DeSantis Signs Florida Law to Label, Defund Terror Groups

TAMPA, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis on April 6, 2026, signed House Bill 1471 into law at the University of South Florida's Tampa campus, empowering the state to designate groups as domestic or foreign terrorist organizations. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement commissioner, currently Mark Glass, can recommend designations, subject to approval by DeSantis and the Cabinet — Attorney General Ashley Moody, Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis and Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson. This codifies DeSantis' December 2025 executive order labeling the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the Muslim Brotherhood as terrorist entities, which a federal judge blocked last month as unconstitutional.[1][3][4] The Republican-led Legislature passed HB 1471 overwhelmingly: 80-25 in the House in early March and 25-11 in the Senate the prior week. Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez, speaking at the signing, vowed, “We will designate, defund and dissolve people who don't stand for our values.” Material support to designated groups — including money, guns or military training — becomes a felony, as does joining with intent to spill blood. Courts are barred from enforcing foreign or religious laws, targeting Sharia, and K-12 schools tied to such groups lose state scholarships.[1][3] State universities face mandates to expel students promoting designated organizations, reporting visa holders to ICE. Public colleges cannot use state or federal funds for related programs or activities. A companion bill, HB 1473, exempts designation processes from public records.[1][4] Democrats and groups like PEN America assailed the law for vague terms risking due process violations and chilling free speech, especially for student protesters or educational programs. DeSantis countered it safeguards tax dollars and bolsters security in the 'Free State of Florida,' effective July 1.[1][3][4]