Florida Senate - 2026                                    SB 1178
       
       
        
       By Senator Grall
       
       
       
       
       
       29-01496B-26                                          20261178__
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to foreign influence; providing a
    3         short title; creating s. 106.031, F.S.; defining
    4         terms; requiring agents of foreign countries of
    5         concern and foreign-supported political organizations
    6         to register with the Division of Elections; providing
    7         registration requirements; requiring periodic updates
    8         by such agents and organizations; requiring foreign
    9         supported political organizations to register with the
   10         division on a specified form created by the division
   11         within a specified timeframe; providing requirements
   12         for such forms; providing penalties; amending s.
   13         112.313, F.S.; defining the terms “designated foreign
   14         terrorist organization” and “foreign country of
   15         concern”; prohibiting specified persons from
   16         soliciting or accepting anything of value from a
   17         designated foreign terrorist organization or a foreign
   18         country of concern; amending s. 112.3142, F.S.;
   19         requiring the Commission on Ethics to adopt certain
   20         rules by a specified date; amending s. 287.138, F.S.;
   21         defining the term “foreign source of concern”;
   22         prohibiting a governmental entity from entering into
   23         certain contracts with certain entities owned or
   24         partially owned by foreign sources of concern or
   25         affiliated with a foreign country of concern; amending
   26         s. 288.816, F.S.; prohibiting certain activities
   27         encouraging affiliations with foreign countries of
   28         concern; requiring the Department of Commerce to
   29         publish and update certain information on its website;
   30         amending s. 288.8175, F.S.; deleting the Florida-China
   31         Institute from the list of linkage institutes;
   32         deleting an exemption for linkage institutes;
   33         prohibiting a linkage institute from entering into an
   34         agreement or participating in an activity with a
   35         foreign country of concern; amending s. 288.860, F.S.;
   36         requiring that certain agreements be terminated by a
   37         specified date; amending s. 496.404, F.S.; revising
   38         the definition of the term “foreign source of
   39         concern”; creating s. 692.21, F.S.; prohibiting
   40         governmental entities and certain entities with access
   41         to critical infrastructure facilities from entering
   42         into certain contracts with foreign sources of
   43         concern; requiring certain entities to register with
   44         the Department of Commerce by a specified date;
   45         requiring the department to adopt registration forms;
   46         providing requirements for such forms; providing civil
   47         and criminal penalties; requiring certain entities to
   48         provide a signed affidavit to the department attesting
   49         that the buyer or transferee of a critical
   50         infrastructure facility is not a foreign source of
   51         concern; prohibiting information technology from a
   52         foreign source of concern from being used in critical
   53         infrastructure facilities; requiring the department to
   54         adopt rules; creating s. 775.08255, F.S.; defining
   55         terms; providing for the reclassification of criminal
   56         penalties under certain circumstances; providing a
   57         mandatory minimum term of imprisonment; creating s.
   58         775.36, F.S.; defining terms; prohibiting enforcement
   59         of certain laws of a foreign government; providing
   60         criminal penalties; amending ss. 282.802 and 316.0078,
   61         F.S.; conforming provisions to changes made by the
   62         act; providing an effective date.
   63          
   64  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   65  
   66         Section 1. This act may be cited as the “Foreign
   67  Interference Restriction and Enforcement Act.”
   68         Section 2. Section 106.031, Florida Statutes, is created to
   69  read:
   70         106.031Registration of agents and organizations associated
   71  with foreign nations.—
   72         (1)As used in this section, the term:
   73         (a)“Address” includes any address, no matter the location,
   74  inside or outside of the United States.
   75         (b)“Agent of a foreign country of concern” means a person:
   76         1.Who acts as an agent, an employee, a representative, or
   77  a servant, or who otherwise acts at the order, at the request,
   78  or under the direction or control, of a foreign country of
   79  concern;
   80         2.Whose actions are financed, in whole or in part, by a
   81  foreign country of concern; and
   82         3.Who engages in political activity.
