Florida Statute 16.61 - Full Text and Legal Analysis

The 2025 Florida Statutes

Title IV
EXECUTIVE BRANCH

Chapter 16
ATTORNEY GENERAL

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F.S. 16.061

16.061 Initiative petitions.—

(1) The Attorney General shall, within 30 days after receipt of a proposed revision or amendment to the State Constitution by initiative petition from the Secretary of State, petition the Supreme Court, requesting an advisory opinion regarding the compliance of the text of the proposed amendment or revision with s. 3, Art. XI of the State Constitution, whether the proposed amendment is facially invalid under the United States Constitution, the compliance of the proposed ballot title and substance with s. 101.161, and the compliance of the financial impact statement with s. 100.371(16). The petition may enumerate any specific factual issues that the Attorney General believes would require a judicial determination.

(2) A copy of the petition shall be provided to the Secretary of State and the sponsor of the initiative petition.

(3) Any financial impact statement that the Supreme Court finds not to be in accordance with s. 100.371(16) must be remanded solely to the Financial Impact Estimating Conference for redrafting.

(4) If the Attorney General is notified by the Secretary of State pursuant to s. 15.21(2) that an initiative petition no longer qualifies for ballot placement for the ensuing general election, the Attorney General must withdraw his or her request for an advisory opinion if the Supreme Court has not yet fulfilled that request. If the Secretary of State subsequently resubmits the initiative petition if the criteria in s. 15.21(1) are again satisfied and the court has not issued its advisory opinion, the Attorney General must file a new petition seeking such advisory opinion.

History.—s. 2, ch. 87-363; s. 2, ch. 2002-390; s. 2, ch. 2004-33; s. 2, ch. 2020-15; s. 2, ch. 2022-73; s. 3, ch. 2025-21.

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Amendments to 16.061

Annotations, Discussions, Cases:

Cases Citing Statute 16.061

Total Results: 39

Advisory Opinion to Atty. Gen.-Limited Political Terms

592 So. 2d 225, 1991 WL 268455

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Dec 19, 1991 | Docket: 1429375

Cited 56 times | Published

proposed ballot title and substance with s. 101.161." § 16.061(1), Fla. Stat. (1989). Thus, we are limited in

Biddulph v. Mortham

89 F.3d 1491, 1996 U.S. App. LEXIS 18871, 1996 WL 400009

Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit | Filed: Aug 1, 1996 | Docket: 1427135

Cited 48 times | Published

substance with § 101.161. See Fla.Stat.Ann. § 16.061 (1995); see also Fla. Const, art. IV

Ray v. Mortham

742 So. 2d 1276, 1999 WL 685710

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Sep 2, 1999 | Docket: 1302973

Cited 39 times | Published

Statutes (1997). See art. IV, § 10, Fla. Const.;[3] § 16.061(1), Fla. Stat. *1279 (1997).[4] Article XI, section

Florida League of Cities v. Smith

607 So. 2d 397, 17 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 665, 1992 Fla. LEXIS 1816, 1992 WL 311076

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Oct 29, 1992 | Docket: 531442

Cited 39 times | Published

section 10 of the Florida Constitution, and section 16.061, Florida Statutes (1991). In re Advisory Opinion

Advisory Opinion Re Term Limits Pledge

718 So. 2d 798, 23 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 505, 1998 Fla. LEXIS 1893, 1998 WL 682524

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Oct 1, 1998 | Docket: 466471

Cited 29 times | Published

(Emphasis added.) Pursuant to general law, section 16.061(1), Florida Statutes (1997), requires that

In Re Advisory Opinion to Atty. Gen.

636 So. 2d 1336, 1994 WL 202534

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: May 26, 1994 | Docket: 1361398

Cited 27 times | Published

Everglades Committee. See Art. IV, § 10, Fla. Const.; § 16.061, Fla. Stat. (1993). The petition seeks to amend

Advisory Opinion to Attorney General

818 So. 2d 491, 2002 WL 992066

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: May 16, 2002 | Docket: 1652765

Cited 24 times | Published

[1] See § 15.21, Fla. Stat. (2000). [2] See § 16.061(1), Fla. Stat. (2000). [3] The following parties

Advisory Opinion to Atty. Gen. Re Tax

644 So. 2d 486

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Oct 4, 1994 | Docket: 1248234

Cited 15 times | Published

3(b)(10), of the Florida Constitution, and section 16.061, Florida Statutes (1993), the Attorney General

Advisory Opinion Re Nonpartisa Com'n

926 So. 2d 1218

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Mar 23, 2006 | Docket: 467057

Cited 13 times | Published

section 10 of the Florida Constitution, and section 16.061, Florida Statutes (2005), the Attorney General

In Re Advisory Opin. to Atty. Gen. English

520 So. 2d 11, 1988 WL 9839

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Feb 4, 1988 | Docket: 405433

Cited 13 times | Published

with section 101.161, Florida Statutes (1987). § 16.061. Fla. Stat. (1987). Pursuant to the foregoing

Advisory Opin. to Atty. Gen. Re Tax Exemp.

