Jacksonville Bold for 2.18.26: Guana gift

Lawmakers push transparency, local control, and public safety reforms. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

From: Extensive Media Enterprises Floridians are closer to getting a heads-up anytime protected lands are potentially being unloaded by the state, after the House passed a bill that would extend notice requirements. CS/HB 441 stipulates that at least 30 days before the Acquisition and Restoration Council or the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund formally considers the proposed sale of state-owned conservation lands, the Division of State Lands would have to publicize the sale attempt, including an explanation of why these lands are no longer needed for conservation purposes. Rep. Kim Kendall, a St. Augustine Republican, described the attempt to take prize land from the Guana River Wildlife Management Area last year and swap it out for less desirable land, which created an outcry that stopped the effort but showed holes in the Florida Statute that this bill fills. Kim Kendall and Allison Tant back 30-day notice bill on state conservation land sales. "Whether it's a bad land swap or a good one, we want to see two simple things, and that's what this bill covers. One, more notice. Instead of seven days, we want 30 days. And instead of no transparency or very little, we want to see things published. The parcels, what's the appraisal of each? What percentage is going to be kept in conservation? And finally, the why statement. Why is it a benefit for us in the state to do this land swap?" The proposal would have swapped 600 acres of conservation land in exchange for 3,000 acres of land in St. Johns, Lafayette, Osceola and Volusia counties. A measure about the proposal was placed on the state Acquisition and Restoration Council's (ARC) Wednesday agenda with less than a week's notice. Rep. Allison Tant said it was an "honor and a gift" to be able to work with Kendall on this issue. "What this bill does is make sure that Floridians have adequate time to be able to know about the issues that are threatening the lands in their communities, and then actual time to work on it. That was the issue here: this came up within three days, and we didn't know, and if it had not been for Rep. Kendall, making others aware of it, it may well have slipped through the net," the Tallahassee Democrat said.

Three-point play   Two Jacksonville Republicans have successfully carried three local bills to passage in the Florida House. House Speaker Pro Tempore Wyman Duggan drove home two measures impacting Duval County, while Rep. Dean Black delivered one for Nassau. One Duggan bill (HB 4045) would amend the local charter and charge the Jacksonville Aviation Authority (JAA) with ensuring that Cecil Airport develops and expands as a spaceport. Another bill (HB 4049) would provide the Duval County School Board with internal counsel. Wyman Duggan and Dean Black carry three local bills to House passage. HB 4045's plan to "accelerate job creation" is to set up an Economic Development Committee to work toward bringing direct route international flights to the Jacksonville International Airport and to use JAA to drive more aerospace business to Cecil Field, with the Committee reporting annually to that end. It passed without a single objection. HB 4049 demonstrated the art of compromise, with Jacksonville officials ultimately agreeing that the School Board lawyer would remain subject to the General Counsel's binding opinion, after City Council members balked at granting the Board too much autonomy. The bill passed 108-5. Black's legislation (HB 4017) was also passed unanimously. It would terminate Nassau County Recreation & Water Conservation & Control Districts on the books since the 1960s, when the Legislature created them by a special act. There is one such district in ordinance. Although the Board hasn't done anything in 23 years, removing it from the books would purportedly reduce administrative costs.

Big endorsement   Gubernatorial candidate Paul Renner is getting support for his run from his local State Attorney. Renner, a former House Speaker and lawyer from Palm Coast, is announcing an endorsement from fellow Republican R.J. Larizza of the 7th Judicial Circuit. "I am deeply honored to receive the endorsement of State Attorney R.J. Larizza. For years, R.J. has worked tirelessly to protect the people of Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns, and Volusia counties, standing shoulder to shoulder with law enforcement and fighting for victims of crime. His trust and support mean a great deal to me," Renner said. Paul Renner secures endorsement from R.J. Larizza in Governor's race. "As Governor, I will continue working to ensure Florida remains the safest state in the nation — where the rule of law is respected, law enforcement is highly revered, and families can thrive." Renner has focused heavily on criminal justice ideas throughout his campaign, and Larizza said those plans appeal to him. "Paul has put forward serious, substantive proposals to end human trafficking, speed up the death row appeals process, and improve accountability across the criminal justice system. These are thoughtful, results-driven policies that reflect both experience and resolve," Larizza said. "Florida needs a Governor who respects the law, supports those who enforce it, and is willing to take decisive action to keep our state safe. Paul Renner is that leader, and he will make an excellent Governor."

