Florida Senate - 2026 COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
Bill No. CS for SB 1178
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LEGISLATIVE ACTION
Senate . House
Comm: RCS .
03/02/2026 .
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The Committee on Appropriations (Grall) recommended the
following:
1 Senate Amendment (with title amendment)
2
3 Delete everything after the enacting clause
4 and insert:
5 Section 1. This act may be cited as the “Foreign
6 Interference Restriction and Enforcement Act.”
7 Section 2. Present paragraphs (c) through (g) of subsection
8 (2) of section 11.045, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as
9 paragraphs (d) through (h), respectively, and a new paragraph
10 (c) is added to that subsection, to read:
11 11.045 Lobbying before the Legislature; registration and
12 reporting; exemptions; penalties.—
13 (2) Each house of the Legislature shall provide by rule, or
14 may provide by a joint rule adopted by both houses, for the
15 registration of lobbyists who lobby the Legislature. The rule
16 may provide for the payment of a registration fee. The rule may
17 provide for exemptions from registration or registration fees.
18 The rule shall provide that:
19 (c)1. Registration must include whether each principal
20 represented is:
21 a. A foreign country of concern; or
22 b. A domestic partnership, an association, a corporation,
23 an organization, or any other business entity that is at least
24 25 percent beneficially owned by a foreign country of concern, a
25 nonresident alien from a foreign country of concern, or an
26 entity organized under the laws of or having its principal place
27 of business in a foreign country of concern.
28 2. As used in this paragraph, the term “foreign country of
29 concern” has the same meaning as in s. 286.101.
30 Section 3. Subsection (2) of section 63.213, Florida
31 Statutes, is amended to read:
32 63.213 Preplanned adoption agreement.—
33 (2)(a) A preplanned adoption agreement is prohibited unless
34 all of the following apply:
35 1. The volunteer mother is a United States citizen or
36 lawful permanent resident.
37 2. Each intended parent is a United States citizen or
38 lawful permanent resident and at least one intended parent is
39 domiciled in Florida.
40 (b) A preplanned adoption agreement must include, but need
41 not be limited to, the following terms:
42 1.(a) That the volunteer mother agrees to become pregnant
43 by the fertility technique specified in the agreement, to bear
44 the child, and to terminate any parental rights and
45 responsibilities to the child she might have through a written
46 consent executed at the same time as the preplanned adoption
47 agreement, subject to a right of rescission by the volunteer
48 mother any time within 48 hours after the birth of the child, if
49 the volunteer mother is genetically related to the child.
50 2.(b) That the volunteer mother agrees to submit to
51 reasonable medical evaluation and treatment and to adhere to
52 reasonable medical instructions about her prenatal health.
53 3.(c) That the volunteer mother acknowledges that she is
54 aware that she will assume parental rights and responsibilities
55 for the child born to her as otherwise provided by law for a
56 mother if the intended father and intended mother terminate the
57 agreement before final transfer of custody is completed, if a
58 court determines that a parent clearly specified by the
59 preplanned adoption agreement to be the biological parent is not
60 the biological parent, or if the preplanned adoption is not
61 approved by the court pursuant to the Florida Adoption Act.
62 4.(d) That an intended father who is also the biological
63 father acknowledges that he is aware that he will assume
64 parental rights and responsibilities for the child as otherwise
65 provided by law for a father if the agreement is terminated for
66 any reason by any party before final transfer of custody is
67 completed or if the planned adoption is not approved by the
68 court pursuant to the Florida Adoption Act.
69 5.(e) That the intended father and intended mother
70 acknowledge that they may not receive custody or the parental
71 rights under the agreement if the volunteer mother terminates
72 the agreement or if the volunteer mother rescinds her consent to
73 place her child for adoption within 48 hours after the birth of
74 the child, if the volunteer mother is genetically related to the
75 child.
76 6.(f) That the intended father and intended mother may
77 agree to pay all reasonable legal, medical, psychological, or
78 psychiatric expenses of the volunteer mother related to the
79 preplanned adoption arrangement and may agree to pay the
80 reasonable living expenses and wages lost due to the pregnancy
81 and birth of the volunteer mother and reasonable compensation
82 for inconvenience, discomfort, and medical risk. No other
83 compensation, whether in cash or in kind, shall be made pursuant
84 to a preplanned adoption arrangement.
85 7.(g) That the intended father and intended mother agree to
86 accept custody of and to assert full parental rights and
87 responsibilities for the child immediately upon the child’s
88 birth, regardless of any impairment to the child.
89 8.(h) That the intended father and intended mother shall
90 have the right to specify the blood and tissue typing tests to
91 be performed if the agreement specifies that at least one of
92 them is intended to be the biological parent of the child.
93 9.(i) That the agreement may be terminated at any time by
94 any of the parties.
