Governor Ron DeSantis Signs HB 1471 to Combat Terrorist Groups and Ban Sharia Law
On Monday, April 6, 2026, Governor Ron DeSantis signed HB 1471 into law during a news conference at the University of South Florida in Tampa. The legislation significantly expands the state’s authority to designate domestic and foreign terrorist organizations, prohibits the application of certain foreign and religious laws within Florida and introduces strict penalties for those providing material support to designated groups.
Governor DeSantis framed the law as a necessary step to uphold the rule of law and protect Florida’s institutions from infiltration. “To uphold the rule of law, our state must operate under one legal system, the Constitution must remain the law of the land, and we must defend our institutions from those who would harm us,” DeSantis stated, specifically targeting organizations he claims seek to subvert the education system.
Combatting Foreign and Religious Laws
A central pillar of HB 1471 is the strengthening of protections against the application of foreign or religious laws—specifically mentioning Sharia law—when such laws violate constitutional rights. The legislation ensures that Florida courts cannot enforce foreign judgments, contracts, or legal provisions that attempt to bypass these constitutional protections.
This move is part of a broader effort by the state to limit foreign influence. It follows a December executive order that directed state agencies to prevent unlawful activity by terrorist organizations by denying them contracts, funding, and other benefits.
The Process for Terrorist Designations
HB 1471 establishes a recent framework for identifying terrorist entities within the state. The process is structured as follows:
- Recommendation: The Chief of Domestic Security at the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) is authorized to recommend the designation of a group as a domestic or foreign terrorist organization.
- Approval: The designation must be approved or rejected by the Governor and three other members of the Florida Cabinet: the state attorney general, the chief financial officer, and the agriculture commissioner.
- Federal Alignment: The law ensures that foreign terrorist organizations already recognized at the federal level can be enforced at the state level.
Penalties and Consequences of Designation
Once a group is officially designated as a terrorist organization under this law, the state can take several severe actions:
- Dissolution: The state has the power to dissolve the organization and strip it of its nonprofit status.
- Funding Bans: Designated groups are prohibited from receiving any state funding through state agencies or school districts.
- Criminal Charges: It is now a felony for any individual to provide “material support” to a state-designated terrorist organization.
Impact on Public Universities and Students
The legislation places significant new requirements on Florida’s higher education system. Public universities and schools are prohibited from funding educational programs that the state claims promote terrorism.
the law mandates the expulsion of students who show support for a state-designated terrorist group’s “extralegal violence” in a disruptive or disorderly manner. In cases where expelled students are attending the university on visas, the institution is required to report their status to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Controversy and Criticism
The law has faced immediate backlash from free speech advocates and critics who describe the measure as “draconian.” Opponents argue that the vaguely written law could be used to silence protected speech and target political dissidents, specifically college liberals.
Governor DeSantis specifically identified the Sunni Muslim Brotherhood and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as groups likely to be targeted. While DeSantis had previously designated these groups as foreign terrorist organizations via an executive order in December, a federal judge temporarily blocked the enforcement of that order last month.
Key Takeaways: HB 1471
- Legal Primacy: Prohibits Florida courts from applying foreign or religious laws (including Sharia law) that violate the Constitution.
- New Designations: Grants the FDLE and the Florida Cabinet the power to label groups as domestic or foreign terrorist organizations.
- Severe Penalties: Includes the dissolution of nonprofits, loss of state funding, and felony charges for providing material support.
- Academic Sanctions: Requires the expulsion of students supporting “extralegal violence” and mandatory reporting of visa holders to ICE.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is responsible for recommending a terrorist designation?
The Chief of Domestic Security for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) makes the recommendation.
Which officials must approve the designation?
The Governor and the Florida Cabinet, which consists of the state attorney general, the chief financial officer, and the agriculture commissioner.
What happens to students expelled under this law?
Students who are expelled for supporting a designated group’s extralegal violence must be reported to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) if they are attending on a visa.