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Committee expands anti‑BDS language to academic relationships, reports bill favorably
Summary
SB 16‑78 (as amended) extends the state's anti‑boycott measures to noncommercial academic relationships and restricts state financial contacts with entities that boycott Israel; the committee adopted a delete‑all amendment and reported the measure favorably.
The committee adopted a delete‑all amendment to SB 16‑78 and reported the measure favorably. Sponsor Senator Leake said the bill protects Florida’s economic ties and ensures that state funds are not used to support entities that boycott Israel; the amendment clarified application to public funds and the State University System (SUS) investment and endowment funds and made technical corrections.
Senator Leake described Florida’s trade and research ties with Israeli entities across water technology, disaster relief, avionics, defense, technology R&D and pharmaceuticals and argued the state must defend those relationships from academic and commercial boycotts. The delete‑all amendment restored the current definition of “public fund,” added a separate requirement for the SUS retirement and endowment funds to divest from funds of foreign governments on a scrutiny list when those funds are controlled by the foreign government, and required Department of State Arts and Culture grant applicants to certify compliance with relevant anti‑discrimination laws and not to engage in antisemitic discrimination or speech in connection with the grant project.
Senators asked how the expansion to academic institutions would operate in practice; witnesses and the sponsor explained the change would apply the same standard used for companies to foreign academic institutions and other noncommercial entities that maintain academic exchange or contract relationships with Florida institutions (for example, exchange programs or joint research agreements). Questions included how enforcement would work and whether the state would withhold funding or end other academic relationships.
Public testimony included both supporters and opponents. Proponents argued the state should block contracts with institutions that participate in boycotts targeting Israel; opponents said the change threatens academic freedom and international exchange. The committee recorded the vote to report the bill favorably; senators on the roll call voted in the affirmative and the committee chair announced the bill was reported favorably.
The delete‑all amendment and sponsor statements indicate this measure focuses on expanding the existing anti‑BDS statutory framework to cover academic boycotts and to clarify treatment of university investments and grant applicants. The committee advanced the bill with the amendment.
