2021 Convention Motions
TLDR Cheat Sheet
As far as the Rules Committee Proposals and Platform Revisions are concerned, we recommend passing ALL of these motions. Where things get a bit more dicey is with the Floor Motions. The only motion we recommend passing as it stands is the Motion to Amend the LPF Standing Rules by Striking Article V, Section 5. The only motion we recommend voting against completely is the Motion to Opening Meetings of Select Committees to the General Public. For every other motion, we recommend some amendments be made before passing.
Of course, we encourage you to read each proposal for yourself and make your own determinations regarding all of the proposed changes by both the Rules and Platform Committees, as well as any floor motions. Our explanations of these motions and the reasoning behind our recommendations are linked and listed below for your convenience.
Rules Committee Proposals
- Motion to Amend LPF Constitution Art. II, Section 1 to reconcile the LPF and LP Member Pledges, and to clarify membership requirements
- Motion to Amend LPF Constitution Art. III, Sections 3 and 4 to re-implement 19-CF007, 19-CF009, 19-CF011, and 19-CF001
- Motion to Amend LPF Constitution Article III Sections 3 and 4 to define duties of Regional Representatives and Alternates, and to clarify election and elevation of Alternates
- Motion to Amend LPF Constitution Article III Section 3, Subsections A and D to return Motion 20-CF002, as amended, to comply with statutory requirements
- Motion to Amend LPF Constitution Article III Section 4 to enumerate the fiduciary duty of obedience
- Motion to Amend LPF Constitution Article III Section 5, Subsections E and F to modernize protocol and streamline language
- Motion to Amend LPF Constitution Article IV, Section 1 to remove circular logic
- Motion to Amend LPF Constitution, Article VIII, Section 2 C to adopt a standard mechanism for technical and conforming changes
- Motion to Amend LPF Constitution Article IX to return Motion 20-CF007, as amended to establish a statutorily required method for nomination or recommendation
Platform Revisions
- State Government 1.Federal Armies and Florida
- State Government 3.Unregulated Powers
- State Government 5.Private Property & Markets
- State Government 6.Sunset Amendment
- State Government 7.Government Accountability
- State Government 9.ID & Data Bases
- State Government 10.Right to Privacy
- State Government 11.Monopolies
- State Government 12.Federal Grants
- State Government 13.Marriage and Divorce
- Elections 2.Election Ballot Choices
- Courts 8.Attorney Licensing
- Public Safety 1. Law Enforcement
- Public Safety 2. Militarization
- Public Safety 3. K9
- Public Safety 4. Prisons
- Public Safety 8. Sheriff
- Public Safety 10. Drug War
- Public Safety 11. Probable Cause
- Public Safety 12. Pandemics
- Paying for Government 4. State Agency Budget
- Paying for Government 6. Localism
- Environment 1. Measures to Prevent Environmental Damage
- Environment 2. State Land Privatization
- Healthcare 1. Personal Rights
- Healthcare 4. Free Market
- Secession 1. The Right to Sovereign Succession
- Secession 2. Local Self Government and Secession
Floor Motions
- 2021-ABM-BF1: Motion to amend LPF Bylaws, Article I, Section 7 to Add Requirement for Website
- 2021-ABM-BF2: Motion to Amend LPF Bylaws, Article III, Section 10 to Remove Prohibition on the Audit Committee’s Having a Vice Chairperson and to Correct the Specification of Duties
- 2021-ABM-SF1: Motion to Amend the LPF Standing Rules by Striking Article V, Section 5 to Remove the Immediate Past Chairperson’s Emeritus Position from the Executive Committee
- 2021-ABM-SF2: Motion to Amend the LPF Standing Rules, Article V, to Add New Sections After Section 9, Opening Meetings of Select Committees to the General Public
- 2021-ABM-SF2: Motion to Amend the LPF Standing Rules, Article V, to Add a New Section After Section 9 (part of previous motion)
- 2021-ABM-SF3: Motion to Amend the LPF Standing Rules, Article V to Add a New Section After Section 9, Defining Email Address Issuance and Handling Practices for LPF Committees
Rules Committee Proposals
1. Motion to Amend LPF Constitution Art. II, Section 1 to reconcile the LPF and LP Member Pledges, and to clarify membership requirements
The LPF is the Florida affiliate of the LP. While the current LPF pledge has the same essential meaning as the LP pledge, the different language specified by the LPF Constitution has contributed to confusion regarding LPF membership. LPF’s adoption of the LP pledge language enables a unified membership form which can end this confusion, and facilitate simultaneous, valid requests to join both LP and LPF on a single form. Other language clarifies existing rules.