95 Section 4. Subsections (1) and (2) of section 112.313,
96 Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
97 112.313 Standards of conduct for public officers, employees
98 of agencies, and local government attorneys.—
99 (1) DEFINITIONS DEFINITION.—As used in this section, unless
100 the context otherwise requires, the term:
101 (a) “Designated foreign terrorist organization” has the
102 same meaning as in s. 775.32.
103 (b) “Foreign country of concern” has the same meaning as in
104 s. 286.101.
105 (c) “Public officer” includes any person elected or
106 appointed to hold office in any agency, including any person
107 serving on an advisory body.
108 (2) SOLICITATION OR ACCEPTANCE OF GIFTS.—
109 (a) A No public officer, an employee of an agency, a local
110 government attorney, or a candidate for nomination or election
111 may not shall solicit or accept anything of value to the
112 recipient, including a gift, loan, reward, promise of future
113 employment, favor, or service, based upon any understanding that
114 the vote, official action, or judgment of the public officer,
115 employee, local government attorney, or candidate would be
116 influenced thereby.
117 (b) A public officer, an employee of an agency, a local
118 government attorney, or a candidate for nomination or election
119 may not solicit or accept anything of value to the recipient,
120 including a gift, loan, reward, promise of future employment,
121 favor, or service, for any purpose, from a designated foreign
122 terrorist organization, a foreign country of concern or any of
123 its subdivisions, or any person or entity representing or acting
124 on behalf of a designated foreign terrorist organization or
125 foreign country of concern or any of its subdivisions.
126 Section 5. Paragraph (e) of subsection (2) of section
127 112.3142, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
128 112.3142 Ethics training for specified constitutional
129 officers, elected municipal officers, commissioners of community
130 redevelopment agencies, and elected local officers of
131 independent special districts.—
132 (2)
133 (e) The commission shall adopt rules establishing minimum
134 course content for the portion of an ethics training class which
135 addresses s. 8, Art. II of the State Constitution and the Code
136 of Ethics for Public Officers and Employees. By November 1,
137 2026, the commission shall adopt revised rules to supplement the
138 minimum course content, which content must include all of the
139 following:
140 1. Known efforts by foreign countries of concern to target
141 and influence subnational governments, including, but not
142 limited to, the Chinese Communist Party’s United Front strategy.
143 2. How to identify, recognize, and report suspected foreign
144 influence campaigns.
145 3. Prohibitions on receiving gifts from foreign countries
146 of concern as defined in s. 286.101 or designated foreign
147 terrorist organizations as defined in s. 775.32(1).
148 Section 6. Subsection (3) of section 112.3215, Florida
149 Statutes, is amended to read:
150 112.3215 Lobbying before the executive branch or the
151 Constitution Revision Commission; registration and reporting;
152 investigation by commission.—
153 (3) A person may not lobby an agency until such person has
154 registered as a lobbyist with the commission. Such registration
155 shall be due upon initially being retained to lobby and is
156 renewable on a calendar year basis thereafter. Upon registration
157 the person shall provide a statement signed by the principal or
158 principal’s representative that the registrant is authorized to
159 represent the principal. The principal shall also identify and
160 designate its main business on the statement authorizing that
161 lobbyist pursuant to a classification system approved by the
162 commission. The registration shall require each lobbyist to
163 disclose, under oath, the following information:
164 (a) Name and business address;
165 (b) The name and business address of each principal
166 represented;
167 (c) 1. Whether each principal represented is:
168 a. A foreign country of concern; or
169 b. A domestic partnership, an association, a corporation,
170 an organization, or any other business entity that is at least
171 25 percent beneficially owned by a foreign country of concern, a
172 nonresident alien from a foreign country of concern, or an
173 entity organized under the laws of or having its principal place
174 of business in a foreign country of concern.
175 2. As used in this paragraph, the term “foreign country of
176 concern” has the same meaning as in s. 286.101;
177 (d) His or her area of interest;
178 (e)(d) The agencies before which he or she will appear; and
179 (f)(e) The existence of any direct or indirect business
180 association, partnership, or financial relationship with any
181 employee of an agency with which he or she lobbies, or intends
182 to lobby, as disclosed in the registration.
183 Section 7. Present paragraphs (c) and (d) of subsection (2)
184 of section 112.3261, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as
185 paragraphs (d) and (e), respectively, and a new paragraph (c) is
186 added to that subsection, to read:
187 112.3261 Lobbying before water management districts;
188 registration and reporting.—
189 (2) A person may not lobby a district until such person has
190 registered as a lobbyist with that district. Such registration
191 shall be due upon initially being retained to lobby and is
192 renewable on a calendar-year basis thereafter. Upon
193 registration, the person shall provide a statement signed by the
194 principal or principal’s representative stating that the
195 registrant is authorized to represent the principal. The
196 principal shall also identify and designate its main business on
197 the statement authorizing that lobbyist pursuant to a
198 classification system approved by the district. Any changes to
199 the information required by this section must be disclosed
200 within 15 days by filing a new registration form. The
201 registration form shall require each lobbyist to disclose, under
202 oath, the following:
203 (c)1. Whether each principal represented is:
204 a. A foreign country of concern; or
205 b. A domestic partnership, an association, a corporation,
206 an organization, or any other business entity that is at least
207 25 percent beneficially owned by a foreign country of concern, a
208 nonresident alien from a foreign country of concern, or an
209 entity organized under the laws of or having its principal place
210 of business in a foreign country of concern.
