Rules

THE COMMITTEE ON RULES WILL COME TO ORDER. CALL THE ROLL. HERE. >> A QUORUM IS PRESENT. HOUSEKEEPING. EVERYONE PLEASE SILENCE ELECTRONIC DEVICES. ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK TO THE COMMITTEE SHOULD COMPLETE AN APPEARANCE FORM AND HAND IT TO SOMEONE IN THE SERGEANTS OFFICE. IF YOU WANT TO WAIVE YOUR SPEAKING TIME YOUR POSITION WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE COMMITTEE MEETING RECORDS. WE HAVE A PRETTY FULL AGENDA TODAY. WE HAVE A NUMBER OF SPEAKERS WHO HAVE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON SP2 290. AS IS OUR CUSTOM IN THIS COMMITTEE WE TAKE NONMEMBERS BILLS THEN GO TO MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE AFTER THAT. SP2 90 WILL COME UP EARLY IN THE PROCEEDINGS. I WANT EVERYONE TO KNOW THAT I WILL LET EVERY SINGLE BILL ON THIS AGENDA GET A FULL HEARING. SO WE HAVE TWO HOURS AND IF WE DON'T GET THROUGH THE WHOLE AGENDA FORTUNATELY WE MEET FOR SEVERAL MORE WEEKS SO MEMBERS IF YOUR BILL IS NOT HEARD TODAY BECAUSE WE RUN OUT OF TIME IT WILL BE ON THE AGENDA NEXT WEEK. WITH THAT WE WILL START WITH TAB NUMBER TO CS FOR CS FOR SP 54. USE OF SUBSTANCES AFFECTING COGNITIVE FUNCTION BY SENATOR SHARIEF. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO EXPLAIN THE BILL. GOOD MORNING. CS FOR CS FOR SP 54 CREATE A NEW SECTION OF STATUTE. SECTION 406.139 TO ESTABLISH UNIFORM REQUIREMENTS FOR DISTRICT MEDICAL EXAMINERS WHEN CONDUCTING AUTOPSIES OF INDIVIDUALS IDENTIFIED AS VIOLENT OFFENDERS. SPECIFICALLY THE BILL REQUIRES MEDICAL EXAMINERS TO CONDUCT TOXICOLOGY SCREENINGS FOR PSYCHOTROPIC DRUGS WHILE MAKING REASONABLE EFFORTS TO CONSULT PRIOR TREATING PROVIDERS WITH KNOWN AND DEVELOPING PROVIDERS IN RELEVANT FINDINGS OF THE APPROPRIATE AGENCIES INCLUDING LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND AGENCY FOR HEALTHCARE ADMINISTRATION. THE BILL ALSO MAKES CONFORMING AMENDMENTS TO EXISTING STATUTES TO ENSURE CONSISTENCY ACROSS STATE LAW. THAT IS THE BILL. QUESTIONS ON THE BILL? THERE IS ONE APPEARANCE FORM. SENATOR BURTON YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. THANK YOU MADAM CHAIR. GOOD MORNING SENATOR. QUICK QUESTION. I WAS LOOKING AT THE BILL AND I WAS CURIOUS ABOUT THE RESULT OF THE AUTOPSIES. COULD YOU ELABORATE AS TO HOW THEY WILL BE UTILIZED AND WHAT INFORMATION WILL BE USED FOR. WHEN AN AUTOPSY IS PERFORMED ON SOMEONE THAT COMMIT SUICIDE OR HOMICIDE THEY WILL LOOK FOR THE SUBSTANCES IN THE BLOODSTREAM AND THESE ARE NOT ILLICIT DRUGS THESE ARE PRESCRIBED DRUGS AND THE PRESCRIBED DRUGS THAT THEY FIND IN THE BLOODSTREAM WILL BE TRANSMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AS WELL AS DO H AND THE DRUGS WILL BE KEPT IN THE DATABASE TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS NO CORRELATION BETWEEN THE PRESCRIPTION DRUGS AND THE VIOLENT OFFENDERS CRIME OR SUICIDAL OR HOMICIDAL IDEATION. QUESTIONS? YOU ARE RECOGNIZED SENATOR HARRELL. OF COURSE WE WANT TO MAKE SURE EXACTLY IF THESE PEOPLE ARE SUSPECTED OF BEING VIOLENT OFFENDERS BUT DOES YOUR BILL CONSIDER PERHAPS DOING DNA ANALYSIS IF WE ARE GOING TO DO ANALYSIS AND BLOOD TESTS DOES IT CONTEMPLATE OR COULD YOU PERHAPS LOOK AT ALSO AMENDING IT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE DOING DNA SO IF THEY ARE ALREADY SUSPECTED OF VARIOUS CRIMES WE MAY WANT TO NOTE THAT. SENATOR SHARIEF. IT DOES NOT ADDRESS DNA BUT DNA IS ALREADY ADDRESSED BECAUSE IT WILL COLLECT SAMPLES FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT TO DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT THEY HAVE COMMITTED OTHER CRIMES. BUT THIS BILL DOES NOT ADDRESS THAT. ARE THERE OTHER QUESTIONS? WE HAVE ONE APPEARANCE FORM. VANCE ERHENS FROM ADVANCEMENT FLORIDA WAIVING AGAINST. AND IS THERE DEBATE? SENATOR SHARIEF YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO CLOSE. WAIVE CLOSE. CALL THE ROLL ON CS FOR SP 54. >> SENATOR AVILA. SENATOR BERMAN. SENATOR BOYD. SENATOR BRADLEY. SENATOR BRODEUR. SENATOR BURGESS. SENATOR BURTON. SENATOR DAVIS. SENATOR DICEGLIE. SENATOR GAETZ. SENATOR GARCIA. SENATOR GRALL. SENATOR HARRELL. SENATOR HOOPER. SENATOR MARTIN. SENATOR OSGOOD. SENATOR PIZZO. SENATOR RODRIGUEZ. SENATOR ROUSON. SENATOR SIMON. SENATOR TRUMBULL. SENATOR RIGHT. VICE CHAIR JONES. CHAIR PASSIDOMO. CS FOR CS FOR SP 54 REPORTS FAVORABLY TAB THREE. SENATOR POLSKY ARE YOU HERE? TAB NUMBER THREE CS FOR SP 176 ON POST SECONDARY AND PUBLIC POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION SAFETY POLICIES AND PROCEDURES. SENATOR POLSKY YOU MAY EXPLAIN THE BILL. GOOD MORNING. THIS BILL ADDRESSES A CURRENT GAP AND HOW FLORIDA'S PUBLIC COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES COMMUNICATE SAFETY PROCEDURES WHEN MEMBERS OF THE CAMPUS COMMUNITY RECEIVE THREATS TO THEIR PHYSICAL SAFETY. WHILE MANY HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS HAVE THEIR OWN VARIOUS POLICIES ON EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT CONDUCT AND WORKPLACE VIOLENCE THERE IS CURRENTLY NO REQUIREMENT FOR CONSISTENT PUBLICLY AVAILABLE GUIDANCE THAT CLEARLY EXPLAINS HOW STUDENTS, FACULTY, OR STAFF SHOULD REPORT THREATS, OR WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR RESPONDING OR WHAT STEPS WILL FOLLOW ONCE REPORT IS MADE. SPECIFICALLY, THIS BILL REQUIRES INSTITUTIONS TO IDENTIFY A POINT OF COORDINATION ESTABLISHING CLEAR INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL REPORTING PROTOCOLS OUTLINING AVAILABLE PROTECTIVE MEASURES AND PROVIDE TIMELY UPDATES TO AFFECTED INDIVIDUALS. INSTITUTIONS RETAIN FULL DISCRETION OVER HOW THE POLICIES ARE IMPLEMENTED. THE NEED FOR THIS BILL CAME TO LIGHT AFTER A SERIOUS INCIDENT IN WHICH A FACULTY MEMBER FEARED FOR THEIR SAFETY AND STRUGGLE TO IDENTIFY THEIR APPROPRIATE REPORTING PATH. ABROAD BROADER REVIEW SHOWED THIS LACK OF CLARITY IS NOT UNIQUE TO ONE INSTITUTION. THE FOCUS OF THE BILL IS TRANSPARENCY AND ACCESSIBILITY NOT POLICY CREATION. EVEN WERE INSTITUTIONS ALREADY HAVE RELEVANT PROCEDURES THE PROCEDURES MUST BE UNDERSTANDABLE AND EASY TO PARTICULARLY DURING STRESSFUL AND DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. THIS LEGISLATION STRENGTHENS CAMPUS SAFETY BY ENSURING THAT WHEN A THREAT OCCURS KNOWN IS LEFT GUESSING WHO TO CONDUCT OR WHAT TO DO OR WHAT SUPPORT IS AVAILABLE. THAT IS THE BILL MADAM CHAIR. QUESTIONS? THERE ARE NO APPEARANCE FORMS. IS THERE DEBATE? SENATOR POLSKY YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO CLOSE. WAIVE CLOSE. CALL THE ROLL ON CS FOR SP 176. >> SENATOR AVILA. SENATOR BERMAN. SENATOR BOYD. SENATOR BRADLEY. SENATOR BRODEUR. SENATOR BURGESS. SENATOR BURTON. SENATOR DAVIS. SENATOR DICEGLIE. SENATOR GAETZ. SENATOR GARCIA. SENATOR GRALL. SENATOR HOOPER. SENATOR MARTIN. SENATOR OSGOOD. SENATOR PIZZO. SOUND RODRIGUEZ. SENATOR ROUSON. SENATOR SIMON. SENATOR TRUMBULL. SENATOR WRIGHT. VICE CHAIR JONES. CHAIR PASSIDOMO. SHOW CS FOR SB 176 REPORTS FAVORABLY. NEXT TAB 60 IS FOR CS FOR SP 290. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES BY SENATOR TRUENOW. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO EXPLAIN THE BILL. THANK YOU CHAIR AND MEMBERS. SENATE BILL 290 THIS YEAR'S FLORIDA FARM BILL BUILDS UPON THE PROGRESS WE HAVE ACHIEVED LAST YEAR WITH SENATE BILL 700 AND CONTINUING TO PROTECT FARMERS RANCHERS AND CONSUMERS THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF FLORIDA. 