February 5, 2025 | by Michelle Vecerina on Florida's Voice
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A new legislative measure was filed Wednesday aimed at protecting Florida families from the growing influence of multinational corporations in the housing market.
Sponsor: HB 401 was introduced by Rep. Berny Jacques, R-Fla. The legislation is titled “Strengthening Homeownership in Florida Act.”
What it does: HB 401 seeks to preserve the “American Dream” of homeownership, which Jacques’ office said “rootless multinational corporations” have turned into a “Wall Street commodity.”
- The bill establishes a clear distinction between traditional single-family homeownership and corporate-backed “hybrid housing” models, which critics argue are replacing communities with investment portfolios.
Read More
January 15, 2025 | by Michael Costeines on The Floridian
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – State House Republican Reps. David Borrero and Berny Jacques recently filed a bill to prohibit the display of flags on government and public school property that portray political, racial, or LGBTQ imagery.
House Bill 75 would ban governmental agencies, local governments, or other units of local governments from flying such flags. The bill also applies to public schools, colleges, and universities.
“A governmental entity may not erect or display a flag that represents a political viewpoint, including, but not limited to, a politically partisan, racial, sexual orientation and gender, or political ideology viewpoint.
Read More
January 14, 2025 | by Jim Ash on The Florida Bar
A bipartisan proposal by two Southwest Florida lawmakers would double the length of eligible probation for certain misdemeanors – from six months to a year – to better accommodate alcohol and drug treatment.
HB 91 by St. Petersburg Democrat Michelle Rayner, and Seminole Republican Berny Jacques, both attorneys, would amend subsection (1) of section 948.15 Florida Statutes, “Misdemeanor Probation Services.”
The existing law generally restricts the length of probation for misdemeanor offenses to six months.
Read More
January 10, 2024 | by Jackson Bakich on Floridian Press
State Representative Berny Jacques (R-FL) sat down for an exclusive interview with The Floridian to discuss the legislative session that began on Monday. Additionally, State Rep. Jacques shared with us the bill that he will be introducing later this week. that looks to set up a “one-stop-shop” for pregnant mothers and their families who are considering an abortion. It has been labeled as HB 415, Pregnancy and Parenting Resources Website.
State Rep.
Read More
January 9, 2024 | by Eric Daugherty on Florida's Voice
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida lawmakers filed legislation that aims to keep the public safe by providing law enforcement more resources and capabilities to monitor “career” criminal offenders.
Rep. Berny Jacques, R-Seminole, and Sen. Jay Collins, R-Tampa, filed HB 1539 and SB 1634.
Jacques’ office touted that the bill will update Florida’s Career Offender Act by helping the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and local authorities in keeping track of repeat offenders.
Read More
