TALLAHASSEE (AP) – Florida won’t appeal a federal judge’s decision that struck down a law he said unconstitutionally limited political free speech.

Secretary of State Kurt Browning initially had said he would appeal but has since changed his mind, spokeswoman Jennifer Krell Davis said Monday.

The stricken “electioneering communications” law required nonpolitical organizations to register with the state, submit financial reports and comply with other regulations if they do so much as mention candidates or issues in publications and on Web sites even without taking sides.

The ruling does not affect other laws regulating campaign and political committees that advocate for or against candidates or ballot issues.

Letting the decision stand will give the Legislature more flexibility if it wants to revisit the issue, Davis said.

State Sen. Charlie Justice, D-St. Petersburg, issued a statement criticizing Browning’s refusal to appeal, saying it “will essentially allow shadow organizations to funnel millions of dollars to political campaigns without regulation or disclosure.”

Justice’s legislative aide, Bethany Linderman, said he was looking at all his options including new legislation.

The Institute for Justice, a libertarian legal organization based in Arlington, Va., challenged the law on behalf of four nonprofit groups and their leaders.