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
- Personal Invitation from Don Gaetz
May 8, 2012 - Marianna "Neighborhood Day" Scheduled by Senator Gaetz
May 1, 2012 - SUPREME COURT DECISION ON SENATE MAPS
April 27, 2012 - State Agencies’ Rule-Making Process to be Restrained, Governor Approves Gaetz-Gaetz Bill
April 13, 2012
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 0364 Blood Establishments
Last Action: 04/07/2012 Chapter No. 2012-37
S 0366 Group Insurance for Public Employees
Last Action: 03/09/2012 H Died in Messages, companion bill(s) passed, see SB 1986 (Ch. 2012-126)
S 0368 Financial Emergencies
Last Action: 04/07/2012 Chapter No. 2012-38
S 0792 Financial Institutions
Last Action: 05/06/2012 Chapter No. 2012-201
S 1312 Administrative Authority
Last Action: 03/08/2012 S Laid on Table, companion bill(s) passed, see CS/HB 7055 (Ch. 2012-116), HB 4027 (Ch. 2012-91) -SJ 1129
S 1314 Career-themed Courses
Last Action: 03/09/2012 S Died on Calendar, companion bill(s) passed, see CS/CS/HB 7059 (Ch. 2012-191)
S 1316 Health Care
Last Action: 03/09/2012 S Died on Calendar, companion bill(s) passed, see CS/HB 517 (Ch. 2012-61), CS/CS/HB 653 (Ch. 2012-64), CS/CS/CS/HB 711 (Ch. 2012-66), CS/CS/CS/HB 943 (Ch. 2012-73), CS/CS/CS/HB 1263 (Ch. 2012-184)
S 1366 Education
Last Action: 03/07/2012 S Laid on Table, companion bill(s) passed, see HB 7135 (Ch. 2012-195), HB 5201 (Ch. 2012-134) -SJ 920
S 1368 Education
Last Action: 03/07/2012 S Laid on Table, companion bill(s) passed, see HB 5201 (Ch. 2012-134), CS/CS/HB 7059 (Ch. 2012-191) -SJ 921
S 1464 Public Records/Public Meetings/Officers-elect
Last Action: 03/07/2012 S Laid on Table, companion bill(s) passed, see CS/HB 1305 (Ch. 2012-25) -SJ 940
S 1568 Sale or Lease of a County, District, or Municipal Hospital
Last Action: 03/07/2012 S Laid on Table, companion bill(s) passed, see CS/CS/CS/HB 711 (Ch. 2012-66) -SJ 940
S 1608 Establishing the Congressional Districts of the State
Last Action: 03/09/2012 S Died in Reapportionment, companion bill(s) passed, see CS/SB 1174 (Ch. 2012-2)
S 1626 State Contracting
Last Action: 03/09/2012 H Died in Messages
S 1628 Joint Resolution of Apportionment
Last Action: 03/09/2012 S Died in Reapportionment, companion bill(s) passed, see CS/SJR 1176 (Passed)
Co-Introducer
S 0088 Sovereignty Submerged Lands
Last Action: 03/08/2012 S Laid on Table, companion bill(s) passed, see HB 13 (Ch. 2012-202) -SJ 964
S 0108 Constitution Revision Commission and Taxation and Budget Reform Commission
Last Action: 03/09/2012 S Died in Budget
S 0114 Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems
Last Action: 03/09/2012 S Died in Health Regulation, companion bill(s) passed, see CS/CS/CS/HB 1263 (Ch. 2012-184)
S 0116 Freeholder Voting
Last Action: 04/29/2012 Chapter No. 2012-156
S 0138 Military Veterans Convicted of Criminal Offenses
Last Action: 03/09/2012 S Died in Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services Appropriations, companion bill(s) passed, see CS/CS/SB 922 (Ch. 2012-159)
S 0142 Florida Education Finance Program
Last Action: 03/09/2012 S Died in Education Pre-K - 12
