SESSION WATCH
Became law HOUSE · SESSION 2026 · CHAPTER 2026-29

No. CS/CS/HB 1473

Pub. Rec./Terrorist Organizations
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SPONSOR
Judiciary Committee; Government Operations Subcommittee; Cassel
FILED BY
Hillary Cassel — District 101, Republican [search donations]
EFFECTIVE
This act shall take effect on the same date that HB 1471 or similar legislation takes effect, if such legislation is adopted in the same legislative session or an extension thereof and becomes a law.

Filed under Criminal Justice.

PROVIDED SUMMARY

Pub. Rec./Terrorist Organizations; Provides exemption from public records requirements for certain information relating to designation of organization as domestic terrorist organization or foreign terrorist organization by Chief of Domestic Security; provides for future legislative review & repeal of exemption; provides statement of public necessity.

Full bill text →

Plain English Summary

AI-GENERATED
Exempts security-sensitive terrorist designation records from public disclosure.

The bill creates a new exemption from Florida's public records law. It applies to information the Chief of Domestic Security shares with the Governor and Cabinet before designating an organization as a terrorist group.

The exemption covers any portion of that information that would reveal details critical to state or national security. This includes sensitive data received from local, state, and federal law enforcement and counter-terrorism agencies.

The exemption is temporary. It automatically expires on October 2, 2031, unless the Legislature reviews and reenacts it. This requirement is mandated by the Open Government Sunset Review Act.

The bill explicitly states that keeping this information exempt from disclosure is a public necessity. It aims to protect the integrity of the terrorist designation process and ongoing security operations.

KEY PROVISIONS
§ 1 Sunset Repeal Date moderates. 943.03102(2)(g)

AIMandates that the public records exemption automatically expires on a specific date unless the Legislature re-enacts it.

“shall stand repealed on October 2, 2031, unless reviewed and saved from repeal through reenactment by the Legislature” bill text, line 24 →
§ 2 Legislative Findings of Necessity moderates. 943.03102(2)(2)

AIFormally declares that keeping certain security information exempt from disclosure is a public necessity.

“The Legislature finds that it is a public necessity that any portion of information contained in the chief's written notice and findings provided to the Governor and Cabinet” bill text, line 38 →
TIMELINE
4/7/2026
Chapter No. 2026-29 ; Companion bill(s) passed, see CS/CS/HB 1471...
4/6/2026
Approved by Governor
3/31/2026
Signed by Officers and presented to Governor
3/12/2026
Ordered engrossed, then enrolled
3/12/2026
CS passed as amended; YEAS 80, NAYS 26
3/12/2026
Amendment 113196 Concur
3/12/2026
Added to Senate Message List
3/5/2026
In Messages
3/5/2026
CS passed as amended; YEAS 26 NAYS 8 -SJ 621
3/5/2026
Read 3rd time -SJ 621
3/5/2026
Amendment(s) adopted (113196) -SJ 621
3/5/2026
Read 2nd time -SJ 621
3/5/2026
Substituted for CS/CS/SB 1634 -SJ 621
3/5/2026
Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
3/5/2026
Withdrawn from Rules -SJ 621
3/3/2026
Received
3/3/2026
Referred to Rules
3/3/2026
In Messages
3/3/2026
CS passed; YEAS 81, NAYS 26
3/3/2026
Read 3rd time
3/3/2026
Added to Third Reading Calendar
3/3/2026
Read 2nd time
2/26/2026
1st Reading (Committee Substitute 2)
2/26/2026
Bill added to Special Order Calendar (3/3/2026)
2/26/2026
Bill referred to House Calendar
2/26/2026
CS Filed
2/26/2026
Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)
2/26/2026
Reported out of Judiciary Committee
2/26/2026
Favorable with CS by Judiciary Committee
2/24/2026
Added to Judiciary Committee agenda
2/12/2026
Now in Judiciary Committee
2/12/2026
Referred to Judiciary Committee
2/11/2026
1st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)
2/11/2026
CS Filed
2/11/2026
Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)
2/11/2026
Reported out of Government Operations Subcommittee
2/11/2026
Favorable with CS by Government Operations Subcommittee
2/9/2026
Added to Government Operations Subcommittee agenda
1/29/2026
Now in Government Operations Subcommittee
1/29/2026
Reported out of Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee
1/29/2026
Favorable by Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee
1/27/2026
Added to Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee agenda
1/15/2026
Now in Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee
1/15/2026
Referred to Judiciary Committee
1/15/2026
Referred to Government Operations Subcommittee
1/15/2026
Referred to Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee
1/13/2026
1st Reading (Original Filed Version)
1/9/2026
Filed
42 EARLIER →
STATUTES IT CHANGES
s. 943.03102
+80 / −0
s. 943.03102
+167 / −0
STAFF ANALYSES