Senate Committees
Senate Committees are where the work gets done! Senate is organized in 5 standing committees, 2 time-sensitive committees (Sweepings/Central Reserves), and ad hoc committees as decided by the Student Senate President. Committees meet weekly prior to Senate to discuss legislation, vote on referred bills or resolutions, interview candidates forwarded to the Senate, and engage in the work of the Student Senate. Meeting time, place, location, and agenda must be advertised at least 24 hours in advance (but should be posted and advertised at the previous Senate meeting), and should take place at the same day and time each week for consistency. Senate Committee Reports must be emailed directly following the meeting to be posted online for the Student Senate to review. Chapter 411 of Student Body Statutes outlines Senator’s Committee Rights, including submitting committee preferences, requests to be moved to a different committee, excused absences and removal processes, and additional responsibilities.
Budget The Budget Committee is responsible for discussing legislation related to SGA allocated Activity & Service (A&S) fees. This includes the annual budget, budget transfers for SGA entities, Senate Projects, and overall understanding of the SGA Budget. The Budget Committee may host workshops and meetings with A&S funded entities to learn and share more about how all Florida State students benefit from allocated funds. Review Chapters 411, 416, 418; and Chapter 800: Finance Code for more information.
Finance The Finance Committee focuses on Finance Code and ensuring student organizations are utilizing their funds in the best interest of the Student Body. All fiscal matters (Statutes, Chapter 800) and PAC and RTAC funding requests and allocations are discussed in Finance. Review Chapters 600 and 800 for more information.
QUORUM Attendance at committee meetings is important, because there must be a quorum present to make the proceedings of that meeting valid. Rules 5.7 outlines Quorum as more than half of all voting committee members!
Judiciary The Judiciary Committee focuses on legislation pertaining to SGA policies, including any legislation amending the Student Body Constitution or Student Statutes. They are also responsible for interviewing candidates the Judiciary Branch, assisting the Supervisor of Elections with the Election Code certification, and enacting the Investigative Rights of the Student and impeachment proceedings. Judiciary members should be well versed in the Student Body Statutes, including details, grammar, cross-references, and review of all components of the document.
Internal Aairs The Internal Affairs committee interviews forwarded candidates for the SGA Executive Branch, including Agencies, Bureaus, and Affiliated Projects. They also review the SGA Application, internal proceedings and trainings of the Student Senate, and the Bureau Review process. Review Chapters 307, 703, and 900 for more information.
Student Life & Academic Aairs SLAA is interested in the needs of the student body and the quality of student life at FSU. This is a proactive and creative committee that considers allocations from Senate Projects, compiles Senate liaison reports, and connects with student affairs and academic affairs pertaining to issues facing current students. SLAA is also instrumental in the process for FSU Student Senate Award for Excellence and coordinating the annual Campus Safety Tour with numerous campus partners. Review Chapters 413, 418, and 1100 for more information.
14 Student Senate Guide 2019-20
