It’s no secret that China and other foreign adversaries are doing everything they can to chip away at American dominance across the globe. Thankfully, Florida’s elected officials also recognize that “across the globe” also includes “right here in our backyard.” This year, Florida’s legislature and governor have brought attention to an additional critical issue that hadn’t received much scrutiny: the use of domestic non-profit organizations by foreign actors to manipulate our local and state political processes – and the media.

This year’s SB 700, sponsored by Senator Keith Truenow (R-Tavares), contains language known as the Foreign Interference Prevention Act. Originally proposed in 2024 by Representative Jenna Persons-Mulicka (R-Fort Myers), this new law provides an additional level of transparency and protection for Floridians when it comes to foreign adversaries’ attempts to influence and interfere in our local and state politics, specifically looking at US-based non-profit organizations that may be taking money from what the law describes as “foreign sources of concern.”

Signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis on May 15th, SB 700 establishes the Florida Honest Services Registry. To be listed on the registry a Florida-registered non-profit organization will have to swear under oath they do not seek or receive funds or services from any foreign entity of concern and that their communications are not shaped by such entities. This publicly available online registry will allow citizens to see which organizations have affirmed their independence from undue foreign influence. Any organization that fundraises and actively engages in local or state political activities should willingly participate in this registry. Their refusal to do so should prompt public scrutiny.

We applaud the legislature for taking another positive step towards uncovering the bad actors that may be colluding with our enemies. Dark money groups who cloak themselves in “advocacy” have repeatedly been investigated at the federal level for their ties to foreign actors. We must be diligent about these same behaviors happening at the local and state level, where it can be much easier for these groups to influence policy for their benefactors’ interests.

Foreign adversaries’ continuous efforts to sway our state and nation are a well-established and unfortunate reality. We have previously reported on Florida officials’ actions to lessen the influence of the Chinese regime and its allies within the state.

Last year, the State began divesting from any Chinese owned companies. In 2023 they passed a ban on Chinese nationals buying land near our military bases. They’ve also tried to limit the ability of Chinese and other foreign nationals to buy private land throughout the state as that practice has increased over the last number years, including for some very questionable purposes. This past year a Chinese immigrant who ran for Florida Senate was forced to acknowledge in depositions that his campaign was in fact being funded by Chinese nationals, contrary to his claims otherwise.

We must be vigilant against foreign adversaries attempting to influence the U.S. through seemingly friendly groups. To ensure accountability and inform Floridians, we will closely monitor the Honest Services Registry and highlight groups that fail to submit their required oaths. This will empower citizens to know if organizations they support may be acting against Florida’s best interests.