   83         (c)“Foreign country of concern” means the People’s
   84  Republic of China, the Russian Federation, the Islamic Republic
   85  of Iran, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the Republic
   86  of Cuba, the Venezuelan regime of Nicolás Maduro, the State of
   87  Qatar, or the Syrian Arab Republic, including any agency of or
   88  any other entity under significant control of such foreign
   89  country of concern.
   90         (d)“Foreign-supported political organization” means a
   91  political party or a domestic partnership, an association, a
   92  corporation, an organization, or any other business entity that
   93  engages in political activity within this state and that:
   94         1.Has its principal place of business in a foreign country
   95  of concern; or
   96         2.Is at least 20 percent beneficially owned by a foreign
   97  country of concern, a nonresident alien from a foreign country
   98  of concern, or an entity organized under the laws of or having
   99  its principal place of business in a foreign country of concern.
  100         (e)“Payment” includes compensation and disbursement made
  101  in any form, including, but not limited to, contributions,
  102  income, money, tangible property, and intangible property.
  103         (f)“Political activity” means an activity that is
  104  performed to:
  105         1.Influence an agency, a public official, or a local
  106  governmental entity;
  107         2.Influence the public in creating, adopting, or changing
  108  state laws or government policies;
  109         3.Support or oppose a candidate for office;
  110         4.Influence the outcome of an election; or
  111         5.Support or oppose any issue.
  112         (2)(a)A person who becomes an agent of a foreign country
  113  of concern must, within 10 days after becoming such an agent,
  114  register with the division. The registration must be signed
  115  under oath.
  116         (b)The division shall create a form for the registration
  117  required under paragraph (a). Such form must require, at a
  118  minimum, all of the following information:
  119         1.The registrant’s name.
  120         2.The address of the registrant’s primary residence and
  121  all other addresses associated with the registrant.
  122         3.The name and address of the registrant’s principal place
  123  of business.
  124         4.A detailed statement describing the nature of the
  125  registrant’s business.
  126         5.The name of each foreign country of concern for whom the
  127  registrant is acting, is assuming or purporting to act, or has
  128  agreed to act.
  129         6.A detailed statement describing the nature of the work
  130  and the character of the business or other activities of each
  131  foreign country of concern identified in subparagraph 5.
  132         7.A statement detailing each time the registrant received
  133  a payment from a foreign country of concern identified in
  134  subparagraph 5. within the previous 90 days. The statement must
  135  identify the amount of the payment and the nature of such
  136  payment.
  137         8.The total amount of such payments the registrant has
  138  received within the previous 90 days from a foreign country of
  139  concern identified in subparagraph 5.
  140         9.A detailed statement of every activity the registrant,
  141  or a person acting on behalf of the registrant, is performing,
  142  has performed, or has agreed to perform on behalf of a foreign
  143  country of concern identified in subparagraph 5.
  144         10.If the registrant is also engaged in political activity
  145  on behalf of a person who is not associated with a foreign
  146  country of concern but who is an agent of a foreign country of
  147  concern, include:
  148         a.The name, employer, business and residence addresses,
  149  and, if applicable, nationality of such person;
  150         b.A detailed statement of every activity the registrant,
  151  or a person acting on behalf of the registrant, is performing,
  152  has performed, or has agreed to perform on behalf of such
  153  person; and
  154         c.A statement detailing each time the registrant received
  155  a payment from such person within the previous 90 days. The
  156  statement must identify the amount of the payment and the nature
  157  of the payment.
  158         11.A detailed statement of the payments made by the
  159  registrant during the previous 90 days in connection with
  160  actions taken by the registrant as an agent of, on behalf of, or
  161  in furtherance of the goals of a foreign country of concern or a
  162  person identified in subparagraph 10.
  163         12.A detailed statement of all payments relating to
  164  political activity made by the registrant during the previous 90
  165  days.
  166         (c)A registrant must update the information required under
  167  paragraph (b) at least every 90 days.
  168         (d)A person must register as an agent of a foreign country
  169  of concern for any period of time he or she was engaged in such
  170  position.
  171         (3)(a)On or before January 1, 2027, each foreign-supported
  172  political organization must register with the division.
  173         (b)The division shall create a form for the registration
  174  required under paragraph (a). The form must require, at minimum,
  175  all of the following information:
  176         1.The organization’s name and mailing address and the
  177  address of any physical office.