211 2. As used in this paragraph, the term “foreign country of
212 concern” has the same meaning as in s. 286.101.
213 Section 8. Section 205.0532, Florida Statutes, is amended
214 to read:
215 205.0532 Revocation or refusal to renew; doing business
216 with Cuba.—
217 (1) Any appropriate tax collector or local governing
218 authority issuing a business tax receipt to any individual,
219 business, or entity under this chapter may revoke or refuse to
220 renew such receipt if the individual, business, or entity, or
221 parent company of such individual, business, or entity, is doing
222 business with Cuba in violation of federal law.
223 (2) Any appropriate tax collector or local governing
224 authority may request a sworn affidavit or declaration from any
225 individual, business, or entity attesting to whether the
226 individual, business, or entity is doing business with Cuba in
227 violation of federal law.
228 (3) A person who knowingly makes a false declaration under
229 subsection (2) is guilty of the crime of perjury by false
230 written declaration, a felony of the third degree, punishable as
231 provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
232 Section 9. Section 287.138, Florida Statutes, is amended to
233 read:
234 287.138 Contracting with entities of foreign sources
235 countries of concern prohibited.—
236 (1) As used in this section, the term:
237 (a) “Controlling interest” means possession of the power to
238 direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a
239 company, whether through ownership of securities, by contract,
240 or otherwise. A person or entity that directly or indirectly has
241 the right to vote 25 percent or more of the voting interests of
242 the company or is entitled to 25 percent or more of its profits
243 is presumed to possess a controlling interest.
244 (b) “Department” means the Department of Management
245 Services.
246 (b)(c) “Foreign source country of concern” has the same
247 meaning as in s. 496.404 means the People’s Republic of China,
248 the Russian Federation, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the
249 Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the Republic of Cuba, the
250 Venezuelan regime of Nicolás Maduro, or the Syrian Arab
251 Republic, including any agency of or any other entity of
252 significant control of such foreign country of concern.
253 (c)(d) “Governmental entity” means any state, county,
254 district, authority, or municipal officer, department, division,
255 board, bureau, commission, or other separate unit of government
256 created or established by law including, but not limited to, the
257 Commission on Ethics, the Public Service Commission, the Office
258 of Public Counsel, and any other public or private agency,
259 person, partnership, corporation, or business entity acting on
260 behalf of any public agency.
261 (d) “Information technology” has the same meaning as in s.
262 282.0041.
263 (2)(a) A governmental entity may not knowingly enter into a
264 contract with a foreign source of concern if the contract an
265 entity which would give access to an individual’s personal
266 identifying information.
267 (b) A governmental entity may not knowingly enter into a
268 contract for information technology with a foreign source of
269 concern, or through a third-party seller when the information
270 technology is designed, manufactured, or assembled by a foreign
271 source of concern, or for any services relating to information
272 technology with a foreign source of concern if:
273 (a) The entity is owned by the government of a foreign
274 country of concern;
275 (b) The government of a foreign country of concern has a
276 controlling interest in the entity; or
277 (c) The entity is organized under the laws of or has its
278 principal place of business in a foreign country of concern.
279 (3) Beginning July 1, 2026 2025, a governmental entity may
280 not extend or renew a contract with a foreign source of concern
281 an entity listed in paragraphs (2)(a)-(c) if the contract would
282 give such foreign source of concern entity access to an
283 individual’s personal identifying information or if the contract
284 involves information technology.
285 (4)(a) Beginning July 1, 2026 January 1, 2024, a
286 governmental entity may not accept a bid on, a proposal for, or
287 a reply to, or enter into, a contract with an entity which would
288 grant the entity access to an individual’s personal identifying
289 information or involve information technology unless the entity
290 provides the governmental entity with an affidavit signed by an
291 officer or representative of the entity under penalty of perjury
292 attesting that the entity is not a foreign source of concern
293 does not meet any of the criteria in paragraphs (2)(a)-(c).
294 (b) Beginning July 1, 2026 2025, when an entity extends or
295 renews a contract with a governmental entity which would grant
296 the entity access to an individual’s personal identifying
297 information or which involves information technology, the entity
298 must provide the governmental entity with an affidavit signed by
299 an officer or representative of the entity under penalty of
300 perjury attesting that the entity is not a foreign source of
301 concern does not meet any of the criteria in paragraphs (2)(a)
302 (c).
303 (5)(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section,
304 a governmental entity may enter into, extend, or renew a
305 contract involving information technology which is otherwise
306 prohibited by this section if the department makes a written
307 determination that:
308 1. There is no reasonable alternative available to address
309 a specific need.
