The 2024 Florida legislative session wrapped up last month, and the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) believes it is very clear that state legislators support the agriculture industry.
The association expressed appreciation for Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson and the Florida Legislature for championing legislation that sought meaningful solutions to some of the challenges facing the industry.
BENEFICIAL BILLS
FFVA provided a summary of a few ag-related bills that made it across the finish line. It is important to note that all of the following await approval from Gov. DeSantis:
- SB 1082 – Housing for Agricultural Workers: Approving the construction of agricultural worker housing by local governments has been challenging. This bill addresses those challenges by establishing one statewide standard for siting and construction of agricultural worker housing. The legislation adds statewide consistency and common sense.
- SB 1084 – Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services: Each year, the Florida commissioner of agriculture puts forth legislation to address issues that have surfaced over the prior year. This bill supports Florida agriculture and the state’s farmers, ranchers and growers; expands options for customers to apply for and renew concealed weapon and other professional licenses; prohibits the sale of lab-grown meat; expands consumer protections and transparency across a number of regulated industries, and more.
- SB 1492 – Employment Regulations: Local governments are attempting to establish a patchwork of county-specific heat regulations. This generates inconsistency and has led to confusion among growers. A provision of this bill prevents local governments from creating their own workplace heat exposure regulations and keeps state regulations consistent with those of the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
AGRICULTURAL APPROPRIATIONS
According to FFVA, there were also a few highlights of note for specialty crop growers in the $117-plus billion budget passed by lawmakers. This includes:
- Citrus advertising: $12.96 million
- Citrus research: $10 million
- Citrus Recovery Program: $2 million
- Florida Department of Citrus marketing: $9 million
- Farm Share: $6.5 million
- Feeding Florida: $6.5 million
- Fresh From Florida: $14.67 million
- Rural & Family Lands Conservation Easement Purchase Program: $100 million
- University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Center for Applied Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center: $19 million
- UF/IFAS on-farm fertilizer application rate studies: $4 million
The budget awaits the governor’s approval.
Source: FFVA
Share this Post
Sponsored Content