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Jeff Brandes - page 29

Cosmetics legislation moving forward as Session winds down

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A proposal to overhaul archaic state regulations on Florida-based cosmetics manufacturers has gained steam from two major industry endorsements as Session winds down, though the time for the bills to move is growing shorter. The bills – HB 261 by Rep. Chris Latvala and SB 176 by Sen. Jeff Brandes — would reform a regulatory cosmetics regime manufacturers have called “unnecessary and burdensome” by cutting down on governmental red tape at the state Department of Business and Professional Regulation. The legislation picked up a major industry nod from the Manufacturers Association of Florida,…

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Civil forfeiture bill passes Senate, heads to House floor

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The Florida Senate approved a bill Friday that would reform civil forfeiture and reduce wrongful seizures of personal property. Under current law officers can seize a person’s property if they suspect it was gained as a result of or might be used in criminal activity. The owner of seized property does not currently have to be arrested in order for a police officer to seize his or her property. “If you told the average person that the government could seize…

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Senate tees up civil asset forfeiture bill for floor vote

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A proposal to stop law enforcement officials from wantonly confiscating Floridians’ property was amended and discussed in the Florida Senate on Thursday. The proposal – SB 1044 by Sen. Jeff Brandes – got a final tune up before heading to the Senate floor for a full vote, which is scheduled for Friday. The St. Petersburg Republican introduced four tweaks to his bill, all of which were adopted. Though he faced queries from Republican Sens. Charlie Dean and Greg Evers as well as Democratic Leader Arthenia Joyner about whether the changes were…

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Florida could require arrest before police seize property

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Police would have to charge people with a crime before they can seize their money, cars, homes or other property under bills that are now ready for votes on the House and Senate floors. Sen. Jeff Brandes‘ bill was approved unanimously Monday by the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee, the last of three stops before it can be considered by the full chamber. A House version of the bill (HB 889) cleared its last committee stop last week. The bill (SB…

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Some Florida lawmakers want reform of driver’s license suspensions

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As the Florida legislative session nears its end, some lawmakers are in a race against time to correct what they say is an injustice to the working poor: the suspension of driver’s licenses for reasons unrelated to driving violations. License suspensions can result from a minor infraction and can lead to thousands of dollars in debt as collection charges pile up and people can’t get their licenses back, said Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg. “The stories are heartbreaking of individuals…

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Toast to the Bay/Dump into the Bay: Jeff Brandes and Barbara Banno

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Toast to the Bay: Jeff Brandes Hats are off to Jeff Brandes this week for what will likely end in victory after two Legislative sessions of battling. A measure aimed at protecting property rights in Florida finally garnered consensus from pro-property rights lawmakers and law enforcement officials. A civil forfeiture measure pushed by Brandes both this year and last sailed through a House Committee hearing Thursday after an amendment was approved bringing law enforcement group’s to the table in support.…

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Lawmakers find accord with law enforcement on civil forfeiture bill

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An amended bill that would reshape the way civil forfeiture works in Florida passed the House Judiciary Committee Thursday. Under current law, law enforcement can seize a person’s property, including cash, if they suspect it is being used to commit a crime or is the proceed from crime. Under that scenario, no charges have to be filed against the person whose property is being seized. The amended House bill now requires an arrest, with limited exceptions, before officers can take…

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