Subcommittee advances bill creating antisemitism task force after sponsor cites sharp rise in incidents

The Florida House Government Operations Subcommittee on Monday reported HB 111 favorably, a bill by Representative Gottlieb to create an antisemitism task force within the Office of Civil Rights.

Rep. Gottlieb told the committee the measure would establish an 18‑member panel that would conduct a comprehensive review of antisemitism in Florida and deliver an annual report on Jan. 31 with recommendations for strategies, programs and legislation. He cited ADL tracking and said that "from approximately 2014 to 2024 antisemitic incidents have increased by roughly 893%." He also said ADL figures showed 8,873 incidents in 2023 and that between Oct. 7, 2023 and September 2024 more than 10,000 incidents were recorded nationwide, which he offered as the rationale for the task force.

The bill’s author also told members the panel would include appointees from multiple disciplines — local governments, prosecutors, superintendents and police chiefs — and would allow state and local officials to coordinate responses. Representative Valdez asked whether the task force would examine hate more broadly; Gottlieb said the panel would compare antisemitism to other forms of prejudice and racism as part of its work.

Representative Rosenwald, who said he had reviewed the bill’s proposed composition, praised the range of representatives included and said the structure supported a comprehensive approach to the problem. There was no public testimony. After debate, the subcommittee called the roll and recorded 15 ayes, 0 nays; the chair said HB 111 was reported favorably.

The committee’s action sends HB 111 forward as reported favorably; the committee record shows no amendments and no public testimony was entered into the record on the bill.