Florida Terror Designations moved forward after Gov. Ron DeSantis announced plans to use a new state law to identify dozens of organizations as terrorist groups. The proposal now awaits approval from the Florida Cabinet before any designation becomes official under state law.
House Bill 1471 took effect on Wednesday after the governor signed it earlier this year. The legislation created a state process for reviewing and designating domestic and foreign terrorist organizations operating in Florida.
DeSantis said the new law gives Florida permanent authority to identify, designate, and combat organizations that state officials believe promote or support terrorism. He also said the measure strengthens earlier actions while protecting constitutional rights.
State officials announced plans to designate more than 90 organizations under the new law. The proposed list includes the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the Muslim Brotherhood, Antifa, and several foreign organizations and criminal cartels.
The chief of domestic security within the Florida Department of Law Enforcement first reviews proposed organizations. The governor and the Florida Cabinet must then approve or reject each designation by majority vote. Approved designations are later published in the Florida Administrative Register.
State officials identified several foreign organizations for designation. They include the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Cartel de Sinaloa, Tren de Aragua, Cartel del Noreste, and Cartel del Golfo. The proposal applies only under Florida law and remains separate from federal designations.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Mark Glass said identifying potential threats strengthens public safety. He added that cooperation among state officers, federal partners, and local communities remains essential to that effort.
The legislation directs state agencies to deny taxpayer funding, public support, and certain public benefits to designated organizations. It also creates criminal penalties for knowingly providing, attempting to provide, or conspiring to provide material support to a designated domestic terrorist organization.
The law also states that foreign or religious legal codes cannot override the United States Constitution or the Florida Constitution in state courts.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations rejected the proposed designation. The organization said it does not engage in terrorist activity and has never faced terrorism-related criminal charges or convictions. It also pledged to continue challenging the state’s actions in court.
In a public statement, the organization said it works to protect constitutional rights, including free speech, religious freedom, and equal protection under the law. It described the proposed designation as unfounded and vowed to continue its legal challenge.
Civil liberties organizations also criticized the proposal. They argued that the planned designations threaten First Amendment protections for speech and association. Attorneys representing the groups asked the courts to block the state’s actions.
State officials rejected those criticisms. They maintained that the legislation focuses on preventing taxpayer support for organizations they believe promote or support terrorism.
Florida Terror Designations will not take effect unless the Florida Cabinet approves the recommendations under House Bill 1471. If approved, the designations will remain separate from federal foreign terrorist organization designations issued by the U.S. State Department.
