DeSantis signs law expanding Florida terrorist designation powers
PUBLISHED Apr 6, 2026, 6:17 PM ET
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Tallahassee — Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Monday signed HB 1471, granting state officials authority to designate organizations as domestic or foreign terrorist groups, dissolve nonprofits, freeze state funding, and require expulsions of students who promote designated organizations. The legislation immediately empowers the FDLE director, governor and cabinet to act, bars public funding and some campus programs, and follows an earlier, blocked executive order against CAIR; rights groups called the measure unconstitutional and legal challenges are expected this week.
By James Porter | JQJO News
Timeline of Events
- Late 2025: Governor DeSantis issued an executive order labeling CAIR as a foreign terrorist organization.
- CAIR sued the executive order and a judge blocked that designation.
- Early 2026 legislative session: Florida considered and passed House Bill 1471.
- Monday, 6th–7th April 2026: DeSantis signed HB 1471 in Tampa.
- Immediately after signing: statute enables designations, dissolutions, funding freezes, expulsions, and anticipates legal challenges.
News Intelligence
- This law could affect your rights and safety. If you're involved with a nonprofit or a student group, pay attention. You could face funding freezes or expulsion if your organization is designated as a terrorist group. Check your affiliations and stay informed.
- Articles Published:
- 7
- Right Leaning:
- 1
- Left Leaning:
- 1
- Neutral:
- 5
- Distribution:
- Left 14%, Center 71%, Right 14%
State officials and allied organizations gained statutory authority to designate groups as terrorist entities, dissolve nonprofits, freeze state funding, and influence education and contracting decisions in Florida.
Muslim communities, civil liberties organizations, students, and groups tied to targeted causes face risk of designation, dissolution, funding loss, expulsions, and heightened scrutiny under the new law.
Coverage of Story:
From Center
DeSantis signs law expanding Florida terrorist designation powers
ArcaMax The Times of Israel WKMG The Daily Wire AllTocFrom Right
DeSantis signs law giving Florida power to label groups as terrorists
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