Downloads
CS/CS/HB 921 — Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
by State Affairs Committee, Agriculture and Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee, and Rep. Brannan (CS/CS/SB 1514 by Innovation, Industry, and Technology Committee; Agriculture Committee; and Senator Albritton)
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Agriculture Committee (AG)
The bill addresses various issues related to agriculture and certain powers and duties of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (department). Specifically, the bill:
Agricultural Loads on Vehicles
- Eliminates the 20-mile maximum distance requirement that vehicles transporting agricultural products may travel without covering and securing the load.
Recreational Vehicles
- Provides a new definition for the term “recreational vehicle;”
- Requires the department to adopt rules specifying requirements for agents to administer written competency examinations;
- Requires the department to establish a separate competency examination for a license to engage in activities solely related to the service and repair of recreational vehicles;
- Authorizes certain qualifiers and master qualifiers to engage in activities solely related to the service and repair of recreational vehicles; and
- Requires verifiable liquefied petroleum gas experience or professional certification by a liquefied petroleum gas manufacturer in order to apply for certification as a master qualifier.
Pest Control Trust Fund
- Extends the expiration date of the department’s authority to use funds from the Pest Control Trust Fund to carry out the division’s duties to June 30, 2024.
State Hemp Program
- Modifies the definition of “hemp extract;”
- Clarifies the way hemp products should be packaged and labeled;
- Provides that hemp extract sold in violation of the law shall be considered adulterated or misbranded; and
- Prohibits the sale of products that are intended for inhalation and contain hemp extract from being sold to a person who is under the age of 21.
Forest Service Firefighters
- Requires the Florida Forest Service firefighter training curriculum to include a minimum of 40 hours each of structural firefighter training and emergency medical training;
- Requires a minimum of 376 hours of wildfire training; and
- Provides Wildland Firefighter training and certification.
Aquaculture
- Authorizes the department to revoke an aquaculture certificate of registration if it determines that aquaculture is not the primary purpose of the certified entity’s operation.
If approved by the Governor, these provisions take effect July 1, 2020.
Vote: Senate 39-0; House 111-0