Marriage fraud   A bill bringing together two state priorities — immigration enforcement and stopping domestic abuse — is moving through the House Committee process. Rep. Kim Daniels' measure (HB 485) is getting the green light from the House Justice Subcommittee. The Jacksonville Democrat's bill, which advanced on a 14-0 vote, would add a new checkbox to the domestic violence injunction petition form, allowing the accuser to say they are a victim of "marriage fraud" by a non-citizen abuser. Kim Daniels advances HB 485 linking domestic abuse claims and immigration enforcement. The petitioner would have space to explain their claim, and the Clerk of the Court would be compelled to report the allegation of non-citizenship to the Board of Immigration Enforcement within 24 hours of the form being filed. The Board would then have 30 days to contact the petitioner. The proposed legislation follows up on Attorney General James Uthmeier's urging people who are being abused at home by illegal immigrants to report them to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a move that received national publicity.

Monument mania   A bill to protect historic monuments and memorials in Florida from removal received approval from the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday. The "Historic Florida Monuments and Memorials Protection Act" (HB 455) drew sharp debate by Committee members as many claimed the measure was designed to protect monuments that intimidate minorities in Florida. Historic monument stands amid debate over HB 455 protections. The bill's sponsor, Rep. Dean Black, a Jacksonville Republican, said his intent is the opposite. "If we don't protect everyone's history, then no one's history is safe," Black said. The measure would put military monuments or memorials in place for at least 25 years under the protection of the Florida Department of State, to protect "accurate and factual history." The bill states, "It is the intent of the Legislature to declare void all ordinances, regulations, and executive actions regarding the removal, damage, or destruction of historic Florida monuments or memorials which have been enacted by any local government." The measure is similar to previous bills that did not receive final approval from the Legislature. But the measure drew criticism from some Committee members who felt it was glorifying soldiers and supporters of the Civil War on behalf of the Confederacy. "Confederate monuments honor people who led an insurrection against America," said Committee member Bruce Antone, an Orlando Democrat. "It bothers me that we honor these people." Black argued the dispute over Confederate monuments is settled. "That storm has already blown over," he said, noting he's concerned more about monuments to historical figures such as Christopher Columbus and Andrew Jackson, among others.

Know your rights   A parental rights bill is ready for a full House vote after it advanced in a Committee Tuesday, drawing a fierce debate on both sides. One of the most controversial measures in HB 173 would prevent minors from getting treated for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) unless they received their parents' permission first. The House Education & Employment Committee advanced HB 173 filed by Rep. Kendall, a St. Augustine Republican, at the bill's final Committee stop. Debate intensifies as HB 173 heads to full House vote. "This bill ensures that parents have the ability to make medical decisions for their minor children," said Kendall, who has repeatedly tried to claim her bill is non-partisan. Kendall previously filed the legislation in 2025; it advanced through the House but died in the Senate. A similar outcome could happen again in the 2026 Legislature. An identical Senate bill (SB 166), filed by Sen. Erin Grall, has been referred to three Senate Committees but has not yet been called to a vote.