S 0158 Grandparent Visitation
Last Action: 03/09/2012 S Died in Children, Families, and Elder Affairs
S 0194 Assault or Battery on a Utility Worker
Last Action: 03/09/2012 S Died in Criminal Justice
S 0206 Public Meetings
Last Action: 03/09/2012 H Died in Messages
S 0220 Issuance and Renewal of Driver’s Licenses and Identification Cards
Last Action: 03/09/2012 S Died in Transportation
S 0226 Disabled Parking Permits
Last Action: 04/29/2012 Chapter No. 2012-157
S 0238 Florida Renewable Fuel Standard Act
Last Action: 03/09/2012 S Died in Commerce and Tourism
S 0252 Elected Officials
Last Action: 03/09/2012 S Died in Rules Subcommittee on Ethics and Elections
S 0258 Integrity of Public Investigations
Last Action: 03/09/2012 S Died in Regulated Industries
S 0276 Recognition of Military Personnel and Veterans
Last Action: 05/06/2012 Chapter No. 2012-199, companion bill(s) passed, see CS/CS/SB 922 (Ch. 2012-159)
S 0310 Motor Vehicle License Plates
Last Action: 03/09/2012 S Died in Military Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security, companion bill(s) passed, see CS/CS/SB 922 (Ch. 2012-159)
S 0336 Debt Settlement Services
Last Action: 03/09/2012 S Died in Commerce and Tourism
S 0382 Pari-mutuel Wagering
Last Action: 03/09/2012 S Died pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2)
S 0396 Intergovernmental Cooperation
Last Action: 03/01/2012 S Laid on Table, companion bill(s) passed, see HB 231 (Ch. 2012-164) -SJ 730
S 0398 Adopt a Shelter Pet Month
Last Action: 02/07/2012 S Adopted, companion bill(s) passed, see HR 9007 (Adopted) -SJ 320
S 0404 Postsecondary Education of Military Veterans
Last Action: 11/16/2011 S Withdrawn prior to introduction -SJ 37
S 0408 Revising Age Limits for Judges and Justices
Last Action: 03/09/2012 H Died in Messages
S 0426 Elderly Inmates
Last Action: 03/09/2012 S Died in Judiciary
S 0428 Prohibition of Simulated Gambling Devices
Last Action: 03/09/2012 S Died in Regulated Industries
S 0484 Florida Law Enforcement Officers’ Hall of Fame
Last Action: 03/09/2012 S Died in Criminal Justice
S 0488 Animal Control or Cruelty Ordinances
Last Action: 03/09/2012 H Died in Messages
S 0500 USS Stark Memorial Drive
Last Action: 03/09/2012 S Died in Transportation, companion bill(s) passed, see CS/HB 7039 (Ch. 2012-228), CS/CS/SB 922 (Ch. 2012-159)
S 0528 Combat Infantry Badge License Plates
Last Action: 03/09/2012 H Died in Messages, companion bill(s) passed, see CS/CS/CS/HB 599 (Ch. 2012-174), CS/CS/HB 1223 (Ch. 2012-181), CS/CS/SB 922 (Ch. 2012-159)
S 0532 College Credit for Military Training and Education Courses
Last Action: 02/28/2012 S Laid on Table, companion bill(s) passed, see HB 347 (Ch. 2012-169) -SJ 694
S 0538 Preference to Florida Businesses in Procurement of Personal Property and Services
Last Action: 03/09/2012 H Died in Messages, companion bill(s) passed, see HB 7087 (Ch. 2012-32)
S 0546 Contracts for Rail Projects
Last Action: 03/09/2012 S Died in Community Affairs
S 0604 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 0606 Youth Athletes
