Land Laws in Florida: S.B. 264

Florida was unfortunately the last state to repeal its “alien land law” which did not happen until 2018. The language existed in its state Constitution, and it took decades for local Asian American activists to finally repeal it. Just 5 years later, S.B. 264 was introduced. It took barely 2 months for the bill to pass both chambers of the Florida Congress and signed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R). This bill is worse than Texas SB 147. It contains language that applies to all three relevant property types such as agricultural land, critical infrastructure, and real property. Florida has also incorporated procedures for registration and penalties which are a legitimate cause for concern. For example, failure to follow property registration regulations and sign affidavits could lead to civil penalties, misdemeanors, or both.