TALLAHASSEE — The Florida Legislature on Friday decided to hold a special session early next month to address Gov. Ron DeSantis’ call for further sanctions against Iran and to stand with Israel and provide more aid for victims of Hurricane Idalia.
“Following the horrific atrocities committed by Iranian-backed terrorist group Hamas against Israel, I am calling on the Florida Legislature to act swiftly to ensure our state does not send a penny to the Iranian terror state,” DeSantis said in a news release.
DeSantis wants the Legislature to increase sanctions against Iran by expanding the number of industries on Florida’s existing scrutinized companies list and strengthen prohibitions against investing in companies that do business with states that sponsor terrorism.
“Given recent events including the horrific attacks against Israel in the Middle East and devastation to the Big Bend caused by Hurricane Idalia here at home … we have identified several issues that warrant our attention in advance of the 2024 Regular Session,” Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, said in a memo to all senators.
Renner told House members in a memo to be in Tallahassee first thing Monday morning, Nov. 6. The session is scheduled to end on Nov. 9.
Besides Iran, other issues include expanding financial aid and tax relief to the victims of Hurricane Idalia, expressing support of Israel against terrorist organizations, and increasing security infrastructure in Florida to guard against anti-Semitic violence and hate crimes.
The agenda set by the House and Senate also includes expanding recovery efforts from disasters to include helping farms and aquaculture and providing a way to increase the number of students served under the Family Empowerment Scholarship for students with disabilities.
Iran supports Hamas, a Palestinian militant group that began a war on Oct. 7 by attacking Israel. DeSantis, who is seeking the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, called for increased state sanctions a few days later.
Florida already lists Iran as a “foreign country of concern,” along with China, Russia, North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela and Syria. Since 2008, Florida has prohibited state agencies and local governments from contracting for goods and services of more than $1 million with any business that has contracts with the Iranian government.
In addition, a state law passed this spring placed land-ownership restrictions on people from Iran and the other foreign countries of concern. Also, the federal government has imposed numerous sanctions on Iran.
Prior to the joint announcement outlining the special session, Florida House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell, D-Tampa, called it the governor’s latest effort to boost his presidential bid.
“This looks like yet another case of Ron DeSantis using the Legislature to try to help his failing presidential campaign,” Driskell said in a statement. “We will be watching closely to make sure Floridians’ tax dollars aren’t wasted trying to impress out-of-state GOP primary voters.
‘DeSantis’ policy failures at home have left Floridians paying the most for homeowners insurance, auto insurance, and rent in the country. I think Floridians would prefer their governor spend as much time addressing these pocketbook issues here as he spends on his ambitions,” she added.
News Service of Florida contributed to this report.
