FloridaHB 14712026HouseWALLET

Systems of Law and Terrorist Organizations

Sponsored By: Hillary Cassel (Republican)

Signed by Governor

AppropriationCivil Justice & Claims SubcommitteeEducation & Employment CommitteeJudiciary CommitteeHouse CalendarRules

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

9 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 5 costs, 0 mixed.

Students who promote terror are expelled

A state college or university must immediately expel any student found to have promoted a designated terrorist organization. If a student on a visa promotes a designated group, the school must report the student’s status to federal immigration under 8 C.F.R. § 214.3(g)(2). These rules apply after the group’s designation is published in the Florida Administrative Register.

Courts limit foreign or religious law

Courts and agencies cannot apply foreign or religious law if it would violate U.S. or Florida constitutional rights. Florida courts also cannot enforce a foreign judgment that offends core public policy or constitutional rights. Courts cannot enforce contract choice‑of‑law or forum clauses when doing so would likely cause a constitutional violation. The law defines foreign law and religious law (including Sharia) and says these do not include U.S. or state constitutions, federal or state laws, common law, tribal law, or U.S.‑ratified treaties. Internal church governance and doctrine decisions remain outside these prohibitions.

How Florida lists terrorist groups

The Chief of Domestic Security can name groups as domestic or foreign terrorist organizations when they pose an ongoing threat. The Governor and Cabinet get written notice, may meet, and can approve or reject by a majority vote no earlier than 7 days after notice. Within 7 days after approval, the designation is published in the Florida Administrative Register and added to a public website list. The Chief reviews each designation at least every 5 years. If safe and possible, the organization gets advance notice with meeting details and how to object. A designated group or any member can file a court challenge in Leon County within 30 days; courts protect confidential documents from public release. A group can ask to be removed at any time, and the Governor and Cabinet may remove a listing by majority vote. The department must adopt rules to carry this process out. The law defines “domestic terrorist organization” across the criminal code as any group whose designation is published in the Register.

Voucher schools face anti-terror rules

Private schools in state scholarship programs must bar ties with people or groups linked to designated terrorist or criminal organizations. This includes bans on hiring, contracting, ownership, operation, or taking funds from them. If a school knowingly breaks these rules, the state stops scholarship payments and blocks new scholarship enrollments for one fiscal year and until the school complies. The Commissioner of Education may also rule a school ineligible for repeated or serious failures. Families at those schools can see payments paused and choices limited.

Harsher penalties for aiding terrorism

It is a first‑degree felony to knowingly give material support to a designated terrorist group. Giving people to work under a group’s direction and control counts as support; acting completely on your own does not. If a listed terrorism crime causes death or serious injury, it is a life felony. Using military‑type training learned from a designated group to harm people or damage critical infrastructure is a second‑degree felony, or a first‑degree felony if it causes death or serious injury.

Student groups can still use fees

Student‑led groups may still receive student‑fee funding and use campus facilities under each school’s written policies. This access can continue even if their expressive activity would otherwise be restricted by the law’s prohibitions.

No public funds for terrorist groups

State agencies, local governments, and school districts cannot spend state or local property tax money to support designated terrorist groups or their members. They also cannot contract with or accept funds from them. They may still accept money from fines, penalties, forfeitures, taxes, or payment for goods or services they provide. These rules apply once the group’s designation is published in the Florida Administrative Register.

Schools cannot promote terrorist groups

Public schools, colleges, and universities cannot use state or federal money to promote designated terrorist groups or people who materially support them. These bans apply after the designation is published in the Florida Administrative Register. The State Board of Education and the Board of Governors can withhold performance‑based funding if a college or university violates the ban.

State can dissolve terrorist-linked companies

The Department of State can dissolve a corporation that is officially designated as a terrorist organization. The designation must be published in the Florida Administrative Register, and any timely court challenge must be decided against the group before dissolution.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Hillary Cassel
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Education & Employment Committee
Affiliation unavailable
Judiciary Committee
Affiliation unavailable

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 186 • No: 62

House vote • 3/12/2026

House Floor Vote

Yes: 80 • No: 25

Senate vote • 3/5/2026

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 25 • No: 11

House vote • 3/3/2026