Two members of the Florida House of Representatives have committed to sponsoring a bill to rename BK Roberts Hall for the 2021 legislative session that begins next March. Rep. Ramon Alexander, D-Tallahassee, is committed to filing the legislation in 2021, according to his staff. Also, Rep. Geraldine Thompson, D-Windemere, informed me that she would be glad to sponsor a bill.
Lack of a sponsor in the House has been a hurdle the past two years as the measure passed the Senate but was never taken up by the House, partly due to the lack of a sponsor. Alexander's commitment is significant since he is running unopposed and almost certain to be reelected in November and thus will be in the legislature next spring to file the bill. Thompson faces opponents and will only be able to sponsor the bill if she is victorious in the upcoming November elections. Support in the Senate is not yet confirmed since our key proponent for the last two years--Sen. Bill Montford, D-Tallahassee--will not be back in 2021 due to term limits. Current Rep. Loranne Ausley, D-Tallahassee, will not be back in the House next year but is running for Montford's Senate seat. Ausley says she is committed to working on renaming the building.