Florida Prohibits Charitable Solicitation of Contributions From Foreign Countries “of Concern”

As many readers of this blog likely know, charitable solicitation in Florida is regulated under the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. That is apparently why a new state restriction on charitable solicitations in that state that will be effective as of July 1, 2025 was included in a recently passed Florida farm bill.

SB700 prohibits charitable solicitations or the acceptance of contributions from “a foreign source of concern,” defined as is a government entity or official, political party, or other legal entity or individual, who is from a “foreign country of concern.” Existing Florida state law defines a “foreign country of concern” as “the People’s Republic of China, the Russian Federation, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the Republic of Cuba, the Venezuelan regime of Nicolás Maduro, or the Syrian Arab Republic.” 

Here is the key text of what is prohibited from SB700, now codified at 496.515(20): 

Solicit or accept contributions or anything of value from a foreign source of concern.

(a) For a first violation of this subsection, this prohibited act is considered involuntary, and shall result in no punitive action from the department if the charitable organization satisfies all of the following requirements:

    1. Provides the department with a solicitation or 1775 contribution form containing an attestation from such foreign source or country of concern in which the person, country, or entity falsely certifies that they are not a foreign country of concern as defined in s. 496.404(13) or a foreign source of concern as defined in s. 496.404(14); 1780

    2. Provides the department with a copy of a refund to the foreign source or country of concern within 30 days after notification by the department of the prohibited act; and

    3. Provides the department with a plan of action to prevent the acceptance of contributions from a foreign country or source of concern in future solicitation activities by the charitable organization.

(b) A second or subsequent violation of this subsection is considered voluntary, and the charitable organization or sponsor is subject to the penalties specified in s. 496.419(5) at the discretion of the department.

Coverage: Venable.

Lloyd Mayer