"...In instances of an ambiguity in statutory language, we may resort to the rules of statutory construction, which permit us to examine the legislative history to aid in our determination regarding legislative intent..." Diamond v. Horowitch, 107 So. 3d 362 (Fla. 2013).
"...An act's legislative history is an invaluable tool in construing the provisions thereof.", Ivey vs. Chicago Ins. Co., 410 So. 2d 494 (Fla. 1982).
In Magaw v. State, 537 So. 2d 564 (Fla. 1989), the Florida Supreme Court quoted favorably from both a Staff Analysis and informative floor debate.
Florida Jurisprudence 2d, KFF80 .F56, covers 'Guides to Construction - Extrinsic Aids' and legislative history generally in the topic "Statutes", at sections 149 to section 158.
The Florida Digest 2d, KFF57 .W48 sets out cases mentioning legislative history at Statutes
1241, to 1251. As with the encyclopedia, the sections immediately preceding and following should also be reviewed.
Check out these selected statutory construction rules. (paraphrased from entries in Fla. Jur. 2d)
"The ultimate goal in statutory construction...is to give effect to legislative intent."
"The plain and ordinary meaning of the words of a statute control unless it would lead to an unreasonable result."
Deference to Administratrive Agency Interpretation
"The interpretation of a statute by the administrative agency or body charged with its enforcement is entitled to great deference and should not be overturned unless clearly erroneous or in conflict with the legislative intent of the statute."
"In construing an ambiguous criminal statute, a court should resolve the ambiguity in favor of the defendant."
The Legislature can provide indications of its intent in the definitions section of a statute, by the wording of a preamble, or in a statute itself, such as in the example given on the first page of this guide, at Fla.Stat. § 893.101(1).
Even clearer examples are found at Fla.Stat. § 1.04 and Fla. Stat. § 775.021(4)(b).
→ Cite to the enacted statute unless you are specifically discussing the legislative history.
→ Use the Bill cite for unenacted or pending legislation.
Bills:
Fla. CS for CS for CS for SB 112 (2013).
Fla. HB 1591, § 1 (1980).
(= ex. of cite to bill section)
Fla. CS for HB 1907, § 5(1) (1996) (proposed FLA. STAT. § 106.024(1)). (= ex. of cite to bill subsection and proposed statute section change)
Staff Analysis:
Fla. S. Comm. on Rules, CS for CS for CS for SB 112 (2013) Staff Analysis [page cited] (rev. Apr. 3, 2013), available at http://flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2013/0112/?Tab=Analyses.
Journals:
Fla. S. Jour. 881 (Reg. Sess. 2013).
The Florida Bar lists citation formats in the Reporter's Handbook that you can use as a handy "cheat sheet" for many document types, including federal bills material and committee reports.
Since the Bar's Handbook does not give a Florida bill example, the citation usage hierarchy set out in Fla. R. App. P. 9.800(o) should be followed: 1) the mentioned rule, 2) the Bluebook, 3) FSU Law Review's Florida Style Manual. The Manual contains numerous usage examples.