Governor Ron DeSantis signed Florida House Bill 429 on June 16, 2026, which modifies the state's definition of a criminal gang member to include digital evidence. ^[1] Florida Governor Ron DeSantis stated on 2026-01-12 that the state must avoid becoming a 'digital AI surveillance state' where citizens are tracked at all times. ^[2] The Florida Police Benevolent Association (PBA) endorsed Mike Beltran for the race to represent Florida's 14th Congressional District. ^[3] ICF Consulting hired Michael Weiss as its state growth lead to expand consulting and technology services for public agencies in Florida. ^[4] The law takes effect on October 1, 2026, and allows admissions of gang membership made on social media platforms to count as legal evidence. ^[5] To be legally classified as a criminal gang member under the new law, an individual must meet at least two of the specified criteria. ^[6] Governor DeSantis warned that private companies can make significant money by selling people's movement data and that current safeguards against misuse by corporations and law enforcement are insufficient. ^[7] Governor Ron DeSantis argued that while license-plate reader systems are appropriate for toll-by-plate, they should not be used for routine criminal penalties or broad tracking of citizens. ^[8] Governor Ron DeSantis stated that the Legislature will need to act to protect Floridians' privacy as AI and surveillance technologies expand. ^[9] The Florida PBA stated that it represents 31,000 law-enforcement professionals statewide. ^[10] The organization cited Beltran's record on public safety and his support for law enforcement as the primary reasons for the endorsement. ^[11] Michael Weiss joins ICF from the Florida House of Representatives after a career in the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the state Senate, and Miami-Dade County. ^[12]