Not forgotten   The second and final House Committee of reference is working to ensure that Floridians with Alzheimer's and related dementia are not forgotten. Rep. Sam Greco's legislation (HB 1295) would add new layers of accountability to an industry on which some of the most vulnerable adults in the state rely. The proposal, which the Health Care Budget Subcommittee advanced, includes several key changes. Sam Greco advances HB 1295 tightening oversight of memory care facilities. It would create a Memory Care Services specialty license for assisted living facilities (ALFs) serving this population, enabling the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) to verify that these ALFs are as advertised. If the facility cannot obtain the license, it would not be permitted to admit any new memory care patients. It would have to help legacy clients relocate to a licensed facility. Facilities would be required to always have an awake staff member on duty, replacing a current requirement that applies only to those with 17 or more members. If Greco's bill becomes law, AHCA would be charged with formulating rules regulating policies and procedures, admissions criteria, levels of care, services, activities, and requisite training for staff, and would have to develop the regulatory framework by October. AARP, the Alzheimer's Association, and the Florida Senior Living Association support the bill. Similar legislation is moving in the Senate Committee process.

Manufacturing movement   The University of North Florida Jacksonville Economic Monitoring Survey (JEMS) shows industries in the region modestly improved in several indicators last month. Nine of 12 key manufacturing-sector components improved in January. UNF survey shows manufacturing growth, slight dip in employment. "These measures suggest that Jacksonville companies are seeing enough business to keep operations active and cautiously plan for growth over the next few months," said Albert Loh, who oversees the JEMS survey and is Associate Dean at the UNF Coggin College of Business. While most indicators expanded, one of the most principal elements, employment, contracted last month. "An employment index reading of 48 in January indicates that manufacturing employment in Jacksonville edged down compared with the prior month. More local manufacturers reported reducing headcount than increasing it. Some may rely more on overtime, temporary workers, or productivity improvements instead of expanding payrolls," Loh said. Meanwhile, another key indicator showed signs of strength in North Florida. Manufacturing output is on the upswing, UNF researchers found. "An output index reading of 60 in January signals expansion for the Jacksonville economy. This kind of output strength tends to ripple outward. Higher production typically increases demand for packaging, warehousing, trucking, port services, and a range of business services that support manufacturing," Loh said.

Home sale happenings   First Coast housing sales slumped in January, dropping in both annual and monthly comparisons. The Northeast Florida Association of Realtors (NEFAR) published its report on the monthly data for the six-county region and there were 1,115 closed sales last month. That's down by 8.5% from January 2025, when there were 1,219 single-family units sold, and a 38.8% drop from December's 1,823 closed sales. The median sales price also fell to $369,990. That's a 1.3% drop from a year ago, when the median sales price was $375,000 and down by 5.1% from December's figure of $389,990. Home sales in NE FL are seeing a slump. Those numbers came from mixed inventory. There were 6,598 homes on the market last month, an 8.1% drop from January 2025, but a 4.4% uptick from December's figure of 6,322. "Northeast Florida is moving toward a healthier balance. Increased inventory and improved affordability are giving buyers renewed confidence, while sellers continue to benefit from consistent demand. This reflects a maturing market that supports long-term stability across our region," says NEFAR President, Kim Knapp. Duval County had 584 homes sold last month, an 8.9% annual drop and a 36.2% decline from December. The median sales price in Jacksonville settled at $313,950 in January, a 0.3% annual decline and a 6.3% drop from December. St. Johns County saw even bigger declines in homes sold, with 268 closed sales last month, down 9.8% annually and a staggering 45.6% drop from December. The median sales price was $546,500, a 3% annual increase and a 0.6% drop from the previous month. Nassau County's data last month was bleak. There were only 49 homes sold in January, down 29% from a year ago and a sharp 55.5% fall from December. The median sales price was $435,000 in January, down 7.4% from January 2025 and a 4.4% decline from the previous month. Clay County saw positive trends in median sales price, which came in at $368,000 in January, a 4.8% increase from a year ago and a 3.4% jump from December. Closed sales were mixed, registering 181 homes sold, a 9% increase in the annual comparison, but a 27.9% drop from the previous month.