310 2. Failure to enter into the contract would pose a greater
311 risk to public health, public safety, or economic security than
312 the risk associated with entering into the contract.
313 3. The contract includes mitigation measures deemed
314 necessary by the department to reduce any risk to this state.
315 (b) Beginning January 1, 2027, the department shall submit
316 to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of
317 the House of Representatives a written quarterly report
318 detailing each contract entered into pursuant to this
319 subsection.
320 (6)(a) This section does not apply to information
321 technology that is incapable of remote access to or control of
322 critical infrastructure.
323 (b) The department may create a nonexhaustive list of
324 information technology that violates this section.
325 (c) The department may adopt rules to implement this
326 section.
327 (7)(6) Any penalties collected under subsection (7) (5)
328 must be deposited into the General Revenue Fund.
329 (8)(7) The department shall adopt rules to implement this
330 section, including rules establishing the form for the affidavit
331 required under subsection (4).
332 Section 10. Paragraph (a) of subsection (3) of section
333 288.816, Florida Statutes, is amended, and subsection (7) is
334 added to that section, to read:
335 288.816 Intergovernmental relations.—
336 (3) The state protocol officer may:
337 (a) Coordinate and carry out activities designed to
338 encourage the state and its subdivisions to participate in
339 sister city and sister state affiliations with foreign countries
340 and their subdivisions. Such activities may include a State of
341 Florida sister cities conference. Such activities may not
342 include encouragement of any affiliation with foreign countries
343 of concern as defined in s. 288.860 or their subdivisions.
344 (7) The department shall publish on its website, to be
345 updated quarterly, the following information:
346 (a) A current and accurate list of all foreign consulate
347 offices.
348 (b) A current and accurate list of all sister city and
349 sister state affiliations, including a copy of all such
350 agreements.
351 Section 11. Subsections (3), (4), and (5) of section
352 288.8175, Florida Statutes, are amended, and a new subsection
353 (7) is added to that section, to read:
354 288.8175 Linkage institutes between postsecondary
355 institutions in this state and foreign countries.—
356 (3) Each institute must be co-administered in this state by
357 a university-community college partnership, as designated in
358 subsection (5), and must have a private sector and public sector
359 advisory committee. The advisory committee must be
360 representative of the international education and commercial
361 interests of the state and may have members who are native to
362 the foreign country partner. Six members must be appointed by
363 the Department of Education. The Department of Education must
364 appoint at least one member who is an international educator.
365 The presidents, or their designees, of the participating
366 university and community college must also serve on the advisory
367 committee.
368 (4) The institutes are:
369 (a) Florida-Brazil Institute (University of Florida and
370 Miami Dade College).
371 (b) Florida-Costa Rica Institute (Florida State University
372 and Valencia College).
373 (c) Florida Caribbean Institute (Florida International
374 University and Daytona State College).
375 (d) Florida-Canada Institute (University of Central Florida
376 and Palm Beach State College).
377 (e) Florida-China Institute (University of West Florida,
378 University of South Florida, and Eastern Florida State College).
379 (f) Florida-Japan Institute (University of South Florida,
380 University of West Florida, and St. Petersburg College).
381 (f)(g) Florida-France Institute (New College of the
382 University of South Florida, Miami Dade College, and Florida
383 State University).
384 (g)(h) Florida-Israel Institute (Florida Atlantic
385 University and Broward College).
386 (h)(i) Florida-West Africa Institute (Florida Agricultural
387 and Mechanical University, University of North Florida, and
388 Florida State College at Jacksonville).
389 (i)(j) Florida-Eastern Europe Institute (University of
390 Central Florida and Lake-Sumter State College).
391 (j)(k) Florida-Mexico Institute (Florida International
392 University and Polk State College).
393 (5) Each institute is allowed to exempt from s. 1009.21 up
394 to 25 full-time equivalent students per year from the respective
395 host countries to study in any of the state universities or
396 community colleges in this state as resident students for
397 tuition purposes. The institute directors shall develop
398 criteria, to be approved by the Department of Education, for the
399 selection of these students. Students must return home within 3
400 years after their tenure of graduate or undergraduate study for
401 a length of time equal to their exemption period.
402 (7) A linkage institute may not enter into any agreement or
403 participate in any activities with a foreign country of concern
404 as defined in s. 288.860 or any organization in a foreign
405 country of concern.
406 Section 12. Present subsection (4) of section 288.854,
407 Florida Statutes, is redesignated as subsection (5), and a new
408 subsection (4) is added to that section, to read:
409 288.854 Support for a free and independent Cuba.—
410 (4)(a) If the Federal Government changes the diplomatic
411 status of Cuba, the Governor may, by executive order, suspend
412 the provisions of any statute or rule restricting interactions
413 with Cuba for a period not to exceed adjournment sine die of the
414 regular session of the Legislature after such suspension. A
415 suspension expires upon adjournment sine die of such regular
416 session of the Legislature. A suspension may not be renewed or
417 extended.