  178         2.The names, titles, and addresses of all officers or
  179  directors of the organization.
  180         3.A detailed statement of all payments made by the
  181  organization that would constitute political activity during the
  182  previous calendar year.
  183         4.A detailed statement of all payments made to, or
  184  received by, the organization from a foreign country of concern
  185  or an agent of a foreign country of concern during the previous
  186  calendar year.
  187         (c)An organization must update the information required
  188  under paragraph (b) at least every 90 days.
  189         (4)Upon finding a violation of this section, in addition
  190  to the remedies provided in ss. 106.265 and 106.27, the Florida
  191  Elections Commission may assess the following penalties:
  192         (a)For any violation, a fine of up to $500 per violation.
  193         (b)For any willful or repeated violation, a fine of up to
  194  $2,000 per violation.
  195         Section 3. Subsections (1) and (2) of section 112.313,
  196  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  197         112.313 Standards of conduct for public officers, employees
  198  of agencies, and local government attorneys.—
  199         (1) DEFINITIONS DEFINITION.—As used in this section, unless
  200  the context otherwise requires, the term:
  201         (a)“Designated foreign terrorist organization” has the
  202  same meaning as in s. 775.32.
  203         (b)“Foreign country of concern” has the same meaning as in
  204  s. 286.101(1).
  205         (c) “Public officer” includes any person elected or
  206  appointed to hold office in any agency, including any person
  207  serving on an advisory body.
  208         (2) SOLICITATION OR ACCEPTANCE OF GIFTS.—
  209         (a)A No public officer, an employee of an agency, a local
  210  government attorney, or a candidate for nomination or election
  211  may not shall solicit or accept anything of value to the
  212  recipient, including a gift, loan, reward, promise of future
  213  employment, favor, or service, based upon any understanding that
  214  the vote, official action, or judgment of the public officer,
  215  employee, local government attorney, or candidate would be
  216  influenced thereby.
  217         (b)A public officer, an employee of an agency, a local
  218  government attorney, or a candidate for nomination or election
  219  may not solicit or accept anything of value to the recipient,
  220  including a gift, loan, reward, promise of future employment,
  221  favor, or service, for any purpose, including, but not limited
  222  to, a gift from a designated foreign terrorist organization or
  223  any person or entity representing or acting on behalf of a
  224  foreign terrorist organization, or travel costs or any
  225  reimbursement for costs of attending a conference or other
  226  event, from a foreign country of concern or any of its
  227  subdivisions, or from any person or entity representing or
  228  acting on behalf of a foreign country of concern or any of its
  229  subdivisions.
  230         Section 4. Paragraph (e) of subsection (2) of section
  231  112.3142, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  232         112.3142 Ethics training for specified constitutional
  233  officers, elected municipal officers, commissioners of community
  234  redevelopment agencies, and elected local officers of
  235  independent special districts.—
  236         (2)
  237         (e) The commission shall adopt rules establishing minimum
  238  course content for the portion of an ethics training class which
  239  addresses s. 8, Art. II of the State Constitution and the Code
  240  of Ethics for Public Officers and Employees. By November 1,
  241  2026, the commission shall adopt revised rules for the minimum
  242  course content, including all of the following:
  243         1.Known efforts by foreign countries of concern to target
  244  and influence subnational governments, including, but not
  245  limited to, the Chinese Communist Party’s United Front strategy.
  246         2.How to identify, recognize, and report suspected foreign
  247  influence campaigns.
  248         3.Prohibitions on receiving gifts from foreign countries
  249  of concern or designated foreign terrorist organizations.
  250         Section 5. Present paragraph (d) of subsection (1) of
  251  section 287.138, Florida Statutes, is redesignated as paragraph
  252  (e), a new paragraph (d) is added to that subsection, and
  253  subsections (2), (3), and (4) of that section are amended, to
  254  read:
  255         287.138 Contracting with entities of foreign sources and
  256  countries of concern prohibited.—
  257         (1) As used in this section, the term:
  258         (d)“Foreign source of concern” has the same meaning as in
  259  s. 496.404.