Big favor   Clouds are forming over the nomination of Paul Martinez to the JEA Board, given the circumstances surrounding the selection of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida CEO by Jacksonville City Council President Kevin Carrico. Carrico, as most know, works for the Boys & Girls Clubs himself. Paul Martinez nomination to JEA Board draws scrutiny after texts surface. "What's up, bro … hey, I owed a big favor to a friend and opted to put him on the JEA Board as your term is expiring … Not sure if you wanted to stay, but I needed to do this for my guy," Carrico texted Arthur Adams, whom Carrico wanted to replace him with. Adams was disappointed. And the text messages found their way to Ben Becker of Action News Jax. Board members come and go, as we know. But this glimpse into how the process works will make Martinez's nomination more of a hot potato than it otherwise might have been.

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The more the merrier   The St. Johns County Commission will be more accessible online now that the Board is livestreaming meetings on its Facebook page and YouTube channel. The county has long offered online access to meetings on its formal county website. But the additions to social media outlets are designed to improve access to the St. Johns government. St. Johns County expands meeting access with Facebook and YouTube livestreams. "Transparency and accessibility are foundational to effective local government," said St. Johns County Administrator Joy Andrews. "By expanding our livestreaming capabilities to Facebook and YouTube, we are meeting residents where they are and making it easier than ever to follow Board discussions and decisions. This initiative strengthens community trust and reinforces our commitment to open, responsive government." The county advises that Facebook's policy removes streaming after 30 days.

Construction crunch   The continuing renovations of EverBank Stadium will limit the Jaguars' capacity to around 43,500 seats during the 2026 season. Construction is also impacting one of Jacksonville's signature one-day sporting events, the Gate River Run. From the race expo to the starting line and finish line, the nation's largest 15K race will have a new look. The runners' expo, where participants could pick up their race numbers and shop for new running gear, was previously held at the fairgrounds building and later moved to Daily's Place. This year, the expo will be held at the Mandarin Point Shopping Center, 12200 San Jose Blvd., on March 5 and 6. The anchor building at the site previously housed a Bealls. The expo has added Sleiman Enterprises as the title sponsor; the company owns the property. EverBank Stadium renovations reshape Jaguars season and Gate River Run plans. "This new space gives us the room and flexibility to deliver the high-quality expo experience you expect from this event," race organizers posted on social media. As for race day, March 7, the start and finish lines have been moved down Bay Street to the Jacksonville Shipyards. The move will affect both race-day transportation logistics and the race itself. Unlike past years, there will be no parking at the Jacksonville Shipyards. Instead, runners are urged to use the parking garages on each side of the arena or Lot P in front of the old fairgrounds location. Parking is also available at Tailgaters Parking and Old Cypress Parking off Talleyrand. Free bus transportation to and from the start and finish will be provided. As usual, adaptive athletes and streakers (those who have run all 48 previous Gate River Runs) will start at 7:50 a.m., with the top 25 seeded women starting five minutes later. The first waves will begin the 9.3-mile run at 8 a.m. Because the finish line has been moved down Bay Street, runners will have longer to go after crossing the Hart Bridge. In recent years, runners had about a mile to go after reaching the top of the "Green Monster," but now, they will have approximately eight-tenths of a mile to go from the bottom of the bridge. "It likely will impact elite runners who ran last year and are visualizing last year's finish," said 1996 U.S. Olympic marathoner and longtime race analyst Keith Brantly. "The elites will need to tour the new layout to make sure they can execute a strong finish." And for local and competitive recreational runners, recalibrating their plan is essential for success. "It's important for them to keep in mind there is plenty of race left after they come off the Hart," said Brantly. "You have almost a whole mile left." Race director Doug Alred posted to social media on Monday that they are expecting the largest event in the race's history. Last year, 13,870 runners participated in the 15K. As of Monday evening, 14,761 participants were registered for this year's 15K. At least one more record is set to be broken this year. Augie Leone, 96, already the record holder for the oldest runner to finish the Gate River Run, is registered.

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