FloridaHB 9052026HouseWALLET

Foreign Influence

Sponsored By: Jenna Persons-Mulicka (Republican)

Signed by Governor

AppropriationGovernment Operations SubcommitteeJudiciary CommitteeCommerce CommitteeState Affairs CommitteeHouse CalendarRules

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

11 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 9 costs, 1 mixed.

Selected students lose tuition exemptions

Florida linkage institutes can no longer exempt selected students from out-of-state tuition residency rules. The former allowance covered up to 25 full-time-equivalent students per institute each year. Institutes selected students using criteria approved by the Florida Department of Education. Students who otherwise owe out-of-state tuition lose this route to lower tuition.

Foreign-country ties limit adoption and surrogacy

Beginning July 1, 2026, Florida bars certain preplanned adoption and gestational surrogacy agreements based on citizenship or residence. Preplanned adoption is barred when the volunteer mother or either intended parent is a citizen or resident of a country of concern. Gestational surrogacy contracts are barred when any party meets that test; violating contracts are void and unenforceable. The covered countries are China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Syria, and Venezuela under the Nicolás Maduro regime.

Public officers face tougher foreign-gift rules

Public officers cannot solicit or accept anything of value from people or entities acting for designated foreign terrorist organizations. The ban also covers representatives of foreign countries of concern and their subdivisions. Violators must repay twice the value of the financial benefit received, in addition to criminal or civil penalties. By November 1, 2026, the Florida Commission on Ethics must revise ethics-training rules. Added training covers foreign influence efforts, identifying and reporting suspected campaigns, and enhanced penalties for prohibited gifts.

Cuba business rules narrow but add penalties

Florida tax collectors or local authorities may revoke or refuse to renew a business tax receipt for illegal Cuba business. This applies when the receipt holder itself does business with Cuba in violation of federal law. A parent company's conduct no longer provides the basis for that action. Authorities may request a sworn affidavit or written declaration about compliance. Knowingly making a false declaration is perjury by written declaration, a third-degree felony.

Governor can temporarily ease Cuba restrictions

After a federal change in Cuba's diplomatic status, the Governor may suspend Florida laws or rules restricting Cuba interactions. The Governor must act by executive order, and suspensions end no later than the next regular legislative session's final adjournment. A suspension cannot be renewed or extended; suspending the same rule again requires express legislative approval. Policy recommendations are due to legislative leaders at least 30 days before the next regular session, or as soon as practicable. This authority expires October 2, 2028, unless reenacted.

Charity solicitation limits now cover terrorist groups

Florida expands who counts as a foreign source of concern under its charitable-solicitation rules. The definition now includes designated foreign terrorist organizations and agents acting for them. Those organizations and agents fall within the related solicitation restrictions.

Foreign-backed crimes face higher prison penalties

Beginning July 1, 2026, Florida can raise penalties for crimes benefiting foreign governments, designated foreign terrorist organizations, or their agents. Second-degree misdemeanors can become first-degree misdemeanors, and first-degree misdemeanors can become third-degree felonies. Third- and second-degree felonies can rise one degree; first-degree felonies can become life felonies. A conviction resulting in a first-degree or life felony under this rule requires at least 15 years in prison.

Public agencies lose covered foreign partnerships

Florida public entities authorized to spend state funds or levy property taxes cannot participate in covered foreign agreements or accept grants. The ban covers countries of concern, their subdivisions, and entities they control. The listed countries are China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Syria, and the Nicolás Maduro regime of Venezuela. Covered agreements, including sister-city agreements, terminate July 1, 2026. Florida's state protocol officer also cannot promote sister-city or sister-state ties with those countries or their subdivisions.

College exchange institutes face foreign limits

The law removes the Florida-China Institute from Florida's statutory list of linkage institutes. Its listed partners were the University of West Florida, University of South Florida, and Eastern Florida State College. Florida linkage institutes also cannot make agreements or take part in activities with a foreign country of concern. That ban includes organizations located in those countries.

Foreign-linked camera vendors face contract limits

Florida's public camera-contract restrictions use a new definition of controlling interest for vendors linked to foreign countries of concern. Control means having the power to direct a company's management or policies. Holding at least 25% of voting interests, directly or indirectly, creates a presumption of control. So does being entitled to at least 25% of company profits.

Foreign-controlled entities face broader property limits

Florida broadens the definition used in its foreign-linked property restrictions. A foreign country of concern now includes its agencies and other entities under its significant control. Those agencies and entities fall within the related property rules.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Jenna Persons-Mulicka
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Government Operations Subcommittee
Affiliation unavailable
Judiciary Committee
Affiliation unavailable
State Affairs Committee
Affiliation unavailable

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 197 • No: 48

House vote • 3/13/2026

House Floor Vote

Yes: 83 • No: 17

Senate vote • 3/12/2026

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 28 • No: 11

House vote • 3/3/2026