Commissioner Wilton Simpson Applauds Florida Legislature for Passing Historic 2026 Florida Farm Bill, Protecting Freedom, Family, and Farmers

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Today, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson applauded the Florida Legislature for passing the historic 2026 Florida Farm Bill, SB 290, that will protect freedom, family, and farmers. The 2026 Florida Farm Bill, sponsored by Senator Keith Truenow and Representative Danny Alvarez, supports and defends Florida agriculture and Florida's farmers, ranchers, and growers; strengthens public safety; protects natural resources and rural lands; and much more.

"The Florida Legislature passing the 2026 Florida Farm Bill is a major victory for Florida farmers and Florida families," said Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson. "Thanks to the leadership and commitment of Senate President Ben Albritton, House Speaker Daniel Perez, Senator Keith Truenow, Representative Danny Alvarez, and Representative Chad Johnson, the 2026 Florida Farm Bill supports the people who feed our state and our nation while also strengthening public safety and defending our rural lands and natural resources. Together, we're strengthening the backbone of Florida's economy and ensuring our state remains a place where freedom, family, and farmers can thrive."

Senator Keith Truenow (R-Tavares) said, "Florida's agriculture industry is the foundation of our economy and our way of life. The 2026 Florida Farm Bill, thanks to the leadership of Commissioner Simpson, ensures that Florida continues to protect and support that foundation while also strengthening public safety, defending property rights, and keeping government out of the way of hardworking Floridians."

Representative Daniel "Danny" Alvarez (R-Riverview) said, "When you focus on Florida, freedom, and our farmers, you're on the right path, and that's exactly what the 2026 Farm Bill delivers. For the fourth year in a row, I was proud to partner with Commissioner Wilton Simpson on this year's Farm Bill, because we both know that protecting those three pillars is what keeps Florida strong, secure, and truly special."

If signed into law, the 2026 Florida Farm Bill will introduce many initiatives across the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' wide range of duties and responsibilities, including but not limited to:

• Defending Floridians' Freedom to Use Gasoline-Powered Farm and Lawn Care Equipment
  Defending the freedom of Florida's farmers, ranchers, and residents to use the farm and lawn care equipment of their choosing by prohibiting counties and municipalities from banning the use of gasoline or diesel-powered farm and landscape equipment.
• Protecting Natural Lands From High-density Development
  Protecting our small, rural communities by prohibiting, unless unanimously approved by the local government, high-density development on lands designated as rural, conservation, or greenspace in a local comprehensive plan.
• Making the Farmers Feeding Florida Program Permanent
  Making permanent the program that directs fresh, Florida agricultural products into food banks to provide additional healthy food options for those in need.
• Promoting More Agricultural Land to Grow Florida's Domestic Food Supply
  Allowing the state to determine if there are lands purchased since 2024 that can be surplused and put back into agricultural production to protect our domestic food supply.
• Protecting Florida's Natural Resources
  Prohibiting the application of biosolids other than Class AA, which have been treated for the highest level of pathogen removal.
• Ensuring Safety on Florida's Roads
  Safeguarding Floridians from unqualified truck drivers who can't read or understand vital road and safety information by making it a crime to cheat, or help someone cheat, on the Commercial Driver License proficiency exam.
• Restoring Privacy with the No-Knock Homestead Act
  Prohibiting door-to-door commercial solicitation at homes displaying "No Solicitation" signs and establishing criminal penalties for violators.
• Holding Bad Contractors Accountable
  Protecting small businesses, ensuring fairness in state contracting, and safeguarding taxpayer dollars by creating a suspended vendor list and administrative penalties for contractors who fail to pay their subcontractors or suppliers.
• Supporting Florida's Veterinarians
  Strengthening our state's agricultural workforce and food security by establishing a loan repayment program to reimburse up to $25,000 per year for veterinarians who treat food animals and equine and who commit to working in Florida.
• Protecting First Responders and the Public from Dangerous Signal Jammers Making it a crime in Florida to possess, sell, distribute, or use signal jamming devices, a technology often smuggled from foreign adversaries, that can block 911 calls, disrupt law enforcement communications, and endanger public safety.

For more information about Commissioner Simpson and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FDACS.gov.

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