418 (b) If the Governor suspends a statute or rule under
419 paragraph (a), he or she may not subsequently suspend the same
420 statute or rule relating to Cuba unless expressly authorized by
421 the Legislature.
422 (c) At least 30 days before the next regular session of the
423 Legislature following a change in Cuba’s diplomatic status by
424 the Federal Government, the Governor shall submit to the
425 President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of
426 Representatives written recommendations for policy changes, if
427 any, that should be considered by the Legislature concerning
428 Cuba. However, if the change in Cuba’s diplomatic status occurs
429 within 30 days before the convening of the next regular session
430 of the Legislature or during the regular session of the
431 Legislature, the Governor shall submit such recommendations as
432 soon as practicable.
433 (d) This subsection is repealed October 2, 2028, unless
434 saved from repeal through reenactment by the Legislature.
435 Section 13. Subsection (2) of section 288.860, Florida
436 Statutes, is amended to read:
437 288.860 International cultural agreements.—
438 (2)(a) A state agency, political subdivision, or public
439 school authorized to expend state-appropriated funds or levy ad
440 valorem taxes may not participate in any agreement with or
441 accept any grant from a foreign country of concern or its
442 subdivisions, or any entity controlled by a foreign country of
443 concern.
444 (b) All agreements under paragraph (a), including, but not
445 limited to, sister city agreements, are terminated as of July 1,
446 2026, which:
447 (a) Constrains the freedom of contract of such public
448 entity;
449 (b) Allows the curriculum or values of a program in the
450 state to be directed or controlled by the foreign country of
451 concern; or
452 (c) Promotes an agenda detrimental to the safety or
453 security of the United States or its residents. Before the
454 execution of any cultural exchange agreement with a foreign
455 country of concern, the substance of the agreement must be
456 shared with federal agencies concerned with protecting national
457 security or enforcing trade sanctions, embargoes, or other
458 restrictions under federal law. If such federal agency provides
459 information suggesting that such agreement promotes an agenda
460 detrimental to the safety or security of the United States or
461 its residents, the public entity may not enter into the
462 agreement.
463 Section 14. Subsection (1) of section 316.0078, Florida
464 Statutes, is amended to read:
465 316.0078 Prohibition on contracting for camera systems of
466 vendors of foreign countries of concern.—
467 (1) As used in this section, the term: terms
468 (a) “Controlling interest” means possession of the power to
469 direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a
470 company, whether through ownership of securities, by contract,
471 or otherwise. A person or an entity that directly or indirectly
472 has 25 percent or more of the voting interests of a company or
473 is entitled to 25 percent or more of its profits is presumed to
474 possess a controlling interest. and
475 (b) “Foreign country of concern” means the People’s
476 Republic of China, the Russian Federation, the Islamic Republic
477 of Iran, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the Republic
478 of Cuba, the Venezuelan regime of Nicolás Maduro, or the Syrian
479 Arab Republic, including any agency of or any other entity of
480 significant control of such foreign country of concern have the
481 same meanings as in s. 287.138(1).
482 Section 15. Subsection (14) of section 496.404, Florida
483 Statutes, is amended to read:
484 496.404 Definitions.—As used in ss. 496.401-496.424, the
485 term:
486 (14) “Foreign source of concern” means any of the
487 following:
488 (a) The government or any official of the government of a
489 foreign country of concern;
490 (b) A political party or member of a political party or any
491 subdivision of a political party in a foreign country of
492 concern;
493 (c) A partnership, an association, a corporation, an
494 organization, or other combination of persons organized under
495 the laws of or having its principal place of business in a
496 foreign country of concern, or a subsidiary of such entity;
497 (d) Any person who is domiciled in a foreign country of
498 concern and is not a citizen or lawful permanent citizen of the
499 United States;
500 (e) An agent, including a subsidiary or an affiliate of a
501 foreign legal entity, acting on behalf of a foreign source of
502 concern; or
503 (f) An entity in which a person, entity, or collection of
504 persons or entities described in paragraphs (a)-(e) has a
505 controlling interest. As used in this paragraph, the term
506 “controlling interest” means the possession of the power to
507 direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of
508 an entity, whether through ownership of securities, by contract,
509 or otherwise. A person or an entity that directly or indirectly
510 has the right to vote 25 percent or more of the voting interest
511 of the company or is entitled to 25 percent or more of its
512 profits is presumed to possess a controlling interest; or
513 (g) A designated foreign terrorist organization as defined
514 in s. 775.32 or an agent acting on behalf of a designated
515 foreign terrorist organization.