880 So. 2d 646, 2004 WL 1574226

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Jul 15, 2004 | Docket: 1294929

Cited 10 times | Published

21(2), Florida Statutes (2003). Pursuant to section 16.061(1), Florida Statutes (2003), the Attorney General

In Re Advisory Opinion to Atty. Gen.

632 So. 2d 1018, 1994 WL 60863

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Mar 3, 1994 | Docket: 462773

Cited 10 times | Published

section 10 of the Florida Constitution and section 16.061, Florida Statutes (1993), the Attorney General

Advisory Opinion to the Attorney General Re 1.35% Property Tax Cap, Unless Voter Approved

2 So. 3d 968, 34 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 102, 2009 Fla. LEXIS 145, 2009 WL 217983

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Jan 30, 2009 | Docket: 1643826

Cited 8 times | Published

section 10 of the Florida Constitution, and section 16.061, Florida Statutes (2007), the Attorney General

Roberts v. Brown

43 So. 3d 673, 35 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 467, 2010 Fla. LEXIS 1452, 2010 WL 3398795

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Aug 31, 2010 | Docket: 60295464

Cited 7 times | Published

cases concern advisory opinions required by section 16.061, Florida Statutes (1997) [governing initiative

Advisory Opinion to the Attorney General

703 So. 2d 446, 1997 WL 719476

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Nov 20, 1997 | Docket: 1349334

Cited 7 times | Published

article IV, section 10, Florida Constitution, and section 16.061, Florida Statutes (1995), the Attorney General

Delgado v. Smith

861 F.2d 1489, 1988 U.S. App. LEXIS 14908, 1988 WL 127640

Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit | Filed: Nov 4, 1988 | Docket: 66240119

Cited 7 times | Published

and style meet specified requirements. Fla.Stat. § 16.061 (1987). Finally, the Florida Supervisors of Elections

In Re Advisory Opinion to Atty. Gen.

581 So. 2d 586

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Jul 3, 1991 | Docket: 407736

Cited 6 times | Published

section 10 of the Florida Constitution and section 16.061, Florida Statutes (1989), the attorney general

In Re Advisory Opinion to Atty. Gen.

520 So. 2d 284, 1988 WL 15102

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Feb 26, 1988 | Docket: 1709286

Cited 3 times | Published

have jurisdiction. Art. IV, § 10, Fla. Const.; § 16.061, Fla. Stat. (1987). We examine the text of the

In Re Advisory Opinion to Atty. Gen.

819 So. 2d 725, 2002 WL 1025974

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: May 23, 2002 | Docket: 1750077

Cited 2 times | Published

section 10 of the Florida Constitution and section 16.061, Florida Statutes (2001). We have jurisdiction

Advisory Opinion to the Attorney General ex rel. Amendment to Bar Government from Treating People Differently Based on Race in Public Education

778 So. 2d 888, 25 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 546, 2000 Fla. LEXIS 1460

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Jul 13, 2000 | Docket: 64803904

Cited 1 times | Published

Florida Statutes (1999).2 In compliance with section 16.061, Florida Statutes (1999), the Attorney General

Advisory Opinion to the Attorney General

699 So. 2d 1304, 22 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 271, 1997 Fla. LEXIS 674

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: May 15, 1997 | Docket: 64776054

Cited 1 times | Published

Constitution. See art. IV, § 10, Fla. Const.; § 16.061, Fla. Stat. (1995). We have jurisdiction. Art

Advisory Opinion to the Attorney General Re: Adult Personal Use of Marijuana

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Apr 1, 2024 | Docket: 68397159

Published

our review is confined to three issues. See § 16.061, Fla. Stat. (2023). We ask “(1) whether the proposed

Advisory Opinion to the Attorney General re: Limiting Government Interference with Abortion

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Apr 1, 2024 | Docket: 68397158

Published

invalid under the United States Constitution.” § 16.061(1), Fla. Stat (2023). This

Advisory Opinion to the Attorney General Re: Raising Florida's Minimum Wage

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Jan 9, 2020 | Docket: 16761649

Published

the validity of the petition. Art. IV, § 10; § 16.061(1), Fla. Stat. (2019). The constitution directs

Advisory Opinion to the Attorney General re Prohibiting State Spending for Experimentation that Involves the Destruction of a Live Human Embryo

959 So. 2d 210, 32 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 288, 2007 Fla. LEXIS 956, 2007 WL 1556636

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: May 31, 2007 | Docket: 64851243

Published

opinion from this Court. Art. IV, § 10, Fla. Const.; § 16.061, Fla. Stat. (2006). The advisory opinion is to

Advisory Opinion to the Attorney General re Funding of Embryonic Stem Cell Research

959 So. 2d 195, 32 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 285, 2007 Fla. LEXIS 960, 2007 WL 1556733

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: May 31, 2007 | Docket: 64851239

