FDLE wants added power to combat terrorism

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement plans to ask legislators next year for new laws “to criminalize certain terrorism-related activities at the state level.”

They include statutes banning “active membership in a foreign terrorist organization” and “creat(ing) penalties for agroterrorism.”

A summary of the agency’s 2017 “legislative proposal” was included in agenda material for Tuesday’s meeting of Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Cabinet.

The department said it wants more “tools to hopefully prevent future terrorist activities.”

Acknowledging they borrowed concepts from federal law enforcement, officials said “it is imperative that our law enforcement officials have similar authorities to investigate and prosecute criminal matters concerning domestic security.”

Possible new state laws include:

— The “prohibit(ion of) the use of military-style training received from foreign terrorist organizations.”

— “Prohibit(ing) certain forms of material support to terrorist actors and organizations.”

— “Prohibit(ing) active membership in a foreign terrorist organization.”

— “Creating … penalties for agroterrorism,” usually defined as the “use of a biological agent against crops or livestock.”

Details were unavailable Monday; an FDLE spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.