516 Section 16. Subsection (3) of section 692.201, Florida
517 Statutes, is amended to read:
518 692.201 Definitions.—As used in this part, the term:
519 (3) “Foreign country of concern” means the People’s
520 Republic of China, the Russian Federation, the Islamic Republic
521 of Iran, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the Republic
522 of Cuba, the Venezuelan regime of Nicolás Maduro, or the Syrian
523 Arab Republic, including any agency of or any other entity under
524 of significant control of such foreign country of concern.
525 Section 17. Section 692.21, Florida Statutes, is created to
526 read:
527 692.21 Protection of state critical infrastructure
528 facilities from foreign sources of concern.—
529 (1) As used in this section, the term:
530 (a) “Business entity” has the same meaning as in s.
531 112.312.
532 (b) “Foreign source of concern” has the same meaning as in
533 s. 496.404.
534 (c) “Governmental entity” has the same meaning as in s.
535 287.138.
536 (d) “Information technology” has the same meaning as in s.
537 282.0041.
538 (2)(a) A governmental entity or a business entity
539 constructing, repairing, operating, or otherwise having
540 significant access to a critical infrastructure facility may not
541 enter into a contract or other agreement relating to a critical
542 infrastructure facility in this state with a foreign source of
543 concern if the contract or agreement authorizes the foreign
544 source of concern to directly or remotely access or otherwise
545 control such critical infrastructure facility.
546 (b) A foreign source of concern may not enter into a
547 contract or other agreement relating to critical infrastructure
548 facilities in this state with a business entity constructing,
549 repairing, operating, or otherwise having significant access to
550 critical infrastructure facilities, or a governmental entity, if
551 the contract or agreement authorizes the foreign source of
552 concern to directly or remotely access or otherwise control such
553 critical infrastructure facility.
554 (3)(a) Beginning January 1, 2027, a business entity
555 constructing, repairing, operating, or otherwise having
556 significant access to a critical infrastructure facility in this
557 state which entered into a contract or other agreement before
558 July 1, 2026, with a foreign source of concern relating to such
559 critical infrastructure facility must register with the
560 Department of Commerce by January 1 of each year for the
561 remainder of the term of the contract or agreement with the
562 foreign source of concern relating to such critical
563 infrastructure facility. The Department of Commerce shall adopt
564 a registration form that includes all of the following:
565 1. The name of the business entity constructing, repairing,
566 operating, or otherwise having significant access to critical
567 infrastructure facilities in this state.
568 2. The address of the critical infrastructure facility the
569 business entity is constructing, repairing, or operating or to
570 which the business entity otherwise has significant access.
571 3. A description of the specific terms of the contract or
572 agreement which authorize a foreign source of concern to engage
573 in constructing, repairing, or operating or to otherwise have
574 significant access to such critical infrastructure facility.
575 (b) A business entity that violates paragraph (a):
576 1. Is subject to a civil penalty of $1,000 for each day the
577 violation continues.
578 2. Commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable
579 as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
580 (4) Before commencing any sale or other transfer of control
581 of a critical infrastructure facility in this state, the
582 business entity selling or otherwise transferring control of
583 such critical infrastructure facility must provide an affidavit,
584 signed under penalty of perjury, to the Department of Commerce
585 attesting that the buyer or transferee is not a foreign source
586 of concern.
587 (5)(a) Information technology produced or manufactured by a
588 foreign source of concern may not be used in a critical
589 infrastructure facility located in this state.
590 (b)1. Notwithstanding paragraph (a), a governmental entity
591 or business entity may enter into a contract or other agreement
592 with a foreign source of concern to use information technology
593 that is otherwise prohibited in paragraph (a) in a critical
594 infrastructure facility if the Department of Commerce, in
595 consultation with the Department of Management Services, makes a
596 written determination that:
597 a. There is no reasonable alternative available to address
598 a specific need relating to a critical infrastructure facility
599 in this state.
600 b. Failure to enter into the contract or agreement would
601 pose a greater risk to public health, public safety, or economic
602 security than the risk associated with entering into the
603 contract or agreement.
604 c. The contract or agreement includes mitigation measures
605 deemed necessary by the Department of Commerce, in consultation
606 with the Department of Management Services, to reduce any risk
607 to this state.
608 2. Beginning January 1, 2027, the Department of Commerce
609 shall submit to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and
610 the Speaker of the House of Representatives a written quarterly
611 report detailing each contract or agreement entered into
612 pursuant to this paragraph.
613 (c) This subsection does not apply to information
614 technology that is incapable of remote access to or control of
615 critical infrastructure.
616 (6) The Department of Commerce shall adopt rules to
617 implement this section.
618 Section 18. Subsection (1) of section 742.15, Florida
619 Statutes, is amended to read:
620 742.15 Gestational surrogacy contract.—
621 (1) Prior to engaging in gestational surrogacy, a binding
622 and enforceable gestational surrogacy contract shall be made
623 between the commissioning couple and the gestational surrogate.
624 A contract for gestational surrogacy is prohibited shall not be
625 binding and enforceable unless all of the following apply:
626 (a) The gestational surrogate is 18 years of age or older
627 and is a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident.