Our Recommendation:
2. Motion to Amend LPF Constitution Art. III, Sections 3 and 4 to re-implement 19-CF007, 19-CF009, 19-CF011, and 19-CF001
The original motions were passed by the body in 2019 and 2020. The described changes were technically unexecutable due to references made invalid by previous amendments. The appropriate locations have been located and the language has been minimally adapted to fit the current Constitution.
Our Recommendation:
3. Motion to Amend LPF Constitution Article III Sections 3 and 4 to define duties of Regional Representatives and Alternates, and to clarify election and elevation of Alternates
Our Recommendation:
4. Motion to Amend LPF Constitution Article III Section 3, Subsections A and D to return Motion 20-CF002, as amended, to comply with statutory requirements.
Motion 20-CF002 was referred to Rules at the 2020 ABM. Upon a review of statute and LPF rules, the committee determined that the initial filing certificate of political parties in Florida includes the entire Executive Committee. All members of the Executive Committee are corporate directors of the party, so notification requirements regarding changes include every member of the EC. This motion largely returns the language in this section of our Constitution to a pre-2019 version.
Our Recommendation:
5. Motion to Amend LPF Constitution Article III Section 4 to enumerate the fiduciary duty of obedience
Party office is a position of trust. We all can act individually to direct our resources in the aid of Liberty. We join our resources to multiply their strength, and must entrust them to the Executive Committee we elect to implement our wishes. We act as a single body–a corporation. Our leaders are its directors. They deliberate and exercise their judgement on our behalf to speak for us, to spend our money, and to choose our battles. There is risk in every action, and we accept that. But candidates for our Executive Committee seats must understand that they assume a fiduciary burden on our behalf. A fiduciary takes on specific responsibilities: always to pursue the purposes of the party and to operate in compliance with statute and regulation; always to act in the best interest of the party and the will of the members rather than that of any other organization or person including themselves; and always to act with the same care and due diligence that a reasonable and prudent person would in the same situation. The LPF Rules Committee recommends this amendment to establish a clear reminder of the ethical responsibility members of the Executive Committee accept to protect the party from legal liability and litigation expense, reputational risk, and direct monetary losses.
Our Recommendation:
6. Motion to Amend LPF Constitution Article III Section 5, Subsections E and F to modernize protocol and streamline language
The existing rule predates current internet technology. This rule change enables utilization of whatever means and medium may be most appropriate for making such communication readily available. The amendment would also meet existing statutory requirements to post notices on the organization’s public and functioning website.
Our Recommendation:
7. Motion to Amend LPF Constitution Article IV, Section 1 to remove circular logic
Organizations aren’t affiliated until the LPF affiliates them. The LPF recognizes one affiliate per county.
Our Recommendation:
8. Motion to Amend LPF Constitution, Article VIII, Section 2 C to adopt a standard mechanism for technical and conforming changes
“Immaterial changes” is not defined and subjective. “Technical and conforming changes” is outlined and defined in RONR. Also, the referenced subsection is no longer applicable.
Our Recommendation:
9. Motion to Amend LPF Constitution Article IX to return Motion 20-CF007, as amended to establish a statutorily required method for nomination or recommendation.
Motion 20-CF0007 was referred to Rules at the 2020 ABM. After consideration, the committee found that Florida Statutes 103.121 requires the state party to adopt and rule which governs the time and manner in which the respective county executive committees of such party may endorse, certify, screen, or otherwise recommend one or more candidates for such party’s nomination for election, mandates that ‘such rule shall provide the exclusive method by which a county committee may so endorse, certify, screen, or otherwise recommend,’ and sets a deadline for notification of intent to act. This is that rule, and it applies equally to the LPF itself.
Our Recommendation:
Platform Revisions
1. State Government 1. Federal Armies and Florida
- Updated verbiage to shorten and clarify.
- Changed “We do not support” to “We oppose” sending Florida National Guard troops overseas.
- Clarified the need for gubernatorial approval before the President can activate State National Guard.
Our Recommendation:
2. State Government 3. Unregulated Powers
- Updated verbiage to shorten and clarify.
- Clarified that the 10th amendment gives States the powers not given to the Federal Government in the Constitution.
Our Recommendation:
3. State Government 5. Private Property & Markets
- Updated verbiage to shorten and clarify.
- Clarified that property rights are an extension of self-ownership.
Our Recommendation:
4. State Government 6. Sunset Amendment
- Updated verbiage used to define and support a “Sunset Amendment”.
Our Recommendation:
5. State Government 7. Government Accountability
- Removed “Individuals” and made it specifically about the state.
- Clarified opposition of caps on restitution.
- Clarified removal of Qualified Immunity.
- Clarified support of Whistleblowers.
Our Recommendation:
6. State Government 9. ID & Data Bases
- Clarified opposition to Federal Real ID’s designed to collect data on innocent people.
Our Recommendation:
7. State Government 10. Right to Privacy
- Clarified the right of privacy is a right.
