Williamson farming operations bill signed into law
Special to Gannett/USA TODAY NETWORK
PACE On April 30, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed SB88/HB1601: Farming Operations into law.
The legislation, sponsored by Representative Jayer Williamson (R-Pace), picked up the Senate version of the bill and passed it off the House floor with bipartisan support last week.
The intent of the legislation was to amend the Florida Right to Farm Act, enacted in 1979, which protects farm operations from nuisance lawsuits if the operations are in compliance with federal laws, state laws or best management practices.
Specific changes to the act include that a plaintiff must prove by clear and convincing evidence that his or her claim arises from conduct out of compliance with the laws or practices in a civil nuisance action against a farm. It also prohibits a nuisance action from being filed against a farm operation unless the real property affected is within one-half mile of the source of the act
Front: Governor Ron DeSantis
Middle (pictured left to right): Pahokee Mayor Keith Babb; Stephen Singleton, Singleton and Sons; Matt Griffin, Former Florida Farm Bureau Young Farmer and Rancher and 2020 Excellence in Agriculture Award recipient; Michael K. Brown, Brown’s Produce Farms, LLC; Shedrick and Denise McGriff, McGriff Farms; Senator Kathleen Passidomo; and Senator Darryl Rouson, Chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture.
Back (pictured left to right): Senator Kelli Stargel; Representative Jayer Williamson, House bill sponsor; Senator Jason Brodeur, Senate bill sponsor; John L. Hoblick, President of Florida Farm Bureau; Senator Debbie Mayfield; Senate President and lifelong farmer Wilton Simpson; Senator Bobby Powell, Chair of the Florida Legislative Black Caucus.
Governor Signs Right to Farm Bill Following Overwhelming Legislative Support On April 29, 2021, in News Releases, by Staff
Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Governor Ron DeSantis signed SB 88, Farming Operations, preserving Florida’s agricultural heritage and modernizing Florida’s Right to Farm Act which regulates agriculture throughout the state of Florida. The Governor was joined at the bill signing ceremony by Florida farmers, Senate President Wilton Simpson, and bill sponsors, Senator Jason Brodeur and Representative Jayer Williamson, highlighting the strong bipartisan support of SB 88.
Senate President Wilton Simpson (R-Trilby), a lifelong farmer said, “Governor DeSantis and the Florida Legislature stand with Florida farmers. The State of Florida is committed to preserving Florida’s farms, which are legacy businesses that contribute to our nation’s food supply and billions of dollars to our state’s economy. We frequently updat