HB 1307 targets undocumented immigrants with English-only CDL rules, benefit restrictions, and employer penalties – moves to next committees amid bipartisan support
Tallahassee, FL – February 14, 2026 A comprehensive immigration enforcement bill sponsored by Haitian-American Republican Rep. Berny Jacques (R-Pinellas County) cleared its first legislative hurdle Tuesday, gaining bipartisan approval from the Florida House Commerce Committee in a vote on a committee-substitute version.
HB 1307, titled “Unauthorized Aliens,” aims to impose a wide range of state-level restrictions on undocumented immigrants, aligning with Florida’s ongoing efforts to limit access to benefits, licenses, and economic opportunities for those without legal status. The measure has a companion bill in the Senate (SB 1380) and closely reflects priorities outlined by Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia.
The bill passed the Commerce Committee on a mostly party-line vote of 20-5, with one Democrat joining Republicans in support. It now heads to two additional House committees, likely State Affairs and Judiciary before potentially advancing to the full House floor.
Key Provisions of HB 1307
The legislation includes several aggressive measures designed to deter undocumented immigration and enforce compliance:
- Requiring all commercial driver’s license (CDL) instruction, procedures, and testing to be conducted exclusively in English, with no interpreters allowed.
- Prohibiting the Department of Financial Services from issuing any licenses or certifications to unauthorized aliens.
- Making undocumented immigrants ineligible for workers’ compensation benefits; employers who hire them would face personal liability for injury costs.
- Restricting access to certain financial assistance programs, including down payment help for homeownership under programs like the Florida Homeownership Assistance Program and Florida Hometown Hero Program.
- Authorizing counties to require proof of lawful presence for some borrower assistance programs.
- Creating a rebuttable presumption of fault against out-of-state unauthorized drivers involved in motor vehicle accidents, with specific requirements for law enforcement.
- Prohibiting state-chartered financial institutions from accepting certain forms of identification from unauthorized individuals.
Rep. Jacques, who was born in Haiti and immigrated legally to the U.S. at age 7 in 1994, has positioned the bill as a means to protect legal immigrants and uphold the rule of law. Representing District 59 in Pinellas County, he has emphasized his family’s story of following legal pathways as inspiration for his stance on enforcement.
“My parents brought us here legally, followed every rule, and we succeeded because of it,” Jacques has said. “Florida must protect those who come the right way and remove incentives for those who don’t.”
Broader Context and Debate
The bill builds on Florida’s reputation as a leader in state-level immigration enforcement under Governor Ron DeSantis and now the Trump-aligned legislature. It comes amid national debates over immigration, with Florida’s large immigrant populations, including significant Haitian and Caribbean communities — potentially facing disproportionate impacts.
Critics, including immigrant rights groups and Democratic lawmakers, argue the measures are overly punitive, could harm mixed-status families, and may discourage essential workers in industries like agriculture, construction, and hospitality. Supporters counter that the bill reduces taxpayer burdens and ensures fair competition for legal residents.
As HB 1307 advances, it is expected to draw heated discussion in Tallahassee and among Florida’s diverse communities, particularly in South Florida where Haitian-Americans form a vibrant and politically active demographic.
L’Union Suite will continue tracking the bill’s progress through committees, any amendments, and reactions from the Haitian diaspora and beyond.
