TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—The Florida Legislature on Nov. 8 passed sweeping legislation supporting Israel and enacting strict Iranian sanctions, which state officials say are some of the toughest in the nation.
The special session—originally scheduled to end on Nov. 9—created new Iranian sanctions beyond the petroleum industry, providing added security for Jewish institutions and Historic Black Colleges, allocated additional Hurricane Idalia relief funding for farmers and cultivators in Florida’s Big Bend region, and expanded the Family Empowerment Scholarship for special needs students.
Florida will no longer allow taxpayer money to funnel into any businesses with ties to the Islamic Republic of Iran or ties with any other companies doing business with the Iranian government.
Previously, Iranian sanctions were limited to the petroleum sector.
The legislation redesignates the Iran Petroleum List as the Scrutinized Companies with Activities in Iran Terrorism Sectors List.
The expansion includes energy, finance, construction, manufacturing, textile, mining, metals, shipping, and “shipbuilding or port sectors” industries.
Another piece of legislation addressed growing security concerns among the Jewish community within schools, Holocaust museums, and other public institutions following the Hamas terrorist attacks on Oct. 7.
It appropriates $45 million for safeguards and security measures for not just Jewish facilities but also historically black colleges after the Jacksonville shooter attempted to start his August rampage at Edward Waters University before being thwarted by students and campus police.
The third piece of legislation addressed the catastrophic effects of Hurricane Idalia on Florida’s agriculture and aquaculture industries, providing $417 million in disaster relief funds.
It includes $181 million for the My Safe Florida Home Program to help homeowners fortify their homes for future hurricanes.
Individual amounts—including $50 million for the Hurricane Recovery Grant Program—targeted Big Bend region farmers, cultivators, and producers hit the hardest by Hurricane Idalia earlier this year.
The last order of business was expanding the list of students eligible for Florida’s Family Empowerment Scholarship, eliminating the waitlist for the current school year.
Parents across the state have struggled to receive the grant money they were promised under Florida’s expanded school voucher program, which negatively affected families with special-needs students the hardest, according to lawmakers.
The expansion will allow eligible students to apply for a scholarship by Dec. 15.
“I applaud the legislature for their fast work during this special session,” Gov. Ron DeSantis said in a news release.
“Divesting from any company that supports Iran and ensuring that students are able to attend Jewish Day Schools safely is of utmost importance.
“I am also thankful we have been able to provide relief for Floridians impacted by Hurricane Idalia, take steps to lower the costs of homeowners’ insurance, and expand Florida’s nation-leading school choice program to include any student with unique abilities. I look forward to signing this legislation.”
After the session’s close, Florida Senate President Kathleen Passidomo echoed remarks from the governor.
“With the horrific attacks against Israel in the Middle East and devastation to the Big Bend caused by Hurricane Idalia here at home, there were several issues that warranted our attention in advance of the regular session.
“Since the day he took office, Gov. DeSantis has been steadfast in supporting Israel and making certain our state has the toughest possible sanctions against Iran and other regimes that support terrorism,” Ms. Passidomo said.
“His continuous leadership makes it clear that Florida will not tolerate anti-Semitism or hatred of any kind and will provide security for our Jewish community,” she said.
According to Speaker of the House Paul Renner, “In Florida, we don’t wait around to act.”
“Thanks to Gov. DeSantis’ support, we conducted an efficient special session that delivered on a series of key promises.
“We provided additional funding for scholarships for families with students with unique abilities and additional relief for those dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Idalia, eased the justifiable fears of parents with children in Jewish Day Schools, and redoubled our efforts to stand with Israel by refusing to do business with the government of Iran and others who support and fund terrorism,” he added.
On the topic of Israel, Mr. Renner told reporters during a Nov. 7 press briefing: “If you can’t speak with moral clarity on this issue, you can’t speak with moral clarity on anything.”
