CS/CS/SB 264 (Collins) and CS/HB 1355 (Borrero) prohibit governmental agencies from knowingly entering into a contract with an entity that would give access to an individual’s personal information if the entity is owned by a foreign country of concern or a foreign country of concern has a controlling interest in the entity. These provisions would also apply to entities that have their principal place of business in a foreign country of concern. Beginning January 1, 2024, the bills require governmental agencies to receive a signed affidavit under penalty of perjury attesting that they do not meet the criteria as described above. Foreign countries of concern include: the People’s Republic of China, the Russian Federation, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the Republic of Cuba, the Venezuelan regime of Nicolas Maduro and the Syrian Arab Republic. The bills direct the Attorney General to enforce these provisions. The bills also prohibit governmental entities from providing economic incentives to foreign countries of concern. CS/CS/SB 264 passed the Senate (38-0) and is awaiting action by the House. (Taggart)