County Legislative Delegation Meetings (CLDMs) are a wonderful, once-a-year opportunity for you, as constituents, to speak directly to the State Senators, State Representatives, and Commissioners in your county, all in one meeting. These county-level meetings are required every legislative session as a means for commissioners and legislators to understand what issues citizens would like to see addressed.
The number of legislators attending depends on how populous the county is and the number of House or Senate Districts each county includes. Small county meetings may last only 1 - 2 hours while large county meetings may run several hours.
COS volunteers have enthusiastically attended meetings in recent years to heighten awareness of Article V and make sure our legislators remember that we are a passed state with an active grassroots army. This year is different. Instead of merely thanking our legislators for their continued support, during these meetings we will be asking for their help in convening an Article V Working Group or better yet, a Special Committee related to Article V.
An Article V Working Group is the next essential step to prepare Florida for the Article V Convention. The Working Group will document how Florida delegates will be selected, instructed, and held accountable. There will also be opportunities to think ahead about what proposed amendments would accomplish our goals of limiting federal overreach, spending, and terms of office. Virginia walked into the 1787 convention with a Virginia plan, and we want our delegates to walk into an Article V Convention with a Florida plan.
Are you willing to put on your best COS attire and ask for an Article V Working Group? This legislative season it is our greatest ambition to have a few COS representatives at every CLDM. We will help you with a script, usually only three minutes long. However, because the meetings do run long, speakers need to be flexible and have a one-minute version at the ready in case your time is limited.
Any citizen who wishes to speak must fill out a request form and submit it to the county official. These pages have contact information for some 2025 delegation meetings.
Please plan to attend your local CLDM and be sure to tell your District Captain. Notify our State Legislative Liaison, Michelle LaFlamme by clicking on this link. District volunteers can even coordinate to be sure each speaker is offering different information from the others.
Even if you don't think you can stand up and speak, why not attend just to learn more about local government?
