Ethics and Elections

>> Chair Gaetz: WITH MY APOLOGIES, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL >> CHAIR GEATZ >> HERE >> VICE CHAIR BERNARD SENATOR AVILLA >> HERE >> SENATOR BRADLY >> HERE >> SENATOR GARCIA >> HERE >> SENATOR GRALL >> HERE >> SENATOR POLSKY >> HERE >> SENATOR ROUSON A QUORUM IS PRESENT. >> Chair Gaetz: THE MEETING IS CALLED TO ORDER. PLEASE SILENCE ELECTRONIC DEVICES AND IF YOU WISH TO SPEAK BEFORE THE COMMITTEE GIVE A SPEAKER CARD TO ONE OF THE SERGENTS IN THE BACK AND WE WOULD BE HAPPY TO HEAR FROM YOU IN PERSON OR YOU CAN WAIVE IN SUPPORT OR OPPOSITION ON ANY BILL THAT COMES BEFORE THE COMMITTEE. TURN TO TAB 1 SENATE BILL 1622 BY SENATOR RODRIGUES. HE IS NOT HERE? THEN WE WILL NOT TURN TO TAB ONE. IS SENATOR GRALL HERE? SHE IS. TURN TO TAB 2 SENATE BILL 1178. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> Sen. Grall: SB 1120 ENFORCEMENT ACT WHICH AMENDS AND ESTABLISHES NUMEROUS STATUTORY PROVISIONS TO REDUCE INTERFERENCE AND INFLUENCE BY FOREIGN COUNTRIES OF CONCERN. IT EXPANDS THE DEFINITION OF FOREIGN SOURCE A CONCERN TO INCLUDED FOREIGN TERRORIST ORGANIZATION OR AN AGENT ACTING ON BEHALF OF SUCH ORGANIZATION. GRADES ESTATE LEVEL FRAMEWORK FOR THE REGISTRATION OF AGENTS AND ORGANIZATIONS ASSISTED WITH FOREIGN COUNTRIES OF CONTENTS AND PRESCRIBED PENALTIES FOR ITS VIOLATION. EVENTS GIVES THE PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES FROM FOREIGN COUNTRIES OF CONCERN AND DESIGNATE A FOREIGN TERRORIST ORGANIZATION. IT PROVIDES FOR ETHICS TRAINING FOR LOCAL OFFICIALS TO INCLUDE KNOWN INFLUENCE EFFORTS AND HOW TO IDENTIFY AND REPORT SUSPECTED INFLUENCE CAMPAIGNS PICKETT STRENGTHENS PROVISIONS ON GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING BY BRIBING CONTRACTS FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY WITH FOREIGN COUNTRIES OF CONCERN ALONG WITH PROHIBITING CONTRACTS RELATING TO CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE IT WOULD GIVE FOREIGN COUNTRIES OF CONCERN AND THEIR SUBDIVISIONS ACCESS OR CONTROL. IT PROHIBITS THE STATE PROTOCOL OFFICER, SECRETARY OF STATE FROM ENCOURAGING A SISTER CITY OR STATE AFFILIATION WITH A FOREIGN COUNTRY OF CONCERN OR ITS SUBDIVISION AND REQUIRES THE DEPARTMENT ESTATE TO PUBLISH ON THEIR WEBSITE A LIST OF ALL SISTER CITY AND SISTER STATE AFFILIATION ALONG WITH COPIES OF ALL AGREEMENTS. ADVISES PROVISIONS GOVERNING LINKAGE INSTITUTES GOVERNMENT OF CHINA INSTITUTE FROM AUTHORIZED INSTITUTES. IT REPEALS -- PERMITTING LINKAGE INSTITUTE TO CONSIDER FOREIGN STUDENTS AS RESIDENTS FOR IN-STATE TUITION PURPOSES. IT PROHIBITS LINKAGE INSTITUTE ENTERING INTO AN AGREEMENT OR PARTICIPATE IN ACTIVITIES WITH A FOREIGN COUNTRY OF CONCERN OR ANY ORGANIZATION IN SUCH COUNTRY. IT RECLASSIFIED A CRIMINAL OFFENSE WERE COMMITTED FOR THE PURPOSE OF BENEFITING, PROMOTING, OR FURTHERING THE INTEREST OF FOREIGN GOVERNMENT OR DESIGNATED TERRORIST ORGANIZATION IS CONSISTENT WITH CURRENT STATUTORY LANGUAGE ON A FLORIDA STATUTE 908.1 TO WHICH RECLASSIFIED HIS CRIMES WERE COMMITTED FOR PURPOSE OF BENEFITING, PROMOTING, OR FURTHERING THE INTEREST OF A TRANSNATIONAL CRIME ORGANIZATION AND CRIMINALIZES THE UNAUTHORIZED ENFORCEMENT OF FOREIGN LAW AND THAT IS THE BILL. >> Vice Chair Bernard: THANK YOU SENATOR GRALL. ARE THERE QUESTIONS ON THE BILL? SENATOR POLSKY, YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> Sen. Polsky: THANK YOU. THAT WAS A LOT. SOMETHING YOU SAID ABOUT EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS. I KNOW THERE IS A BILL FLOATING AROUND ABOUT FOREIGN STUDENTS. DOES THIS HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH STUDENTS BEING ALLOWED TO ATTEND UNIVERSITIES OR THIS HAS TO DO WITH OTHER GOVERNMENTS AT THOSE INSTITUTIONS? >> THIS HAS TO DO WITH LINKAGE INSTITUTES THAT HAVE FOREIGN STUDENTS THERE AND THEY RECEIVE IN-STATE TUITION. UP TO 25 AT EACH OF THE INSTITUTIONS. IT WOULD REMOVE THE IN-STATE TUITION PROVISION FOR THE LINKAGE INSTITUTES, BUT IT WOULD, IT REMOVES THE LANGUAGE ON THE FLORIDA CHINA INSTITUTE OF AS ONE OF THE LANGUAGE RECOGNIZED UNDER FLORIDA STATUTE. AND IT PROHIBITS FROM ENTERING INTO AGREEMENT WITH A FOREIGN COUNTRY OR ANY ORGANIZATION. THAT IS THE EXTENT OF THE HIGHER ED PIECE. >> MORE QUESTIONS >> YES. >> Vice Chair Bernard: YOU CAN GO BACK AND FORTH. >> Sen. Polsky: ARE THERE ANY STATE OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT ENTITIES USING INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY THAT WOULD BE PROHIBITED UNDER THIS BILL? >> Sen. Grall: I'M NOT AWARE OF ANY SPECIFIC TECHNOLOGIES. THERE ARE CERTAIN CONTRACTS PROHIBITIONS IN PLACE ALREADY WITH REGARD TO FOREIGN COUNTRIES OF CONCERN AND THIS IS LOOKING TO STRENGTHEN THOSE LAWS. ABOUT IF THERE'S PERSONAL INFORMATION COLLECTED THROUGH THOSE TECHNOLOGIES. >> Sen. Polsky: OKAY. IS ANY OF THE ELECTION EQUIPMENT OUR TECHNOLOGY APPROVED FOR USE IN FLORIDA IMPACTED BY THIS LEGISLATION YOU ARE AWARE OF? >> Sen. Grall: I'VE NOT HAD ANY CONVERSATION ABOUT THE ELECTION EQUIPMENT. THIS BILL IMPACT ON THE ELECTION EQUIPMENT. >> Sen. Polsky: WILL THE BILL PROHIBIT STATE OR COUNTY GOVERNMENTS CONTRACTING WITH A VENDOR ANY COMPONENT IN THE SYSTEM EVEN MINOR HARDWARE PARTS:DEPOSITORIES OR RESISTORS IS MANUFACTURED IN THE COUNTRY OF CONCERN SUCH AS CHINA? >> Sen. Grall: THIS BILL DOES NOT SPEAK TO THAT SPECIFICALLY. IT SPEAKS TO THE VENDOR AND OWNERSHIP OF THAT ORGANIZATION. THE OWNERSHIP OF THE COMPANY IN CONTROLLING INTEREST IN THE COMPANY. IF THE COMPANY THAT HAD A PRODUCT WAS COMING FROM A FOREIGN COUNTRY OF CONCERN, THAT COMPANY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO ENTER INTO A BUSINESS AGREEMENT YEAR. IT DOES NOT SPEAK TO SPECIFIC COMPONENTS WITHIN ANY OF OUR TECHNOLOGY USED IN FLORIDA. >> Sen. Polsky: WITH THESE APPLY TO A SOFTWARE COMPANY HEADQUARTERED OUTSIDE A COUNTRY OF CONCERN OF SOME OF ITS SOFTWARE DEVELOPERS LOCATED IN A COUNTRY OF CONCERN? >> Sen. Grall: I DON'T THINK IT WOULD IF THE SPECIFIC OWNERSHIP OF THE COMPANY. THIS GOES TO THE ORGANIZATION NOR THE PERSON. IF THE PERSON IS FROM A FOREIGN COUNTRY OF CONCERN AND THEY ARE DEVELOPING THE SOFTWARE, THIS MAY CAPTURE THE INDIVIDUAL. I WOULD HAVE TO LOOK MORE SPECIFICALLY. DO YOU HAVE A SECTION THAT WOULD IMPACT THAT OUR SPECIFIC SOFTWARE YOU WOULD LIKE ME TO LOOK AT TO SEE IF IT WOULD BE IMPACTED? THERE WOULD BE GENERAL CONCERN ABOUT ANY OF THE SOFTWARE BEING DEVELOPED IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY OF CONCERN AND THE BILL DOES NOT ALLOW FOR US TO HAVE TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS CONTROLLED BY THE FOREIGN COUNTRIES OF CONCERN. >> Sen. Polsky: MAYBE WE COULD GET BACK TO YOU IF WE CAN COME UP WITH ONE. WOULD A VOTING COMPANY HEADQUARTERED OR OTHER NONDESIGNATED COMPANY BE SUBJECT TO THE RESTRICTIONS BECAUSE THEY HAVE OFFICES OR OPERATIONS AND CONCERN? >> Sen. Grall: THERE'S NOTHING IN THE BILL THAT SAYS IT WOULD IMPACT THE SCENARIO. >> Sen. Polsky: OKAY. A FEW MORE PLEASE. FEDERAL LAW REQUIRES AGENTS REPRESENTING FOREIGN COUNTRIES AND ENTITIES TO REGISTER WITH THE DEBARMENT OF JUSTICE AND DISCLOSE RELATIONSHIPS AND ACTIVITIES. WHY DOES YOUR BILL DUPLICATE AN EXISTING FEDERAL PROGRAM WITH