Franklin, Cammack, Scott, Moody Introduce Florida Freeze Disaster Assistance Act To Support Florida Growers

Congressman Scott Franklin (FL-18) and Congresswoman Kat Cammack (FL-03) today introduced their bipartisan Florida Freeze Disaster Assistance Act, which would provide $3.5 billion in disaster assistance to help Florida's agricultural producers recover after the devastating freeze in January 2026. Franklin and Cammack were joined by a majority of the Florida Congressional Delegation. Senators Scott (R-FL) and Moody (R-FL) introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

"Florida agriculture operates differently than much of the country, and our disaster response policies need to reflect that reality," said Congressman Scott Franklin, Vice Chair of the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee. "When a severe freeze hits Florida, many specialty crops and multi-year commodities face years of production losses, replanting costs and long-term financial impacts. Too often, growers are forced into a slow, one size fits all federal process that fails to reflect the realities of Florida agriculture. My legislation is an America First farm policy that ensures our growers stay in business, strengthening our domestic food supply and reducing dependence on foreign producers."

"Food security is national security. Right now, Florida's farmers need us to deliver," said Congresswoman Kat Cammack (FL-03). "As the only Floridian on the House Agriculture Committee, I've seen up close what this freeze did to our growers. Whole crops gone. Families who don't know if they can plant again. In March, I led our delegation in urging Secretary Rollins to grant Commissioner Simpson's disaster declaration request, and we got it done. This bill puts Florida in charge of its own recovery instead of waiting on Washington. I'm proud to work with Congressman Franklin to deliver the relief our farmers need."

"Florida farmers and ranchers produce the best food in the world, but this freeze has been tough for them, and the entire agriculture industry," said Senator Rick Scott. "Our state feeds families and creates jobs across the country. Put simply, everyone needs relief here, and that's why I'm proud to lead this bill in the Senate alongside my fellow Floridians in the House. Our farmers and ranchers are resilient; they will bounce back. It's time to provide them with the assistance they need to do that."

"While lots of Floridians experienced the historic freeze earlier this year, our farmers were especially hard hit with significant damage to many of their crops," said Senator Ashley Moody. "I'm glad to see this important legislation that provides emergency funding to deliver disaster assistance through State-administered block grants. I will continue fighting to ensure our farmers have what they need to succeed when it comes to feeding Florida and the rest of the nation."

"I want to thank Florida's congressional delegation for advancing the Florida Freeze Disaster Assistance Act and its much-needed relief for Florida's farmers and growers, who are still recovering from some of the most devastating freezes our state has ever experienced," said Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson. "I am also grateful to President Donald Trump and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins for their unprecedented support for America's farmers, especially in times of crisis. This funding will provide critical assistance to help impacted producers recover, replant, and continue doing what they do best - feeding families across the state, the nation, and around the world. Understanding that Food security is national security, we stand ready to administer these federal block grant funds and ensure assistance reaches Florida producers as quickly as possible."

"Florida's farmers and ranchers were hit by a devastating freeze earlier this year that caused more than $3 billion in agricultural losses across our state," said Jeb S. Smith, President, Florida Farm Bureau Federation. "This legislation is a critical step toward delivering timely, flexible relief to the producers who feed our communities and keep our rural economies strong. We appreciate Congressman Franklin and Congresswoman Cammack's leadership in advancing a block grant approach that will allow Florida to respond quickly and efficiently to the unique needs of our growers. We urge Congress to act swiftly to ensure our farmers have the support they need to recover and continue producing."

"Florida's strawberry growers experienced catastrophic losses from this year's historic freeze during the peak of our production season," said Kenneth Parker, Executive Director, Florida Strawberry Growers Association. "Many family farms suffered extensive crop damage, lost revenue, and increased recovery costs that threaten the long-term viability of their operations. The Florida Strawberry Growers Association strongly supports Congressman Scott Franklin and Congresswoman Kat Cammack's efforts to provide critical freeze disaster assistance to Florida agriculture. This legislation will help ensure growers can recover, continue feeding America, and preserve the economic strength of our state's vital specialty crop industry."

"Florida's growers were hit hard by the historic freeze events earlier this year, and timely relief is critical to help them recover, replant, and keep feeding families across our state and the country," said Mike Joyner, President of the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association. "The Florida Freeze Disaster Assistance Act is an important step toward delivering that support. While disaster assistance can never fully make up for the losses growers suffer when a crop is destroyed, it can provide the resources they need to move forward and produce again. We appreciate Reps. Scott Franklin and Kat Cammack for their leadership in standing with Florida agriculture and advancing a solution to help growers recover and plan for the season ahead."

"Florida's citrus industry was among many of the state's commodities impacted by freezing temperatures earlier this year, and we appreciate the leadership of Representatives Scott Franklin, Kat Cammack and Senator Rick Scott in introducing the Florida Freeze Disaster Assistance Act," said Matt Joyner, Executive Vice President and CEO of Florida Citrus Mutual. "This legislation supports the urgent needs of the nation's agricultural producers by creating a clear pathway to expedite disaster assistance through state block grants and strengthening the resilience of our nation's food supply."

Specifically, the Florida Freeze Disaster Assistance Act would:

• Provide $3.5 billion in emergency supplemental funding to the USDA to deliver aid through state-administered block grants
• Help compensate producers for losses of revenue, quality and production caused by freeze and cold weather events
• Cover prevented planting and damage to trees, bushes and vines & explicitly includes compensation for multi-year crop losses
• Direct assistance to counties that received USDA freeze disaster designations issued on March 4, 2026
• Require states to request assistance funding through USDA

Earlier this year, Florida experienced statewide sub-freezing temperatures for multiple nights during the state's winter growing season. This impacted a wide range of commodities, including citrus, strawberries, blueberries, sugarcane and other specialty crops, many of which can experience catastrophic damage after just a few hours of freezing temperatures. Florida agriculture has experienced catastrophic production losses, significant quality reductions and damage to trees and plants that will affect future growing seasons, and Florida's overall economy. According to preliminary estimates from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), losses exceeded $3.2 billion.

Franklin is actively engaged with growers, commodity groups and federal agencies in the aftermath of this year's freeze. This bill is part of his broader efforts to make longer-term reforms to disaster response and USDA risk management tools for Florida producers. Earlier this Congress, Franklin introduced the TEMP Act to develop a temperature index policy producers can buy to help them recover from freeze and cold weather events. This bill passed the House as part of the 2026 House Farm Bill and was included in the FY27 House Ag Appropriations bill, which is due for floor consideration this week.

Original cosponsors include: Rep. Jimmy Patronis (FL-01); Rep. Neal Dunn (FL-02); Rep. John Rutherford (FL-05); Rep. Randy Fine (FL-06); Rep. Cory Mills (FL-07); Rep. Mike Haridopolos (FL-08); Rep. Darren Soto (FL-09); Rep. Maxwell Frost (FL-10); Rep. Daniel Webster (FL-11); Rep. Gus Bilirakis (FL-12); Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (FL-13); Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14); Rep. Laurel Lee (FL-15); Rep. Vern Buchanan (FL-16); Rep. Byron Donalds (FL-19); Rep. Lois Frankel (FL-22); Rep. Jared Moskowitz (FL-23); Rep. Frederica Wilson (FL-24); Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25); Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (FL-27); and Rep. Carlos Gimenez (FL-28).

Supporting Organizations include: Florida Farm Bureau; Florida Citrus Mutual; Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association; Florida Strawberry Growers Association; Florida Sugar Cane League; Florida Tomato Exchange

Read the full bill text here.

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