Frequently Asked Questions | University of Miami

		What is the mailing address for the Office of Government Affairs?
		1320 South Dixie Highway, Suite 325
		Gables One Tower (LC 2935)
		Coral Gables, FL 33146

		What is the fax number for the Office of Government Affairs?
		305-284-2462

		What is the appropriate way to address an elected official in writing?
		When writing an elected official, use the following formats:

To the President of the U.S.

President Barack Obama
The White House
Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President:

To a U.S. Senator

The Honorable John Doe
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator Doe:

To a U.S. Representative

The Honorable John Doe
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Representative Doe:

To the Governor

The Honorable Charlie Crist
The Capitol
Tallahassee, FL 32399

Dear Governor Crist:

To a State Senator

The Honorable John Doe
The Capitol
Tallahassee, FL 32399

Dear Senator Doe:

To a State Representative

The Honorable John Doe
The Capitol
Tallahassee, FL 32399

Dear Representative Doe:

		When does the State Legislative Session begin and end?
		The Legislative Session usually begins on the first Monday in March and runs through the Friday of the last week beginning in April (for example the 2009 Session began on March 2nd and was scheduled to end on May 1st).

		How does a bill become law?
		Either house (House or Senate) may originate any type of legislation; however the process differs slightly between houses.

		A legislator sponsors a bill, which is referred to one or more committees related to the bill's subject. The committee studies the bill and decides if it should be amended, pass, or fail. If passed, the bill moves to other committees of reference or to the full house. The full house then votes on the bill.

		If it passes in one house, it is sent to the other house for review. A bill goes through the same process in the second house as it did in the first. A bill can go back and forth between houses until a consensus is reached. Of course, the measure could fail at any point in the process.