ANOTHER LAYER OF BUREAUCRACY AT THE STATE LEVEL? >> Sen. Grall: IT REQUIRES THAT IN FLORIDA. THAT'S A FEDERAL REQUIREMENT BUT IF SOMEONE IS DOING BUSINESS IF THERE IS A FOREIGN AGENT IN FLORIDA IT'S ABOUT THE IMPACT AND THAT'S THE NEED TO REGISTER AND FLORIDA SO WE HAVE TRANSPARENCY AROUND WHO IS ENGAGED IN BUSINESS IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA ON BEHALF OF FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS. >> AREN'T THEY REQUIRED TO REGISTER ON A FEDERAL LEVEL? >> Sen. Grall: TO REGISTER UNDER A FEDERAL LEVEL BUT THEY MIGHT BE DOING STATE SPECIFIC BUSINESS IN THE STATE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THAT AS WELL. >> Sen. Polsky: WHY DOES YOUR BILL RESTRICT OR ELIMINATE CULTURAL EXCHANGES AND PARTNERSHIPS WITH FOREIGN COUNTRIES. >> Sen. Grall: IT SPEAKS SPECIFICALLY TO FORIENG COUNTRIES OF CONCERN IT DOES NOT ELIMINATE ALL EDUCATION PARTNERSHIPS. IS THERE A SECTION? >> Sen. Polsky: I CAN GET BACK TO YOU. IT SEEMS IT IS CHANGING CONSTANTLY. WHO IS A COUNTRY OF CONCERN. I SEE IT SAYS MADURO LED. THAT WAS A RECENT ADDITON. WOULD THIS BE RETROACTIVE? IF NEXT WEEK THERE IS A NEW COUNTRY OF CONCERN AND SOMEONE IS DOING BUSINESS WHAT HAPPENS. HOW ARE WE SUPPOSED TO KEEP UP WITH THE CHANGES THAT OCCUR? >> Sen. Grall: THERE'S NO CHANGE ABOUT THAT. THE LIST AS EXISTED IN STATUTE. WE ARE NOT CHANGING THAT SPECIFICALLY IN THE BILL. THERE IS A PROVISION WHERE THERE MAY BE CONTRACTS THAT EXIST AND HAVE EXISTED ALREADY. NOT ALL THE RATED COUNTRIES ARE CONCERNED ABOUT FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS AROUND THE TECHNOLOGY AND WHEN THOSE ARE RENEWED WAS A DISCLOSURE PROCESS AND CONSIDERATIONS FOR WHEN THEY ENTER INTO NEW CONTRACTS. I DON'T THINK THE LIST IS CHANGING AND THEREFORE THERE SHOULDN'T BE MUCH THAT CHANGES TRYING TO KEEP UP WITH WHAT IS ACCEPTABLE AND WHAT IS NOT. >> THE ISSUE ON COUNSEL ON AMERICAN ISLAMIC RELATIONS OR CARE. THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED A FOREIGN TERRORIST ORGANIZATION BY THE GOVERNOR ., HOW WOULD THAT INTERACT WITH YOUR BILL. ANY PERSON OR ENTITY THAT INTERACTS WOULD BE SUBJECT TO REVISIONS OF YOUR BILL. >> THERE ARE SPECIFIC COMPONENTS OF THE BILL THAT DEAL WITH FOREIGN TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS HAVING THE SAME MEANING THAT EXISTS IN 775.32. THERE ARE ORGANIZATIONS ADDED TO A LIST, SPECIFICALLY THE DESIGNATED FOREIGN TERRORIST THEY WOULD BE IMPACTED BY CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE BILL. >> Sen. Polsky: IF WE AS CANDIDATES WERE ASKED TO SPEAK AT AN EVENT HOSTED BY CARE IS THAT MAKE US REQUIRED TO REPORTING? >> Sen. Grall: IT DOESN'T CHANGE REQUIREMENTS FOR REPORTING AND THERE IS NO PROHIBITION ON THAT IN THIS BILL. THIS BILL DOES SPEAK TO THE GIFT REQUIREMENTS, THE GIFT BAN ABOUT TAKING FROM CERTAIN ORGANIZATIONS. >> Sen. Polsky: SO JUST TO CLARIFY, THERE IS NO PROHIBITION IN ANY ELECTION ACTIVITY AROUND A GROUP LIKE CARE? WE JUST CAN'T TAKE A GIFT? IS THAT ACCURATE? >> Sen. Grall: IN TERMS OF PARTICIPATING OR SPEAKING AT AN EVENT, THERE'S NO PROHIBITION ON THAT IN THIS BILL. >> Sen. Polsky: IF SOMEONE WAS A MEMBER OF CARE OR ON A BOARD AND THEY WERE RUNNING FOR OFFICE, WHAT WOULD THEY BE REQUIRED TO DO DIFFERENTLY THAN OTHERS? >> Sen. Grall: I DON'T KNOW IF THEY WOULD BE REQUIRED TO DO ANYTHING DIFFERENTLY IN TERMS OF PURSUANT TO THIS BILL UNLESS THEY WERE TRULY FOREIGN AGENT. I DON'T THINK THERE WOULD BE ANYTHING THAT WOULD TO BE DIFFERENT. THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING IF THEY WANTED TO BE A CANDIDATE, THEY COULD BE A CANDIDATE. >> Vice Chair Bernard: THANK YOU. CHAIRMAN GAETZ IS BACK. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THERE IS ONE AMENDMENT. BARCODE 226318. WE WILL TAKE A BARCODE 226318 BY SENATOR GRALL. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO EXPLAIN THE AMENDMENT. >> Sen. Grall: THIS AMENDMENT MAKES DRAFTING DECISIONS TO CLARIFY LANGUAGE IN THE BILL AND RELATED STATUTES AS WELL AS TO ENSURE THE DEFINITIONS OF TERMS USED IN THE BILL ARE CLEAR. THE AMENDMENT CLARIFY SOME PENALTIES UNDER THE NEW STATE LEVEL REQUIREMENTS FOR REGISTRATION OF FOREIGN AGENTS ARE FOR WILLFUL VIOLATIONS TO BE CONSISTENT WITH THE COMMISSION JURISDICTION THE NEW COURSE CONTENT REQUIREMENTS ARE IN ADDITION TO EXISTING CONTENT REQUIREMENTS. THAT IS THE AMENDMENT. >> Vice Chair Bernard: THANK YOU SENATOR GRALL. ARE THERE QUESTIONS ON THE AMENDMENT? SEEING NONE, IS THERE ANY DEBATE? HOLD ON. ONE SECOND. ANY APPEARANCE FORMS? SEEING NONE, ANY DEBATE ON THE AMENDMENT? SENATOR GRALL, YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO CLOSE ON THE AMENDMENT. >> WAIVE CLOSE. >> ALL IN FAVOR SAY YAY. ALL OPPOSED SAY NAY. THE AMENDMENT IS ADOPTED. BACK ON THE BILL AS AMENDED. ARE THERE QUESTIONS ON THE BILL AS AMENDED? ANY APPEARANCE FORMS? WE ARE GOING TO HAVE KELLY CURRY SPEAKING. >> THANK YOU MR. CHAIR. MY NAME IS KELLY AND I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF AN ORGANIZATION CALLED STATE ARMOR THAT WORKS WITH STATES TO HELP THEM BUILD OUT STATE SOLUTIONS TO NATIONAL SECURITY PROBLEMS. WE ARE IN FAVOR OF THE BILL AND I WOULD LIKE TO EXPLAIN A FEW THINGS ABOUT IT OF WHY WE THINK THIS IS AN IMPORTANT AND NECESSARY PIECE OF LEGISLATION IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA. I'M HERE TODAY AS MY ROLE AS ADVISOR TO STATE ARMOR BUT IN MY CAREER WAS SPENT THREE DECADES WORKING ON US FOREIGN POLICY AND AS A HUMAN RIGHTS LAWYER. I SPENT MOST OF THE THREE DECADES TRACKING CHINESE -- INFLUENCE IN THE UNITED STATES PARTICULARLY STARTING WITH HOW IT TARGETED HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS, WHICH IS WHERE IT UNITED FRONT ORGANIZATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES WHICH IS WHERE UNITED FRONT OPERATIONS MOSTLY START AND STARTED OUT IN THE UNITED STATES. OVER THE TIME I'VE SEEN THEM EXPAND THEIR TOOLKIT AND EFFORTS TO A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO THE UNITED STATES THAT ATTACKS OUR EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS, OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY, AND OUR GOVERNING INSTITUTIONS. THE GOAL IS SOMETHING CALLED ELITE CAPTURE IN WHICH THE UNITED FRONT WORKS TO SHAPE THE INFORMATION ENVIRONMENT IN ORDER TO UNDERMINE OUR DEMOCRACY AND CREATED POSITIVE IMAGE FOR THE CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY. TO WEAKEN THE BONDS OF OUR SOCIETY TO STIFLE FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION, PARTICULARLY AS IT RELATES TO CHINA AND ITS ACTIVITIES BOTH AT HOME AND ABROAD. IT IS AN UNPRECEDENTED STRATEGY TAKING PLACE AT THE NATIONAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LEVELS. THE CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTIES SEES THE STATE LEVEL IS THE SOFT UNDERBELLY OF OUR DEMOCRACY FOR THEY HAVE FEWER RESOURCES TO BLOCK AND RESIST MALIGN ACTIVITY AND THEY HAVE A MORE OPEN PLAYING FIELD IN ORDER TO ENGAGE IN THIS SORT OF ACTIVITY. