Quick Links
Contact:
District Office:
4300 Legendary Drive
Suite 230
Destin, FL 32541
(850) 897-5747
Senate VOIP: 40400
FAX (850) 833-3910
Toll Free:
1-866-450-4366
Legislative Assistants:
Michael Byrne and Melissa Ullery
Tallahassee Office:
420 Senate Office Building
404 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100
(850) 487-5009
Senate VOIP: 5009
Legislative Assistants:
Christopher Clark and Eric Edwards
Connect with the Senator:
Senator Don Gaetz
Party: Republican
Media
Press Releases
- Senate Panel Proposes 2012 Redistricting Maps
November 28, 2011 - Okaloosa County Legislative Delegation To Hold Public Hearing Tomorrow
November 9, 2011 - State Forms Task Force To Protect Military Bases, Jobs
November 8, 2011 - Citizen Input on Redistricting A Success:
October 20, 2011
Videos
Statewide E-verify Fails to Pass
May 12, 2011
Senator Gaetz Reports on Oil Spill Recovery Legislation
May 9, 2011
Senator Gaetz Reports on SB 2152
April 15, 2011
Senator Don Gaetz Reports on SPB 7224.m4v
April 1, 2011
Speeches
- Senator Gaetz' Designation Speech
September 19, 2011
Committee Assignments
Primary Introducer
S 364 Blood Establishments
Last Action: 01/11/2012 H In Messages
S 366 Group Insurance for Public Employees
Last Action: 01/12/2012 S Now in Budget -SJ 135
S 368 Financial Emergencies
Last Action: 01/11/2012 H In Messages
S 792 Financial Institutions
Last Action: 02/10/2012 H In Messages
S 1312 Administrative Authority of the Executive Branch
Last Action: 01/27/2012 S Now in Judiciary -SJ 279
S 1314 Career-themed Courses
Last Action: 02/07/2012 S CS by Commerce and Tourism read 1st time -SJ 333
S 1316 Health Care
Last Action: 02/09/2012 S CS by Health Regulation; YEAS 5 NAYS 3
S 1366 Education
Last Action: 02/09/2012 S Now in Budget
S 1368 High School Graduation
Last Action: 02/09/2012 S On Committee agenda-- Education Pre-K - 12, 02/14/12, 1:30 pm, 301 Senate Office Building
S 1464 Public Records/Public Meetings/Application to Officers-elect
Last Action: 02/06/2012 S On Committee agenda-- Budget Subcommittee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development Appropriations, 02/09/12, 10:15 am, 110 Senate Office Building --Not Considered
S 1568 Sale or Lease of a County, District, or Municipal Hospital
Last Action: 02/03/2012 S Now in Budget Subcommittee on General Government Appropriations
S 1608 Establishing the Congressional Districts of the State
Last Action: 01/17/2012 S Introduced -SJ 221
S 1626 State Contracting
Last Action: 02/09/2012 S Now in Budget Subcommittee on General Government Appropriations
S 1628 Joint Resolution of Apportionment
Last Action: 01/17/2012 S Introduced -SJ 223
Co-Introducer
S 88 Sovereignty Submerged Lands
Last Action: 01/10/2012 S Introduced -SJ 16
S 108 Constitution Revision Commission and Taxation and Budget Reform Commission
Last Action: 02/10/2012 S Pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2) - (Amendments)
S 114 Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems
Last Action: 01/10/2012 S Introduced -SJ 18
S 116 Freeholder Voting
Last Action: 02/10/2012 H In Messages
S 138 Military Veterans Convicted of Criminal Offenses
Last Action: 01/10/2012 S Introduced -SJ 19
S 142 Florida Education Finance Program
Last Action: 01/10/2012 S Introduced -SJ 19
S 158 Grandparent Visitation
Last Action: 01/10/2012 S Introduced -SJ 20
S 194 Assault or Battery on a Utility Worker
Last Action: 01/10/2012 S Introduced -SJ 23
S 206 Public Meetings
Last Action: 02/09/2012 S Placed on Special Order Calendar, 02/13/12
S 220 Issuance and Renewal of Driver’s Licenses and Identification Cards
Last Action: 01/10/2012 S Introduced -SJ 24
S 226 Disabled Parking Permits
Last Action: 02/09/2012 S Placed on Special Order Calendar, 02/13/12
S 238 Florida Renewable Fuel Standard Act
Last Action: 01/10/2012 S Introduced -SJ 25
S 252 Elected Officials
Last Action: 01/10/2012 S Introduced -SJ 26
S 258 Integrity of Public Investigations
Last Action: 01/10/2012 S Introduced -SJ 27
S 276 Special Observances/Purple Heart Day
Last Action: 02/09/2012 S Placed on Special Order Calendar, 02/13/12
S 310 Motor Vehicle License Plates
Last Action: 01/10/2012 S Introduced -SJ 31
S 336 Debt Settlement Services
