Florida lawmakers are pushing a proposal that would let the state officially brand organizations, both domestic and foreign, as terrorist groups, a move that free speech advocates say could put campus activism and political dissent on ice. The measure cleared another House committee this week, with supporters insisting it targets criminal conduct, not protected speech.
House Bill 1471, filed by Rep. Hillary Cassel and titled "Systems of Law and Terrorist Organizations," would hand the state’s chief of domestic security, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement director, authority to formally designate groups as domestic or foreign terrorist entities. The bill summary lists changes that range from new criminal support provisions to restrictions on state funding and certain school programs. If it becomes law, the measure would take effect on July 1, 2026, according to the Florida Senate.
How the designation would work
Under HB 1471, the FDLE director would have to submit written findings to the Governor and Cabinet at least seven days before designating a group. The Governor and Cabinet would then decide whether to approve the label. Once designated, organizations could be blocked from receiving state funds, and members could face enhanced criminal penalties tied to the group’s status. At public colleges, students who "promote" a listed organization could be expelled and charged out of state tuition rates. The specific criteria for designation and the immediate fallout for campuses and visa holding students are laid out by ClickOrlando.
Free speech and civil liberties advocates told legislators that the language is so broad it could be used to punish dissent and deter lawful protest. "It's an attack on our First Amendment rights," Amanda Langworthy with Voices of Florida said, and the group’s executive director warned the proposal would "disproportionally silence BIPOC people." The bill advanced out of a House committee on a 16-4 vote and now heads to one final stop before a possible floor vote, according to Florida Phoenix.
The push comes in the wake of Gov. Ron DeSantis unilaterally designating CAIR-Florida as a "terrorist organization" by executive order last December, a move the group is challenging in court. CAIR and other organizations affected by or worried about that action have been a constant presence at the Capitol, warning that HB 1471 would significantly expand the state’s power to blacklist community groups, according to Local10.
Legal questions and court tests
Constitutional lawyers say the bill raises immediate First Amendment and due process concerns, especially around how the state would define and prove "promotion" of an organization in real world cases. The measure allows any designated group to seek judicial review of the label, but how courts might weigh public safety arguments against protections for speech and association is far from settled, according to the summary on the Florida Senate site.
What’s next
After clearing a second House committee by a bipartisan margin, HB 1471 now heads to its final House committee before lawmakers decide whether to send it to the floor. A Senate companion bill, SB 1632, is moving on a parallel track through that chamber’s panels. Legislative trackers show the House bill remains in committee and could reach the full chamber if it passes that last stop, according to LegiScan.
Tampa reaction
In the Tampa media market, local coverage has zeroed in on what the measure could mean on the ground for students and advocacy groups. FOX 13’s reporting followed the bill’s progress and highlighted warnings from local civil rights voices that the language could be used to sideline student activists and grassroots organizations, according to FOX 13 Tampa Bay.
