PRESS RELEASE

TALLAHASSEE, FL–Today Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson is highlighting the Florida Farm Bill and its proposal to protect Florida’s farmers and hunters from drone harassment. The proposal will prohibit the usage of drones on lands classified as agricultural without the property owner’s approval and will prohibit the usage of drones on or near private property, state-hunting lands or shooting ranges with the intent to harass.

“Florida’s farmers, ranchers and hunters are facing increasing harassment from drones—whether it’s interfering with farm operations, harassing livestock or disrupting lawful hunting and shooting activities,” Commissioner Simpson said. “The Florida Farm Bill takes a strong stand to protect the rights of those who feed our families and manage our natural resources from coordinated and intentional harassment.”

In addition, the Florida Farm Bill, sponsored by Senator Keith Truenow (R-Tavares) and Representative Kaylee Tuck (R-Lake Placid), will support Florida agriculture and Florida’s farmers, ranchers and growers; prohibit ESG lending practices targeting agricultural producers; increase emergency preparedness; support FFA and 4-H programs; expand consumer protections and transparency across a number of regulated industries, and more.

 

The legislation will introduce a number of proposals across the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ variety of duties and responsibilities, including but not limited to:

Preserving Florida’s Working Agricultural Lands

  • Returning the decision for solar farms on agricultural land to local government. Clarifying tax structure to incentivize dual use of solar farms with working agriculture.
  • Prohibiting the use of drones on or near agricultural lands.

Protecting the Future of Florida’s Agricultural Industry

  • Prohibiting financial institutions from discriminating against agricultural producers based on environmental policies or set emission targets.

Reducing the Burden on Florida Farmers

  • Providing the opportunity for Floridians to vote on a total exemption of tangible personal property taxes on property classified as agricultural.
  • Exempting agricultural materials used in the process of enrolling in, implementing, and maintaining best management practices from taxes imposed in Florida Statutes.

Reloading Florida’s Commitment to the Second Amendment

  • Updating Florida’s concealed weapon license application process to eliminate red tape and delays for gun owners.
  • Prohibiting the use of drones on state hunting lands or private shooting ranges with the intent to harass.

Increasing Florida’s Emergency Preparedness

  • Supporting a reliable and available fuel supply during emergencies through a retail fuel registration program.
  • Establishing a grant program for fiscally constrained counties and areas along evacuation routes to purchase generator power switches for fuel stations.

Supporting Florida Consumers

  • Creating an “Honest Services Registry,” which will feature charitable organizations that do not solicit or include funds from foreign countries of concern.
  • Prohibiting charities from registering with the department to solicit charitable contributions if they engage in political activities and have failed to register with the Florida Department of State.
  • Prohibiting the mislabeling of plant-based products as “milk” or “meat.”
  • Requiring businesses to clearly mark prices on all items and eliminating an outdated law that allowed for pricing to be optional.
  • Eliminating the loophole for the sale of psychedelic mushrooms.
  • Creating a state felony for stealing checks out of mailboxes from Florida homes and businesses.
  • Prohibiting the addition of non-water quality additives to public water systems.

Educating Florida’s Future

  • Protecting 4-H and FFA programs in local schools from local governments’ zoning laws by ensuring local programs can have agriculture facilities on school property.

“Florida’s farmers, ranchers, and hunters should not have to worry about being harassed by drones while they are simply going about their work or enjoying our great outdoors,” Trueknow said. “I am proud to stand with Florida’s agriculture and hunting communities and commend Commissioner Wilton Simpson for supporting clear protections to prevent bad actors from using drones to disrupt lawful activities.”

Representative Kaylee Tuck (R-Lake Placid) said animal rights activists have long sought to harass and intimidate Florida farmers, ranchers and hunters.

“Commissioner Wilton Simpson understands the importance of standing up for our way of life and this bill ensures that property rights and hunting rights are protected from aerial surveillance and harassment.” Tuck said. “I’m proud to sponsor this legislation alongside Senator Truenow.”

Return to the February 25 issue of Wire to Wire