2026 FARM BILL DOES THE FOLLOWING, MODERNIZE THE PROCESS OF INCORPORATING OPERATING PERMITTING AND DISSOLVING FAIR ASSOCIATIONS PROHIBITS COUNTIES FROM ENACTING OR ENFORCING LAWS THAT RESTRICT THE BAN OF GASOLINE OR DIESEL POWERED FARM AND LANDSCAPE EQUIPMENT. ALLOWS FOR SURPLUS OF CERTAIN STATE OWNED LANDS WHICH HAVE BEEN DETERMINED BY PROFESSIONALS TO BE SUITABLE FOR BONA FIDE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION. THIS DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS OF THE LAND BEFORE SURPLUS AND ENSURES THE LAND WILL NOT BE DEVELOPED. MEMBERS, I WILL ASSURE EVERYONE THAT THE BILL CLEARLY STATES THAT STATE PARKS STATE FORESTS AND OTHER VITAL WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT LANDS WILL NOT BE SURPLUS AND CREATES A FOOD THAT VETERINARIAN PLAN REPAYMENT LOAN TO ENCOURAGE VETS WHO TREAT ANIMALS WE EAT TO MAKE FLORIDA THEIR HOME PERMANENTLY. THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES UP TO $25,000 PER YEAR FOR UP TO THREE YEARS. ELIGIBLE FOOD ANIMAL VET FOR LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM. THIS BILL ALSO MAKES THE PERMANENT FARMERS FEEDING FLORIDA PROGRAM WHICH HAS ALREADY SEEN GREAT SUCCESS SINCE IT WAS CREATED LAST YEAR AND THIS BILL ALSO ALLOWS FLORIDA FOREST SERVICE TO EXPAND THEIR TRAINING AND EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES OUTSIDE WILL CALL TRAINING CENTERS. AND ALSO BANDS THE POSSESSION OF MANUFACTURING SALE OF IMPORTATION DISTRIBUTION OR THE USE THIS SIGNAL JAMMING DEVICES. CURRENTLY IT'S ILLEGAL AND WE WOULD MAKE THIS ACTION PUNISHABLE UNDER STATE LAW ADDING MORE TOOLS IN THE TOOLBOX FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT PROFESSIONALS IN STOPPING CRIME. ALSO IT IMPOSES STRICTER PENALTIES FOR CHEATING ON COMMERCIALS DRIVER'S LICENSE ENGLISH PROFICIENCY EXAMS AND ALSO PROHIBITS DOOR TO DOOR COMMERCIAL SOLICITING AT PRIVATE HOMES, THE DISPLAY KNOW SOLICITING. AGAIN I WANT TO ENSURE EVERYONE THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE PEOPLE KNOCKING FOR OF CAMPAIGNS OR PEOPLE KNOCKING FOR RELIGIOUS PURPOSES OR CHARITIES. AND THIS BILL ALSO WILL PROTECT THE FOOD SAFETY INSPECTORS. THE BILL CLARIFIES THAT ACT TO OBSTRUCT OR INTERFERE WITH DUTIES OF THE AUTHORIZED INSPECTORS. THIS BILL ALSO CLARIFIES THAT DOUBLE A LAW CAN BE APPLIED IN THE STATE AND REMOVES THE RULE EDUCATION REQUIREMENT FOR DP BUT DOES NOT REMOVE ANY REQUIREMENT TO HOLD PUBLIC EXCEPT PUBLIC FEEDBACK IN RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROCESS. THE ADS THE PRE EXISTING VENDOR LIST TO PENALIZE CONTRACTORS WHO FAILED TO PAY SUBCONTRACTORS AND SUPPLIERS IF YOU CAN YOU FILL YOUR OBLIGATION AS YOUR SUBCONTRACTORS YOU SHOULD NOT BE RECEIVING TAXPAYER DOLLARS. MEMBERS, THIS SUMS UP 90 PERCENT OF THE BILL AND FOR THE SAKE OF TIME I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. THAT IS THE BILL MADAM CHAIR. THANK YOU. THERE ARE SEVEN AMENDMENTS. AND, SO, LET'S TAKE OF THE AMENDMENTS. ONE OF THE WE WILL ASK MEMBER QUESTIONS AND THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE HERE TO SPEAK ON THE BILL FOR THE AMENDMENTS LISTEN CAREFULLY BECAUSE THE AMENDMENTS MAY CHANGE THE BILL. MAYBE ARE HAPPY WITH IT AND YOU WANT TO CHANGE YOUR TESTIMONY. THERE ARE 40 SOMETHING MAY BE MORE PEOPLE WHO SIGNED UP TO SPEAK. WE WILL LIMIT SPEAKING TO TWO MINUTES PER PERSON. I KNOW IT'S NOT MUCH. START THINKING ABOUT WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO SAY. WE WILL START WITH AMENDMENT BAR CODE 248378 BY SENATOR TRUMBULL. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO EXPLAIN THE AMENDMENT. THANK YOU MADAM CHAIR. SENATORS, I WANT TO THANK SENATOR TRUENOW FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH YOU ON THIS AMENDMENT. THIS IS SPECIFIC TO THE CONTRACTOR PIECE IN THE CURRENT ITERATION OF THE BILL. IT SIMPLY ENSURES FAIRNESS IN THE CONTRACTING PROCESS. THE LICENSING CONTRACTOR HAS BEEN PAID THEY MUST PAY THEIR SUBCONTRACTORS OR SUPPLIERS WITHIN 45 DAYS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONTRACTING TERM UNLESS THERE IS A LEGITIMATE DISPUTE. THIS PROTECTS SMALL BUSINESSES AND WORKERS WHO RELY ON TIMELY PAYMENTS TO KEEP DOORS OPEN. ESPECIALLY IN THE AGRICULTURAL AND RURAL COMMUNITIES INCLUDING RESPONSIBLE SAFEGUARD USING EXISTING DISCIPLINARY AUTHORITY PROMOTES ACCOUNTABILITY WITHOUT ADDING ADDITIONAL BUREAUCRACY. THAT IS THE AMENDMENT. QUESTIONS ON THE AMENDMENT? OKAY. WE WILL START WITH SENATOR HARRELL. THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR THIS AMENDMENT. I WANT TO CLARIFY FOR THE RECORD VERY CAREFULLY THAT IF A CONTRACTOR HAS A SUBCONTRACTOR WHO HAS NOT FULFILLED THEIR OBLIGATIONS OF THEIR AGREEMENT AND THEIR CONTRACT IF THEY HAVE THE FIELD OR OBLIGATIONS OR COMPLETED THE PROJECT OR THERE COULD BE ADDITIONAL PERMITTING PROCESSES THAT HAVE NOT YET BEEN COMPLETED THAN THE CONTRACTOR IS NOT LIABLE TO PAY THEM WITHIN THE 45 DAYS UNTIL THE WORK AND ALL THE APPROPRIATE SIGN UPS BY THE CITY AND COUNTY ARE IN PLACE. AM I READING THAT CORRECTLY? YES THAT IS CORRECT. THERE HAS TO BE A BONA FIDE DISPUTE REGARDING SERVICES OR LABOR OR MATERIALS IF A YOU KNOW I AM A SUBCONTRACTOR IN MY BUSINESS IS MORE OFTEN A CRIME AND ALL THE TIME I MUST MAKE SURE MY WORK IS INSPECTED AND IF THERE IS AN INSPECTION ISSUE I DO NOT EXPECT TO GET PAID AND THIS LANGUAGE DOES NOT FORCE ME TO GET PAID UNTIL I HAVE SATISFIED THE REQUIREMENTS. THANK YOU. ANY MORE QUESTIONS? YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> THANK YOU MADAM CHAIR. SENATOR, PLEASE TELL ME WHAT THE PENALTY IS IF A GENERAL CONTRACTOR DOES NOT FULFILL THE REQUIREMENTS OUTLINED IN YOUR AMENDMENT. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. THANK YOU. SENATOR, THOSE ARE SPECIFIED IN SECTION 489.129 UNDER CURRENT LAW. THE BOARD MAY TAKE THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS AGAINST ANY CERTIFICATE HOLDER OR REGISTRANT PLACED ON PROBATION OR REPRIMAND THE LICENSE FOR REVOKE, SUSPEND, AND DENYING THE ISSUANCE OR RENEWAL OF THE CERTIFICATE, REGISTRATION WHERE FINANCIAL RESTITUTION TO A CONSUMER FOR FINANCIAL HARM DIRECTLY RELATED TO A VIOLATION OF THIS PROVISION OR THIS PARDON AND SO ON FORTH. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> IN THE CURRENT LAW THERE IS NO OTHER PENALTY THAT IS DELETED IN THE BILL IF YOUR AMENDMENT PASSES, IS THAT CORRECT SIR? YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. THAT IS CORRECT. IT IS DIFFERENT FROM THE CURRENT LANGUAGE IN THE BILL, WHICH STATES THAT YOU GO TO PRISON IF YOU DON'T PAY SOMEONE WITHIN A CERTAIN TIME. ANY MORE QUESTIONS? THERE ARE TWO APPEARANCE FORMS. WE HAVE RUSTY PEYTON WITH FLORIDA BUILDER ASSOCIATIONS. >> I AM PLEASED TO STAND HERE IN SUPPORT OF THE AMENDMENT. THANK YOU MR. SIMPSON FOR HAVING THE FORTITUDE FOR BRING THIS ISSUE FORWARD. YOU HAVE WORKED HARD TO GET HIS SENATOR TRUENOW THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE AND SENATOR TRUMBULL THANK YOU FOR HELPING US BRING EVERYTHING TOGETHER. WE DO SUPPORT THIS AMENDMENT. CAROL BOWEN WAIVES IN SUPPORT. IS THEIR DEBATE ON THIS AMENDMENT? OKAY SENATOR TRUENOW ARE THERE COMMENTS ON THIS AMENDMENT? >> THANK YOU. THANK YOU SENATOR TRUMBULL AND ALL THE PARTIES WORKING HARD TO FIGURE OUT THE BEST PATH FORWARD. WE APPRECIATE SUPPORT ON THIS. SENATOR TRUMBULL YOU MAY CLOSE. TO REITERATE, I APPRECIATE SENATOR TRUENOW WORKING WITH ME AND MAKING SURE THAT WE GOT THE LANGUAGE CLARIFIED AND ALSO TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR GOOD SMALL BUSINESSES IN THIS STATE ARE PAID IN A TIMELY BUT NOT ADDING EXTRA LAWYERS AND BUREAUCRACY IS IMPORTANT. SO I APPRECIATE YOUR FAVORABLE SUPPORT OF THIS AMENDMENT. THOSE IN FAVOR? THOSE OPPOSED? THIS AMENDMENT IS ADOPTED. NEXT WE WILL TAKE UP AMENDMENT 667770 BY SENATOR TRUENOW. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO EXPLAIN THE AMENDMENT. THANK YOU. AMENDMENT BARCODE 667770 THIS AMENDMENT OPENS UP THE ELIGIBILITY FOR FLORIDA FOOD ANIMAL VETERINARY MEDICINE LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM TO BOTH FOOD ANIMAL VETERINARIANS AND EQUINE VETERINARIANS. THAT IS THE AMENDMENT. QUESTIONS ON THE AMENDMENT? THERE IS ONE APPEARANCE FORM. VANCE AARONS WAIVES IN SUPPORT. IS THERE DEBATE ON THIS AMENDMENT? YOU MAY CLOSE. >> THIS HELPS US WITH THE GROWING SHORTAGE OF VETERINARIANS THAT WORK ON LARGE ANIMALS IN THE STATE. I ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT. THOSE IN FAVOR OF THIS AMENDMENT? OKAY THE AMENDMENT IS ADOPTED. NEXT WILL BE TAKING UP AMENDMENT BARCODE 423906 BY SENATOR TRUENOW. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO EXPLAIN THE AMENDMENT. THIS AMENDMENT MERGES THE CITRUS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION CRDF INTO THE CITRUS RESEARCH AND FIELD TRIAL THERE HAS BEEN A SHIFT IN FUNDING FROM THE RESEARCH PROJECT TO THE FIELD TRIALS AND THAT IS WHY WE ARE BRINGING THIS AMENDMENT FORWARD. QUESTIONS ON THE AMENDMENT? OKAY THERE IS ONE APPEARANCE FORM. ANDREW WAIVES IN SUPPORT. IS THERE DEBATE ON THE AMENDMENT? SENATOR TRUENOW YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO CLOSE. I ASK FOR YOUR FAVORABLE SUPPORT. THOSE IN FAVOR? THOSE OPPOSED? THIS AMENDMENT IS ADOPTED. NEXT WE WILL TAKE UP AMENDMENT BARCODE 203322 SENATOR TRUENOW. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO EXPLAIN THE AMENDMENT. 