  260         (2)(a) A governmental entity may not knowingly enter into a
  261  contract with an entity in which a foreign source of concern has
  262  an ownership or controlling interest in the contract that would
  263  give access to an individual’s personal identifying information.
  264         (b)A governmental entity may not enter into a contract for
  265  information technology as defined in s. 282.0041, or for any
  266  services related to information technology, with an entity in
  267  which a foreign source of concern has an ownership or
  268  controlling interest or through a third-party seller when the
  269  information technology is designed, manufactured, or assembled
  270  by any entity in which a foreign source of concern has an
  271  ownership or controlling interest. if:
  272         (c)(a) The entity is owned by the government of a foreign
  273  country of concern.;
  274         (d)(b) The government of a foreign country of concern has a
  275  controlling interest in the entity.; or
  276         (e)(c) The entity is organized under the laws of or has its
  277  principal place of business in a foreign country of concern.
  278         (3) Beginning July 1, 2026 2025, a governmental entity may
  279  not extend or renew a contract with an entity listed in
  280  subsection (2) paragraphs (2)(a)-(c) if the contract would give
  281  such entity access to an individual’s personal identifying
  282  information.
  283         (4)(a) Beginning January 1, 2026 2024, a governmental
  284  entity may not accept a bid on, a proposal for, or a reply to,
  285  or enter into, a contract with an entity which would grant the
  286  entity access to an individual’s personal identifying
  287  information or involve information technology unless the entity
  288  provides the governmental entity with an affidavit signed by an
  289  officer or representative of the entity under penalty of perjury
  290  attesting that the entity does not meet any of the criteria in
  291  subsection (2) paragraphs (2)(a)-(c).
  292         (b) Beginning July 1, 2026 2025, when an entity extends or
  293  renews a contract with a governmental entity which would grant
  294  the entity access to an individual’s personal identifying
  295  information, the entity must provide the governmental entity
  296  with an affidavit signed by an officer or a representative of
  297  the entity under penalty of perjury attesting that the entity
  298  does not meet any of the criteria in subsection (2) paragraphs
  299  (2)(a)-(c).
  300         Section 6. Paragraph (a) of subsection (3) of section
  301  288.816, Florida Statutes, is amended, and subsection (7) is
  302  added to that section, to read:
  303         288.816 Intergovernmental relations.—
  304         (3) The state protocol officer may:
  305         (a) Coordinate and carry out activities designed to
  306  encourage the state and its subdivisions to participate in
  307  sister city and sister state affiliations with foreign countries
  308  and their subdivisions. Such activities may include a State of
  309  Florida sister cities conference. Such activities may not
  310  include encouragement of any affiliations with foreign countries
  311  of concern as defined in s. 288.860(1) or their subdivisions.
  312         (7)The department shall publish on its website, to be
  313  updated quarterly, the following information:
  314         (a)A current and accurate list of all foreign consulate
  315  offices.
  316         (b)A current and accurate list of all sister city and
  317  sister state affiliations, including a copy of all such
  318  agreements.
  319         Section 7. Subsections (3), (4), and (5) of section
  320  288.8175, Florida Statutes, are amended, and a new subsection
  321  (7) is added to that section, to read:
  322         288.8175 Linkage institutes between postsecondary
  323  institutions in this state and foreign countries.—
  324         (3) Each institute must be co-administered in this state by
  325  a university-community college partnership, as designated in
  326  subsection (5), and must have a private sector and public sector
  327  advisory committee. The advisory committee must be
  328  representative of the international education and commercial
  329  interests of the state and may have members who are native to
  330  the foreign country partner. Six members must be appointed by
  331  the Department of Education. The Department of Education must
  332  appoint at least one member who is an international educator.
  333  The presidents, or their designees, of the participating
  334  university and community college must also serve on the advisory
  335  committee.
  336         (4) The institutes are:
  337         (a) Florida-Brazil Institute (University of Florida and
  338  Miami Dade College).
  339         (b) Florida-Costa Rica Institute (Florida State University
  340  and Valencia College).
