A proposal in Florida, House Bill 945, would establish a statewide counterintelligence and counterterrorism unit, raising concerns about potential overreach and domestic surveillance. The bill, sponsored by Tampa area Republican representative Danny Alvarez, aims to identify and disrupt threats to Florida and the United States.
What Does the Bill Propose?
House Bill 945 would create an operational intelligence office within the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The unit would be fully staffed by December 30, 2033, with a 10-person leadership team expected to be in place by mid-2027. Its stated purpose is to address threats including terrorism, foreign intelligence operations, and insider threats.
Critics argue the bill is unnecessary given existing federal efforts and could lead to a fragmented intelligence landscape, echoing issues identified by the 9/11 commission. The bill’s language, which allows scrutiny based on “views” and “opinions,” has drawn particular concern, as it recalls past abuses of power like the FBI’s Cointelpro program in the 1960s and 70s.
Representative Alvarez has stated he intends to address civil liberties concerns, but some believe the core premise of the bill remains problematic. The legislation arrives alongside another bill, SB 1632, which seeks to broaden the definition of domestic terrorism and expand state powers to combat ideologies deemed inconsistent with American principles.
The bill’s passage could set a precedent for other states, as “red states often borrow aggressively from one another’s policy playbooks.” Florida’s history of adversarial relationships with the press also raises concerns, given past instances of federal surveillance targeting journalists.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary goal of HB 945?
The primary goal, according to the bill language, is to “conduct statewide counterintelligence and counterterrorism activities to detect, identify, neutralize, and exploit adversary intelligence entities, international and domestic terrorists, insider threats, corporate threats, and other foreign adversaries to protect this state and the United States of America.”
Has the bill passed yet?
As of March 1, 2026, HB 945 has passed two of its four assigned House committees. The Senate version, SB 1712, has not yet moved.
What are some of the concerns surrounding the bill?
Concerns include the potential for wasteful duplication of federal efforts, the risk of fragmented intelligence operations, and the possibility of misuse based on scrutiny of residents’ “views” and “opinions.”
Given the potential for broader adoption of similar legislation, how might a network of state-level intelligence agencies reshape the landscape of domestic surveillance?