203322 THIS IS A TECHNICAL CHANGE. WE ARE REMOVING OUTDATED TERMINOLOGY IN THE DEPARTMENT'S FAIR STATUTE, SUCH AS A REFERENCE TO THE FUTURE HOMEMAKERS OF AMERICA, WHICH HAS BEEN CHANGED TO THE FAMILY CAREER AND COMMUNITY LEADERS OF AMERICA. THAT IS THE AMENDMENT. QUESTIONS ON THIS AMENDMENT? THERE ARE NO APPEARANCE FORMS. IS THERE DEBATE? SENATOR TRUENOW YOU MAY CLOSE. WAIVE CLOSE. THOSE IN FAVOR? THOSE OPPOSED? THIS AMENDMENT IS ADOPTED. NEXT AMENDMENT 789224 BY SENATOR TRUENOW. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO EXPLAIN THE AMENDMENT. MEMBERS THIS IS A TECHNICAL CHANGE. LAST YEAR WE PASSED A BILL AND WE ARE JUST CORRECTING THE REFERENCE FROM A FIVE O ONE C THREE TO A FIVE O ONE C FIVE. THIS IS A NONPROFIT AGRICULTURAL ORGANIZATION. QUESTIONS. NO APPEARANCE FORMS. IS THERE DEBATE? SENATOR TRUENOW YOU MAY CLOSE. WAIVE CLOSE. THOSE IN FAVOR? THOSE OPPOSED? THE AMENDMENT IS ADOPTED. NEXT WE ARE ON AMENDMENT 212138 BY SENATOR MARTIN. SENATOR MARTIN YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO EXPLAIN YOUR AMENDMENT. SENATOR MARTIN YOU EXPLAIN YOUR AMENDMENT. THIS REFLECTS STAKEHOLDER INPUT WITH PRIMARY CONCERNED ABOUT THE BILL LIMITING DISPARAGEMENT PROTECTIONS FOR FOOD PRODUCTS NOT FERTILIZER AGRICULTURAL PROJECTS. CLOSING GAPS LEFT IN THE ORIGINAL STATUTE. IT REMOVES ONE WAY ATTORNEY FEE PROVISIONS THAT ARE IN THE BILL AND RESTORES THE LANGUAGE THAT IS GOVERNING THE STATUTE SUCCESSFULLY FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS AND NARROWLY TARGETS KNOWING, WILLFUL, AND MALICIOUS FALSEHOODS INTENDED TO HARM AGRICULTURE. NOT DISCUSSION RESEARCH OR CRITICISM IT'S NOT DESIGNED TO CHILL SPEECH AND IN THREE DECADES IT HAS NOT PREVENTED CONSTRUCTIVE DIALOGUE OVER FOOD PRODUCTION BUT THE GOALS TO PROTECT FARMERS AND RANCHERS FROM INTENTIONAL ECONOMIC HARM WHILE PRESERVING OPEN DIALOGUE EVEN IF SOMEONE IS WRONG IN PUBLIC DISCOURSE. THAT IS THE AMENDMENT. THIS IS THE ONE EVERYONE IS HERE FOR. THERE'S A LATE FILED AMENDMENT SO LET'S LOOK AT IT. BARCODE 528392. BY SENATOR MARTIN WITHOUT OBJECTION SHOW THE AMENDMENT INTRODUCED. SENATOR MARTIN YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO EXPLAIN THE AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT. THIS DELETES SECTION 48 OF THE BILL. ARE THERE QUESTIONS ON THE AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT? LET'S START WITH THE SENATOR PIZZO. THIS MOVES SECTION 48 AND THERE'S LOTS OF CONTROVERSY AND ISSUES ON THIS, IS THAT CORRECT? SENATOR MARTIN? YES. SENATOR HARRELL QUESTIONS ON THE AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT? I DO NOT HAVE THE BILL ITSELF IN FRONT OF ME ONLY THE ANALYSIS AND THE VARIOUS AMENDMENTS. CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT IS IN THAT SECTION OF THE BILL THAT IS BEING NEEDED? SO I CAN HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE LATE FILED AMENDMENT. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A LITTLE MORE EXPLANATION. SENATOR MARTIN DO YOU WANT TO EXPLAIN? THANK YOU FOR THIS QUESTION. THIS IS THE DISPARAGEMENT CLAUSE. ANY MORE QUESTIONS? THERE ARE NO QUESTIONS ON THIS AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT. WE WILL WORK OUR WAY THROUGH IT. IS THERE ANY DEBATE ON THE AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT? >> YES MADAM CHAIR. SENATOR PIZZO. I'M GETTING A WHOLE EDUCATION BECAUSE I DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS AND WHILE THERE ARE OTHER PARTS OF THE BILL THAT I THINK ARE GREAT AND THE OFFICE HAS BEEN SO ACCOMMODATING FOR SECTIONS THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO MY CONSTITUENTS AND OTHER SECTIONS I DON'T KNOW WHAT I DON'T KNOW ABOUT CERTAIN THINGS AND ATTACHMENTS I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE SEVEN USC 2412 REFERENCE ESPECIALLY SUBSECTION F AS IT RELATES THE DEFINITIONS AND I THINK TAKING THIS SECTION OUT RIGHT NOW MIGHT BE GOOD. I WILL TELL YOU THE GENESIS OF THAT STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION IS PRETTY WILD BACK IN THE EARLY 90s AND WHAT IS COMING TO LIGHT AS WE LOOK AT THE ARCHIVES OF HOW WE GOT HERE AND WHAT WAS REPRESENTED AND WHO FILED WHAT FOR WHATEVER PURPOSES. THIS IS CLEAN AND I THINK IT'S ON A BAD IDEA. IS THERE OTHER DEBATE ON THE AMENDMENTS TO THE AMENDMENTS? SENATOR TRUENOW. YOU KNOW THIS HAS BEEN A JOURNEY AND A CONVERSATION THAT HAS BROUGHT MANY PEOPLE TO THE TABLE AND I FEEL THAT WE COULD GET SOMEWHERE WITH THE LANGUAGE IN THE BILL AS WE STARTED TODAY. I WOULD ASK FOR YOU TO NOT APPROVE THE AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT SO WE CAN CONTINUE OUR WORK. OTHER DEBATE? I WANT TO COMMENT AS WELL BEFORE A CALL ON YOU SO EVERYONE THAT THIS AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT IF IT PASSES IT GOES BACK TO THE AMENDMENT AND IT MEANS THAT THE DISPARAGEMENT LANGUAGE IS NO LONGER IN THE BILL. SO WITH THAT SENATOR MARTIN YOU MAY CLOSE ON THE AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT. WAIVE CLOSE. THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT? OPPOSED? THE AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT IS ADOPTED. OKAY SO WE'RE BACK ON THE MAIN AMENDMENT. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS ON THE MAIN AMENDMENT? THERE ARE A NUMBER OF APPEARANCE FORMS. AND, SO, I WILL READ THEM OUT YOU WILL FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU WANT TO DO. OKAY WE HAVE MIA HAWN. CHILDREN'S HEALTH DEFENSE. >> INQUIRY, MADAM CHAIR AM I CORRECT IN ASSUMING BECAUSE THIS WAS NOT A SUBSTITUTE AMENDMENT IT IS AN AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT DO WE HAVE TO PASS THE PENDING AMENDMENT NOW IN ORDER FOR SENATOR MARTINS AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT TO BE EFFECTIVE? EXACTLY. I WAS STRUGGLING WITH THAT MYSELF. HE'S BEEN HERE LONGER THAN SO, SO AGAIN LET'S KEEP YOUR COMMENTS DOWN TO A MINUTE. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> I WILL BE QUICK, TO BE CLEAR, I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THE AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT. I CAME ALL THE WAY HERE TO TALLAHASSEE TO MAKE SURE OUR SPEECH WAS NOT INHIBITED. SO THERE ARE MANY THINGS ABOUT FOOD. I AM A PROVIDER. EVER AND HEALTH SENATOR. AND I COULD NOT BELIEVE THAT I READ THAT BILL AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO SHARE MY CONCERNS ABOUT FOOD. WE IN FREE SPEECH IN THIS COUNTRY AND THIS STATE AND I AM GLAD TO SEE THAT YOU GUYS ARE IN SUPPORT OF NOT HINDERING MY SPEECH WHEN IT COMES TO ISSUES WITH FOOD. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AMY MCBRIDE. AGAIN, IF YOU ALL ARE REALLY COMFORTABLE YOU CAN IN SUPPORT OF THIS AS IT MOVES FORWARD. >> KEEP IT SHORT. THANK YOU FOR THE AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT. I'M GLAD TO SEE THE DISPARAGEMENT CLAUSE REMOVED. THIS WAS NOT MAHA THIS IS MUZZLING THE HOT AND IT SHOULDN'T HAPPEN IN THE FREE STATE OF FLORIDA. THE TENANTS ARE REDUCING CHRONIC EXPOSURE TO ANYTHING THAT CHILLS FREE SPEECH IN THE PROCESS GOES AGAINST THE FEDERAL OBJECTIVES OF MAHA AS WELL AS THE WONDERFUL STATE OBJECTIVES THAT CASEY DESANTIS HAS BEEN LEADING MANY THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO SUPPORTED THE AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT. THANK YOU. ALEXANDRA MUNOZ PHD. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> I AM A RESIDENT OF FLORIDA AND A MOLECULAR TOXICOLOGIST WITH A PHD IN MOLECULAR TOXICOLOGY AND CARCINOGENESIS. IS THAT BETTER? I AM NOW IN SUPPORT OF THE AMENDMENT WITH THE AMENDMENTS TO THE AMENDMENT THAT HAS REMOVED SECTION 48 LANGUAGE FROM THE ORIGINAL BILL. THE REASON THAT I AM HERE TODAY AND ADVOCATING I AM REPRESENTING THE FUTURE GENERATION. I AM ADVOCATING ON THEIR BEHALF SO THEY CAN BE HAVING OPEN DIALOGUE AND DEBATE ON TOPICS THAT CONCERN THEIR HEALTH AND THE FUTURE. IT IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT THAT FREE SPEECH IS NOT LIMITED WHEN IT COMES TO PRODUCTS FROM THE AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITY AND WHEN IT COMES TO PESTICIDES ON THOSE PRODUCTS. THESE PRODUCTS AND THESE FOODS CAN IMPACT HEALTH AND CAN IMPACT THE LONG LONGEVITY OF CHILDREN AS THEY GO THROUGH THEIR LIFE AND CAN IMPACT THEIR ABILITY TO GET CHRONIC DISEASES AND CAN IMPACT THEIR FERTILITY LATER IN LIFE. THE ORIGINAL LANGUAGE IN SECTION 48 WAS DESIGNED IN ORDER TO CHILL SPEECH ON THESE TOPICS AND WHERE THERE IS STRONG SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE BUT THE INDUSTRY OUGHT TO PROPOSE STUDIES THAT ARE BASED ON FRAUDULENT MATERIALS. SO THERE WAS LOTS OF CONTENTION HERE ABOUT WHAT IT COULD MEAN AND HOW COULD BE WEAPONIZED TO SILENCE CRITICS, ACTIVISTS, AND TOXICOLOGIST LIKE MYSELF FROM SPEAKING ON THESE TOPICS. SO I AM IN FAVOR OF THIS PROPOSED AMENDMENT AND I RESPECTFULLY URGE EVERYONE ON THE COMMITTEE TO PLEASE SUPPORT IT ON BEHALF OF FUTURE GENERATIONS. THANK YOU. STOP SUPERQUICK. QUESTION FOR YOU NOW, THERE WAS RECENTLY A BILL PRETTY SIMILAR IN TENNESSEE. DO YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENED THERE? YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> THE BILL IN TENNESSEE WAS A PESTICIDE LIABILITY SHIELD DESIGNED TO BLOCK FAILURE TO WARN LAWSUITS FOR AGROCHEMICAL CULTURES SELLING TOXINS WITHOUT PROPER WARNING LABELS SO IN THAT PARTICULAR INSTANCE LAWMAKERS REALIZED THAT THEY WERE BEING DECEIVED BY THE INDUSTRY THAT WAS PROPOSING THE BILL TO THEM THROUGH LOBBYISTS THERE WAS OUTCRY AND I GOT PULLED OFF THE COMMITTEE AT THAT HEARING. AREN'T THERE SIMILAR THINGS THAT SIMILAR STATES LIKE WYOMING HAD A SIMILAR BILL AND OTHER STATES? >> YES THERE ARE NUMBER OF PESTICIDE LIABILITY AS SHIELDS OF THE COUNTRY. WYOMING HAS ONE CURRENTLY AND THERE'S ONE IN KANSAS AT THE MOMENT AND THERE'S ALSO PIECES OF FEDERAL LEGISLATION ATTEMPT TO DO THE SAME THING. ON BEHALF OF PESTICIDE MANUFACTURERS THAT DON'T WANT TO PUT PROPER WARNING LABELS ON THEIR PRODUCTS THERE HARMING CHILDREN. ANY OTHER? DANIEL ANDREWS [INAUDIBLE]. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES. >> I WILL NOT TAKE THE WHOLE TWO MINUTES I WANTED TO COME UP AND SAY THANK YOU TO THE COMMITTEE AS A WHOLE AND SENATOR MARTIN FOR DOING THE RIGHT THING. AS WE SIT HERE THIS YEAR AND CELEBRATE THIS NATION'S 250th BIRTHDAY FREE SPEECH AND OUR CONSTITUTION MATTERS AND YOU DO THE RIGHT THING TODAY AND YOU SHOULD FEEL PROUD OF TAKING AN ISSUE THAT WAS GARNERING SO MUCH ATTENTION IN FLORIDA AND NATIONALLY AND DOING WHAT IS RIGHT FOR FLORIDIANS. WE HAD FISHING GUIDES TRAVEL ALL THE WAY DOWN FROM THE KEYS TO BE HERE TODAY. THE THIRD TRIP UP FOR MANY PEOPLE. I WANTED TO ON BEHALF OF CAPTAINS FOR CLEAN WATER ON BEHALF OF SO MANY CONCERN FLORIDIANS AND THE PARENTS THAT WERE CONCERNED ABOUT BEING ABLE TO TALK ABOUT THE FOOD THAT WE ARE PUTTING ON THE KIDS TABLES YOU DO THE RIGHT THING AS DID EVERYONE ELSE WHO CAME HERE FROM OUR WORLD WHO WILL BE WAIVING SO WE DON'T HAVE TO RUN THROUGH ALL THE SPEAKERS BUT FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART FROM OUR MOVEMENT WE THINK. THANK YOU FOR THAT TESTIMONY. KELLY YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> I WILL ALSO KEEP IT QUICK. I AM A CHAMPION OF MAHA AND I DROVE HERE FROM MIAMI OVERNIGHT AND I COULD NOT BE MORE THRILLED. I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR THAT AND YOUR WORK AND SUPPORTING TRANSPARENCY. WE HAVE AS PREVIOUSLY STATED THE TENANTS OF TRANSPARENCY AND SCIENCE ARE IMPORTANT TO OUR MOVEMENT. WE HAVE AN EXCITING FUTURE AT THIS MOMENT THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO REVERSE THE CHRONIC DISEASE EPIDEMIC WHICH CAN ONLY HAPPEN WHEN WE ARE REALLY ALLOWING DISCOURSE AROUND SCIENCE AND WHAT CONSTITUTES CLEAN FOOD, GOOD FOOD THAT WILL MAKE US HEALTHY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR BRAVERY IN DOING THIS AND THINK. ROBYN JONAS. I THINK IT'S JONAS? OKAY. SUSAN FARRIS THEN JENNIFER SWAIN. THEN AFTER HER WILL BE I'LL FIGURE IT OUT IN A MINUTE. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> I WILL KEEP IT SHORT AS WELL. I WANT TO EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE TO SENATOR MARTIN FOR DOING THE RIGHT THING. THANK YOU COMMITTEE FOR BACKING IT UP AND SUPPORTING OUR RIGHTS TO FREE SPEECH. AND WITH THE CHILDREN'S HEALTH THE FENCE AS WELL AND OUR GROUP CAME FROM BREVARD HERE TO ARE ECSTATIC TO SEE THE RESULTS. THANK YOU SO MUCH. JENNIFER SWAIN FOLLOWED BY ASHLEY SOMETHING. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> I ALSO WANT TO APPRECIATE YOU ALL FOR MAKING THE AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT BECAUSE I AM A MAHA ADVOCATE AS WELL AND I HAVE A BS IN NUTRITION AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO BE ABLE TO EXPLORE THESE TOPICS WITH THE PUBLIC THAT WE ARE TRYING TO EDUCATE ON HOW TO EAT HEALTHY AND IMPROVE LIFESTYLE AS WELL I WAS JUST TO SUPPORT THE AGENDA OF MAKING AMERICA HEALTHY AGAIN. PEOPLE ARE CURIOUS. IT'S A TIME LIKE NO OTHER. PEOPLE ARE CRAVING INFORMATION AND WANT TO KNOW WHAT TO EAT AND HOW TO EAT AND SO THIS WILL ALLOW FOR PUBLIC DISCUSSION RATHER THAN LIMITATIONS SO THANK YOU FOR PROTECTING OUR FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS. THANK YOU. ASHLEY. I'M SORRY. JANET GROSS IS NEXT. >> I APOLOGIZE FOR MY CHICKEN SCRATCH. I WANT TO EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE. I HAVE SPENT WELL OVER A DECADE SUFFERING FROM CHRONIC ILLNESSES DO TO ENVIRONMENTAL TOXINS AND AVOIDING FURTHER ENVIRONMENTAL TOXINS THAT ARE FOUND IN OUR FOOD. IT HAS BEEN CRUCIAL FOR ME TO HEAL PHYSICALLY. IF IT WAS NOT FOR MY CHRONIC ILLNESSES I WOULD HAVE HAD CHILDREN AT THIS POINT AND OF THE UPHILL BATTLE TO NOT ONLY MAINTAIN GENERAL HEALTH BUT OVERCOME CHRONIC ILLNESS IT IS DIFFICULT WHEN WE LIVE IN A WORLD LIKE THIS. I WANTED TO EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE FOR THE ABILITY FOR US TO MAINTAIN OUR FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT AGAINST THESE GIANT CORPORATIONS. IT IS NOT ONLY OUR RIGHT BUT I WILL SPEAK MY MIND. IF YOU WANT TO SPEAK AGAIN YOU'RE WELCOME TO BUT YOU MAY WANT TO OR WAIVE AGAIN I DON'T KNOW. IS THERE ANY DEBATE ON THE AMENDMENT? SENATOR BURTON YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. IT'S CLEAR FROM THE TESTIMONY TODAY THIS PARTICULAR SECTION WE ARE DELETING AND THIS CAUSES CONCERN. I HEAR WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT PROTECTING FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS BUT I CAN'T SPEAK FOR THE OFFERS OF THE BILL. AND IT WOULD NEVER BE SENATOR TRUENOW'S INTENTION TO LIMIT THIS. I BELIEVE ALL ALONG THIS WAS TO PROTECT FLORIDA PRODUCE BUT CLEARLY THIS PROTECTION OF THE BILL NEEDS ADDITIONAL WORK AND I KNOW SENATOR TRUENOW WILL BE YOUR NEXT SECTION THIS SESSION. BUT WE PROTECT THE RIGHT TO FREE SPEECH ALONG WITH PROTECTING FRESHLY GROWN WONDERFUL HEALTHY PRODUCE THAT IS GROWN HERE IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA. WE WILL SUPPORT THIS AMENDMENT BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY QUESTIONS AROUND IT AND WE DON'T HAVE TIME TO DEAL WITH THIS SESSION. THANK YOU. ANY MORE DEBATE? SENATOR PIZZO. I BELIEVE THE SUPREME COURT WILL TAKE UP A PRETTY SIGNIFICANT CASE THIS YEAR ON A LOT OF CONFLICT BETWEEN STATES AND SECTIONS THAT RELATE TO MIRROR THIS SECTION 41. AGAIN THIS IS SOMETHING I COMMIT TO LOOKING INTO. I AGREE WITH THE FIRST AMENDMENT ABSOLUTELY BUT I ALSO AGREE YOU CANNOT SAY WHATEVER YOU WANT TO SAY. AND SOME OF THESE BILLS HAVE PUNITIVE DAMAGES AND IT'S KIND OF WACKY AND WEIRD SO I THINK THIS IS A GOOD IDEA SO LONG AS WE TAKE UP AND MAKE A COMMITMENT TO REALLY LOOK AT THIS PART OF THE STATUTE AND TAKE THIS AMENDMENT. OTHER DEBATE? OKAY DO YOU WANT TO COMMENT ON THE AMENDMENT AS AMENDED? SENATOR BURTON YOU MAY CLOSE ON THE AMENDMENT IS AS AMENDED. MANY PEOPLE HELPED US GET THIS TO WHERE IT WAS WHEN WE FOUND IT LAST WEEK. THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF FEEDBACK FROM PEOPLE IN MY DISTRICT AND MANY DISTRICTS AROUND THE STATE BUT WE ALSO SPENT TIME TALKING TO CONSTITUTIONAL LAWYERS AND FIRST AMENDMENT LAWYERS ON THIS FROM ALL DIFFERENT SIDES. WE ALL LIE ABOUT SOMEBODY AND EXPECT THEIR NOT TO BE ANY CONSEQUENCE. THAT IS THE LAW. WHAT WE DID NOT WANT TO HAVE A SITUATION WHERE PEOPLE FELT THEY COULDN'T TELL THE TRUTH AND ENGAGE IN DISCUSSIONS WHETHER IT WAS TRUE OR NOT TRUE OR PEOPLE BELIEVED IT WAS TRUE THEY SHOULD HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO SPEAK THE TRUTH. AND THIS BILL AND THIS AMENDMENT AS AMENDED IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT NOW ALLOWS US TO FOCUS ON THE REALLY GOOD THINGS OF SENATOR TRUENOW DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE THAT HAS PUT IN THIS LEGISLATION. IT WILL HELP PEOPLE NOT JUST FARMERS BUT PEOPLE ALL OVER THE