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAS GROWN OVER TIME. AS CHINA'S ECONOMY HAS GROWN LARGER IN THE PARTY STATE HAS GROWN IN POWER, THEY HAVE DEVOTED INCREASING RESOURCES TO THEN DATA FRONT ACTIVITY THEY ENGAGE IN A NOW HAVE OPERATIONS IN ALL 50 STATES IN THE TERRITORIES OF THE UNITED STATES. FLORIDA HAS BEEN AT THE FOREFRONT OF FIGHTING BACK AGAINST THESE ACTIVITIES AND HAS BEEN ONE OF THE LEADERS IN TERMS OF BUILDING RESILIENCE AT THE STATE LEVEL. BOTH THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE ACTION. THIS BILL WOULD CONTINUE FLORIDA'S EXCELLENT WORK IN DOING THIS. I WANT TO CALL ATTENTION TO THE EFFORTS OF THE FOREIGN AGENT REGISTRATION ACT THAT SENATOR POLSKY WAS ASKING ABOUT. ONE OF THE REASON IT'S IMPORTANT FOR STATES TO DEVELOP THEIR OWN REQUIREMENTS IS BECAUSE NOW THAT LOBBYING AT THE STATE LEVEL, WHICH I'M SURE YOU HAVE BEEN THE SOURCE OF AND YOUR CONFRONTED WITH LOBBYISTS HERE AT THE STATE LEVEL. THEY ARE NOT REQUIRED TO REGISTER IF THEY ARE ONLY LOBBYING ON BEHALF OF A FOREIGN ENTITY AT THE STATE LEVEL. THEY ARE ONLY REQUIRED TO REGISTER FOR FEDERAL ACTIVITIES ON THE FEDERAL STATUTE HAS HUGE LOOPHOLES. IT'S ALMOST EATEN UP BY ITS EXCEPTIONS. WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH STATES ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO DEVELOP REGISTRATION ACTS THAT ARE NEARLY AN EFFORT TO USE ONE OF THE HALLMARKS OF OUR DEMOCRACY WHICH IS TRANSPARENCY. GROWING UP I REMEMBER FLORIDA BEING THE SENTIENT STATE, NOT JUST BECAUSE OF THE SUNSHINE BUT YOU ARE ONE OF THE FIRST OF OPEN HEARINGS AND OPEN REQUIREMENTS ABOUT MAKING SURE EVERYTHING IN THE STABLE SUBJECTIVE TRANSPARENCY AND SUNSHINE BEING THE BEST DISINFECTANT. THIS IS IN LINE WITH FLORIDA PRACTICE TO ENSURE PEOPLE WHO ARE ENGAGING IN LOBBYING IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA AND DOING ADVOCACY WORK IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA REGISTERED ON BEHALF OF THE FOREIGN AGENTS THEY ARE ACTING ON BEHALF OF. THE DEFINITIONS ENSURE THIS IS FOCUSED ON ADVERSARY NATIONS ON COUNTRIES OR REGIMES THAT POSE A PARTICULAR THREAT TO THE UNITED STATES AND NOT JUST OUR FRIENDS IN CANADA OR THE UK. THE OTHER ISSUE I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT. I CAN TALK ABOUT UNITED FRONT OPERATIONS ALL DAY LONG. IT'S BEEN MY LIFE FOR THREE DECADES ONE VERSED IN IT. THE OTHER ISSUE IS A TRANSNATIONAL IMPRESSION LEGISLATION, WHICH IS A NOVEL THING FLORIDA WILL BE LEADING THE COUNTRY IF THIS LEGISLATION IS PASSED. IT'S NOT A NEW PHENOMENON. IT IS TAKEN PLACE FOR DECADES. WHAT IS NEW IS THE ABILITY OF THE CHINESE PARTY STATE TO REACH INTO ALL LEVELS OF SOCIETY AND TARGET INDIVIDUALS ON BEHALF OF THEIR EFFORTS, WHETHER THEY ARE TRYING TO RAISE CONCERNS ABOUT PERSECUTION, RELIGIOUS OR ETHNIC MINORITIES IN CHINA WERE TALKING ABOUT HONG KONG AND THE SITUATION THERE. OR TRYING TO ADVOCATE FOR POLICIES INSIDE THE UNITED STATES THE CARS PARTY SEES AS ADVERSE TO THEIR INTERESTS. ALL THOSE INDIVIDUALS ARE BEING TARGETED BY THE CHINESE PARTY STATE TODAY WITH TRANSNATIONAL IMPRESSION. IF THEY HAVE FAMILY MEMBERS IN CHINA, THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS ARE LEVERAGED AGAINST THEM. IF THEY ARE TARGETED WITH ONLINE DOXXING CAMPAIGNS AND HARASSMENT AND SOME OF THE MORE EXTREME CASES THEY ARE THREATENED WITH PHYSICAL VIOLENCE AND TARGETED WITH STALKING AND ASSAULT. THIS IS A REAL PROBLEM. IT'S HAPPENING IN THE UNITED STATES. THE STATES IS A LEAD ON LAW ENFORCEMENT HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO ADDRESS THIS. THE FBI IS NOT GOING TO GET THE CASES IN THE FIRST INSTANCE OF REPORTING IS LIKELY TO BE LOCAL OR STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT. WITH THAT I'M HAPPY TO TAKE YOUR QUESTIONS AND THANK YOU FOR TAKING UP THIS BILL AND I URGE YOUR