Last Action: 01/24/2012 S CS by Banking and Insurance read 1st time -SJ 269
S 382 Pari-mutuel Wagering
Last Action: 01/31/2012 S CS by Regulated Industries read 1st time -SJ 304
S 396 Intergovernmental Cooperation
Last Action: 01/18/2012 S Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading -SJ 136
S 398 Adopt a Shelter Pet Month
Last Action: 02/07/2012 S Adopted -SJ 320
S 404 Postsecondary Education of Military Veterans
Last Action: 11/16/2011 S Withdrawn prior to introduction -SJ 37
S 426 Elderly Inmates
Last Action: 01/10/2012 S Introduced -SJ 38
S 428 Prohibition of Simulated Gambling Devices
Last Action: 01/13/2012 S On Committee agenda-- Regulated Industries, 01/19/12, 8:15 am, 110 Senate Office Building --Temporarily Postponed
S 484 Florida Law Enforcement Officers’ Hall of Fame
Last Action: 01/10/2012 S Introduced -SJ 44
S 488 Animal Control or Cruelty Ordinances
Last Action: 01/31/2012 S Now in Budget -SJ 300
S 500 USS Stark Memorial Drive
Last Action: 01/10/2012 S Introduced -SJ 45
S 528 Combat Infantry Badge License Plates
Last Action: 02/09/2012 S Placed on Special Order Calendar, 02/13/12
S 532 College Credit for Military Training and Education Courses
Last Action: 02/01/2012 S Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading -SJ 314
S 538 Preference to Florida Businesses in Procurement of Personal Property and Services
Last Action: 02/01/2012 S Now in Budget -SJ 325
S 546 Contracts for Rail Projects
Last Action: 01/10/2012 S Now in Community Affairs -SJ 110
S 604 Limited Certification for Urban Landscape Commercial Fertilizer Application
Last Action: 02/07/2012 S Unfavorable by Environmental Preservation and Conservation, laid on Table; YEAS 3 NAYS 4 -SJ 326
S 606 Youth Athletes
Last Action: 01/26/2012 S Now in Education Pre-K - 12 -SJ 279
S 632 Funerals, Burials, and Memorial Services
Last Action: 02/07/2012 S Now in Criminal Justice -SJ 348
S 634 Spaceport Facilities
Last Action: 02/02/2012 S Ordered enrolled -SJ 342
S 694 Adult Day Care Centers
Last Action: 02/09/2012 S CS/CS/CS by Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services Appropriations; YEAS 7 NAYS 0
S 730 Medicaid Managed Care Plans
Last Action: 01/24/2012 S Now in Budget -SJ 279
S 818 Animal Shelters and Animal Control Agencies
Last Action: 01/24/2012 S CS by Community Affairs read 1st time -SJ 270
S 824 Mitigation
Last Action: 02/03/2012 S Now in Budget Subcommittee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development Appropriations
S 922 Current and Former Military Personnel
Last Action: 01/24/2012 H In Messages
S 964 Protection of Minors
Last Action: 02/09/2012 S CS/CS by Children, Families, and Elder Affairs; YEAS 6 NAYS 0
S 1210 Dave Bitner Day/Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Awareness Month
Last Action: 12/08/2011 S Filed
S 1300 Big Brothers Big Sisters License Plates
Last Action: 01/13/2012 S Introduced -SJ 142
S 1348 Coordination Between Schools and Local Governments
Last Action: 02/09/2012 S On Committee agenda-- Education Pre-K - 12, 02/14/12, 1:30 pm, 301 Senate Office Building
S 1396 Nation of Israel
Last Action: 02/01/2012 S Adopted -SJ 312
S 1468 Opening and Closing of Public Schools
Last Action: 01/13/2012 S Introduced -SJ 156
S 1560 Ethical Requirements for Public Officers
Last Action: 02/09/2012 S On Committee agenda-- Rules, 02/14/12, 4:00 pm, 110 Senate Office Building
S 1596 Elections
Last Action: 01/30/2012 S Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading -SJ 300
S 1718 Parent Empowerment in Education
Last Action: 01/27/2012 S CS by Education Pre-K - 12 read 1st time -SJ 291
S 2030 United States Army Staff Sergeant Robert J. Miller
Last Action: 01/24/2012 S Adopted -SJ 260
S 2032 United States Army Sergeant First Class Paul Ray Smith
Last Action: 01/24/2012 S Adopted -SJ 260
Personal & Career
Legislative Service
- Elected to the Senate in 2006, reelected subsequently
Other Public Service
- Okaloosa School Board, elected Superintendent, 2000-2006
- Okaloosa County School Board, Chairman, 1995-1996, Member, 1994-2000
- Seaside, Florida, Town Chairman, 1990-1991
Honors and Awards
- American Medical Association, Most Outstanding State Senator in U.S.
