperlink.

· Verify Advanced Search form is displayed, type search term in desired query field, and click Search.

: Steps to search Definitions Index

1. Do one of the following:

· Check Definitions Index to select all indexes.

· Click [+] at left of Definitions Index and select desired index.

2. Do one of the following:

· Click [+] at left of desired index and click desired title hyperlink.

· Verify Advanced Search form is displayed, type search term in desired query field, and click Search.

Searching Tables

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

1. Click [+] at left of Tracing Table.

2. Click [+] desired Tracing Table chapter law hyperlink.

: Steps to search Florida Statutes Tracing Table

1. Click [+] at left of Tracing Table, if necessary.

2. Do one of the following:

· Check Tracing Table to select all chapters, or

· Click [+] at left of Tracing Table and check desired chapter.

3. Verify Advanced Search form is displayed.

4. Type search term in desired query field.

5. Do one of the following:

· Click Search, or

· Press [Enter].

Florida Statutes Table of Section Changes

Find 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

1. Click [+] at left of Table of Section Changes.

2. Click desired Table of Section Changes Chapters hyperlink.

: Steps to search Florida Statutes Table of Section Changes

1. Do one of the following:

· Check Table of Section Changes to select all chapters.

· Click [+] at left of Table of Section Changes and check desired chapter.

2. Verify Advanced Search form is displayed.

3. Type search term in desired query field.

4. 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

1. Click [+] at left of Repealed and Transferred Sections Table.

2. Click desired chapter Cross-references hyperlink.

: Steps to search Florida Statutes Repealed and Transferred Sections Table

1. Do one of the following:

· Check Repealed and Transferred Sections Table to select all chapters, or

· Click [+] at left of Repealed and Transferred Sections Table and check desired chapter.

2. Verify Advanced Search form is displayed.

3. Type search term in desired query field.

4. 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 2017, subdivided by statute chapter. The section and subunit that contain the reference appear alongside and are hyperliked to the Florida Statutes 2017 document collection.

Florida Statutes Cross Reference Table

:Steps to access Florida Statutes Cross Reference Table

1. Click [+] at left of Cross Reference Table.

2. Click desired Cross Reference Table Statutes chapter hyperlink.

: Steps to search Florida Statutes Cross Reference Table

1. Click [+] at left of Cross Reference Table, if necessary.

2. Do one of the following:

· Check Cross Reference Table to select all chapters, or

· Click [+] at left of Cross Reference Table and check desired chapter.

3. Verify Advanced Search form is displayed.

4. Type search term in desired query field.

5. Do one of the following:

· Click Search, or

· Press [Enter].

Back to TOC

Section 4: Browsing and Printing Search Results

Introduction

You can browse document collections and search results.

Exploring the RESULTS PAGE

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 5 (Short), 10 (Medium), or 25 (Long) words before and after your query term.

RESULTS Page

Working with Document Navigation Tools

The document page displays document content resulting from your search.

Document Page

The Document toolbar is located above the content. This toolbar allows you to browse documents and documents, 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 and DOC/RESULTS pages.

Document navigation tools allow you to easily browse document content.

· Prev Match and Next Match — navigate back and forth through hits within the document you are currently browsing.

· Prev Hit Doc and Next Hit Doc — navigate back and forth through search source documents that contain hits.

· Prev Doc and Next Doc — navigate through all search source documents within the TOC, even if they do not contain a hit.

Document Toolbar

Viewing Reference Information

The Reference panel at the top of the DOCUMENT frame. This identifies the current document returned from Prev Hit Doc or Next Hit Doc.

Because this only displays references of documents with hits, Search & Browse provides another method to determine reference information. By clicking Reference icon on the Document toolbar, you can easily identify the document you are currently browsing. When clicked, the Reference information window appears.

Reference Window

This feature is especially useful when browsing documents that do not contain hits or when browsing beyond the first page of a document.

: Steps to display Reference window

1. Click Results tab on Document toolbar.

2. View the results that are displayed.

3. Select results to open the document or reference

4. To Print Search results see below.

5. Close by clicking the Clear Search tab on far right, under Search form drop down.

Printing Search Results

Printing may be done from the Document toolbar. Because Search & Browse uses your browser's print facility, you can print all or individual frame contents. The print dialogue box format and functions will vary depending on your browser and the print options you have available. For example, Adobe Acrobat Professional users will be able to print or save results as .pdf files.

These instructions are for printing using Microsoft Internet Explorer. Click File, Print and the Print dialog box appears. If you are unsure about what will print, preview it before printing.

To print without search terms highlights, click the “Clear Highlights” icon.

Clear Search Highlights

Print Dialog Box

: Steps to print selected frame

1. Click in document or frame to print.

2. Do one of the following:

· Select File, Print from Internet Explorer menu, or

· Right-click document frame and select Print, or

· Press [Ctrl+P].

3. Select desired printer from Select Printer list, if necessary.

4. Select Options tab.

5. Verify only the selected frame is selected under Print frames.

Print Selected Frame Dialog Box

6. Click Print.

: Steps to print screens as seen

1. Click in document to print.

· Select File, Print from Internet Explorer menu, or

· Right-click document frame and select Print, or

· Press [Ctrl+P], or

2. Select desired printer from Select Printer list, if necessary.

3. Select Options tab.

4. Select As laid out on screen under Print frames.

Print Screen As Seen Dialog Box

5. Click Print.

: Steps to print all screens individually

1. Do one of the following:

· Select File, Print from Internet Explorer menu, or

· Rt-click document frame and select Print, or

· Press [Ctrl+P], or

2. Select desired printer from Select Printer list, if necessary.

3. Select Options tab.

4. Select All frames individually under Print frames.

Print All Screens Individually Dialog Box

5. Click Print.

: Steps to preview search results

1. Select File, Print Preview from Internet Explorer menu.

2. Click On Print Preview toolbar, select options.

Print Preview Options

3. Click Print.

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 as cookies; if you clear cookies, your saved searches results will be cleared as well.

: Steps to save search results

1. Scroll to end of search results on the results page or doc/results page.

2. Type desired name for search results in Save search as text box.

3. Click save.

4. Saved Search down arrow will be added to upper right of the screen.

Save Search Results Window

Save 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

1. 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 or doc/results page.

2. Scroll to end of page.

3. Click Manage Saved Searches.

4. Select desired saved search.

5. Do one of the following:

· Click Delete, or

· Type another name for search and click Rename.

6. Click Exit.

: Steps to delete all saved search results

1. 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 or doc/results page.

2. Scroll to end of page.

3. Click Manage Saved Searches.

4. Click Delete All.

5. Click Exit.

Back to TOC

Section 5: Document Collection Descriptions

Florida Statutes (1994–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 they refer to.

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 seven 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.

Tracing Table (1999–Present)

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.

Commission on Ethics Opinions

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.

Florida Senate Journals

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.

Florida Senate Rules

The Florida Senate Rules are the processes for conducting its business and rules which each house determines and adopts at the beginning of each legislative term.

Florida House Journals

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.

Back to TOC