SUPPORT. >> Vice Chair Bernard: THANK YOU. NEXT WE WILL HAVE ROBERT PIERCE SPEAKING FOR. >> Public Speaker: CHAIR GAETZ, VICE CHAIR, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO TESTIFY. MY NAME IS ROB PIERCE. I SPENT MOST MY CAREER IN THE MILITARY AND INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY AND SERVE AS VICE PRESIDENT OF AMERICAN GLOBAL STRATEGIES IN A NATIONAL SECURITIES FELLOW AT THE AMERICAN POLICY FOREIGN COUNSEL. I'M HERE TO TESTIFY IN SUPPORT OF 1178. THE SECTION PERTAINING TO PROCUREMENT, CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE, AND TECHNOLOGY. I WOULD LIKE TO START WITH THE THREE MAIN POINTS. THE FIRST THAT THAT THE CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY POSES IS ASKED US TO ENJOY. CCP POSSESSES THE MEANS, CAPACITY CRITICAL TO CHALLENGE ECONOMICALLY AND TECHNOLOGICALLY AND THEY ARE PURSUING A GRAND STRATEGY DESIGNED AS THE WORLD LEADING POWER. SECOND WHILE IT'S TRUE THE COMPETITION BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND CHINA RESIDES AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, IT'S BECOMING INCREASINGLY CLEAR AS CHINA PURSUES ITS DEATH BY A THOUSAND CUTS THAT THE COMPETITION IS VERY MEANINGFUL AND IMPORTANT AT THE STATE AND LOCAL LEVEL AND STATES ARE AT THE FRONTLINES AGAINST THE EFFORTS TO EXPLOIT OUR OPEN SOCIETY. THIRD I WILL BE DISCUSSING THE TECHNOLOGY SECTIONS OF THE BILL. UNDER THE NATIONAL SECURITY LAW AND INTELLIGENCE LAW, CITIZENS AND CORPORATIONS ARE MANDATED BY LAW TO SUPPORT THE MINISTRY OF STATE SECURITY, THEIR EQUIVALENT OF THE CIA AND FBI COMBINED. ABOUT THE STATE FOR CHINESE CORPORATIONS IS COMPULSORY. IS A LEGAL REQUIREMENT ENFORCED BY THE FULL POWER OF THE STATE. SECTION 5 TIBBETS GOVERNMENT ENTITIES FROM ENTERING INTO A CONTRACT WITH AN ENTITY IN WHICH A FOREIGN COUNTRY OF CONCERN HOLDS A CONTROLLING INTEREST AND CREATES ADDITIONAL REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR ANY ENTITY CONTRACTED WITH THE STATE ON MATTERS THAT INVOLVE TECHNOLOGY AND ACCESS TO IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION. UNDER CHINESE LAW ALL CHINESE TECH COMPANIES ARE REQUIRED TO SPY AND SHARE DATA WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT WHEN ASKED OR DEMANDED TO DO SO. ULTIMATELY THE SECTION HELPS PROTECT LOCAL BUSINESSES, PROTECT CITIZEN DATA AND TAXPAYER DOLLARS WHILE PREVENTING COMPANIES THAT POSE A KNOWN SECURITY RISK FROM DOING BUSINESS WITH THE STATE. SECTION 10 BARS STATE CONTRACTING RELATED TO CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE WITH THE FOREIGN SOURCE OF CONCERN AND DIRECTS THE DEFERMENT OF COMMERCE TO SET UP REPORTING AND DATA COLLECTION MECHANISM FOR CONTRACTS RELATED TO CRITICAL INFASTRUCTURE. CHINA IS DELIBERATELY TARGETING CRITICAL OF A STRUCTURE WHICH INCLUDES OUR INDUSTRIAL BASE PORTS, CONSULTATION, HOSPITALS, ELECTRICAL GRIDS. THE ABILITY TO INVENT AND ARE CRITICAL OF THE STRUCTURE PROVIDES A CCP WITH ACCESS TO DATA BUT ALSO IMMENSE LEVERAGE IMAGINE THE DAMAGE THAT COULD BE CREATED. NOT TO MENTION THE IMPACT TO OUR WILL TO FIGHT IF THEY DECIDED TO TURN THE LIGHTS OFF IN MIAMI OR CRIPPLE WATER TREATMENT FACILITIES IN TAMPA. THESE SCENARIOS ARE PLAUSIBLE BECAUSE CHINESE TECHNOLOGY PRODUCTS KILL SWITCH IS CONTROLLED BY BEIJING. CHINESE TELECOM COMPANIES ARE NOTORIOUS FOR SPYING AND DATA COLLECTION. THEY OFTEN UNDERCUT US COMEDIES BY STEALING OUR TECHNOLOGY IN DEVELOPING IT, SELLING IT AT THE LOWER PRICE WHICH IS EASIER TO DO WITHOUT THE COST. ONCE THERE INFRASTRUCTURE IS INSTALLED THEY USE IT TO STEAL MORE DATA MORE EASILY TO SPY ON THEIR IDENTIFIED