CS/CS/SB 1678 — Entities that Boycott Israel
by Appropriations Committee; Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee; and Senators Leek, Martin, Ingoglia, and Rodriguez
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee (GO)
The bill expands prohibitions on public entities’ engagements with companies that boycott Israel. Specifically, it:
- Expands the definition of a “boycott of Israel” to include an academic boycott of Israel in which an educational institution (or any of its departments, centers, or other organs) enacts or implements restrictive policies or participates in activities that restrict an ongoing or a potential academic relationship on the basis of ties to Israel or its academic, educational, or research institutions.
- Requires that the State Board of Administration (SBA), on behalf of the Florida Retirement System Pension Plan, divest from companies and other entities (including educational institutions and foreign governments) that engage in a boycott of Israel.
- Requires the SBA to determine the companies and other entities that boycott Israel in which it has an ownership interest and which should be placed on the Scrutinized Companies or Other Entities that Boycott Israel List (List).
- Requires that the endowment and retirement funds of universities of the State University System divest from companies and other entities that engage in a boycott of Israel.
- Requires an applicant for the Department of State’s arts and culture grants to certify that it will comply with all relevant anti-discrimination laws and will not engage in antisemitic discrimination or speech in conjunction with its grant project and provides penalties for such a violation.
- Requires the Department of Management Services to work with the SBA to determine those companies or entities on the List that currently contract with the state pursuant to ch. 287, F.S., or that have a state arts and cultural grant agreement.
- Allows a company or entity that is on the List to contract with state agencies and local governments for up to $100,000 per contract. Previously, such companies were totally barred.
If approved by the Governor, or allowed to become law without the Governor’s signature, these provisions take effect July 1, 2025.
Vote: Senate 34-2; House 111-3