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Gov. Ron DeSantis signs domestic terrorism list bill

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis gestures during a news conference about soon-to-be Hurricane Helene on Sept. 25, 2024, at the Tampa Electric Company.
Chris O'Meara
/
AP
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis gestures during a news conference about soon-to-be Hurricane Helene on Sept. 25, 2024, at the Tampa Electric Company.

Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation Monday that allows state officials to designate certain groups in the state as domestic terrorist organizations.

The legislation allows the state to target groups, freeze funding, and penalize people who support them. During the signing, DeSantis highlighted that the measure also prevents Florida’s legal system from being influenced by Sharia law.

The legislation we'll sign today is the strongest action Florida has ever taken to protect its people from this influence,” he said.

Groups like the Council on American-Islamic Relations Florida worry the measure unfairly targets Muslin Floridians. The group has already filed suit over previous executive order from DeSantis designating them as a terrorist organization, saying it violates the first amendment.

Tristan Wood is a senior producer and host with WFSU Public Media. A South Florida native and University of Florida graduate, he focuses on state government in the Sunshine State and local panhandle political happenings.