Sunshine Sentinel

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed two senate bills, HB 7017 that creates stricter reporting of public funds and HB 1523 that works to fight foreign influence, especially from China, on the government, state agencies and corporate world. 

A release from the governor's office elaborates that HB 7017 "strengthens foreign financial connection vetting and disclosure requirements for entities seeking tax-payer funded grants or contracts from state agencies or political subdivisions." HB 1523 creates new criminal offenses in Florida for the trafficking and thefts of "trade secrets" making it a third-degree felony.

"Was pleased to sign bills to combat foreign influence, especially by the CCP.  hanks to my friends from Taiwan and from the Taiwanese-American community for participating in the bill signing," Gov. DeSantis wrote in a tweet.

The purpose for Gov. DeSantis signing both bills comes from his claim that China is engaging in government and corporate espionage, WTSP reported. Gov. DeSantis blames China for trying to cover up the true origins of COVID-19, he said in a news conference. 

"It's pretty clear that this was a virus that almost assuredly leaked out of this lab in Wuhan," DeSantis said, as reported by WTSP. "This is a lab where these scientists were working closely with the Communist Party of China, as well as the Chinese military."

As more support comes from the scientific community to explore the true origins of COVID-19, including President Biden's call for a formal investigation, the two bills were crafted in the legislative session as a response to "high-profile Florida cases involving medical and academic researchers," ABC 7 WWBB reported.

As part of HB 7017, any corporation seeking a grant or contract over $100,000 from the state will be required to report any ties to particular countries including China, Stria, Cuba, North Korea or Venezuela, ABC 7 WWBB reported. It will also require that any group receiving a gift of more than $50,000 from a "foreign source" would have to report such gift. 

Both bills that DeSantis signed were unanimously approved by lawmakers, ABC 7 WWBB reported.  HB 1523 will take effect on Oct. 1 while HB 7017 will take effect July 1.