- Florida Dental Association, Legislator of the Year
- Florida Cancer Society, Legislator of the Year
- Florida Medical Association, Legislator of the Year
- Florida Osteopathic Medical Association, Outstanding Senator of the Year
- American Association of Physician Specialists, Distinguished Service Award
- National Association of Workforce Boards, Most Outstanding Leadership in Career-Technical Education in U.S.
- Florida Hospices, Inc., Outstanding Legislator Award
- Florida Council on Aging, Most Outstanding Senator
- Florida Health Care Association, Legislator of the Year
- Florida Police Chiefs Association, Award of Merit
- Duke University, Donald J. Gaetz Endowed Professorship in Medicine and Religion
- Florida Trend Magazine, Florida's Education Trendsetter
- Seaside, Robert and Daryl Davis Town Builder Award
- Leukemia Society of America, Person of the Year Award
- Workforce Florida, Champion of the Florida Workforce
- National Hospice Organization, Founders Award
- Concordia College, President's Award; Alumni Achievement Award; Soli Deo Gloria Award
- Okaloosa Public Schools Foundation, Don Gaetz Take Stock in Children Scholarships
- Bridgeway Center, Community Leadership Award
- Okaloosa-Walton Child Care Services, Service to Children and Youth Award
- Okaloosa County Bands, Leadership in Music Education
- International Television and Film Festival of New York, Gold Medal Award
- Silver Sands Republican Women, Brass Elephant Award
- James Madison Institute, Chairman's Award
- Association for Retarded Children, Citizen of the Year Award
- National Rifle Association, Rough Rider Award
- Bluewater Elementary School, Parent Leadership Award
- National Debate Coaches Association, Life Membership Award
- Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, George Washington Honor Medal
- Florida Special Olympics, Humanitarian of the Year Award
- Commodore of the City of Green Bay, Admiral Flatley Park, Environmental Award
- Boy Scouts of America, Eagle Scout Award
Affiliations
- Okaloosa County Republican Club
- United States Capitol Historical Society
- James Madison Institute, Board of Directors
- Bob Hope Village, Air Force Enlisted Widows Foundation, Board of Directors
- Niceville-Valparaiso Youth Baseball, Board of Directors
- Okaloosa County Economic Development Council, Executive Board
- Bluewater Elementary School Advisory Council, Chairman
- The Cushman School, Board of Trustees, Chairman
- National Hospice Organization, Washington, DC, President and Chairman of the Board
- Florida Governor's Commission on Long-term Health Care, Chairman
- Florida State Hospice Organization, Founding Chairman
- Salvation Army, Board of Directors
- Gulf Coast Council of Boy Scouts of America, Board of Directors
- University of West Florida Presidential Selection Committee
- Niceville-Valparaiso-Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors
- Okaloosa-Walton Workforce Development Board
- Capitol Hill Club, Washington DC
- National Press Club, Washington, DC
- Churchill Center Fellow, Washington, DC
- Air Force Association
- Theodore Roosevelt Association, Sagamore, NY
Biographical Information
| Occupation: | Co-founder and Vice Chairman (retired) VITAS Healthcare Corporation |
| Spouse: | Victoria Quertermous of Fort Walton Beach |
| Children: | Matt Gaetz, Erin Victoria |
| Education: |
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| Born: | January 22, 1948 in |
| Historical: |
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| Religious Affiliation: | Lutheran |
| Recreation: | Upland game and waterfowl hunting, American history, real estate and antiques |
District 4
Consists of parts of Bay, Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, and Walton counties
District Links
- District 4 Maps
- View District 4 Statistics [PDF]
- Census Data Profiles [PDF]