TARGETS. SECTION 13 CREATES A NEW GOVERNMENT MODERNIZATION TO OVERSEE STATE PRACTICES RELATED TO AI AND OTHER NEW ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES INCLUDING PROMOTING DIGITAL LITERACY AND PROTECTING AGAINST MIXED USE OF TECHNOLOGIES BY FACTORS SUCH AS FOREIGN COUNTRIES OF CONCERN. THIS IS IMPORTANT TO PREVENT THE PROLIFERATION OF AI SUCH AS DEEP SEEK WHICH IS BUILT USING STOLEN US TECHNOLOGY AND ACCORDING TO THE HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE SIPHONS DATA BACK TO THE PRC, CREATES VULNERABILITIES FOR ITS USERS RELIES ON A MODEL THAT SENSES AND MANIPULATES INFORMATION PURSUANT TO CHINESE LAW. SECTION 14 PERMITS THE USE OF STATE FUNDS TO PURCHASE OR DEPLOY SECURITY CAMERAS REDUCED BY FOREIGN COUNTRIES OF CONCERN. IN RECENT MONTHS RESEARCHERS DISCOVERED HIGH RISK CHINESE SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS BUILT INTO HE WAS CRITICAL OF THE STRUCTURE SYSTEMS. AND BEGINNING BACK TO SUSPECTED HOSTILE OVERSEAS SERVERS. THEY IDENTIFIED ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONALITY THAT CAN ENABLE BACKDOOR ACCESS TO NETWORK TO WHICH THE DEVICE WAS CONNECTED. IN AUGUST THE FLORIDA AG SUBPOENAED LORAX, A SECURITY CAMERA COMPANY FOR DECEPTION OF MATERIAL NON DISCLOSURE BACK DOORS SENDING DATA BACK TO CHINA AND FALSELY LABELING CHINESE PRODUCT IS CANADIAN OR TAIWANESE. CHINESE COMPANIES WHICH BY LAW MOST COMPLY WITH ANY DIRECTION GIVEN TO THEM BY THE CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY ARE ACTUALLY COMMITTING CONSUMER FRAUD BECAUSE THEIR PRODUCTS ARE DOING SOMETHING USERS ARE NOT MADE AWARE OF THAT THEY WOULD NOT AGREE TO WHEN THEY PURCHASE THE EQUIPMENT. IT'S IMPERATIVE WE NOT ALLOW THE CAMERAS TO OPERATE HERE IN FLORIDA ACROSS THE UNITED STATES. THE SENATE BILL 11 HELPS MAKE FLORIDA A HARD TARGET BY CLOSING ATTACK VECTORS IN THE STATE AND I WILL CLOSE BY SAYING IT HAS BEEN TO CHINA DOES NOT VIEW ICON IS TO BE RECIPROCATED BUT RATHER AS A WEAKNESS TO BE EXPLOITED. SO IT'S CRITICAL WE PREVENT THE CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY EXPLODING OUR OPEN SYSTEM AND THAT STARTS WITH STATES LIKE FLORIDA TAKING ACTION. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. >> Vice Chair Bernard: THANK YOU. NO QUESTIONS FOR YOU. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. ANY DEBATE ON THE BILL AS AMENDED? SEEING NO DEBATE ON THE BILL AS AMENDED, SENATOR GRALL YOU ARE RECOGNIZED CLOSE AS AMENDED. >> Sen. Grall: THANK YOU. I WOULD ASK FOR YOUR FAVORABLE SUPPORT ON THIS BILL AND AS IT MOVES, OBVIOUSLY A LOT OF FEEDBACK AS WELL. I HAVE WORKED ON THE ISSUE FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS STARTING WITH THE FLORIDA INFLUENCE IN OUR HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEMS WE SAW AROUND 2019 AND 2020 IN FLORIDA AND I THINK IT IS SOMETHING WE KNOW THERE IS A CONSTANT PUSH TO INTERFERE WITH OUR GOVERNMENT NOT ONLY AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL BUT STAY LEVEL BY OUR ADVERSARIES AND THIS IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION TO ENSURE WE ARE CONTINUING TO BE VIGILANT PUSHING BACK AGAINST THAT AND WITH THAT I WOULD ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT. >> Vice Chair Bernard: PLEASE CALL THE ROLL CALL ON CS FOR SB 11 7A. >> Sen. Avila: YES. >> Sen. Bradley: YES. >> Sen. Garcia: >> Sen. Grall: YES. >> Sen. Polsky: YES. >> Sen. Rouson: YES. >> Vice Chair Bernard: YES. >> Chair Gaetz: YES. >> Vice Chair Bernard: CS FOR SB 11 78 IS REPORTED FAVORABLY. THANK YOU. SENATOR GAETZ, I WILL PASS THE GAVEL BACK TO YOU. >> Chair Gaetz: WELL