Florida's Republican Governor, Ron DeSantis, alongside his cabinet, endorsed a new regulation on Friday enabling the state to establish its own list of terrorist organizations, distinct from the federal government's compilation, as reported by El Nuevo Herald.
This rule was ratified via teleconference on the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks. It outlines a formal procedure allowing Florida to independently designate terrorist groups.
Autonomous Designation Process
Under this newly approved regulation, the state's head of Homeland Security is required to submit each designation in writing. The targeted organization will have a seven-day window to file objections and may only present their case to the cabinet if expressly permitted.
Once a designation is sanctioned by the cabinet, it will be published in the state's administrative register within seven days and will take effect 30 days later. Affected organizations can appeal the decision in a state court located in Leon County.
Legal Implications and Reactions
The regulation specifically states that merely belonging to a designated group or providing legal aid to it does not, by itself, warrant criminal prosecution.
“We now have a process for naming these groups, cutting off taxpayer support, and holding their financiers accountable,” wrote Florida's Attorney General, James Uthmeier, on the social media platform X.
This regulation is the latest development in a legislative initiative that began in December 2025, when DeSantis issued an executive order naming the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the Muslim Brotherhood as terrorist organizations within the state. A federal judge halted that order in March 2026, citing federal jurisdiction over such designations.
Controversial Listings and Legal Battles
In response, Florida's Republican-controlled Legislature passed HB 1471 with significant support, and DeSantis signed it into law in April 2026. The law, effective July 1, establishes a state-specific designation mechanism requiring the governor's and his cabinet's approval, which includes Uthmeier, Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia, and Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, all Republicans.
When announcing the initial designations under this law, DeSantis included CAIR, the Muslim Brotherhood, and Antifa, along with over 90 foreign organizations already acknowledged by the federal government: Venezuela's Tren de Aragua, Mexico's Sinaloa, Northeast, and Gulf cartels, and Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
The inclusion of CAIR is particularly contentious, as this group—being the largest Muslim civil rights organization in the nation—is not on the federal terrorist list. In July, CAIR, together with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), filed a lawsuit against HB 1471 in federal court, arguing that it infringes on free speech and other constitutional rights. Following this lawsuit, state authorities postponed CAIR's designation until the new regulations were finalized.
A trial regarding CAIR's original lawsuit against DeSantis's executive order is scheduled for January 2027 before federal Judge Mark Walker.
Understanding Florida's New Terrorism Designation Law
What is the purpose of Florida's new terrorist designation regulation?
The regulation allows Florida to create its own list of terrorist organizations, separate from the federal list, to independently identify and manage threats within the state.
How does the new regulation affect organizations like CAIR?
Under the new regulation, organizations like CAIR can be designated as terrorist groups by Florida, even if they are not on the federal list. This has led to legal challenges citing constitutional concerns.
What recourse do organizations have if they are designated as terrorist groups under this law?
Organizations can challenge the designation in a state court in Leon County within 30 days of the designation being published in the state's administrative register.