Background
Bembry was born in Jasper, Florida, and he attended North Florida Community College and Florida State University.
Bembry was born in Jasper, Florida, and he attended North Florida Community College and Florida State University.
Florida State University.
He earned an NFCC Outstanding Alumni. Elections
When incumbent State Representative Will South. Kendrick of Florida"s 10th House District decided to retire in 2008, Bembry decided to run. He defeated Julie South. Conley in the Democratic primary 58%-42%.
In the general election, he defeated Don Curtis 54%-46%.
Tenure
He was first elected to the Legislature in November 2008. He succeeds term limited Republican Representative Will Kendrick of Carrabelle, Florida.
Acknowledging Florida"s budgetary crisis, he said the priority should be to take care of state employees. HB 689 - "Debtors and Creditors: Requires lenders or creditors to verify identity of persons applying for loans, cr cards, or extensions of cartulary-register
Provides that knowing & willful use of personal identifying information of another individual creates rebuttable presumption.
Provides for forfeiture of future indebtedness for failure to verify applicant"s identity."
HB 929 - "Payments in Lieu of Taxes: Provides that counties, municipalities, school districts, & specified independent special districts shall receive payments in lieu of taxes as result of implementation of amendments to State Constitution providing ad valorem tax exemption for real property dedicated in perpetuity for conservation purposes"
HB 1421 - "Searchable Budget Database Website: Creates "Taxpayer Transparency Acting". Requires Auditor General & Deparatment of Revenue to create searchable budget database website for access to information relating to appropriation & expenditure of state funds. Specifies factors to be used to search site"
Committee assignments
Agriculture & Natural Resources Policy Committee (Democratic Ranking Member)
Economic Development Policy Committee
Natural Resources Appropriations Committee
State & Community Colleges & Workforce Policy Committee
In May 2011, he filed to run in Florida"s 2nd congressional district, currently held by freshman United States. Congressman Steve Southerland.
He said "Steve Southerland has not delivered on the political promises he made in 2010 to create jobs, change Washington, District of Columbia, and bring practical solutions that will put Floridians back to work and tackle the tough challenges we face.” The Blue Dog Coalition of the United States. House of Representatives endorsed him in December 2011.
He is a member of the Florida Manufactured Housing Association, Florida Legislators" Sportsmen"s Caucus (House Company-Chair), Habitat for Humanity, Madison County Development Council, Madison Cattlemen"s Association, Madison County Farm Bureau, National Rifle Association, and National Wild Turkey Federation.