STATE OF FLORIDA I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO HAVING THAT DISCUSSION NOW. WE HAVE TO GET IF WE ARE GOING TO DEAL WITH FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE ON POINT. AND I THINK WE TRIED EVERY POSSIBLE PERMUTATION UP UNTIL NOW TO FIX THAT LANGUAGE AND MAKE SURE THAT INDIVIDUALS ARE PROTECTED FROM LIES BUT ALSO THOSE WHO TELL LIES ARE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. BECAUSE WE WANT GOOD INFORMATION OUT THERE AND WE WALK THE BALANCE WHERE WE ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO WALK AND HAVE CONVERSATIONS AND I THINK WE ARE IN A GOOD SPOT NOW. I LOOK FORWARD TO VOTING UP ON THIS A BILL AND PUSHING THE GOOD POLICY THAT SENATOR TRUENOW HAS WORKED FOR MONTHS ON AND MAKING FLORIDA BETTER FOR IT. THANK YOU. THOSE IN FAVOR? THOSE OPPOSED? THIS AMENDMENT IS ADOPTED. LATE FILED AMENDMENT BAR CODE 528760 WITHOUT OBJECTION SHOW THIS AMENDMENT INTRODUCED. SENATOR PIZZO YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO EXPLAIN THE AMENDMENT. SORRY FOR THE LATE AMENDMENT. THIS ALLOWS PERMITS FOR COMPLIANCE ON BIOSOLIDS TO BE KICKED UP FROM THE EXPIRATION OF 2022 TO 2028 AND THEN ALLOW FOR COMPLIANCE FOR 2031 IN BROWARD COUNTY MY HOME DISTRICT. WE ARE LOOKING AT TWO YEARS OF DESIGN, THREE YEARS FOR CONSTRUCTION, THAT IS THE AMENDMENT. QUESTIONS ON THIS AMENDMENT? THERE ARE NO APPEARANCE FORMS. IS THERE ANY DEBATE? EITHER WAY DO YOU WANT TO SPEAK? >> MEMBERS THIS AMENDMENT AS A RESULT OF WORKING WITH STAKEHOLDERS AND I APPRECIATE SENATOR PIZZO AND HIS EFFORTS TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE CAN GET TO A LANDING POINT ON THIS AND FOR THAT I DO APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT. DEBATE ON THE AMENDMENT? YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO CLOSE. THANK YOU AS WE WENT BACK AND FORTH BACK AND FORTH AND MY MESSAGE TO BROWARD IS MAKE NUMBER TWO YOUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY. THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE AMENDMENT? THOSE OPPOSED? THIS AMENDMENT IS ADOPTED. OKAY. WE'RE BACK ON THE MAIN BILL AS AMENDED. AND ARE THERE QUESTIONS ON THE BILL AS AMENDED? SENATOR BERMAN YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. THANK YOU. I WANT TO UNDERSTAND MORE ABOUT THE SURPLUS LAND. WHEN WE ARE GOING TO SURPLUS ANY LAND UNDER THIS NEW PROVISION WOULD THEY HAVE TO FOLLOW THE PROCESS OF PUBLIC NOTICE AND HAVE A VOTE OF THE ACQUISITION AND RESTORATION COUNCIL AND THE CABINET IN ORDER TO SURPLUS LANDS UNDER THIS NEW PROCESS? SENATOR TRUENOW. THANK YOU CHAIR AND SENATOR FOR THE QUESTION. THERE WILL BE A COUNCIL THAT WILL BE CREATED TO EXAMINE THE LANDS AND WHETHER THEY QUALIFY. AS FAR AS GOING TO THE CABINET I DON'T BELIEVE THAT IS IN THE BILL. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> THANK YOU. I WANT TO MOVE TO THE GAS POWERED PREEMPTION ON GAS POWERED EQUIPMENT. PREEMPT NOISE ORDINANCES OR WILL THE CITY BE ABLE TO ALLOWED TO HAVE TIME OF DAY RESTRICTIONS? OR COULD I GO OUT AND USE MY NEW WAYS BLOWER AT 5:00 A.M. IN THE MORNING? YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. NO IT DOES NOT. IT CREATES A STANDARD BETWEEN BOTH ELECTRIC AND GAS POWERED OR DIESEL POWERED. FOLLOW UP UP. YOU MAY GO BACK AND FORTH IF YOU LIKE. >> WHY ARE WE PREEMPTING URBAN SPECIFIC ORDINANCES IN AGRICULTURAL BILL? THE EQUIPMENT, THANK YOU MADAM CHAIR AND THINK FOR THE QUESTION. THE EQUIPMENT WE SHOULD NOT BE YOU KNOW NOT ALLOWING PEOPLE TO PURCHASE OR USE ONE TYPE OF EQUIPMENT OVER ANOTHER TYPE OF EQUIPMENT. SO IT JUST GOES ALONG THOSE LINES FOR LANDSCAPERS OR FARMERS. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. ARE THERE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OF THE BILLS AMENDED? SENATOR OSGOOD. I WOULD LIKE 30 SECONDS FOR A MOMENT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE BEFORE ASKED MY QUESTION. I WANT TO RECOGNIZE THE SOUTHERN AREA DIRECTOR VANESSA IF YOU COULD PLEASE STAND. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TODAY AT THE FLORIDA CAPITOL. [APPLAUSE]. I WAS LOOKING AT THIS TRYING TO KEEP UP WITH AMENDMENTS AND I KNOW WE HAVE INVESTED A LOT AND HAVE BEEN FOCUSED ON ADDRESSING ON THE FOOD SECURITY IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA. DO YOU BELIEVE THAT THE ISSUES AND PROGRAM THAT YOU ARE PRESENTING DO YOU BELIEVE IT IS ADDRESSING THE ISSUES IN HELPING US WITH THEIR ATTEMPT TO MAKE SURE THAT LOW INCOME POPULATIONS HAVE ACCESS AND AFFORDABILITY WHEN IT COMES TO FRESH PRODUCE AND GROCERY STORES? DO YOU THINK THIS. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. I DON'T KNOW IF IT RESOLVES IT COMPLETELY BUT WE CAN UTILIZE THE PRODUCTS WE ARE GROWING IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA TO GET THAT LOCATION. THANK YOU. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? SENATOR HARRELL. WHEN WE TALK ABOUT OUR STATE PARKS AND OUR PRESERVERS WE HAVE A LOT OF PRESERVED LANDS AND THE WILDLIFE CORRIDOR DOOR AND WE ALSO HAVE A LOT OF THE STATE FORESTS. THIS BILL WOULD NOT IMPACT THEM AS FAR AS SURPLUS LAND AND THE ABILITY TO EVERYTHING THAT ARE IN THOSE CATEGORIES ARE PROTECTED. YES THAT IS CORRECT. OTHER QUESTIONS? OKAY WE HAVE A TREE WORTH OF APPEARANCE FORMS. WE HAVE A LOT OF WAIVES IN SUPPORT OR AGAINST. AND IF YOU FEEL LIKE YOU ARE HAPPY YOU KNOW JUST WAIVE AND THAT WILL SAVE SOME TIME. WE HAVE ALINA SWORE AS A FLORIDA AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION. WISHING TO SPEAK. AND THEN PLEASE GET IN THE BACK ALEXANDRA NUNEZ. >> ON BEHALF OF THE FLORIDA AGRO TOURISM ASSOCIATION THE RANCHERS AND FARMERS WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR AGRI TOURISM. >> THANK YOU. ALEXANDRA NUNEZ. THEN CAPTAIN LACEY KELLY FLORIDA. >> I AM IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL WITH THE CURRENT REMOVAL OF SECTION 48. THANK YOU. THOSE WHO ARE SUPPORTING WHEN I SAY YOUR NAME JUST SHOUT OUT I WAIVE IN SUPPORT AND IF YOU WANT TO SPEAK AGAINST COME ON UP. CAPTAIN LACEY KEELY. WAIVES IN SUPPORT. ALISHA MUELLER. CHANCE JOHN MAYOR. YOU ARE ALISHA MUELLER YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> I AM ALISHA THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR FLORIDA RURAL WATER ASSOCIATION. I COME TODAY ON BEHALF OF UTILITIES, SMALL UTILITIES, IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA, WE ARE AN ASSOCIATION THAT REPRESENTS SMALL RURAL COMMUNITY WITH THESE PREDOMINATELY BUT WE SUPPORT ALL UTILITIES INCLUDING MIAMI DADE AND SOUTH DISTRICT. ONE OF OUR PRIME THINGS IS WE WANT TO BE THE VOICE FOR THOSE THAT ARE NOT ABLE TO SPEAK THAT HAVE THE CHALLENGES FINANCIALLY AND THEY ARE CONSTRAINED COMMUNITIES SO TODAY I AM SPECIFICALLY SPEAKING ON THE SECTION OF BIOSOLIDS MANAGEMENT 430855. FIRST I WANT TO SAY THANK SENATOR TRUENOW FOR MAKING SURE THAT WE MOVE THE DATE TO THE 2028 ON THE BIOSOLIDS MANAGEMENT AND ALSO I WANT TO THANK FOR THE EXTENSION AND OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PUBLIC COMMENT ALLOWED ON THE ROLE THAT WILL COME UP. IT WILL BE IMPORTANT FOR OUR MEMBERS. ONE THING I WANT TO PRESS RIGHT NOW IS THAT IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA WE REPRESENT AROUND 2200 SMALL WORLD UTILITY COMMUNITIES IN THE BIOSOLIDS MANAGEMENT WILL BE A HUGE IMPACT. CURRENTLY ALL OF OUR UTILITIES IN THE PANHANDLE OF FLORIDA ALL TAKE IT OUT OF STATE TO ALABAMA. FOR THEIR BIOSOLIDS LAND APPLICATION BECAUSE THE STRICT RULES AND THE EXPENSES THAT TAKE IT FROM CLASS B TO CLASS AA. THE UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT WE DO FROM CLASS B TO CLASS AA IS YOU HAVE TO HAVE A CERTAIN TYPE OF PROCESS THAT IS CONSTRUCTED TO REMOVE THE METALS OUT TO MAKE IT WHERE IT IS STILL PHOSPHORUS AND NITROGEN RICH FOR LAND APPLICATIONS AND DEPENDING UPON THOSE IT HAS TO DO WITH PHOSPHORUS AND NITROGEN UPTAKE OF THE DIFFERENT LANDS THAT ARE OUT THERE. ONE THING THAT I AM ASKING FOR IS ON THIS AMENDMENT FOR US TO CONSIDER THE BIOSOLIDS GRANT PROGRAM THAT WAS CREATED THAT IS A GENERAL REVENUE FUNDED THAT HAS NOT BEEN FUNDED AND MULTIPLE YEARS. THAT IS THE 434074. YES, THANK YOU. PLEASE CONSIDER THAT IN THE FUTURE. THANK YOU. CHANCE JOHN MEYER. AND MIKE HOLLIDAY. WAIVING IN SUPPORT. