February 27, 2025 | by Margie Menzel on WFSU News
A Republican lawmaker is proposing the harshest penalties — life imprisonment or the death penalty — for those who traffic children under the age of 12 or people with severe mental disabilities.
Representative Berny Jacques of Seminole filed the bill, which he says would be a critical tool in Florida’s fight against human trafficking.
It establishes capital sex trafficking as a distinct criminal offense.
Jacques calls trafficking a scourge that is worth taking on.
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February 25, 2025 | by Christina Schuler on Florida's Voice
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida state Rep. Berny Jacques is calling for tighter election security measures, emphasizing the need to verify voter citizenship as part of efforts to close existing gaps in the state’s election system.
Jacques, speaking about his latest legislative push under HB 955, said he was surprised to discover vulnerabilities in the voter registration process, where officials often rely on an “honor system” when it comes to verifying citizenship.
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February 20, 2025 | by Amber Jo Cooper on Florida's Voice
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Lawmakers filed legislation aimed at “enhancing the security of Florida’s elections” on Thursday.
The sponsors: Republican Reps. Berny Jacques and Chase Tramont.
- A comparable Senate bill, SB 396, was filed by Republican Sen. Ilena Garcia.
What it does: HB 831 is aimed to “protect the integrity of Florida’s electoral system while ensuring that every eligible citizen has the opportunity to participate,” an announcement said.
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February 7, 2025 | by Jake Stofan on Action News Jax
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A newly filed bill would give local governments a novel tool to stop big corporations from buying up single-family homes, which has made homeownership less attainable for Floridians.
Real estate agent Kelsey Ebarb-Rembold argued the rise of corporate buyers has created major problems for first-time home buyers.
She explained families are often outbid by corporations that buy up homes with the intent to rent them out.
“Money is green.
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February 7, 2025 | by Christina Schuler on Florida's Voice
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida State Rep. Berny Jacques is raising alarm over the increasing number of corporate entities buying up homes across the state, warning that the trend is making homeownership increasingly unattainable for working Floridians.
“It’s real, to the tune of almost 120,000 homes statewide, and almost 30,000 homes in the Tampa Bay area, where I represent the great people of House District 59,” Jacques said during an interview on Florida’s Voice Radio with Drew Steele.
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