628 (b) The commissioning couple are legally married, and are
629 both 18 years of age or older, are domiciled in Florida, and are
630 United States citizens or lawful permanent residents.
631 Section 19. Section 775.08255, Florida Statutes, is created
632 to read:
633 775.08255 Offenses by foreign agents; reclassification.—
634 (1) As used in this section, the term:
635 (a) “Agent of a foreign government or designated foreign
636 terrorist organization” means a person acting on behalf of or
637 otherwise employed or controlled by a foreign government or a
638 designated foreign terrorist organization.
639 (b) “Designated foreign terrorist organization” has the
640 same meaning as in s. 775.32.
641 (c) “Foreign government” has the same meaning as in s.
642 286.101.
643 (2) The penalty for any misdemeanor or felony may be
644 reclassified if the commission of such misdemeanor or felony was
645 for the purpose of benefiting, promoting, or furthering the
646 interests of a foreign government, a designated foreign
647 terrorist organization, or an agent of a foreign government or
648 designated foreign terrorist organization. The reclassification
649 is as follows:
650 (a) A misdemeanor of the second degree is reclassified to a
651 misdemeanor of the first degree.
652 (b) A misdemeanor of the first degree is reclassified to a
653 felony of the third degree.
654 (c) A felony of the third degree is reclassified to a
655 felony of the second degree.
656 (d) A felony of the second degree is reclassified to a
657 felony of the first degree.
658 (e) A felony of the first degree is reclassified to a life
659 felony.
660 (3) In addition to any other penalties prescribed by law, a
661 person convicted of a felony of the first degree or a life
662 felony under this section shall be sentenced to a minimum term
663 of imprisonment of 15 years.
664 Section 20. Section 775.36, Florida Statutes, is created to
665 read:
666 775.36 Unauthorized enforcement of foreign law.—
667 (1) As used in this section, the term:
668 (a) “Agent of a foreign government or designated foreign
669 terrorist organization” means a person acting on behalf of or
670 otherwise employed or controlled by a foreign government or a
671 designated foreign terrorist organization.
672 (b) “Designated foreign terrorist organization” has the
673 same meaning as in s. 775.32.
674 (c) “Foreign government” has the same meaning as in s.
675 286.101.
676 (2) Without the approval of the state or the United States,
677 a person may not:
678 (a) Prevent another person in this state from violating the
679 laws of a foreign government which are not also the laws of this
680 state or the United States; or
681 (b) Investigate, monitor, or surveil another person in this
682 state for the purpose of preventing the other person from
683 violating the laws of a foreign government which are not also
684 the laws of this state or the United States.
685 (3) A person who violates this section commits a felony of
686 the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s.
687 775.083, or s. 775.084. However, a person who violates this
688 section for the purpose of benefiting, promoting, or furthering
689 the interests of a foreign government, a designated foreign
690 terrorist organization, or an agent of a foreign government or
691 designated foreign terrorist organization commits a felony of
692 the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s.
693 775.083, or s. 775.084.
694 Section 21. Paragraph (a) of subsection (7) of section
695 282.802, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
696 282.802 Government Technology Modernization Council.—
697 (7)(a) The council shall meet at least quarterly to:
698 1. Recommend legislative and administrative actions that
699 the Legislature and state agencies as defined in s. 282.318(2)
700 may take to promote the development of data modernization in
701 this state.
702 2. Assess and provide guidance on necessary legislative
703 reforms and the creation of a state code of ethics for
704 artificial intelligence systems in state government.
705 3. Assess the effect of automated decision systems or
706 identity management on constitutional and other legal rights,
707 duties, and privileges of residents of this state.
708 4. Evaluate common standards for artificial intelligence
709 safety and security measures, including the benefits of
710 requiring disclosure of the digital provenance for all images
711 and audio created using generative artificial intelligence as a
712 means of revealing the origin and edit of the image or audio, as
713 well as the best methods for such disclosure.
714 5. Assess the manner in which governmental entities and the
715 private sector are using artificial intelligence with a focus on
716 opportunity areas for deployments in systems across this state.
717 6. Determine the manner in which artificial intelligence is
718 being exploited by bad actors, including foreign countries of
719 concern as defined in s. 286.101 s. 287.138(1).
720 7. Evaluate the need for curriculum to prepare school-age
721 audiences with the digital media and visual literacy skills
722 needed to navigate the digital information landscape.