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> MADAM CHAIR, HONORABLE SENATORS, THANK YOU FOR REMOVING SECTION 48. I WANT TO SPEAK SPECIFICALLY TO SENATOR MARTIN IN REGARD TO HIS COMMENTS AND IN REGARD TO WHAT LIES WHEN IT COMES TO THE HARVESTING AND PRODUCTION OF FOOD. YOU KNOW WHEN IT COMES TO THE SPECIALISTS, IN OKLAHOMA FOR INSTANCE, WHEN IT COMES TO THE PRODUCTION AND HARVESTING AT THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA GLIAL PHOSPHATE IS SAFER TO INGEST OR REALLY THAN MANY OTHER PROJECTS PURPOSEFULLY CONSUMED EVERY DAY INCLUDING CAFFEINE, ASPIRIN, AND TABLE SALT. SO YOU HAVE YOUR TRUTH OVER THERE AND THEN YOU HAVE THE RECENT FINDING BY YOUR OWN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH THIS MONTH USING INDEPENDENT SCIENCE BASED TESTING THAT FOUND GLIAL PHOSPHATE IN SIX OF EIGHT BREAD PRODUCTS WITH THE LEVELS RANGING FROM 10.38 PARTS PER BILLION TO 191 POWERPOINT 30 PARTS PER MILLION WHICH OUR FIRST LADY MENTIONED. WHEN THE CITIZEN'S BRING AN ISSUE AND I'M GLAD YOU GUYS REMOVE SECTION 48. WE HAVE BEEN LEARNING THESE ISSUES. WE NEED TO PRODUCE WHEAT PRODUCTION AND THE HARVESTING OF WHEAT FOR YEARS, SAYING THIS IS A BAD DEAL AND IT HAS CONTINUED TO BE DONE. SO THE CHASM BETWEEN THIS TRUTH AND THAT TRUTH IS FAR AND WIDE. WE THINK THE CAPTAINS OF CLEAN WATER FOR BRINGING THIS TO OUR ATTENTION AND, THAT'S IT. THANK YOU. I'M FINDING A QUANDARY HERE BECAUSE THAT LANGUAGE IS NO LONGER IN THE BILL SINCE THE AMENDMENT PASSED. SO IF ANYONE WANTS TO SPEAK ABOUT ISSUES RELATED TO IT IT'S REALLY NOT. >> THE POINT I'M TRYING TO MAKE IS -- THANK YOU FOR YOUR TESTIMONY. I JUST WANT TO POINT THAT OUT. THANK YOU. >> CHARLES WELL. WAIVING IN SUPPORT. OLIVIA POPE HELMS. WAIVES. I GUESS. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> GOOD MORNING CHAIR PASSIDOMO MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE. I'M OLIVIA POPE HELMS AND I REPRESENT THE FOURTH GENERATION OF MY FAMILY'S FARM IN POLK WE BEGAN GROWING VEGETABLES THERE IN 1926 MAKE IT IS 129th YEAR. THIS HISTORY MEANS EVERYTHING TO ME. OUR SMALL FAMILY FARMS SUPPORTS MULTIPLE MEMBERS OF MY FAMILY AS WELL AS EMPLOYEES DEPEND UPON US TO SUPPORT THEIR OWN FAMILIES. FARMING IS NOT JUST THE PASSION FOR US. IT IS OUR LIVELIHOOD. IT IS ONLY LIKE MY FAMILY HAS EVER KNOWN. AND IT'S ONLY LIKE WE EVER WANT TO NOW. I STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY NOT ONLY AS A FARMER BUT AS A MOTHER TO BE PREGNANT WITH MY FIRST CHILD AND PRAYING EVERY DAY THAT OUR FARM WILL BE ABLE TO SEE THE FIFTH GENERATION OF FARMLAND. BUT FARMING IN FLORIDA. I APOLOGIZE. JUST RECENTLY LAST WEEK WE EXPERIENCED THE WORST FREEZE WE HAVE EVER SEEN IN MY LIFETIME. THE DAMAGE WAS DEVASTATING. BUT LIKE SO MANY OTHERS ACROSS THE STATE WE ARE PRESSING ON. WE ENTER EVERY SEASON KNOWING IT'S A GAMBLE BUT IT'S A BET WERE WILLING TO THAT OUR WORK MATTERS. I STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY BECAUSE I BELIEVE IN THE FUTURE OF FLORIDA AGRICULTURE AND WILL DO EVERYTHING IN MY POWER TO ENSURE THAT FARMS LIKE OURS CAN CONTINUE ON FOR ANOTHER HUNDRED YEARS. THANK YOU COMMISSIONER SIMPSON AND CHAIRMAN TRUENOW FOR STANDING WITH FLORIDA FARMERS AND I RESPECTFULLY ASK THAT ALL OF YOU DO THE SAME AND SUPPORT THIS BILL IN THE FARMERS THAT FEED NOT ONLY OUR FAMILIES BUT YOURS AS WELL. THANK YOU. JACKIE LEAN FOLLOWED DC CORBETT. I WILL TRY TO CALL SOME NAMES IF YOU'RE IN THE BACK NEXT TO SARGE THE INTIMIDATING GUY BACK THERE AND STEVEN PASCO. JACKIE LANE. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU SENATORS. I AM JC DELANEY AND I'M PROUD TO CALL BELLE GLADE MY HOME. MY FAMILY IS ROOTED IN FARMING. MY GRANDFATHER IS ON OF THE LARGEST SERVING EMPLOYEES AT AN IMPORTANT FARM FAMILY BUSINESS IN FLORIDA. AND MY UNCLES ALSO WORK IN FLORIDA AGRICULTURE. I HAVE PERSONALLY RAISED HOGS AND SHOWN THEM AT THE SOUTH FLORIDA PART OF THAT MONEY IS WHY I'M ABLE TO GO TO COLLEGE. AND I TAKE PRIDE IN KNOWING FARMERS THEIR FAMILIES AND BEING PART OF AN AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITY THAT SAFELY AND RESPONSIBLY GROWS REAL FOODS THAT FEED OUR COUNTRY, ESPECIALLY IN WINTERTIME. EACH ONE OF US IN AND OUTSIDE OF THIS ROOM ARE INVOLVED IN THIS CULTURE. ACCORDING TO THE CENSUS AD THERE OVER 300 AGRICULTURAL PROJECT MAKING FLORIDA AGRICULTURE AND ECONOMIC POWERHOUSE RESPONSIBLE FOR FEEDING OUR STATE AND OUR COUNTRY’S FIBER AND FOLIAGE. WE EAT WHERE OUR PURCHASE IS. IT IS A PART OF THE AGRICULTURE. FOR THESE REASONS I ASK YOU TO SUPPORT THE FARM BILL BECAUSE IT PROTECTS AND ENCOURAGES LOCAL AND STATE AGRICULTURE PRODUCTION FOR FAMILIES FOR GENERATIONS LIKE MINE. THANK YOU WE HAVE STEPHEN STEWART FOLLOWED BY CAROL PHILLIPS THE THIRD. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> I'M DAVID. I'M SORRY. >> THANK YOU. I AM DAVID AND I MANAGE THE FARM PORTION OF DOWN IN MIAMI DADE ALONGSIDE MY YOUNGER BROTHER AND MY TWO OLDER BROTHERS WHO RUN ARE PACKING FACILITY. AS WELL AS THE SHIPPING SIDE. I'M A SECOND GENERATION FARMER. WE GROW GREEN BEANS, YELLOW SQUASH, ZUCCHINI, SWEETCORN, AND OKRA ON ROUGHLY 6,000 ACRES. FARMS ARE DEALING WITH MANY DIFFERENT THINGS NOW. MANY TROUBLES. I CALL US THE PIONEERS OF THE INVASIVE PEST DOWN IN MIAMI DADE COUNTY. THINGS COME IN FROM THE PORT WE HAVE LABOR SHORTAGES AND MARKET UNCERTAINTY. WHEN IT COMES TO TRADE WITH MEXICO, WE GROW VEGETABLES THROUGHOUT THE WINTERTIME AND SUPPORT THE ENTIRE EAST COAST AND MOST OF THE COUNTRY DURING THE WINTER MONTHS. AS YOU CAN SEE WITH WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK WITH THE FREEZE YOU WILL SEE AN UNBELIEVABLE SHORTAGE OF FOOD FOR THIS COUNTRY. AND LAND LOSS IS ONE OF OUR BIGGEST ISSUES IN OUR THAT IS WHY I DO SUPPORT RURAL FAMILY LAND PROGRAMS. I THINK IT IS THE BEST FOR BOTH THE TAXPAYER AND THE PRODUCER. THE TAXPAYER DOESN'T HAVE TO FOOT THE BILL OF KEEPING THE LAND IN PERPETUITY AND KEEP TAKING CARE OF IT. I DO WANT TO SAY THAT PRODUCE GROWN IN OUR STATE THE SOME OF THE MOST WORLD. THE FOOD SAFETY REGULATION WE HAVE IS SOME OF THE STRICTEST AND WHEN PEOPLE ASK ME WHAT THEY THINK OF WHAT THE PRODUCTS THAT ARE APPLIED I ALWAYS TELL THEM I HAVE THREE YOUNG CHILDREN AGES FOUR, THREE AND ONE WITH ONE MORE ON THE WAY AND EVER SINCE THEY'RE OLD ENOUGH TO EAT IT OR SOLIDS THEY'VE EATEN VEGETABLES OFF MY FARM. I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER SIMPSON AND CHAIRMAN TRUENOW FOR THIS BOARD OF AGRICULTURE AND PLEASE KEEP UP IN THEIR MINDS. THANK YOU. STEWART MAN. AND HARRELL FILIP THE THIRD THAN ANTHONY. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> GOOD MORNING SENATE COMMITTEE MEMBERS. I AM STEPHEN A THIRD GENERATION VEGETABLE FARMER IN THE EVERGLADES AGRICULTURAL AREA SOUTH OF LAKE OKEECHOBEE. MY FAMILY HAS BEEN GROWING AT LEAFY GREENS PRIMARILY ICEBERG AND ROMAINE LETTUCE IN THE EAA FOR OVER 50 YEARS. NOT ONLY CAN YOU FIND OUR PRODUCTS IN YOUR LOCAL GROCERY STORE BUT SOMETIMES BAYSHORE BECAUSE MY LAST NAME IS CLUNKY TO PRONOUNCE. LAUGH BUT YOU COULD ALSO FIND IS IN THE GUINNESS BOOK OF WORLD RECORDS FOR THE LARGEST SALAD MADE IN THE 1990s. YEAR AFTER YEAR OUR VEGETABLES HELP PUT THE ON THE COUNTRY'S MAP WINTER SALAD BOWL IF YOU'VE NEVER HAD A SALAD THEN YOU MAY NOT HAVE HAD OUR LETTUCE BUT WE GROW OVER 100 MILLION POUNDS OF ICEBERG LETTUCE PER YEAR. RECENTLY WE SUSTAINED SEVERAL FREEZE EVENTS THAT HAVE NEGATIVELY IMPACTED OUR PLANS AND THEIR NEIGHBORS FARMS THE LIKES OF WHICH I HAVE NEVER SEEN. MY FAMILY AND I ARE PROUD TO BE GROWING LETTUCE AND OTHER LEAFY GREENS THAT ARE ENJOYED NOT ONLY AROUND OUR STATE OF FLORIDA BUT ALSO THROUGHOUT THE EASTERN HALF OF THE WITH YOUR SUPPORT WE LOOK FORWARD TO FARMING FOR GENERATIONS TO COME. WE ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT FOR THIS FARM BILL. THANK YOU. WE HAVE STEWART MAN FOLLOWED BY HARRELL PHILLIPS THE THIRD. ANTHONY JULIAN HUNTER HORN. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED MR. MANN. >> I AM STEWART MAN WITH PIONEER GROWERS. WE ARE A GROW YOUR OWN COOPERATIVE IN BELGRADE FLORIDA. I'M A SIX GENERATION FLORIDIAN PROUDLY RAISING THE SEVENTH. AGRICULTURE IS NOT JUST MY JOB, BUT MY HERITAGE AND MY RESPONSIBILITY. PIONEER GROWERS IS A FARMER OWNED COOPERATIVE THAT EMPLOYS OVER 250 EMPLOYEES YEAR ROUND THE PEAK SEASON AT 500. WE SELL ABOUT 12 MILLION PACKAGES OF PRODUCE EACH YEAR TO NATIONAL RETAILERS, FOOD SERVICE PROVIDERS, AND FLORIDA SCHOOL SYSTEMS. WE ALSO USE FLORIDA PORTS UP TO LATIN AMERICA, AND THE CARIBBEAN MAKING THIS A VITAL PART OF GLOBAL FOOD SECURITY. MY ROLE IS TO ENSURE THE FOOD IS SAFELY GROWN, COOLED, CLEAN, PATH, AND DELIVERED. THIS WORK INVOLVES SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, TRAINING, AND STRICT COMPLIANCE AT EVERY STEP. FARMING IS NOT EASY AND REQUIRES FAITH BECAUSE DESPITE PLANNING AND EXPERTISE WE FACE CONSTANT RISK FROM WEATHER, LABOR SHORTAGES, RISING COSTS AND EQUIPMENT DEMAND. THE RECENT FREEZE IS THE IMPACT OF THE INDUSTRY IS A REMINDER THAT EVEN WITH GOOD PLANNING FARMING REMAINS VULNERABLE AND I HAVE SEEN OF THE EMOTIONAL TOLL IT TAKES ON THE FARMERS WHO HAVE INVESTED THEIR LIVES INTO FEEDING OTHERS. I WANT TO THANK YOU SENATORS AND ALSO COMMISSIONER SIMPSON FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO TO SUPPORT FLORIDA AGRICULTURE. THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TESTIMONY. WE WILL HAVE TO KEEP IT DOWN TO ONE MINUTE. I HAVE 50 APPEARANCE FORMS. EVERYONE SEEMS TO WANT TO SPEAK INSTEAD OF WAIVE LET'S KEEP DON'T ONE MINUTE. YOU MAY HAVE PLANNED FOR TWO. STEWART MAN. YOU ARE STEWART. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> HARRELL PHILLIPS THE THIRD. THANK YOU MADAM CHAIR AND SENATORS. AGAIN I DO NOT TAKE FOR GRANT THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK AND I WILL KEEP IT BRIEF I DO APPRECIATE IT. I'M DOCTOR HARRELL PHILLIPS A SECOND GENERATION LIVESTOCK THAT MARIAN. BORN AND RAISED IN MARION COUNTY CURRENTLY SERVING OUT OF VETERINARIAN PRACTICE CENTERED IN HIGHLANDS COUNTY FLORIDA. IN ADDITION TO BEING A VETERINARIAN I'M ALSO FOURTH GENERATION CATTLE PRODUCER WITH A FAMILY OPERATION CENTERED IN LEVY AND MARION COUNTY. I GRADUATED WITH MY DVM IN 2025 FROM KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY AND RETURN TO A PRACTICE THAT PRIMARILY SERVES BEEF, CATTLE, AND EQUINE CLIENTS IN THE HIGHLANDS HARDEE DE SOTO HENDRY GLADES AND ESSENTIALLY THE ENTIRE SOUTH FLORIDA AREA. I WANT TO BRIEFLY SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF THIS BILL AS A WHOLE BUT SPECIFICALLY TO THE VETERINARIAN LOAN REPAYMENT BY THE COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE AND SENATOR TRUENOW. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A VALUABLE TOOL IN ADDRESSING AN ISSUE THAT I LIVE EVERY DAY. I HAVE ALSO HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO GRADUATE AND WORK WITH COLLEAGUES AND OTHER STATES THAT HAVE SIMILAR PROGRAMS AND I KNOW AND HAVE SEEN THE RESULTS OF HOW THESE TYPES OF PROGRAMS ARE INCREASING RETENTION AND PROVIDING FOR MORE VETERINARY SERVICES AND RURAL STATES. THANK YOU. THANK YOU DOCTOR PHILLIPS. WE HAVE ANTHONY JULIAN FILED BY HUNTER HORN FOLLOWED BY JASON CHAMP. IS THAT JULIAN. OKAY. HUNTER HORN WISHING TO SPEAK. CAN YOU DO IT IN ONE MINUTE? >> YES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. I MANAGED A STRING OF RANCHES IN FLORIDA AND ONE OF THE GREATEST CRISIS IS WE HAVE RIGHT NOW IS LACK OF FOOD ANIMAL VETERINARY SERVICES AND I WOULD SAY IT IS QUICKLY BECOMING A HUGE CRISIS TO BE ABLE TO SUPPLY FOOD FOR OUR NATION AND STATE. AND WE REALLY ASK YOU GUYS TO VETERINARY PORTION AND THE BILL AS A WHOLE. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TESTIMONY. JASON CHANDLER FOLLOWED BY JOSH CHURCHWELL. CHANDLER FOR A MINUTE. >> THANK YOU COMMITTEE FOR ALLOWING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK AND THANK YOU COMMISSIONER SIMPSON AND CHAIRMAN TRUENOW FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP ON THIS BILL. I AM JASON CHANDLER AND I GROW VEGETABLES ACROSS LAFAYETTE, SUWANEE, HAMILTON AND MADISON COUNTY AND I AM A MEMBER OF THE FLORIDA DIRECTORS FRUIT AND VEGETABLE ASSOCIATION. I'M HERE TODAY TO SHOW SUPPORT FOR FLORIDA AGRICULTURE. MANY GROWERS INCLUDING MYSELF ENDURE LONG DAYS AND ENDLESS NIGHTS HERE A COUPLE TEN DAYS AGO SAFEGUARDING OUR CROPS DURING THE RECENT HISTORIC WEATHER EVENT. WEATHER EVENTS LIKE THIS LIKE WE SAW LAST WEEK IT IS WITHOUT CORRESPONDING INCREASES OF MARKET PRICE MAKING THIS A DIFFICULT JOB. SO, I DO APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT OF THIS BILL AND I HOPE YOU GET BEHIND IT. FLORIDA AGRICULTURE NEEDS GOOD SOUND POLICY TO HELP GET US THROUGH THESE CHALLENGES AND KEEP FLORIDA STRONG. PLEASE SUPPORT THIS BILL. IT MATTERS TO EVERY GROWER AS WELL AS THE FUTURE OF OUR STATE. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU. JOSH CHURCHWELL FOLLOWED BY LAVINIA HOLMES. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> THANK YOU CHAIR WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME AND WE APPRECIATE COMMISSIONER SIMPSON AND TRUENOW ON THEIR SUPPORT IN THE FARM BILL. I'M JOSH CHURCHWELL A COW PRODUCER AND MADISON COUNTY FLORIDA, WHERE MY FAMILY AND KIDS RAISE LIVESTOCK AND HOPEFULLY THEY COULD BE THE SEVENTH GENERATION TO CONTINUE HER FAMILY OPERATION. THE FARM BILL IS IMPORTANT TO US TO CHALLENGES THAT EVERYONE HAS TALKED ABOUT TODAY WHETHER TO DROUGHT, FLOOD, COLD WEATHER WE HAVE HAD, WE ALL FACE THESE CHALLENGES AND THERE THAT WE HAVE TO KEEP OUR FAMILY AND OUR CHILDREN IN BUSINESS SO WE CAN FEED THE STATE AND AMERICA. THE BIGGEST THING I WANT TO ECHO IS THE VETERINARY PORTION OF THE BILL. FOOD SAFETY AND ANIMAL WELFARE ARE HUGE CONCERNS FOR THE STATE INDUSTRY AND COUNTRY AND WE APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT ON THIS AND WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. IF THERE ANY QUESTIONS OR GLAD TO ANSWER THOSE. >> LEVEE TO HOMES FOLLOWED BY CASEY HILLIARD. WAIVES. YOU ARE WAIVING IN SUPPORT. YOU ARE WAIVING. THANK YOU. CASEY HILLIARD FOLLOWED BY ON UPTON. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> GOOD MORNING CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE I'M CASEY HILLIARD HERE ON BEHALF OF THE FEEDING FLORIDA AS WELL AS MANY FARMERS RANCHERS AND PROCESSORS HERE IN THE ROOM WITH US TODAY. I WILL BEGIN QUICKLY BY THINKING SENATOR TRUENOW, PRESIDENT ALBRITTON, COMMISSIONER SIMPSON, AND THE FLORIDA SENATE AS A WHOLE FOR YOUR CONTINUED LEADERSHIP AND SUPPORT OF FARMERS FEEDING FLORIDA. THIS IS A SIMPLE IDEA WITH EXTRAORDINARY OUTCOMES. THE FIRST HALF OF THIS FISCAL YEAR ALONE WE HAVE RECOVERED AND SOURCE OF NEARLY 53 MILLION SERVINGS OF FRESH FROM FLORIDA GROWN COMMODITIES, WHICH EQUATES TO 16.2 MILLION POUNDS AND OF COURSE THIS FOOD IS DIRECTLY BENEFITING SENIORS, WORKING FAMILIES, AND NEARLY 800,000 CHILDREN WHO UNFORTUNATELY FACE FOOD INSECURITY HERE IN OUR STATE. THIS PROGRAM IS A LIFELINE. WE ARE ON TRACK FOR THE REMAINDER OF THIS FISCAL YEAR TO SOURCE AN ADDITIONAL 35 MILLION POUNDS. I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO SHARE WITH YOU EVERY POUND OF FOOD NOT ONLY WHERE IT IS COMING FROM BUT WHERE IT IS GOING SAID THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. THANK YOU. ON UPTON EVERGLADES TRUST FOLLOWED BY I'M SPEAKING TO SECTION SIX OF THE BILL SPECIFICALLY LINE 51535 SEVENTEEN. WE SPOKE ABOUT HOW GREAT THE STATE PARKS AND STATE FORESTS AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAS ARE AND THOSE ARE PROTECTED UNDER THE CURRENT VERSION OF THE BILL. WHAT WE ARE ASKING FOR HIS LANDS PURCHASED FOR EVERGLADES RESTORATION BE INCLUDED IN THE LIST OF EXEMPTIONS. YOU GUYS HAVE DONE TREMENDOUS WORK OVER THE LAST YOU KNOW FEW YEARS ESPECIALLY IN FUNDING AND ADVANCING THESE PROJECTS. SO WE FEEL LIKE LANDS PURCHASED FOR EVERGLADES RESTORATION SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE LIST OF EXCEPTIONS. THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR THIS TESTIMONY. JULIE FOLLOWED BY MIA HAWN. >> THANK YOU I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF OTTOMAN FLORIDA. THIS BILL HAS A LOT OF SUBJECTS AND IT. I'M HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT THE CONCERNS FOR SURPLUS STATE CONSERVATION THIS ISSUE IS OF GREAT CONCERN TO FLORIDIANS AFTER A SUCCESSION OF SURPLUS AND INCOMPATIBLE USE IN THE LAST YEAR THAT SHOOK PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN THE PROTECTION OF STATE PARKS AND PRESERVES. CURRENTLY UNDER THE STATE CONSTITUTION CONSERVATION LANDS MAY ONLY BE SURPLUS IF THEY ARE DETERMINED TO BE NO LONGER NEEDED FOR CONSERVATION BY A MAJORITY OF THE GOVERNOR AND CABINETS SITTING AS THE TRUSTEES. THIS BILL INSTEAD PROPOSES TO UP AND IT IS STANDARD MANDATING THAT ALL SAY CONSERVATION LAND PURCHASED AFTER 2023 OTHER THAN STATE PARKS FORCE AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAS WOULD BE EVALUATED FOR SUITABILITY FOR