January 5, 2026 | by Michelle Vecerina on Florida Voice
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — State Representative Berny Jacques, R-Seminole, filed legislation Monday aimed at tightening Florida’s voter registration process by requiring citizenship verification and new “non-citizen” markers on state-issued identification.
The bill, HB 985, seeks to reinforce the security of the state’s electoral process by ensuring only eligible Florida citizens participate in elections.
“The future of our state and our nation depends on free and secure elections,” Jacques said in a statement.
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December 31, 2025 | by Frank Kopylov on Florida Voice
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Rep. Berny Jacques warned that fraud schemes like those uncovered in Minnesota could threaten any state, including Florida, and pledged to push legislation cracking down on immigration-related abuses during the upcoming legislative session.
During a interview Tuesday on Florida’s Voice Radio with Drew Steele, Jacques, a Republican representing District 59 in the Tampa area, praised citizen journalist Nick Shirley for exposing what he called widespread fraud in Minnesota involving Somali immigrants and federal funds.
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December 17, 2025 | by Elizabeth Borodulin on Florida Voice
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.- A new proposed Florida House bill creates a section of Florida law requiring Medicaid coverage for blood pressure monitors and cuffs for certain patients diagnosed with hypertension.
What it does: HB 781 outlines the new requirement for Medicaid and defines key terms while creating a new section in Florida Statutes.
- The bill defines a “blood pressure monitor and cuff” as a validated device used to measure blood pressure outside a clinical setting.
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December 10, 2025
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida Republican Rep. Berny Jacques on Wednesday filed legislation that would limit the number of foreign students allowed to enroll in the state’s public colleges and universities, arguing the proposal is needed to ensure Florida residents are prioritized in admissions.
The bill, HB 721 would cap foreign students, defined as those who are not permanent U.S. residents, at no more than 10% of total enrollment at any individual Florida College System or State University System institution.
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November 5, 2025 | by Jesse Scheckner on Florida Politics
‘This simply enforces the law.’
Legislation by Seminole Republican Rep. Berny Jacques to require all private businesses in Florida to confirm that their employees can legally work in the U.S. is again advancing in the House.
Members of the House Industries and Professional Activities Subcommittee voted to advance HB 197, which would mandate the use of E-Verify, a federal system administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that enables companies and agencies to check the legal status of new employees.
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