Last Action: 03/09/2012 S Died in Education Pre-K - 12
S 0632 Funerals, Burials, and Memorial Services
Last Action: 03/02/2012 S Laid on Table -SJ 770
S 0634 Spaceport Facilities
Last Action: 02/17/2012 Chapter No. 2012-1
S 0672 Congressional Term Limits
Last Action: 03/01/2012 S Laid on Table, companion bill(s) passed, see HM 83 (Adopted) -SJ 729
S 0694 Adult Day Care Centers
Last Action: 04/07/2012 Chapter No. 2012-43
S 0730 Medicaid Managed Care
Last Action: 04/07/2012 Chapter No. 2012-44
S 0818 Animal Shelters and Animal Control Agencies
Last Action: 03/09/2012 S Died pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2)
S 0820 Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems
Last Action: 03/09/2012 S Died on Calendar, companion bill(s) passed, see CS/CS/CS/HB 1263 (Ch. 2012-184), CS/CS/SB 704 (Ch. 2012-13)
S 0824 Mitigation
Last Action: 03/09/2012 S Laid on Table, companion bill(s) passed, see CS/CS/CS/HB 599 (Ch. 2012-174) -SJ 1248
S 0874 Sick Leave for School District Employees
Last Action: 02/28/2012 S Laid on Table, companion bill(s) passed, see CS/HB 285 (Ch. 2012-166) -SJ 696
S 0922 Military Support
Last Action: 04/29/2012 Chapter No. 2012-159, companion bill(s) passed, see CS/HB 45 (Ch. 2012-162), CS/CS/CS/HB 599 (Ch. 2012-174), CS/CS/HB 1223 (Ch. 2012-181), CS/HB 7039 (Ch. 2012-228), HB 7075 (Ch. 2012-98), CS/HB 7081 (Ch. 2012-99), CS/HB 7097 (Ch. 2012-193), SB 276 (Ch. 2012-199)
S 0964 Protection of Minors
Last Action: 03/09/2012 S Laid on Table, companion bill(s) passed, see CS/HB 437 (Ch. 2012-19), SB 436 (Ch. 2012-39) -SJ 1247
S 1080 Vietnam Veterans
Last Action: 03/08/2012 Signed by Officers and filed with Secretary of State -SJ 1135
S 1210 Dave Bitner Day/Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Awareness Month
Last Action: 02/29/2012 S Adopted, companion bill(s) passed, see HR 9005 (Adopted) -SJ 721
S 1252 Business and Professional Regulation
Last Action: 03/08/2012 S Laid on Table, companion bill(s) passed, see CS/CS/HB 887 (Ch. 2012-72), CS/HB 517 (Ch. 2012-61), CS/CS/CS/HB 599 (Ch. 2012-174), CS/CS/SB 704 (Ch. 2012-13) -SJ 1004
S 1300 Big Brothers Big Sisters License Plates
Last Action: 03/09/2012 S Died in Transportation
S 1348 Eminent Domain
Last Action: 03/09/2012 S Laid on Table, companion bill(s) passed, see CS/HB 1037 (Ch. 2012-78) -SJ 1402
S 1396 Nation of Israel
Last Action: 02/01/2012 S Adopted, companion bill(s) passed, see HR 1447 (Adopted) -SJ 312
S 1468 Opening and Closing of Public Schools
Last Action: 03/09/2012 S Died in Education Pre-K - 12
S 1560 Ethical Requirements for Public Officers
Last Action: 02/14/2012 S Unfavorable by Rules, laid on Table; YEAS 6 NAYS 6 -SJ 518
S 1596 Elections
Last Action: 03/07/2012 S Laid on Table -SJ 948
S 1718 Parent Empowerment in Education
Last Action: 03/09/2012 S CS failed to pass; YEAS 20 NAYS 20 -SJ 1189
S 1890 Mortgage Foreclosures
Last Action: 03/09/2012 S Died on Calendar
S 1994 Postsecondary Education
Last Action: 04/22/2012 Chapter No. 2012-129, companion bill(s) passed, see HB 5001 (Ch. 2012-118)
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]
