WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

SB 1712

Statewide Counterintelligence and Counterterrorism Unit

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jonathan Martin

Creates a statewide FDLE Counterintelligence and Counterterrorism Unit to analyze threats, conduct operations, and coordinate with regional task forces.

Died in Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice
#(vetoed) #t
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 1712

Overview

SB 1712 would create a new Statewide Counterintelligence and Counterterrorism Unit within the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). The unit is designed to conduct statewide counterintelligence and counterterrorism activities to detect, identify, neutralize, and exploit adversary intelligence entities and related threats to Florida and the United States. The measure establishes organizational structure, staffing, duties, and staffing timelines, with the goal of full staffing by 2033.

Main purpose and intent

  • Establish a dedicated, statewide counterintelligence and counterterrorism capability.
  • Protect Florida from adversary intelligence entities, international and domestic terrorists, insider threats, corporate threats, and other foreign adversaries.
  • Align unit staffing with each regional domestic security task force to support statewide security efforts.

Key provisions and changes

  • Creation of a new statute: 943.0316, Florida Statutes.
  • Definitions:
    • “Adversary intelligence entity” includes a broad set of national/international actors, organizations, groups, or individuals deemed threats to Florida and the U.S.
  • FDLE responsibility:
    • Establish and administer the Statewide Counterintelligence and Counterterrorism Unit.
    • House the unit at FDLE’s regional operational center.
    • Assign a unit team to each regional domestic security task force (s. 943.0312).
  • Unit duties:
    • Analyze patterns of life, gather actionable intelligence, develop action plans.
    • Execute arrests and/or signal enforcement responses using counterintelligence and counterterrorism tradecraft.
    • May conduct direct action missions or integrate with other units to counter threats.
  • Staffing and timeline:
    • By July 1, 2027: create an initial 10-person team to serve as leadership/core.
    • Establish a statewide unit with at least seven teams, each linked to a regional task force.
    • Fully staff the unit no later than December 30, 2033; FDLE annually requests positions and funding necessary for full staffing.
  • Team composition and requirements:
    • Each team must include:
    • 1 team leader (assistant special agent in charge).
    • 1 facility security officer with counterintelligence experience, plus 4 intelligence analysts.
    • 1 deputy team leader (special agent supervisor) and 6 counterintelligence agents, including specified liaison officers (federal, state, and local).
    • Qualifications for team members:
    • Experience with U.S. government agencies, military service, or law enforcement in intelligence/counterintelligence/counterterrorism; or
    • At least 3 years of active experience in intelligence, counterintelligence, or counterterrorism.
  • Operational scope:
    • Unit may act independently or with other entities to counter threats.
    • Tasks include insider threat support, threat detection, assessment, and countermeasures.

Who would be affected

  • FDLE would gains a new statewide unit, with expanded staffing and funding needs.
  • Regional domestic security task forces would have aligned unit teams for enhanced counterintelligence and counterterrorism support.
  • Florida’s Fusion Center and existing domestic security infrastructure may experience expanded coordination with the new unit.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Effective date: July 1, 2026.
  • Initial leadership team: by July 1, 2027.
  • Full unit staffing: by December 30, 2033.
  • Fiscal impact: negative (indeterminate) fiscal impact on FDLE due to new unit creation and ongoing staffing/operational costs.
  • Status: Passed favorable in Criminal Justice committee but ultimately did not advance in Appropriations in 2026, dying in committee.

Notes

  • Lengthy statutory framework references existing FDLE roles (e.g., Florida Fusion Center, regional task forces) and foregrounds potential constitutional considerations related to surveillance, jurisdiction, and First Amendment rights.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.