1. United States
2. Fla.
3. Letter

Repeal or Amend HB 1471 WHY? The ACLU of Florida, Equality Florida and coalition partners strongly oppose HB 1471 (and its Senate companion SB 1632), arguing the 2026 bill acts as a mechanism for political targeting, free speech suppression, and violation of the First Amendment. The bill grants state officials power to designate organizations as "domestic terrorist organizations" without robust evidence. Facebook --Key points regarding the opposition to HB 1471 include: --Weaponizing State Authority: Opponents contend the bill allows the governor and cabinet to label groups as "terrorist organizations," potentially targeting LGBTQ+ organizations, nonprofit groups, and social justice organizations. --Constitutional Concerns: The legislation is criticized as a "vague and overbroad" tool that permits the government to target speech and organizations they disagree with. --Targeting Nonprofits: The bill could threaten the existence of numerous organizations within Florida by allowing them to be branded as threats. Impact on Education: The legislation could facilitate the expulsion of students and the defunding of educational institutions that engage in advocacy deemed objectionable by the state. Facebook *The bill (CS/CS/HB 1471) passed the Senate despite concerns about its potential to be used for political repression. It is part of a broader slate of 2026 legislative action targeting LGBTQ+ advocacy and social justice efforts in Florida. Equality Florida --Key Reasons for ACLU Opposition: -Political Targeting: The ACLU contends the bill allows state officials to target ideological opponents, social justice groups, and religious organizations, designating them "domestic terrorists" without standard due process protections. -"Guilt by Association": The legislation expands civil and criminal liability for individuals accused of "promoting" or working with these designated groups, which the ACLU calls "guilt by designation". Chilling Free Speech: The ACLU of Florida warns that the law would severely limit speech that is unpopular, controversial, or critical of state officials. --Unnecessary Enforcement: They maintain the bill is redundant, as Florida already has laws for handling real criminal activity, making this bill an abuse of government power. American Civil Liberties Union The ACLU has launched campaigns encouraging Floridians to contact lawmakers and oppose the bill, citing it as an unconstitutional expansion of government control. ACLU of Florida