ACLU of Florida Condemns Senate Committee Passage of Political Repression Bill and Warns of Dangerous Constitutional Violations

Today, Senate Bill 1632 advanced in the Florida legislature, passing the Senate Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice.

SB 1632 would grant a small group of executive officials the power to brand organizations as “domestic terrorists” without prior notice, meaningful oversight, or basic due process protections. This legislation also purports to expand criminal liability and civil penalties for people accused of associating with, working for, or “promoting” a designated group – even when they are engaged in constitutionally protected speech and advocacy.

This bill, and its House companion bill (HB 1471), would dangerously expand state power to target Floridians who disagree with the government and subject them to unjustified surveillance, investigation, and criminal and civil punishments.

Kara Gross, Interim Political Director of the ACLU of Florida, shared the following statement:

“Our Constitution, laws, and values are the foundation of our strength and security. This legislation is unnecessary, invites bad-faith and unconstitutional enforcement, and does not make Floridians safer. These types of proposals implicate the free speech rights of everyone in Florida, chilling the speech of those who dare to speak out about their political beliefs or other pressing issues.

 

“Under this legislation, power would be concentrated in the hands of a small group of state officials who could brand civil-society groups – including nonprofits operating for religious, charitable, and social justice purposes – as ‘domestic terrorists’ without notice, clear standards, meaningful oversight, or basic due process. It threatens to impose potentially devastating consequences on targeted groups as well as individual Floridians, and could lead to criminal charges based on First Amendment-protected activities.

 

“Florida already has more than adequate tools to prosecute actual criminal conduct, including violent crimes. Without making anyone safer, SB 1632’s vague and overbroad language could easily be weaponized in bad faith against everyday Floridians exercising their First Amendment rights.

 

“With today’s committee passage, this dangerous bill is one step closer to becoming law. Floridians must act now – call your senator and representative and demand a no vote. Regardless of your party affiliation or religious beliefs, if this bill continues to advance, all of our rights could be put at risk.”

Read ACLU of Florida’s full statement in opposition here.