  341         (c) Florida Caribbean Institute (Florida International
  342  University and Daytona State College).
  343         (d) Florida-Canada Institute (University of Central Florida
  344  and Palm Beach State College).
  345         (e)Florida-China Institute (University of West Florida,
  346  University of South Florida, and Eastern Florida State College).
  347         (e)(f) Florida-Japan Institute (University of South
  348  Florida, University of West Florida, and St. Petersburg
  349  College).
  350         (f)(g) Florida-France Institute (New College of the
  351  University of South Florida, Miami Dade College, and Florida
  352  State University).
  353         (g)(h) Florida-Israel Institute (Florida Atlantic
  354  University and Broward College).
  355         (h)(i) Florida-West Africa Institute (Florida Agricultural
  356  and Mechanical University, University of North Florida, and
  357  Florida State College at Jacksonville).
  358         (i)(j) Florida-Eastern Europe Institute (University of
  359  Central Florida and Lake-Sumter State College).
  360         (j)(k) Florida-Mexico Institute (Florida International
  361  University and Polk State College).
  362         (5)Each institute is allowed to exempt from s. 1009.21 up
  363  to 25 full-time equivalent students per year from the respective
  364  host countries to study in any of the state universities or
  365  community colleges in this state as resident students for
  366  tuition purposes. The institute directors shall develop
  367  criteria, to be approved by the Department of Education, for the
  368  selection of these students. Students must return home within 3
  369  years after their tenure of graduate or undergraduate study for
  370  a length of time equal to their exemption period.
  371         (7)A linkage institute may not enter into any agreement or
  372  participate in any activities with a foreign country of concern
  373  as defined in s. 288.860(1) or any organization in a foreign
  374  country of concern.
  375         Section 8. Subsection (2) of section 288.860, Florida
  376  Statutes, is amended to read:
  377         288.860 International cultural agreements.—
  378         (2)(a) A state agency, political subdivision, or public
  379  school authorized to expend state-appropriated funds or levy ad
  380  valorem taxes may not participate in any agreement with or
  381  accept any grant from a foreign country of concern or its
  382  subdivisions, or any entity controlled by a foreign country of
  383  concern.
  384         (b)All agreements under paragraph (a), including, but not
  385  limited to, sister city agreements, are terminated as of July 1,
  386  2026., which:
  387         (a)Constrains the freedom of contract of such public
  388  entity;
  389         (b)Allows the curriculum or values of a program in the
  390  state to be directed or controlled by the foreign country of
  391  concern; or
  392         (c)Promotes an agenda detrimental to the safety or
  393  security of the United States or its residents. Before the
  394  execution of any cultural exchange agreement with a foreign
  395  country of concern, the substance of the agreement must be
  396  shared with federal agencies concerned with protecting national
  397  security or enforcing trade sanctions, embargoes, or other
  398  restrictions under federal law. If such federal agency provides
  399  information suggesting that such agreement promotes an agenda
  400  detrimental to the safety or security of the United States or
  401  its residents, the public entity may not enter into the
  402  agreement.
  403         Section 9. Paragraphs (e) and (f) of subsection (14) of
  404  section 496.404, Florida Statutes, are amended, and paragraph
  405  (g) is added to that subsection, to read:
  406         496.404 Definitions.—As used in ss. 496.401-496.424, the
  407  term:
  408         (14) “Foreign source of concern” means any of the
  409  following:
  410         (e) An agent, including a subsidiary or an affiliate of a
  411  foreign legal entity, acting on behalf of a foreign source of
  412  concern; or
  413         (f) An entity in which a person, entity, or collection of
  414  persons or entities described in paragraphs (a)-(e) has a
  415  controlling interest. As used in this paragraph, the term
  416  “controlling interest” means the possession of the power to
  417  direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of
  418  an entity, whether through ownership of securities, by contract,
  419  or otherwise. A person or an entity that directly or indirectly
  420  has the right to vote 25 percent or more of the voting interest
  421  of the company or is entitled to 25 percent or more of its
  422  profits is presumed to possess a controlling interest; or
  423         (g)A designated foreign terrorist organization or an agent
  424  acting on behalf of a designated foreign terrorist organization.