- Clarified that a warrant is needed for any search, seizure from a Federal court based on probable cause.
Our Recommendation:
8. State Government 11. Monopolies
- Clarified that the Government shall not protect monopolies that create unfair playing fields.
- Reinforced belief in the free market.
Our Recommendation:
9. State Government 12. Federal Grants
- Emphasized the call for an end to Federal grants to States and local governments, along with the reduction of Federal taxes.
- Clarified that Floridians should pay taxes locally but in no way pay for services in a different state.
Our Recommendation:
10. State Government 13. Marriage and Divorce
- Clarified marriage is a contract between consenting adults.
- Reinforced opposition to certification by the State.
- Clarified stance on prenuptial agreements for dissolution of marriage.
Our Recommendation:
11. Elections 2. Election Ballot Choices
- Reinforced support for Ranked Choice Voting.
- Added option of “NOTA” with a re-election held not to include losing candidates.
Our Recommendation:
12. Courts 8. Attorney Licensing
- Added the support of no state license requirement.
Our Recommendation:
13. Public Safety 1. Law Enforcement
- Clarified some verbiage.
- Moved reasons for over policing from #4.
- Added removal of Qualified Immunity from #4.
Our Recommendation:
14. Public Safety 2. Militarization
- Separates Military from police, moved from #4.
- Removes military grade weapons and training from police, moved from #4.
Our Recommendation:
15. Public Safety 3. K9
- Moved that dogs cannot be used in unwarranted searches from #4.
Our Recommendation:
16. Public Safety 4. Prisons
- Moved section up to #4 after the content of #4 was separated and included in other areas.
- Clarified who should be imprisoned. Those who violated another’s rights.
Our Recommendation:
17. Public Safety 8. Sheriff
- Clarified that the Sheriff has the jurisdiction and is in charge over outside agencies.
Our Recommendation:
18. Public Safety 10. Drug War
- Clarified the opposition to the war on drugs and funding for such from the federal government.
Our Recommendation:
19. Public Safety 11. Probable Cause
- Changed some verbiage to clarify.
Our Recommendation:
20. Public Safety 12. Pandemics
- New on the Platform.
- Government can only inform the public, not make any private decisions.
- The government has a duty to inform, the citizens retain the right to make decisions.
Our Recommendation:
21. Paying for Government 4. State Agency Budget
- Clarified that we support changes to rules to require a supermajority to approve a total budget.
Our Recommendation:
22. Paying for Government 6. Localism
- Changed some verbiage to make clearer.
- Emphasized “Home Rule” to remove entities from outside the jurisdictions.
Our Recommendation:
23. Environment 1. Measures to Prevent Environmental Damage
- Changed title from “Protection of Common Property”
- Included restitution for provable damages.
- Removes immunity.
Our Recommendation:
24. Environment 2. State Land Privatization
- Removed “public safety” so it could not be used as a blanket reason to remove rights.
Our Recommendation:
25. Healthcare 1. Personal Rights
- Emphasized that your body is your personal property.
Our Recommendation:
26. Healthcare 4. Free Market
- Defined what healthcare related matters are.
- Moved statements in from section #5 & #6 to consolidate and clarify.
Our Recommendation:
27. Secession 1. The Right to Sovereign Secession
- Emphasized Secession as a legal right.
- This right cannot take away the rights of others.
Our Recommendation:
28. Secession 2. Local Self Government and Secession
- Emphasized that the state of Florida is Sovereign and in a voluntary relationship with the union of States.
Our Recommendation:
Floor Motions
1. 2021-ABM-BF1: Motion to amend LPF Bylaws, Article I, Section 7 to Add Requirement for Website
Art 1, Sec 7 (Changes bold/underlined) – County affiliated parties and counties seeking affiliation with the LPF shall be required to have and maintain a public and functioning website in order to publish notice of all Executive Committee meetings. To ratify the Constitution and Bylaws of the LPF along with a standard petition form adopted by the Executive Committee, subject to all specifications in the Standing Rules.
Comments:
- It’s a poorly worded floor motion with an incomplete sentence: “To ratify the Constitution and Bylaws of the LPF along with a standard petition form adopted by the Executive Committee, subject to all specifications in the Standing Rules.”
- State law requires county affiliates to have public notice of Executive Committee meetings, but not necessarily a website. Affiliates can satisfy this requirement through publication on the LPF website, their own website, public newspaper, or other appropriate means that satisfy the law.
Our Recommendation:
Move to amend motion by rewording: “County affiliated parties shall be required to ratify the Constitution and Bylaws of the LPF along with a standard petition form adopted by the Executive Committee, subject to all specifications in the Standing Rules. County affiliated parties and counties seeking re-affiliation with the LPF shall be required to publish notice of all Executive Committee meetings.”
