This bill establishes a new section, 106.031, in the Florida Statutes that mandates the registration of agents and organizations associated with foreign countries of concern. It defines key terms such as "agent of a foreign country of concern" and "foreign-supported political organization," and requires these agents to register with the Division of Elections within ten days of becoming an agent. The registration must be signed under oath and include detailed information about the registrant, their activities, and any payments received from foreign countries of concern. Additionally, foreign-supported political organizations must register by January 1, 2026, and provide similar information regarding their operations and financial transactions.
The bill also stipulates that both agents and organizations must update their registration information at least every 90 days. Violations of these registration requirements can result in penalties, including fines ranging from $500 for general violations to $10,000 for willful violations involving hostile foreign countries. The effective date for this act is set for July 1, 2025.