House Bill 1855e1

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                                       CS/HB 1855, First Engrossed



  1                      A bill to be entitled

  2         An act relating to agriculture and consumer

  3         services; amending s. 501.913, F.S.; revising

  4         provisions relating to identity of registrant

  5         of antifreeze; providing liability; amending s.

  6         501.916, F.S., relating to mislabeling of

  7         antifreeze; revising required labeling to be

  8         included on antifreeze; amending s. 501.919,

  9         F.S.; revising provisions relating to

10         enforcement and stop-sale orders; amending s.

11         501.922, F.S., relating to violation of the

12         antifreeze act; revising penalties and

13         suspension of registration; repealing s.

14         531.54, F.S., relating to salaries and expenses

15         of enforcement; amending s. 570.191, F.S.,

16         relating to the Agricultural Emergency

17         Eradication Trust Fund; clarifying the

18         definition of "agricultural emergency";

19         amending s. 570.46, F.S.; revising the powers

20         and duties of the Division of Standards;

21         deleting a reference to testing of samples;

22         amending s. 570.48, F.S., relating to duties of

23         the Division of Fruit and Vegetables; providing

24         for the appointment, certification, licensure,

25         and supervision of certain inspectors; amending

26         s. 570.952, F.S., relating to the Florida

27         Agriculture Center and Horse Park Authority;

28         deleting requirements relating to a quorum and

29         official actions; creating s. 570.235, F.S.;

30         creating the Pest Exclusion Advisory Committee

31         within the Department of Agriculture and


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                                       CS/HB 1855, First Engrossed



  1         Consumer Services; establishing membership of

  2         the advisory committee; providing duties of the

  3         advisory committee; requiring a report;

  4         amending s. 581.184, F.S.; establishing a

  5         citrus canker-free buffer area; requiring the

  6         development of a compensation plan; providing a

  7         limitation for compensation; amending s.

  8         588.011, F.S.; revising legal fence

  9         requirements; amending s. 588.12, F.S.;

10         revising legislative findings regarding

11         livestock at large; amending s. 588.13, F.S.;

12         revising definitions; repealing s. 588.14,

13         F.S.; relating to duty of owners of livestock;

14         amending s. 588.16, F.S.; revising the

15         authority to impound livestock running at

16         large; amending s. 588.17, F.S.; revising

17         provisions relating to the disposition of

18         impounded livestock; amending s. 588.18, F.S.;

19         revising fees relating to livestock at large;

20         amending s. 588.19, F.S.; revising procedures

21         for defraying certain costs; amending s.

22         589.081, F.S.; clarifying language regarding

23         distribution to counties of gross receipts

24         funds from Withlacoochee and Goethe State

25         Forests; amending s. 593.1141, F.S.; revising

26         references to the Agricultural Stabilization

27         and Conservation Service; amending s. 616.05,

28         F.S.; clarifying requirements regarding the

29         publication of notice to amend the charter of a

30         fair association; amending s. 616.07, F.S.;

31         revising the tax exempt status of fair


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                                       CS/HB 1855, First Engrossed



  1         associations to include exemption from special

  2         assessments; amending s. 616.08, F.S.;

  3         clarifying provisions regarding the authority

  4         of a fair association to sell, mortgage, lease,

  5         or convey property; amending s. 616.13, F.S.;

  6         revising restrictions regarding the operation

  7         of temporary amusement rides; amending s.

