The Florida Senate

26.011  Census commission, judicial circuits.--

(1)  APPOINTMENT OF COMMISSIONERS.--When it shall be deemed advisable by the Legislature that the population of any judicial circuit be determined, it may from time to time provide for the appointment by the Governor of three commissioners from such judicial circuit who shall obtain from the United States Census Bureau an outline of proper criteria other than by the actual counting of individuals, to be used by the commissioners for the purpose of determining the population of a circuit, and the commissioners shall proceed in accordance with the criteria to determine the number of inhabitants of such circuit. In making their determination the commissioners shall also, after public notice, hold a public hearing or hearings at such place or places in the circuit as they deem advisable to receive such further proof needed to assist them in determining the number of inhabitants. After the conclusion of their study and after the public hearings to be held, as aforesaid, the commissioners shall make proof to the Governor, first, of the establishment of criteria by the United States Census Bureau and second, their findings based thereon. They shall also forward to the Governor a certified transcript of the record taken at the public hearings to be held as aforesaid.

(2)  PROCLAMATION BY GOVERNOR.--The findings by any such commission or commissioners as to the number of inhabitants or the population of any judicial circuit when proclaimed by the Governor shall have the same force and effect in law as if according to a census taken pursuant to either federal or state law insofar as a census affects the number of circuit judges permitted by law but such determination shall not otherwise be effective for any purpose.

(3)  The commissioners shall not be paid any compensation but shall be reimbursed for travel expenses as provided in s. 112.061

History.--ss. 1-3, ch. 31395, 1956; s. 19, ch. 63-400; s. 1, ch. 65-265; s. 7, ch. 79-164.