  425         Section 10. Section 692.21, Florida Statutes, is created to
  426  read:
  427         692.21Protection of state critical infrastructure
  428  facilities from foreign source of concern.—
  429         (1)(a)A governmental entity or an entity constructing,
  430  repairing, operating, or otherwise having significant access to
  431  a critical infrastructure facility may not enter into a contract
  432  or other agreement relating to a critical infrastructure
  433  facility in this state with a foreign source of concern if the
  434  contract or agreement authorizes the foreign source of concern
  435  to directly or remotely access or otherwise control such
  436  critical infrastructure facility.
  437         (b)A foreign source of concern may not enter into a
  438  contract or other agreement relating to critical infrastructure
  439  facilities in this state with an entity constructing, repairing,
  440  operating, or otherwise having significant access to critical
  441  infrastructure facilities, or a governmental entity, if the
  442  contract or agreement authorizes the foreign source of concern
  443  to directly or remotely access or otherwise control such
  444  critical infrastructure facility.
  445         (2)(a)Beginning January 1, 2027, an entity constructing,
  446  repairing, operating, or otherwise having significant access to
  447  a critical infrastructure facility in this state which entered
  448  into a contract or other agreement before July 1, 2026, with a
  449  foreign source of concern relating to such critical
  450  infrastructure facility must register with the Department of
  451  Commerce by January 1 of each year for the remainder of the term
  452  of the contract or agreement with the foreign source of concern
  453  relating to such critical infrastructure facility. The
  454  Department of Commerce shall adopt a registration form that
  455  includes all of the following:
  456         1.The name of the entity constructing, repairing,
  457  operating, or otherwise having significant access to critical
  458  infrastructure facilities in this state.
  459         2.The address of the critical infrastructure facility the
  460  entity is constructing, repairing, or operating or to which the
  461  entity otherwise has significant access.
  462         3.A description of the specific terms of the contract or
  463  agreement which authorizes a foreign source of concern to engage
  464  in constructing, repairing, or operating or to otherwise have
  465  significant access to such critical infrastructure facility.
  466         (b)An entity that violates paragraph (a):
  467         1.Is subject to a civil penalty of $1,000 for each day the
  468  violation continues.
  469         2.Commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable
  470  as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
  471         (3)Before commencing any sale or other transfer of control
  472  of a critical infrastructure facility in this state, the entity
  473  selling or otherwise transferring control of such critical
  474  infrastructure facility must provide an affidavit, signed under
  475  penalty of perjury, to the Department of Commerce attesting that
  476  the buyer or transferee is not a foreign source of concern.
  477         (4)Information technology as defined in s. 282.0041
  478  produced or manufactured by a foreign source of concern or a
  479  company under the direction or control of a foreign source of
  480  concern may not be used in a critical infrastructure facility
  481  located in or serving this state.
  482         (5)For the purposes of this section, the term “foreign
  483  source of concern” has the same meaning as in s. 496.404.
  484         (6)The Department of Commerce shall adopt rules to
  485  implement this section.
  486         Section 11. Section 775.08255, Florida Statutes, is created
  487  to read:
  488         775.08255Offenses by foreign agents; reclassification.—
  489         (1)As used in this section, the term:
  490         (a)“Agent of a foreign government or designated foreign
  491  terrorist organization” means a person acting on behalf of or
  492  otherwise employed or controlled by a foreign government or a
  493  designated foreign terrorist organization.
  494         (b)“Designated foreign terrorist organization” has the
  495  same meaning as provided in s. 775.32(1).
  496         (c)“Foreign government” has the same meaning as provided
  497  in s. 286.101(1).
  498         (2)The penalty for any misdemeanor or felony may be
  499  reclassified if the commission of such misdemeanor or felony was
  500  for the purpose of benefiting, promoting, or furthering the
  501  interests of a foreign government, a designated foreign
  502  terrorist organization, or an agent of a foreign government or
  503  designated foreign terrorist organization. The reclassification
  504  is as follows:
  505         (a)A misdemeanor of the second degree is reclassified to a
  506  misdemeanor of the first degree.
