DeSantis rolls out portal where people linked to adversaries must register their Florida property

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis rolled out a new portal Monday where people linked to foreign “countries of concern” are required to register their Florida property holdings.

The new SecureFlorida Portal comes under SB 264, which DeSantis signed in May.

The law primely prohibits Chinese government agencies, businesses and citizens from owning land Florida.

It also ensures that those with principal interests in designated countries cannot obtain property within 10 miles of military bases or other “critical infrastructure facility” in most circumstances.

“Protecting Floridians and Florida’s infrastructure from agents like the Chinese Communist Party and other foreign adversaries is important to our state’s security,” DeSantis said.

DeSantis said he is “proud” to have signed the “strongest legislation in the nation to fight back against foreign malign influence.”

Sen. Jay Collins, R-Tampa, and Rep. David Borrero, R-Sweetwater, carried the legislation, which was spearheaded by Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson.

Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly said under DeSantis’s leadership, Florida is “in the driver’s seat and our Freedom First policies are setting the stage for a robust and efficient supply chain.”

The governor’s office said that people who fall under the new law that purchased property before July 1 must register it with FloridaCommerce by the end of 2023.

If not, they could be fined $1,000 per day until the registration is made.

Additionally, FloridaCommerce planned a webinar to walk through how to use the new portal on Nov. 21.