On Monday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis approved several pieces of legislation prohibiting Chinese citizens from owning property in the state.
Governor DeSantis signed three bills into law, including SB 264, SB 846, and SB 258, to combat corporate espionage and higher education subterfuge by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its agents. The governor had previously urged the state legislature to strengthen its efforts in this regard.
Restrictions on Chinese Citizens’ Land Ownership in Florida
The restrictions will restrict Chinese citizens’ land ownership in Florida, prohibit the use of Chinese-owned social media platforms like TikTok and WeChat on government equipment, and further restrict schools and institutions from developing links with foreign governments of concern like China.
SB 264, which is the most controversial bill, aims to ban Chinese nationals from owning property in Florida. The bill would only permit Chinese residents with non-tourist visas to acquire single plots of land that are less than two acres and situated at least five miles away from military sites.
During the parliamentary session that ended Friday, lawmakers enacted legislation targeting foreign countries of concern, including North Korea, Iran, Cuba, Russia, China, Venezuela, and Syria, despite resistance from some Chinese Americans.
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Imposing Sanctions
DeSantis signed three bills into law, including SB 258, which builds on a September 2022 executive order that compiles a list of forbidden social media applications and limits access to state-owned cellular networks.
SB 846, which prohibits state schools and universities from accepting donations from foreign colleges of concern and entering into arrangements with their equivalents
The State Board of Education or the university system’s Board of Governors could impose sanctions or withhold performance funding, which could be substantial if a college or university enters into an agreement without approval.
This law builds on a 2021 law that established additional reporting obligations for entities seeking state grants or contracts.
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