Florida legislators file bill to impose term limits on county commissioners

A pair of Florida legislators have filed bills in advance of the 2024 Legislative Session that would impose term limits for county commissioners. 

The bills, filed by State Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, R-Spring Hill, and Rep. Michelle Salzman, R-Pensacola, would establish eight-year term limits for county commissioners and prohibit them from seeking certain offices until after a specified time frame, according to a statement from Ingoglia’s office. Ingoglia filed a bill last year that limited school board members to eight years in office. That legislation passed and was ultimately signed by Gov. DeSantis. 

“People all over the United States believe term limits are great public policy,” says Ingoglia in a statement. “I do too. It ensures that government ideas remain vibrant by giving the next generation of leaders a chance to shine.”

Currently individual counties set term limits, or not, on an individual basis. The proposed bills include possible clauses for commissioners who began their terms before Nov. 8, 2022, stating those officials “may be exempt from the bill’s term limitations.”

“Term limits at all levels of government have been favored for years. Floridians want elected officials to be proactive,” Salzman says in the statement. “Term limits ensure fresh perspectives and accountability for our highest offices in the state, and we need that at the county level where seats can remain stagnant for decades.”

Ingoglia's proposed bill is SB 438.

Salzman's proposed bill is HB 57.