Citizen activists could find it harder to get initiatives on next year's ballot in some states.

Florida lawmakers have given final approval to creating new hurdles for getting citizen-driven initiatives on the ballot before voters.

Florida lawmakers in 2023 passed a law aimed at starting high-school classes later in the morning, but two years later, the Florida Senate on Thursday unanimously passed a bill that would undo the law and leave it up to local officials to decide when schools start.

A Florida Senate Committee is considering a bill filed by a local lawmaker that would keep insurance companies from relying on artificial intelligence to deny claims.

Several states are considering moves to change how they compensate people incarcerated after wrongful convictions.

With school districts across the state expressing support, Florida senators Monday started moving forward with a bill that would repeal requirements aimed at later daily start times in many high schools.

Florida condominium owners are looking at higher costs from condo associations in the new year.

Every year, too many children across the United States die from being left in a hot vehicle.

Senate President Kathleen Passidomo on Wednesday raised questions about the fate of a proposal to protect historic monuments and memorials after several lawmakers voiced outrage over comments Tuesday by supporters of the bill.

Six months after 10-month-old Ariya Paige died from being left in a hot vehicle in late July, her family is pushing lawmakers to create legislation that can protect and save other children from the heartbreaking tragedy they endured.

State Sen. Jennifer Bradley is one of four Northeast Florida lawmakers who won re-election without opposition. She will cruise to her second term without having to campaign.

State Sen. Jennifer Bradley and three of the Florida state House members who represent voters in the News4Jax viewing area are cruising to another term without opposition in this year’s elections.

On Feb. 8, Raina Greenfest jumped on a bus from Palm Beach to Tallahassee to try to convince lawmakers to vote no.

Housing is considered affordable if it costs less than 30% of a household’s income, but nearly 900,000 Florida households are paying more than half of their monthly income on housing.

Gov. Ron Desantis on Thursday signed a bill that permanently allows Florida restaurants to sell alcoholic drinks with take-home meals.

Florida lawmakers gave final approval Wednesday night to a bill that would make permanent a change allowing restaurants to sell alcoholic drinks with take-home meals.

The Florida Senate on Wednesday approved a bill that would make permanent a move that has allowed restaurants to sell alcoholic drinks with take-home meals during the COVID-19 pandemic.

(Marco Alpozzi/LaPresse via AP)An alcohol “to go” bill motored through a second Senate committee Tuesday without opposition. The Commerce and Tourism Committee backed the proposal (SB 148), sponsored by Sen. Jennifer Bradley, R-Fleming Island, which would allow restaurants to include alcoholic drinks or bottles as part of take-home meals. Ron DeSantis to help restaurants that were forced to scale back operations in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. “The current executive order helped restaurants accomplish this goal while also providing a convenience to their customers. A House version (HB 329) was unanimously backed last month by the Regulatory Reform Subcommittee and awaits an appearance before the Commerce Committee.

Ron DeSantis and state lawmakers are adding China to the growing list of targets for the 2021 Florida legislative session, which gets underway on Tuesday. Newly filed bills include measures that aim to limit intellectual property theft by the communist regime and crack down on Chinese influence at American colleges and universities. “The growing presence of the Chinese communist party influence in domestic and international affairs is one of the most pervasive threats to American security and prosperity,” DeSantis said during a Monday news conference. The first seeks to curb Chinese influence in the academic field by requiring transparency for donations from foreign governments over $50,000 and punishing institutions that don’t comply. AdAlso filed this year is legislation that blames China for the economic fallout caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida restaurants would be able to sell alcohol for take out and delivery under a bill approved by a Senate committee Tuesday that would would make permanent a suspension of rules the governor allowed during the coronavirus pandemic. It has helped restaurants accomplish a goal of being successful while also providing a convenience for consumers.”AdThe bill would limit alcohol to go to restaurants whose sales are at least 51% food. The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association told lawmakers extra sales have been a lifeline for many eateries. “We’ve proven that it can be done, that it can be done safely,” said Carol Dover, president of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. AdPending legislative approval, alcohol to go will continue in Florida, so long as the governor’s state of emergency for COVID-19 remains in effect.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – This edition of “This Week in Jacksonville” features City Councilman Garrett Dennis on decriminalizing marijuana and the Lot J proposal, Duval County Republican Party Chairman Dean Black on the election results and 2022, and state Sen. Jennifer Bradley on her new role.

Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, and Sen. Jennifer Bradley, R-Fleming Island, separately filed measures that would allow a business holding a state alcohol license to sell or deliver spirited beverages by the package for off-site consumption. The proposals would require the liquid to be in a sealed container and to be part of a food order. We think it is a process that should continue, so we are looking to establish it in state law,” Brandes said on Friday. Brandes isn’t seeking to alter existing law that requires restaurants to reseal partially consumed bottles before patrons leave. In a 74-page report, the RESET task force, co-chaired by executives from Associated Industries of Florida, the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, the Florida Retail Federation and the National Federation of Independent Business Florida, called existing rules restricting carryout alcohol “antiquated and no longer necessary.”DeSantis in September backed the idea of allowing carryout alcoholic beverages to become permanent.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. While two Northeast Florida state House members easily won primary challenges Tuesday, Rep. Kimberly Daniels lost handily to community organizer Angie Nixon. Daniels had sometimes split from other Democrats by supporting issues such as abortion restrictions and school vouchers and represents the solidly blue Northeast Jacksonville state House District 14. Nixon, who earned 59% of the vote, will face only a write-in opponent in November. In District 12, Incumbent Rep. Clay Yarborough easily dispatched Republican challenger Colin McArthur his primary race. Rob Bradley of Fleming Island, defeated Jason Holifield in Florida Senate District 5, which includes Clay, Baker, Union, Columbia and other counties stretching to the Gulf of Mexico.