Lawmakers call for stronger safeguards against foreign influence

New measures would allow enhanced security to protect Florida’s political processes and elections from foreign interests.

Zephyrhills Republican Sen. Danny Burgess and Apollo Beach Republican Rep. Michael Owen filed bills (SB 766) and (HB 583) to ensure transparency and accountability for agents and organizations associated with foreign nations that engage in political activities within Florida.

The bills aim to prevent the influence of foreign entities, in particular, those considered hostile. This would include the People’s Republic of China, the Russian Federation, the People’s Republic of North Korea, and the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Burgess said in a statement that the legislation is critical due to foreign actors increasingly trying to influence elections and government policies in Florida.

“This legislation is important to maintaining an informed electorate — and informed public officials — who cannot be easily swayed by the deceitful actions of a potentially hostile foreign nation that may be attempting to change the outcomes of our elections or our laws for their own self-serving interest,” Burgess said. “It also ensures that we can hold any individuals who attempt to circumvent these disclosure requirements accountable, so foreign principals and their agents will think twice before trying to mislead Florida voters.”

A foreign principal is defined as the government of a foreign country; a political party or member of a political party outside of the U.S.; an organization or business entity that is organized under laws in a foreign country that has its primary place of business located there; or a person who is not a U.S. citizen or national and has not been lawfully admitted into the U.S. for permanent residency.

Foreign-supported political organizations are defined as organizations that receive funds from foreign principals and engage in political activities that intend on influencing public officials, government policy, elections, or public opinion. An agent of a foreign principal is defined as a person who acts as an agent, employee, representative, or servant at the request or under the control of a foreign principal, and who engages in political activity.

Agents or organizations would be required to register with the Division of Elections within 10 days of becoming an agent, and the division would be responsible for creating registration forms. Agents must provide the public and authorities with detailed information about their connections, funding sources, activities, and would be required to periodically update their registration information.

Foreign-supported political organizations would be required to register with the division by January 1, 2026, and include all available information on the organization’s officers, payments they have received, and their political activities.

“We must protect our elections and ballot initiatives from bad actors of foreign nations who seek to undermine our political processes and government,” Owen said in a statement. “Any foreign actor or agent of a foreign actor must open themselves up to our state, so we know who they are. This is a good bill that will create an avenue for enhanced penalties to hostile foreign principals who fail to register.”

Penalties would include a fine of up to $500 per violation for any breach; a fine of $2,000 per violation for repeat or willful violations; and a $10,000 fine per violation and a potential temporary or permanent ban from future registration for repeat violations involving a hostile foreign principal.

Joe Gebbia, CEO & Founder of State Shield, an organization dedicated to mitigating China’s influence and protecting the interests of the U.S., praised the legislation’s filing.

“State Shield is pleased to see this bold leadership from Sen. Danny Burgess and Rep. Michael Owen to ensure greater transparency in Florida’s political processes,” Gebbia said. “Policymakers and Florida citizens need to know the extent to which foreign actors are trying to influence the state’s public policy. Especially as the U.S. Justice Department turns its focus to significant criminal activity committed by hostile foreign agents, this bill provides state-level leaders with a much-needed tool to prevent hostile foreign influence.”

If passed, the bill would take effect July 1.