Published

opinion from this Court. Art. IV, § 10, Fla. Const.; § 16.061, Fla. Stat. (2006). The advisory opinion is to

Advisory Opinion to the Attorney General re: Independent Nonpartisan Commission to Apportion Legislative & Congressional Districts Which Replaces Apportionment By Legislature

926 So. 2d 1218, 31 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 173, 2006 Fla. LEXIS 484

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Mar 23, 2006 | Docket: 64844178

Published

section 10 of the Florida Constitution, and section 16.061, Florida Statutes (2005), the Attorney General

Advisory Opinion to the Attorney General Re Referenda Required for Adoption & Amendment of Local Government Comprehensive Land Use Plans

902 So. 2d 763, 30 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 164, 2005 Fla. LEXIS 491, 2005 WL 610430

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Mar 17, 2005 | Docket: 64838462

Published

section 10 of the Florida Constitution, and section 16.061, Florida Statutes (2004), the Attorney General

Advisory Opinion to the Attorney General re Repeal of High Speed Rail Amendment

880 So. 2d 624, 29 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 393, 2004 Fla. LEXIS 1006, 2004 WL 1574241

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Jul 15, 2004 | Docket: 64832258

Published

Statutes (2003). See Art. IV, § 10, Fla. Const.; § 16.061, Fla. Stat. (2003). DEBT has filed a brief in

Advisory Opinion to the Attorney General re Fairness Initiative Requiring Legislative Determination that Sales Tax Exemptions & Exclusions Serve a Public Purpose

880 So. 2d 630, 29 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 410, 2004 Fla. LEXIS 1005, 2004 WL 1574248

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Jul 15, 2004 | Docket: 64832260

Published

article IV, section 10, Florida Constitution, and section 16.061, Florida Statutes (2003), the Attorney General

Advisory Opinion to the Attorney General re Florida Minimum Wage Amendment

880 So. 2d 636, 29 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 387, 2004 Fla. LEXIS 1004, 2004 WL 1574232

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Jul 15, 2004 | Docket: 64832261

Published

21(2), Florida Statutes (2003). Pursuant to section 16.061(1), Florida Statutes (2003), the Attorney General

Florida Senate v. Florida Ass'n of Realtors, Inc.

829 So. 2d 854, 27 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 804, 2002 Fla. LEXIS 1949, 2002 WL 31207223

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Sep 20, 2002 | Docket: 64818761

Published

initiative petition to the Attorney General .... ”); § 16.061, Fla. Stat. (2001) ("The Attorney General shall

Advisory Opinion to the Attorney General re Limiting Cruel & Inhumane Confinement of Pigs During Pregnancy

815 So. 2d 597, 27 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 71, 2002 Fla. LEXIS 29, 2002 WL 58560

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Jan 17, 2002 | Docket: 64814834

Published

section 10 of the Florida Constitution, and section 16.061, Florida Statutes (2001). We have jurisdiction

Advisory Opinion to the Attorney General Re Tax Limitation

673 So. 2d 864, 21 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 199, 1996 Fla. LEXIS 773, 1996 WL 233149

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: May 9, 1996 | Docket: 64764705

Published

are valid for a period of four years). . See § 16.061, Fla.Stat. (1993) ("The petition may enumerate

Advisory Opinion to the Attorney General re Stop Early Release of Prisoners

661 So. 2d 1204, 20 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 543, 1995 Fla. LEXIS 1747

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Oct 26, 1995 | Docket: 64759578

Published

is his duty to do. Art. IV, § 10, Fla. Const. § 16.061, Fla.Stat. (1993). In response, we issued an order

Advisory Opinion to the Attorney General re Florida Locally Approved Gaming

656 So. 2d 1259, 20 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 262, 1995 Fla. LEXIS 952, 1995 WL 337976

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Jun 8, 1995 | Docket: 64757470

Published

by s. 3, Art. XI of the State Constitution. Section 16.061, Florida Statutes (1993), provides, in relevant

League of Women Voters of Florida, Inc. v. Smith

644 So. 2d 486, 19 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 493, 1994 Fla. LEXIS 1492

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Oct 4, 1994 | Docket: 64751775

Published

3(b)(10), of the Florida Constitution, and section 16.061, Florida Statutes (1993), the Attorney General

Advisory Opinion to the Attorney General re Funding for Criminal Justice

639 So. 2d 972, 19 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 381, 1994 Fla. LEXIS 1028, 1994 WL 363979

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Jul 15, 1994 | Docket: 64749670

Published

section 10 of the Florida Constitution, and section 16.061, Florida Statutes (1993), the Attorney General

Advisory Opinion to the Attorney General-Ltd. Marine Net Fishing

620 So. 2d 997, 18 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 344, 1993 Fla. LEXIS 1020, 1993 WL 209157

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Jun 17, 1993 | Docket: 64697431

Published

PER CURIAM. In compliance with section 16.061, Florida Statutes (1991), the Attorney General has petitioned