Farm Bureau Members Form A Strong Voice At the State Capitol

TALLAHASSEE REPORT

Farm Bureau Members Form A Strong Voice At The State Capitol

By Adam Basford, Director of State Legislative Affairs

Going into the 2019 the legislative session, there were plenty of unknowns.

Not only did the House and Senate have new presiding officers and burgeoning freshman classes, there was a new Governor and Commissioner of Agriculture who were each looking to have an impact on legislative issues impacting agriculture and the environment.

This session ended up like many others: some issues were positive, some were negative and most were a little bit of both.

Our state continues to need a strong voice for agriculture standing for good policy that benefits both our producers and our state as a whole.

Florida Farm Bureau relies heavily on our membership to keep agriculture at the forefront of discussion and decision-making.

HURRICANE RECOVERY The Legislature included important sales tax benefits for farmers impacted by Hurricane Michael.

Most helpful is a sales tax rebate program for materials used to repair or replace buildings and fences on farms. Materials purchased from the date of the storm until June 30 will be eligible for a sales tax rebate.

After the session, Gov. DeSantis also authorized a bridge loan program that will benefit farmers in the affected region.

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT REFORM

The time was right for the Legislature to reform how Florida’s Constitution is amended.

Lawmakers passed a bill that furthers Farm Bureau’s policy supporting a more deliberative Constitutional amendment process.

Any group gathering voter signatures must now register with the state and its hired workers cannot be paid on the number of signatures obtained. Ballot measures must indicate the initiative’s effect on the state budget and the estimated economic impact.

BUDGET ISSUES

After hundreds of Florida Farm Bureau members sent messages to show support for the Fresh From Florida program, the chambers agreed to fund the program at its current level.

The Rural and Family Lands program received no funding this year.

UF/IFAS ended up with $1,750,000 in new funding, with just one program being unfunded.

The budget includes an additional $1 million in recurring funds for research and Extension programs. It also includes $750,000 in non-recurring funds for the Florida 4-H program.

HEMP

A bill strongly supported by Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried passed this session creating the framework for establishing commercial hemp production in Florida.

The bill authorizes the Florida Department if Agriculture and Consumer Services to set rules for industry licensing, qualitycontrol standards and security procedures for the crop. It also creates an advisory council and stipulates that the Florida Farm Bureau President is allowed to appoint a member.

States have authority to begin the process of commercially producing hemp under the 2018 Farm Bill.

We continue to monitor these important issues and we will keep you informed about them.

If you have any questions, please contact our legislative office.