TALLAHASSEE, Fla. \u2013 On Monday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed another three bills into law, adding to the growing list of legislation approved this year.<\/p>\n
The biggest bill of the trio was HB 1471, which allows the FDLE executive director \u2014 a role appointed by the governor \u2014 to designate certain groups as terrorist organizations.<\/p>\n
To do so, the FDLE director must find the following criteria:<\/p>\n
Domestic (DTO) or Foreign (FTO)?CriteriaDTOThe organization is based in or operates in the U.S.DTOThe organization is engaging in activities that involve illegal acts to intimidate\/coerce a civilian population, influence the policy of a government by intimidation\/coercion, or affect the conduct of government by mass destruction, assassination or kidnappingDTOThe organization\u2019s terrorist activity is an ongoing threat to the security of Florida or the U.S.FTOThe organization is designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. Secretary of State pursuant to the Immigration and Nationality ActFTOThe organization\u2019s terrorist activity is an ongoing threat to the security of Florida or the U.S.<\/p>\n
At least seven days before designating a group as a terrorist organization, the FDLE director must provide written notice to the Cabinet, along with written findings behind the decision.<\/p>\n
Then, the Cabinet will be responsible for either approving or rejecting the designation.<\/p>\n
If a group is properly dubbed a terrorist organization, the following consequences would also apply:<\/p>\n
State agencies may not expend funds or levy ad valorem taxes to support such an organization or its members<\/p>\n
Criminal penalties imposed against such organization may be enhanced<\/p>\n
The following terrorist-related crimes include conduct involving a domestic terrorist group as designated by the FDLE head:<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the full list of new laws signed on Monday is as follows:<\/p>\n
HB 1471<\/a> \u2014 Terrorist Organizations<\/p>\n House Bill 1471 makes several changes to state law regarding terrorist organizations. Many of those revisions are as follows:<\/p>\n Terrorist Designations: Creates a process by which the state may designate groups as domestic or foreign terrorist organization if certain conditions are met<\/a><\/p>\n Religious Laws: Courts and tribunals are prohibited from enforcing religious or foreign laws against someone if such application would violate his\/her constitutional rights<\/p>\n Private Schools: Prohibits private schools participating in state scholarship programs from being owned or funded by terrorist groups, terrorist supporters, or criminal gangs<\/p>\n State Universities: Prevents institutions in the Florida College System from using state funds to support programs that advocate for terrorist organizations<\/p>\n Visa Students: Public colleges must report information about the current status of students who are attending on a visa if they promote terrorist organizations<\/p>\n Student Expulsions: If a student promotes a terrorist organization while enrolled at a public university, the student must be immediately expelled and assessed an out-of-state fee<\/p>\n Today in Tampa, I signed HB 1471 to protect Floridians\u2019 constitutional rights from the application of foreign and religious laws, including Sharia law.<\/p>\n This legislation also establishes a framework to combat terrorist organizations and ensures greater accountability for our\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/zdeukUk2nj<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) April 6, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n The law is set to take effect on July 1.<\/p>\n