Catholic Days At The Capitol

Each year during the legislative session, Catholics from across the state gather at Florida's capitol in Tallahassee to put their faith and civic responsibility into action.

Pre-Registration is required. The deadline to register for this event is February 17. 

You can review the full list of priority issues that are expected to be considered by lawmakers during the 2023 Regular Session of the Florida Legislature P3_23_Booklet.indd (ecatholic.com)

Day 1 - March 7, 2023
3:00 pm Tallahassee Civic Center, March 7, 2023

• A legislative briefing on policy issues affecting human life and dignity, this legislative briefing is mandatory in order to participate in legislative meetings. 
• Each diocese will have a group meeting to welcome new participants, review the legislative meeting schedule, and answer any questions. Participants will be divided by legislative districts, and you will meet your team leader for legislative meetings. 
•  The legislative briefing is mandatory if you plan to attend the group meetings with legislators. 

Day 2 - March 8, 2023 

8:00 am Tallahassee Civic Center, March 8, 2023

• We will start the day with an awards breakfast for Catholic Days participants, Florida's bishops, and legislators.  
• Our  Diocese will have a scheduled time during the legislative breakfast to take a group photo with Bishop William Wack! Make sure you wear Red!
•  After breakfast, we will walk to the Capitol and meet with lawmakers and/or their aides to discuss policy iss s.  Each participant will have two legislative meetings to attend, and we should be done by 5:00 pm.
• We will conclude our Catholic Days at the Capitol in prayer at the Annual Red Mass of the Holy Spirit, which the bishops of Florida will concelebrate to pray for those working in the legislative, judicial, and executive branches of government.  
• To participate in the legislative visits, you must attend the legislative briefing on March 7. 

Pre-Registration is required. Please click HERE to register for both days. The registration fee is $65 for both days. 


Please reach out to our office if you need a scholarship to cover registration fees. 

Policy Issues
The following are this year’s three (3) policy issues to be discussed with lawmakers. Attached you will find draft talking points/background documents for each issue. All participants will receive a final copy of each document in their packets on Tuesday at the legislative briefing:
 

• Abortion Restrictions (heartbeat) – bills not yet filled
• Educational Choice – HB 1/SB 202
• Unanimous Juries in Capital Sentencing – SB 450/HB 555

Mock Legislative Visit
The Florida Council of Catholic Bishops created a video of a mock legislative visit with the 3 issues. The mock visit probably goes more in-depth on the issues than actual visits with legislators, but hopefully it will give folks at lease some idea of what to expect. Here is the video, which is only viewable with this link: https://youtu.be/XBVmgiLGc30.

When you arrive at the Civic Center on Tuesday, you will receive a packet that contains a Legislative Visit Report form for each meeting and a “Key Messages for Legislators” document that is to be provided to the legislator (as seen towards the end of the video).

Bus/Shuttle Drop-off Location
The west entrance of the Capitol and the bus lanes continue to be under construction. This means your buses and the FCCB shuttle van from the Civic Center will again need to use the alternate drop-off location near the Knott Building.