top of page

Northeast Florida Lawmakers Push Key Bills for 2025 Session

John Hawley

Mar 5, 2025

Northeast Florida lawmakers have introduced over 100 bills for the 2025 Florida Legislative Session, focusing on key issues such as historic preservation, property insurance, homeownership, public employee unions, and education policies, reflecting the region’s legislative priorities.

Northeast Florida lawmakers have introduced over 100 bills for the 2025 Florida Legislative Session, tackling diverse issues such as historic preservation, property insurance reform, and homeownership promotion. Here’s an overview of notable proposals from Jacksonville-area legislators:

Key Legislative Proposals

1. Historic Preservation

  • HB 717 & SB 582: Filed by Rep. Sam Greco (R-St. Augustine) and Sen. Tom Leek (R-Ormond Beach), these bills impose fines up to 20% of a property’s market value for unauthorized demolition of structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

2. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Restrictions

  • HB 1571 & SB 420: Proposed by Rep. Dean Black (R-Jacksonville) and Sen. Clay Yarborough (R-Jacksonville), these bills prohibit local governments from implementing DEI-related policies, with penalties for violations.

3. Property Insurance Reforms

  • SB 790: Sponsored by Sen. Jennifer Bradley (R-Fleming Island), this bill prevents insurers from canceling coverage on hurricane-damaged properties until repairs are complete.

  • SB 792: Also by Sen. Bradley, this bill mandates annual reports on insurers' financial stability to the Legislature and Governor.

4. Homeownership Promotion

  • HB 401: Co-sponsored by Rep. Dean Black (R-Jacksonville) and Rep. Berny Jacques (R-Seminole), this bill allows local governments to designate zoning for single-family, owner-occupied homes and multifamily hybrid housing.

5. Public Employee Union Regulations

  • HB 1217: Proposed by Rep. Dean Black (R-Jacksonville), this bill requires public employee unions (excluding public safety unions) to secure a majority vote from all workers in the bargaining unit to maintain certification.

6. Property Insurance Assistance Fund

  • HB 959 & SB 1044: Filed by Rep. Angie Nixon (D-Jacksonville) and Sen. Tracie Davis (D-Jacksonville), these bills propose a $500 million Emergency Residential Property Insurance Assistance Fund for homeowners earning $250,000 or less annually.

7. School Start Times

  • Bipartisan Legislation: Sponsored by Sen. Jennifer Bradley (R-Fleming Island), Sen. Tracie Davis (D-Jacksonville), and Sen. Clay Yarborough (R-Jacksonville), this bill seeks to reverse a 2023 law mandating later start times for middle and high schools.

These bills reflect the broad spectrum of legislative priorities for Northeast Florida, emphasizing governance, economic stability, and public welfare.


Northeast Florida Legislative Delegation

Duval County Legislative Delegation

Senators:

  1. Clay Yarborough (District 4)

    • Capitol Office: 308 Senate Building, 404 South Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100

    • Phone: (850) 487-5004

    • Email: Yarborough.Clay.web@flsenate.gov

    • District Office: 1615 Huffingham Road, Suite 1, Jacksonville, FL 32216-2792

    • Phone: (904) 723-2035

    • Legislative Assistants: David Podvia, Alejandro Quintero


  1. Tracie Davis (District 5)

    • Capitol Office: 224 Senate Building, 404 South Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100

    • Phone: (850) 487-5005

    • Email: Davis.Tracie.web@flsenate.gov

    • District Office: 2933 North Myrtle Avenue, Suite 201, Jacksonville, FL 32209

    • Phone: (904) 359-2575

    • Legislative Assistants: Farisha Hamid, Gari Savage, Mary Summers

Representatives:

  1. Jessica Baker (District 17) – Chair


  1. Kiyan Michael (District 16) – Vice-Chair


  1. Wyman Duggan (District 12)

    • Capitol Office: 303 House Office Building, 402 South Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300

    • Phone: (850) 717-5012

    • Email: Wyman.Duggan@myfloridahouse.gov

    • District Office: 4070 Herschel Street, Unit 6, Jacksonville, FL 32210-2239

    • Phone: (904) 381-6011

    • Legislative Assistants: Koby Adams, Crystal Horton


  1. Angie Nixon (District 13)

    • Capitol Office: 1401 The Capitol, 402 South Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300

    • Phone: (850) 717-5013

    • Email: Angie.Nixon@myfloridahouse.gov

    • District Office: 3939 Roosevelt Boulevard, Suite G-121, Jacksonville, FL 32205-8949

    • Phone: (904) 381-6013

    • Legislative Assistants: Janice Mitchell, Taj Johnson


  1. Kimberly Daniels (District 14)

    • Capitol Office: 201 House Office Building, 402 South Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300

    • Phone: (850) 717-5014

    • Email: Kimberly.Daniels@myfloridahouse.gov

    • District Office: 1225 Beaver Street West, Suite 104, Jacksonville, FL 32204-1415

    • Phone: (904) 359-2533

    • Legislative Assistants: Cheryl Brown, Andria King

  2. Dean Black (District 15)

    • Capitol Office: 1001 The Capitol, 402 South Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300

    • Phone: (850) 717-5015

    • Email: Dean.Black@myfloridahouse.gov


St. Johns County Legislative Delegation:

Senator:

  1. Tom Leek (District 7)

    • Residence: Ormond Beach, Florida

    • Counties Represented: All of St. Johns, Putnam, and Flagler Counties, as well as northern parts of Volusia County

    • Assumed Office: November 5, 2024

    • Previous Position: Member of the Florida House of Representatives (2016–2024)

    • Education: University of Central Florida (BA), Stetson University (JD)

    • Professional Background: Attorney

    • Personal: Married to Michelle Leek; they have two children


Representatives:

  1. Kim Kendall (District 18)

    • Residence: St. Augustine, Florida

    • Counties Represented: Part of St. Johns County

    • Assumed Office: November 5, 2024

    • Predecessor: Cyndi Stevenson

    • Education: Florida State University

    • Professional Background: Former Air Traffic Controller


  1. Sam Greco (District 19)

    • Residence: St. Augustine, Florida

    • Counties Represented: All of Flagler County and the southeastern portion of St. Johns County, including the cities of St. Augustine and St. Augustine Beach

    • Assumed Office: November 5, 2024

    • Predecessor: Paul Renner

    • Education: Georgetown University (BS, JD)

    • Professional Background: Attorney; Lieutenant in the United States Navy Reserve, serving in the Judge Advocate General's Corps

    • Personal: Married to Elanda since 2023


  1. Judson Sapp (District 20)

    • Residence: Palatka, Florida

    • Counties Represented: Putnam County and parts of Clay, Marion, and St. Johns Counties

    • Assumed Office: November 5, 2024

This delegation represents St. Johns County in the Florida Legislature, addressing local and state issues pertinent to their constituents.

Florida Condo assessments skyrocket
Florida Condo assessments skyrocket
bottom of page