Florida Creates State Process to Designate Domestic Terrorist Organizations
New law creates state framework for designating terrorist organizations after DeSantis’s December 2025 order targeting CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed HB 1471 into law on April 6, 2026, creating a Florida process for designating certain organizations as domestic terrorist organizations and, in some cases, foreign terrorist organizations. The law takes effect July 1 and bars certain public funding and contracts, creates criminal penalties for certain material-support and membership conduct, and adds education-related restrictions tied to designated organizations.
The law follows a December 8, 2025 executive order in which DeSantis designated CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood as foreign terrorist organizations for purposes of Florida executive-branch action, a move advocates say addressed what they viewed as federal inaction toward groups alleged to have ties to extremism and terror networks in the United States.
Creating Accountability: How the Process Works
HB 1471 authorizes Florida’s Chief of Domestic Security to propose designations of domestic terrorist organizations and certain foreign terrorist organizations. For domestic designations, the official must find that the organization is based or operates in Florida or the United States, is engaging in terrorist activity as defined by Florida law, and poses an ongoing threat. For foreign designations, the organization must already be designated by the U.S. Secretary of State and pose an ongoing threat.
The recommendation then requires approval from Florida’s top elected officials: the governor, attorney general, agriculture commissioner, and chief financial officer. Within seven days of approval, the designation is published in the Florida Administrative Register, and organizations have 30 days to challenge the designation in Leon County Circuit Court.
Cutting Off Resources to Extremist Groups
Once designated, organizations lose access to state resources that could fuel their activities. The law bars state agencies, political subdivisions, and public school districts from using certain public funds to support designated groups, contracting with them, or accepting funds from them.
The legislation creates felony charges for individuals who provide “material support” to designated organizations, including financial donations, weapons, or training. Lt. Gov. Jay Collins said the law makes it a felony to provide material support to designated organizations, including money, weapons, or military training, and also criminalizes joining such groups with intent to commit violence.
DeSantis stated the law would “help the state of Florida protect you” and “help us protect your tax dollars.” At the signing ceremony, he added: “Never one red cent for jihad.”
Protecting Students and Universities
The legislation includes education-related provisions aimed at restricting support for designated terrorist organizations in public postsecondary institutions. The law requires public postsecondary institutions to report status information for a student on a student visa if the student is determined to have promoted a designated domestic or foreign terrorist organization, and it mandates expulsion after such a determination. The statute defines ‘promote’ in narrower terms tied to support for extralegal violence, threats, material disruption, disorder, or material support/recruitment.
Blocking Foreign Legal Systems
HB 1471 also prohibits Florida courts from applying or enforcing “foreign or religious law if doing so would violate constitutional rights,” including Sharia law. The law blocks enforcement of foreign judgments, contracts, or legal provisions that attempt to bypass constitutional protections.
Lt. Gov. Collins explained the rationale: “Let’s talk about Sharia law. It is not some personal spiritual guide. Simply put, it is not consistent with our values of our Constitution. Rather, it is a complete legal and political code drawn straight from the Quran and the words of Muhammed himself.”
Addressing Federal Inaction on Brotherhood Network
The legislation follows DeSantis's December 2025 executive order designating CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood as foreign terrorist organizations—groups with a history of alleged links to terror financing and extremist ideology.
As Jewish Onliner previously reported, the Muslim Brotherhood’s own 1991 Explanatory Memorandum—seized by the FBI and entered as evidence in the Holy Land Foundation terrorism financing trial—outlines a strategy of “eliminating and destroying Western civilization from within.” The document lists 29 organizations the Brotherhood identified as part of its American network, including the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA), Muslim American Society (MAS), Muslim Students Association (MSA), and North American Islamic Trust (NAIT).
According to NAIT, the trust has grown into “a comprehensive solution provider with 400+ waqf institutions in USA and Canada.” According to MSA National’s 2024 annual report, 162 affiliated MSAs were benefiting from its resources, mentorship, and programs.
Bipartisan Passage, Expected Legal Challenge
HB 1471, sponsored by Rep. Hillary Cassel (R-Dania Beach), passed the Florida House 80-25 in early March. The Senate approved the companion bill 25-11 the week before. DeSantis signed the legislation at a ceremony on the University of South Florida’s Tampa campus.
DeSantis acknowledged the law will likely face legal challenges but expressed confidence the state would prevail. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.
Excellent. Every state in the union should do this. In fact, it should be a federal law.