AGRICULTURE. IF THEY ARE FOUND TO BE THE LAND TO BE SOLD FOR AGRICULTURAL USE WITH THE STATE RETAINING AN EASEMENT. THE REVENUE FROM THE SALE WOULD NOT GO TO THE WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT FLORIDA FOREVER OR WHATEVER PROGRAM PURCHASED THE LAND BUT TO THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES. NOT ONLY DOES THIS VIOLATE THE CONSTITUTIONAL STANDARD FOR SURPLUS AND STATE LAND BUT ELIMINATE PUBLIC ACCESS. THE TO RECREATE ON LAND WHEN THEY'RE SOLD WITH AN EASEMENT AND IT COULD ALSO MEAN THE END OF NEW STATE PARKS FORCE AND WMA AND WHILE IT DOES NOT APPLY TO STATE PARKS FOREST AND WMA AFTER ESTABLISHMENT NEW CONSERVATION ACQUISITIONS ARE NOT ASSIGNED TO A MANAGEMENT AGENCY UNTIL AFTER THEY ARE ACQUIRED. THIS MEANS UNDER THE BROAD LANGUAGE OF THE BILL IT'S POSSIBLE THAT NEW STATE CONSERVATION ACQUISITIONS COULD BE EVALUATED AND SURPLUS BEFORE THEY ARE DESIGNATED. ULTIMATELY, ON BEHALF OF AUDUBON 140,000 MEMBERS IN FLORIDA I URGE YOU TO PLEASE NOT SUPPORT THIS UNCONSTITUTIONAL ATTEMPT TO MAKE STATE CONSERVATION LANDS A LAND BANK FOR AGRICULTURE. THANK YOU. MIA HAWN FOLLOWED BY SUSAN. >> I NOW WAIVE IN SUPPORT. CHAIR HAS MY IT IS WAIVING IN SUPPORT. SUSAN FERRIS. >> WAIVE IN SUPPORT. OKAY WAIVING IN SUPPORT. KEY LEE PRICE. CHRISTIAN BELL. WAIVING IN SUPPORT. BENJAMIN B ANKE WAIVING IN SUPPORT. COLLIN NICHOLS WAIVES IN SUPPORT. MOULIN WAIVES IN SUPPORT. YOU HAVE A GREAT NAME THERE I JUST CANNOT PRONOUNCE IT. OKAY HAYDEN JOHNSON. WAIVES IN SUPPORT. PAUL WAIVES IN SUPPORT. JANET TAYLOR WAIVES IN SUPPORT. CARTER BROWN. WAIVES IN SUPPORT. HUNTER LAVIGNE. WAIVES IN SUPPORT. KELLY GRIERSON. OKAY PROBABLY WAIVING IN SUPPORT. MICHELLE MILLER. ARE YOU MICHELLE MILLER? OKAY. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> I AM MICHELLE MILLER AND I WAS A FARMER FOR MANY YEARS. I'M A FULL TIME ADVOCATE FOR FARMERS AS A SOCIAL MEDIA PERSONALITY KNOWN AS THE FARM BABE AND I BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN FARMERS AND CONSUMERS AND DEBUNK MYTHS AND MYTHS AND AGRICULTURE SPREAD QUICKLY AND DON'T ALWAYS COME FROM PLACES FROM TRUE EXPERTS LIKE FARMERS WHO FEEL COMFORTABLE EATING WHAT THEY PRODUCE EVERY SINGLE DAY. MAKE NO MISTAKE OFTEN TIMES PEOPLE LIKE BIG EGG OR BIG CHEMICAL BUT ACTIVIST GROUPS ARE WELL FUNDED. OFTEN TIMES COMING FROM BILLIONAIRE DEVELOPERS AND PEOPLE WHO WANT TO TAKE OUR LAND. THERE IS A VESTED INTEREST IN PUTTING US DOWN AND I WANT TO RAISE AWARENESS ON THAT FARMERS CARE DEEPLY ABOUT WHAT WE PRODUCE AND IF WE DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO OUR FARMS AS IT STANDS WE LOSE 3 ACRES EVERY MINUTE AND THIS COUNTRY TO URBAN DEVELOPMENT. RIGHT NOW WE MUST PROTECT FARMERS AND THE LANGUAGE THAT ALLOWS THEM TO CONTINUE TO FARM. IF WE DO NOT HAVE AGRICULTURE WE HAVE NOTHING AND WE CANNOT BE DEPENDENT ON FOREIGN COUNTRIES OFTEN TIMES THEY DON'T EVEN HAVE CLEAN DRINKING WATER. WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT HER OWN FARMERS. I ENCOURAGE YOU IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS FARMERS ARE VERY TRANSPARENT. TALK TO US AS REAL PEOPLE WHO EAT WHAT WE GROW AND ARE COMFORTABLE WITH WHAT WE FEEL THE WORLD. THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TESTIMONY. MARK. THEN ROXANNE GROUPER. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE. >> MY BACKGROUND IS I'M PE FLORIDA CALIFORNIA 40 YEARS NOW. HERE TO TALK ABOUT LAND SPREADING. IN MY PROFESSIONAL OPINION LAND SPREADING CLASS B WASTE IS THE MOST ECONOMICAL AND ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY WAY THAT WE CAN USE AND REUSE TREATED SEPTIC TANK CONTENTS. THE RESTRICTIONS AND PROTECTIONS CURRENTLY IN PLACE MORE THAN ADEQUATE FOR LAND SPREADING OPERATIONS AROUND THE STATE. SURFACE WATERS ARE PROTECTED. DEP IS ALL OVER IT ESPECIALLY FOREST. AND SMALL BUSINESSES. THESE PROPOSED RESTRICTIONS WOULD UNDULY BURDEN LICENSE LANDS PUTTING OPERATIONS ESPECIALLY SMALLER ONES. SO IN SHORT THE COST OF BUSINESS, SMALL BUSINESS, AND CONSUMERS OF THIS PARTICULAR WOULD BE YOU KNOW, OUTWEIGH ANY BENEFIT. THAT'S ALL. THANK YOU. ROXANNE GRUBER FOLLOWED BY DANIEL HOWARD. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE. >> THANK YOU COMMITTEE CHAIR AND MEMBERS. I'M WITH FLORIDA ON SITE WASTEWATER ASSOCIATION. ONE THING I HEARD THE SENATOR SAY IS THIS ALLOWS BIOSOLIDS CLASS AA. TO BE APPLIED BUT WHAT HE FAILED TO MENTION IS IT TAKES AWAY THE ABILITY OF THOSE WITH CLASS B BIOSOLIDS. SO WE HAVE BEEN DISCUSSING THIS SINCE 2010. ARE ONLY CONCERN IS TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE IS AWARE THAT WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANTS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO TAKE SEPTAGE, GREASE, OR PORTA POTTY WASTE. ONE THIRD OF YOUR CONSTITUENTS IN THE STATE USE ON SITE SYSTEMS. SO AT A MINIMUM THEY WILL REQUIRE PUMPING OF THE SEPTAGE AND IT MUST GO SOMEWHERE. PROPERLY DESIGNED INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED OUR FOLKS WHO DO THIS TRANSFERRED OVER TO THE DEP. THEY PROPERLY SHRIEKED AND TO MAINTAIN A NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT PLAN WHICH MEANS WE EQUAL WHAT WE ARE LOADING WITH WHAT IS BEING UP TAKEN SO CLASS B BIOSOLIDS SHOULD NOT BE EXCLUDED. WE MUST CARVE OUT THE SMALLER LAND PLIERS AND DELAY AND LOOK AT THE SCIENCE. THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR THIS TESTIMONY. DANIEL BY HOWARD FOLLOWED BY GARDNER. FOR A MINUTE. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> GOOD MORNING. I'M DANIEL HOWARD THIRD GENERATION SEPTIC CONTRACTOR FULLY SUPPORTING FARMS AND FARMERS. I'M HERE AGAINST PART OF THIS BILL ABOUT THE LAND APPLICATION PORTION RESTRICTION FOR SEWAGE AND SEPTAGE IT WOULD GREATLY IMPACT THE CITIZENS OF FLORIDA WITH HIGHER COSTS AND TIMELY SERVICES. THIS WILL BE DIFFICULT FOR SEPTIC CONTRACTORS AND PROPERTY OWNERS. MUNICIPAL DISPOSAL SITES ARE FEW AND FAR BETWEEN. THE AVAILABLE DISPOSAL SITES WILL NOT BE ABLE TO HANDLE THE AMOUNT OF IS PRODUCED FROM THE SEPTIC INDUSTRY. THERE IS NO AVAILABLE SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE SHOWING THE CURRENT STANDARDS ARE HARMFUL OR HAVE CAUSED ANY HARM. THIS CHANGE FROM CLASS B TO CLASS AA BIOSOLIDS WILL CAUSE CHAOS AND MAYHEM. AS MOST PEOPLE DON'T MAINTAIN THEIR SEPTIC SYSTEMS PROPERLY AND WILL ONLY SERVICE THEM IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. MOST SEPTIC CONTRACTORS HAVE A THREE TO FOUR DAY WAIT TIME AS IS. IF WE ARE REQUIRED TO HOLD LONG DISTANCES IT WILL DO BECAUSE IT WILL CAUSE MORE AND WILL ENCOURAGE PROPERTY OWNERS TO SEEK A AND HARMFUL PRACTICES TO GET SYSTEMS WORKING AGAIN. THANK YOU. WE HAVE COURTNEY GARDNER. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD MORNING AND THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK IN VOICE MY OPINION ON SENATE BILL 290. MY FATHER BEGAN OUR FAMILY BUSINESS RAMIN HOWARD SEPTIC IN 1996 AND HAS OVER 55 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN SEPTIC AND WASTEWATER INDUSTRY. WE COLLECT SEPTIC FROM HOMES AND BUSINESSES AND HAVE A TREATMENT PLANT WHERE WE RECEIVE BIOSOLIDS FROM LARGE BUSINESSES AND SMALL MUNICIPALITIES FOR PROPER CLASS B APPLICATIONS. WE BENEFICIALLY REUSE THE TREATMENT MATERIAL IN ACCORDANCE TO THE NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT PLAN AND ARE EXPECTED BY F DEP REGULARLY TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE IN COMPLIANCE WITH ALL REGULATIONS. IF THIS BILL IS PASSED AS WRITTEN IT WILL FINANCIALLY DEVASTATE OUR INCOME AND BUSINESS. THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY 2.6 MILLION SEPTIC TANKS IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA NOT TO MENTION PORTA POTTY'S, MARINE PUMPS OUTS AND GREASE TRAPS. SMALL BUSINESSES LIKE OURS ROUTINELY PUMP OUT THESE TANKS AND PROPERLY TREAT WASTE MOST PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE HOW MUCH EFFORT GOES IN BEHIND THE SCENES TO KEEP WASTEWATER SYSTEMS PROPERLY RUNNING. FOR EXAMPLE, AFTER HURRICANE IDALIA DEBBY, AND HELENE ARE PLANT THE WASTEWATER FROM THE EMERGENCY DRILLS IMPORTED PARTIES. MOST EITHER WILL NOT TAKE HER DON'T WANT SEPTIC BECAUSE IT CAN DISRUPT THEIR BIOLOGICAL PROCESS. WHERE IS THIS SUPPOSED TO GO? WHAT PROBLEM ARE YOU TRYING TO SOLVE. THIS IS ALREADY RESTRICTED BASED ON TESTING AND SOIL TREATMENTS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TESTIMONY. >> THANK Y