Chinese Banned From Buying Land In FL After DeSantis Signs Bill

TALLAHASSEE, FL — Gov. Ron DeSantis this week signed a series of bills designed to counteract what he said is the "malign influence of the Chinese Communist Party" in Florida, including one that prohibits Chinese citizens from buying land in the state.

According to a news release, DeSantis signed three bills into law Monday. SB 264 bans the sale of agricultural land and land near military bases to Chinese citizens or entities, while SB 258 bans the use of social media apps TikTok and WeChat on government devices. The third, SB 846, limits state colleges and universities from partnering or building relationships with "countries of concern" such as China.

The new laws build on efforts to "combat corporate espionage and higher education subterfuge" carried out by Chinese Communist Party and its agents," the governor said.

"Today, Florida makes it very clear we don't want the CCP in the Sunshine State," DeSantis said at a news conference on Monday. "We want to maintain this as the free state of Florida."

The legislation takes effect July 1.

SB 264 is arguably the most contentious measure to pass, which prohibits Chinese citizens from buying land in Florida unless they are also American citizens or permanent residents, according to a Guardian report.

Under the law, Chinese nationals with non-tourist visas are only allowed to purchase single parcels under two acres and located at least five miles from military installations, WTVT reported.

Russian, Cuban, Iranian, North Korean, Syrian, and Venezuelan citizens are also banned from buying property within 10 miles of military bases, according to an Insider report.

Before the measure passed the House of Representatives, House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell called the bill "overly broad" and accused it of "veering into the area of national origin discrimination," according to WTVT.

Meanwhile, SB 846 prohibits state colleges, universities, and their employees and representatives from accepting gifts or forming partnerships with any college or university based in a "foreign country of concern." Any college or university wishing to do so would have to seek approval through the Board of Governors or the State Board of Education

The third bill, SB 258, requires state officials to keep a list of foreign-owned social media apps such as TikTok and WeChat that present a cybersecurity and data privacy risk. The apps will then be blocked on all government servers and devices in Florida.