Gov. DeSantis signs 3 bills aimed at curbing influence of Chinese Communist Party in Florida

BROOKSVILLE, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday signed three bills aimed at limiting the influence of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in Florida.

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The bills included:

• CS/CS/SB 258 – Prohibited Applications on Government-Issued Devices
• CS/CS/SB 264 – Interests of Foreign Countries
• CS/CS/SB 846 – Agreements of Education Entities with Foreign Entities

Senate Bill 264 will “make sure agricultural land is not compromised by CCP influence,” DeSantis said.

“It also includes land within 10 miles of any military and installation or any type of critical infrastructure in our state. And that ensures our seaports and ensures our airports, power plants, telecom systems, and other critical infrastructure will not be compromised by the CCP or any foreign adversary,” DeSantis said.

Senate Bill 846 prohibits state universities, state colleges and their employees and representatives from soliciting or accepting gifts in their official capacities from the CCP or any foreign country of concern. It also prohibits state universities and colleges from accepting any grant from or participating in any agreement or partnership with any college or university based in a foreign country of concern.

“I think the CCP has done a really, really effective job at identifying some of the soft underbelly of American society and really focusing on academic infiltration and influence,” DeSantis said. “In Florida, we say not here not on our watch.

DeSantis said Senate Bill 258 recognizes how the CCP has used apps and devices like TikTok to access personal information and to compile data on Floridians and on the American people.