DeSantis signs into law heightened sanctions against Iran

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill to increase state sanctions against Iran in light of the country’s ties to the terrorist organization Hamas.

HB 5-C, sponsored by Rep. John Snyder, R-Stuart, amends the Protect Florida Investment Act by expanding the definition of a “scrutinized company.”

Sen. Bryan Avila, R-Hialeah Gardens, sponsored the Senate version of the bill during a special session last week.

“By us divesting from companies that do business with Iranian regime and expanding the definition to include all of these other sectors, this will set the standard for the federal government to act,” Avila said during debate last week.

“The definition of ‘scrutinized company’ is expanded to include any company doing business with the government of Iran in the energy, petrochemical, financial, construction, manufacturing, textile, mining, metals, shipping, shipbuilding and port sectors,” Avila continued.

Snyder told Florida’s Voice before the special session that the federal government is in charge of implementing “full blown” sanctions against Iran.

“But what we can do is ensure that the billions of dollars that Florida stewards over in our investment portfolios are not going anywhere near companies that engage or directly help benefit the government of Iran,” Snyder said.

The bill passed 39-0 in the Senate and 100-2 in the House. Florida Democrats that voted against the bill include Reps. Anna Eskamani, D-Miami, and Angie Nixon, D-Jacksonville.

During the floor vote in the House, Eskamani shared her emotional connection to why she planned to oppose the bill.

“I have a lot of family in Iran. Majority of my family is in Iran,” she said. “And I cannot vote for something that could potentially hurt my family in Iran. And so members, I will be voting no on this.”