DONE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. SENATOR RODRIGUEZ, THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. PLEASE TAKE UP TAB ONE ON PENALTIES FOR LATE FILED DISCLOSURES OR STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL INTEREST. >> THANK YOU MR. CHAIRMAN, VICE CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE. SENATE BILL 1622 PROVIDES A ONE-TIME WAIVER OF THE AUTOMATIC FINES LEVIED AGAINST A REPORTING INDIVIDUAL FOR LATE FILED FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE IF THE REPORTING INDIVIDUAL FILED HIS OR HER FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE LATE BEFORE THE AUTOMATIC FIND A CRUISE FOR THE FILING YEAR. THE REPORTING PERSON DOES NOT ACCRUE THE MAXIMUM AUTOMATIC FIND FOR THE LATE FINDING OF THE FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE IN THE REPORTING PERSON IS NOT RECEIVED IN PAST YEARS IT WAIVER OF AN AUTOMATIC FIND RELATING TO LATE FILING OF A FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE AND THAT IS THE BILL. >> Chair Gaetz: QUESTIONS ON THE BILL? ANY SENATORS WITH ANY QUESTIONS? ANY APPEARANCE FORMS? CARRIE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE COMMISSION ON ETHICS. AND SHE IS ACCOMPANIED BY STEPHEN CASE ANYONE WANTS TO KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE LAW. STEVE WILL TELL US ABOUT THAT. >> GOOD MORNING AND THANK YOU MR. CHAIR. THE FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE PROCESS ARE TRANSPARENCY COMPLIANCE GOALS FOR OUR EMPLOYEES WHO FILE FORM ONE AND FORM SIX. THE COMMISSION BELIEVES THE BILL SUPPORTS THE COMPLIANCE GOALS OF THE STATUTE WILL MAKE IN THE FINE AND APPEALS PROCESS MORE EFFICIENT. THIS IS ONE OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS. WE ARE GRATEFUL TO SENATOR RODRIGUEZ FOR SPONSORSHIP AND AM AVAILABLE FOR QUESTIONS. >> Chair Gaetz: ANY QUESTIONS? IF NOT, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR BEING HERE. ANY DEBATE ON THE BILL? IF NOT, SENATOR RODRIGUEZ, YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO CLOSE. THE CENTER HAVING WAIVED CLOSE, TERRENCE, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL CALL. >> Sen. Avila: YES. >> Sen. Bradley: >> Sen. Garcia: YES. >> Sen. Grall: YES. >> Sen. Polsky: YES. >> Sen. Rouson: YES. >> Vice Chair Bernard: YES. >> Chair Gaetz: YES. BY YOUR ACTION THE BILL HAS BEEN REPORTED FAVORABLY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. SENATORS, WE WILL TAKE UP TAB THREE THROUGH 26. WE HAVE CONFIRMATION HEARINGS. A SERIES OF APPOINTMENTS. WE WOULD ASK, AS WE ALWAYS DO, IF ANY SENATOR WISHES TO REQUEST A SEPARATE VOTE ON ANY INDIVIDUAL APPOINTEE. IF SO WE WILL CALL THEM OUT. IS THERE ANY SUCH REQUEST? IF NOT, YOU SEE THE APPOINTEES BEFORE YOU IN TIMES THREE THROUGH 26. A MOTION IS IN ORDER TO APPROVE THEM. SENATOR GRALL SO MOVES. SECOND BY SENATOR AVILA. DEBATE OR DISCUSSION? IS THERE PUBLIC TESTIMONY? WE HAVE ONE INDIVIDUAL WHO WISHES TO TESTIFY. ELIA HOOKS. MR. HOOKS IS APPARENTLY NOT GOING TO TESTIFY. IS THERE ANY DEBATE OR DISCUSSION? IF NOT, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL CALL. >> Sen. Avila: YES. >> Sen. Bradley: YES. >> Sen. Garcia: >> Sen. Grall: YES. >> Sen. Polsky: >> Sen. Rouson: YES. >> Vice Chair Bernard: YES. >> Chair Gaetz: YES. BY YOUR ACTION THE CONFIRMATION OF APPOINTEES ON TABS THREE THROUGH 26 WILL BE RECOMMENDED FAVORABLY TO THE FULL SENATE. DOES ANY SENATOR WISH TO BE RECORDED ON VOTING ON BILLS BEFORE THE COMMITTEE TODAY? ANY BUSINESS BEFORE THE COMMITTEE? DO WE HAVE ANYTHING ELSE TO TAKE UP. IF NOT, SENATOR AVILA MOVES WE RISE.