2. 2021-ABM-BF2: Motion to Amend LPF Bylaws, Article III, Section 10 to Remove Prohibition on the Audit Committee’s Having a Vice Chairperson and to Correct the Specification of Duties
Audit Committee: Art 3, Sec 10 – Strikes language “and no committee Vice Chair”
Comments:
- It is unclear why there is a prohibition on Vice Chair position. It does not seem like it would cause a problem to have one.
Our Recommendation:
Move to amend motion by rewording: “The committee shall be composed of the LPF Treasurer (ex officio), LPF Vice Chair (ex officio) and a minimum of three (3) other LPF members. The committee shall work to ensure the proper reporting of LPF contributions and expenditures, to provide oversight to the LPF Treasurer position, and to provide overall accounting and budgeting support to the LPF and LPF committees. Specific duties shall include, but are not limited to: (1) QuickBooks (and its successors) reconciliations, (2) quarterly profit and loss statements of LPF committees, (3) reviewing FL DOE and FEC reports, (4) assisting the Treasurer with selection of yearly auditor, and (5) creating and maintaining documentation on best practices
3. 2021-ABM-SF1: Motion to Amend the LPF Standing Rules by Striking Article V, Section 5 to Remove the Immediate Past Chairperson’s Emeritus Position from the Executive Committee
Motion to Strike: Article 5, Sec 5 and to reorder the remaining sections accordingly
Comments:
- The LPF has not implemented this requirement in practice.
- This rule results in the current LPF Executive Committee being obligated to recognize the former chair in any meeting as a non-voting advisory member.
- We’re not generally against using the former chair in an advisory position, but it has never been utilized, and could cause conflict in the event of a very unpopular or incompetent former Chairperson.
- This rule conflicts in the case that the Chairperson no longer resides in Florida or may otherwise be ineligible to serve on the LPF Executive Committee.
Our Recommendation:
4. 2021-ABM-SF2: Motion to Amend the LPF Standing Rules, Article V, to Add New Sections After Section 9, Opening Meetings of Select Committees to the General Public
Motion to Amend: Article 5 creates (2) new sections after section 9, labeled Section 10 part A, Part B and new section 11.
The following LPF committees must hold open session meetings and give 24-hour notice to the LPF EC:
– Affiliate Support
– Convention
– Communication
– Fundraising
– Membership
– Platform
All other committees may operate at the discretion of the committee chair.
Comments:
- Committee chairs have the discretion to invite interested LPF members to meetings upon request
- There are situations where open session meetings would not be a good idea, for example, meetings to discuss sensitive materials that are proprietary to the LPF
- Logistical concerns include vetting to filter out non LPF members and there is no contingency for emergency meetings
- Also creates a logistical concern to how the public notice will be given and what platforms the Committee Chair can use in order to properly moderate an open session meeting
- It is perfectly reasonable to give the LPF EC notice of meetings, but this has not been an issue for the EC up to this point.
Our Recommendation:
5. 2021-ABM-SF2: Motion to Amend the LPF Standing Rules, Article V, to Add a New Section After Section 9 (part of previous motion)
Section 10: All LPF committees shall include approved meeting minutes, once available, in their regular report to the LPF EC
Comments:
- There should be no problem with requiring committees to provide meeting minutes to the EC in their regular reports.
- There should also be no problem with requiring committee to provide meeting minutes to any verified LPF member on demand.
Our Recommendation:
New motion: Motion to amend the LPF Standing Rules, Article V, to add new section after Section 9, requiring LPF committees to include approved meeting minutes in their reports to EC
Section 10: All LPF committees shall include committee approved meeting minutes, once available, in their regular report to the LPF EC. At a minimum, the minutes shall list attendance, achievement or non-achievement of quorum and all motions or resolutions passed by the committee. These reports shall be made available to any LPF member on demand.
6. 2021-ABM-SF3: Motion to Amend the LPF Standing Rules, Article V to Add a New Section After Section 9, Defining Email Address Issuance and Handling Practices for LPF Committees
Motion to Amend: Article 5 create new section after section 9
All LPF committees will be provided an LPF email for the purpose of communicating with LPF members, the LPF EC and for storage of information that should be passed on from one committee to the next.
Comments:
- This motions seems to mostly codify an existing practice
- It doesn’t make sense why control of the committee email should be voted on. The control of the committee email defaults to the committee chair. The committee chair can put it up for a vote or designate another committee member, as is appropriate to the committee and the situation.
Our Recommendation:
Move to amend motion by rewording: “All LPF committees will be provided an LPF email address for the purpose of communicating with LPF members, the LPF EC and for storage of information that should be passed on from one committee to the next. All committee email(s) are property of the LPF. Upon population of any LPF committee, access and handling of committee email(s) by default shall be the duty of the committee chair.”