723 Section 22. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.
724
725 ================= T I T L E A M E N D M E N T ================
726 And the title is amended as follows:
727 Delete everything before the enacting clause
728 and insert:
729 A bill to be entitled
730 An act relating to foreign influence; providing a
731 short title; amending s. 11.045, F.S.; requiring
732 lobbyists to disclose on registration forms whether
733 each principal represented is a foreign country of
734 concern or an entity organized under or having its
735 principal place of business in a foreign country of
736 concern; defining the term “foreign country of
737 concern”; amending s. 63.213, F.S.; prohibiting
738 preplanned adoption agreements unless certain
739 conditions are met; amending s. 112.313, F.S.;
740 defining the terms “designated foreign terrorist
741 organization” and “foreign country of concern”;
742 prohibiting specified persons from soliciting or
743 accepting anything of value from a designated foreign
744 terrorist organization, a foreign country of concern,
745 or persons or entities representing such organizations
746 or countries; amending s. 112.3142, F.S.; requiring
747 the Commission on Ethics to adopt certain rules by a
748 specified date; amending ss. 112.3215 and 112.3261,
749 F.S.; requiring lobbyists to disclose on registration
750 forms whether each principal represented is a foreign
751 country of concern or an entity organized under or
752 having its principal place of business in a foreign
753 country of concern; defining the term “foreign country
754 of concern”; amending s. 205.0532, F.S.; authorizing
755 any appropriate tax collector to revoke or refuse to
756 renew business tax receipts of specified individuals,
757 businesses, or entities; authorizing such tax
758 collector or a local governing authority to request a
759 specified sworn affidavit or declaration from such
760 individual, business, or entity; providing criminal
761 penalties; amending s. 287.138, F.S.; revising
762 definitions and defining terms; prohibiting a
763 governmental entity from knowingly entering into
764 certain contracts with foreign sources of concern;
765 prohibiting governmental entities from extending and
766 renewing certain contracts beginning on a specified
767 date; prohibiting governmental entities from accepting
768 a bid on, a proposal for, or a reply to, or entering
769 into, contracts involving information technology or
770 providing access to an individual’s personal
771 identifying information unless a certain affidavit
772 signed by an officer or a representative is provided
773 to the governmental entity beginning on a specified
774 date; authorizing a governmental entity to enter into,
775 extend, or renew certain contracts if the Department
776 of Management Services makes specified written
777 determinations; requiring the department to submit to
778 the Governor and Legislature specified written reports
779 beginning on a specified date; providing
780 applicability; authorizing the department to create a
781 specified list and to adopt rules; amending s.
782 288.816, F.S.; prohibiting certain activities
783 encouraging affiliations with foreign countries of
784 concern; requiring the Department of Commerce to
785 publish and update certain information on its website;
786 amending s. 288.8175, F.S.; removing the Florida-China
787 Institute from the list of linkage institutes;
788 removing an exemption for linkage institutes;
789 prohibiting a linkage institute from entering into an
790 agreement or participating in an activity with a
791 foreign country of concern; amending s. 288.854, F.S.;
792 authorizing the Governor to suspend certain laws or
793 rules relating to Cuba for a specified period under
794 certain circumstances; prohibiting such suspension
795 from being renewed or extended; prohibiting the
796 Governor from suspending the same laws or rules
797 without express authorization from the Legislature;
798 requiring the Governor to submit to the Legislature
799 certain written recommendations within a specified
800 timeframe; providing for future legislative repeal of
801 certain provisions; amending s. 288.860, F.S.;
802 requiring certain agreements to be terminated by a
803 specified date; amending 316.0078, F.S.; revising the
804 definitions of the terms “controlling interest” and
805 “foreign country of concern”; amending s. 496.404,
806 F.S.; revising the definition of the term “foreign
807 source of concern”; amending s. 692.201, F.S.;
808 revising the definition of the term “foreign country
809 of concern”; creating s. 692.21, F.S.; defining terms;
810 prohibiting certain entities with access to critical
811 infrastructure facilities from entering into certain
812 contracts or agreements with foreign sources of
813 concern; requiring, beginning on a specified date,
814 certain entities to register with the Department of
815 Commerce by a specified date for a specified
816 timeframe; requiring the department to adopt
817 registration forms; providing requirements for such
818 forms; providing civil and criminal penalties;
819 requiring certain entities to provide a signed
820 affidavit to the department attesting that the buyer
821 or transferee of a critical infrastructure facility is
822 not a foreign source of concern; prohibiting
823 information technology from a foreign source of
824 concern from being used in critical infrastructure
825 facilities; authorizing a governmental entity or
826 business entity to enter into certain contracts or
827 agreements if the department, in consultation with the
828 Department of Management Services, makes specified
829 written determinations; requiring the Department of
830 Commerce to submit to the Governor and Legislature
831 specified written reports beginning on a specified
832 date; providing applicability; requiring the
833 department to adopt rules; amending s. 742.15, F.S.;
834 prohibiting contracts for gestational surrogacy unless
835 certain conditions are met; creating s. 775.08255,
836 F.S.; defining terms; providing for the
837 reclassification of criminal penalties under certain
838 circumstances; providing a minimum mandatory term of
839 imprisonment; creating s. 775.36, F.S.; defining
840 terms; prohibiting enforcement of certain laws of a
841 foreign government; providing criminal penalties;
842 amending s. 282.802, F.S.; conforming a cross
843 reference; providing an effective date.