  507         (b)A misdemeanor of the first degree is reclassified to a
  508  felony of the third degree.
  509         (c)A felony of the third degree is reclassified to a
  510  felony of the second degree.
  511         (d)A felony of the second degree is reclassified to a
  512  felony of the first degree.
  513         (e)A felony of the first degree is reclassified to a life
  514  felony.
  515         (3)In addition to any other penalties prescribed by law, a
  516  person convicted of a felony of the first degree or a life
  517  felony under this section shall be sentenced to a minimum term
  518  of imprisonment of 15 years.
  519         Section 12. Section 775.36, Florida Statutes, is created to
  520  read:
  521         775.36Unauthorized enforcement of foreign law.—
  522         (1)As used in this section, the term:
  523         (a)“Agent of a foreign government or designated foreign
  524  terrorist organization” means a person acting on behalf of or
  525  otherwise employed or controlled by a foreign government or a
  526  designated foreign terrorist organization.
  527         (b)“Designated foreign terrorist organization” has the
  528  same meaning as provided in s. 775.32(1).
  529         (c)“Foreign government” has the same meaning as in s.
  530  286.101(1).
  531         (2)Without the approval of this state or the United
  532  States, a person may not:
  533         (a)Prevent another person in this state from violating the
  534  laws of a foreign government that are not also the laws of this
  535  state or the United States; or
  536         (b)Investigate, monitor, or surveil another person in this
  537  state for the purposes of preventing the other person from
  538  violating the laws of a foreign government that are not also the
  539  laws of this state or the United States.
  540         (3)A person who violates this section commits a felony of
  541  the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s.
  542  775.083, or s. 775.084. However, a person who violates this
  543  section for the purpose of benefiting, promoting, or furthering
  544  the interests of a foreign government, a designated foreign
  545  terrorist organization, or an agent of a foreign government or
  546  designated foreign terrorist organization commits a felony of
  547  the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s.
  548  775.083, or s. 775.084.
  549         Section 13. Paragraph (a) of subsection (7) of section
  550  282.802, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  551         282.802 Government Technology Modernization Council.—
  552         (7)(a) The council shall meet at least quarterly to:
  553         1. Recommend legislative and administrative actions that
  554  the Legislature and state agencies as defined in s. 282.318(2)
  555  may take to promote the development of data modernization in
  556  this state.
  557         2. Assess and provide guidance on necessary legislative
  558  reforms and the creation of a state code of ethics for
  559  artificial intelligence systems in state government.
  560         3. Assess the effect of automated decision systems or
  561  identity management on constitutional and other legal rights,
  562  duties, and privileges of residents of this state.
  563         4. Evaluate common standards for artificial intelligence
  564  safety and security measures, including the benefits of
  565  requiring disclosure of the digital provenance for all images
  566  and audio created using generative artificial intelligence as a
  567  means of revealing the origin and edit of the image or audio, as
  568  well as the best methods for such disclosure.
  569         5. Assess the manner in which governmental entities and the
  570  private sector are using artificial intelligence with a focus on
  571  opportunity areas for deployments in systems across this state.
  572         6. Determine the manner in which artificial intelligence is
  573  being exploited by bad actors, including foreign countries of
  574  concern as defined in s. 287.138(1).
  575         7. Evaluate the need for curriculum to prepare school-age
  576  audiences with the digital media and visual literacy skills
  577  needed to navigate the digital information landscape.
  578         Section 14. Subsection (1) of section 316.0078, Florida
  579  Statutes, is amended to read:
  580         316.0078 Prohibition on contracting for camera systems of
  581  vendors of foreign countries of concern.—
  582         (1) As used in this section, the term: terms
  583         (a) “Controlling interest” has the same meaning as in s.
  584  287.138. and
  585         (b) “Foreign country of concern” means the People’s
  586  Republic of China, the Russian Federation, the Islamic Republic
  587  of Iran, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the Republic
  588  of Cuba, the Venezuelan regime of Nicolás Maduro, or the Syrian
  589  Arab Republic, including any agency of or any other entity of
  590  significant control of such foreign country of concern have the
  591  same meanings as in s. 287.138(1).
  592         Section 15. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.