  8         616.15, F.S.; requiring certain notice to be

  9         sent upon application for a permit to conduct a

10         public fair or exposition; requiring the

11         department to consider proximity of fairs and

12         expositions when issuing permits; authorizing

13         the denial or withdrawal of permits based on

14         competition; amending s. 616.242, F.S.,

15         relating to safety standards for amusement

16         rides; revising documentation provided to the

17         department for an annual permit; revising the

18         rulemaking authority of the department;

19         revising fees and inspection standards;

20         prohibiting bungy catapulting or reverse bungy

21         jumping; amending s. 616.260, F.S.; revising

22         the tax exempt status of the Florida State Fair

23         Authority to include exemption from special

24         assessments; amending s. 823.14, F.S.;

25         clarifying a definition pertaining to the

26         Florida Right to Farm Act; amending s. 828.12,

27         F.S.; revising provisions relating to cruelty

28         to animals; amending s. 828.125, F.S., relating

29         to killing or aggravated abuse of registered

30         breed horses or cattle; revising provisions

31         relating to prohibited acts; amending s.


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                                       CS/HB 1855, First Engrossed



  1         823.14, F.S.; providing legislative findings

  2         regarding the effect of music on animal

  3         husbandry; preempting nuisance from noise from

  4         raising livestock to the state; providing

  5         findings; establishing certain sound limits;

  6         providing that certain special assessments

  7         shall not be due from a fair association or

  8         state fair; providing an effective date.

  9

10  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:

11

12         Section 1.  Subsection (1) of section 501.913, Florida

13  Statutes, is amended to read:

14         501.913  Registration.--

15         (1)  Each brand of antifreeze to be distributed in this

16  state shall be registered with the department prior to

17  distribution.  The person whose name appears on the label, the

18  manufacturer, or the packager shall make application to the

19  department on forms provided by the department no later than

20  July 1 of each year. The registrant assumes, by application to

21  register the brand, full responsibility for the quality and

22  quantity of the product sold, offered, or exposed for sale in

23  this state.

24         Section 2.  Subsection (1) of section 501.916, Florida

25  Statutes, is amended to read:

26         501.916  Mislabeling of antifreeze.--Antifreeze shall

27  be deemed to be mislabeled:

28         (1)  If it does not bear a label which specifies:

29         (a)  The brand of the product.

30         (b)(a)  The identity of the product.

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                                       CS/HB 1855, First Engrossed



  1         (c)(b)  The name and address of the manufacturer,

  2  packager, or distributor, or registrant.

  3         (d)(c)  The net quantity of contents (in terms of

  4  liquid measure) separately and accurately in a uniform

  5  location upon the principal display panel.

  6         (e)(d)  A statement warning of any hazard of

  7  substantial injury to human beings which may result from the

  8  intended use or reasonably foreseeable misuse of the

  9  antifreeze.

10         (f)(e)  The primary chemical component functioning as

11  the antifreeze agent.

12         (g)(f)  The appropriate amount, percentage, proportion,

13  or concentration of the antifreeze to be used to provide

14  claimed protection from freezing at a specified degree or

15  degrees of temperature, claimed protection from corrosion, or

16  claimed increase of boiling point or protection from

17  overheating.

18         Section 3.  Subsection (3) of section 501.919, Florida

19  Statutes, is amended to read:

20         501.919  Enforcement; stop-sale order.--

21         (3)  Nothing in this act shall be construed to require

22  the department to report for prosecution or for institution of

23  libel proceedings any minor violations of the act whenever it

24  believes that the public interest will be best served by a

25  suitable notice of warning in writing to the violator

26  registrant or the person whose name and address appears on the

27  label.

28         Section 4.  Section 501.922, Florida Statutes, is

29  amended to read:

30         501.922  Violation.--

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                                       CS/HB 1855, First Engrossed



  1         (1)  The department may enter an order imposing one or

  2  more of the following penalties against any person who

  3  violates any provision of ss. 501.91-501.923 or impedes,

  4  obstructs, or hinders the department in performance of its

  5  duties in connection with the provisions of these sections.

  6         (a)  Imposition of an administrative fine of not more

  7  than $1,000 per violation for the first time offender. For a

  8  second or repeat offender, or any person who willfully and

  9  intentionally violates any provisions of this section, the

10  administrative fine shall not exceed $5,000 per violation.

11         (b)  Revocation or suspension of any registration

12  issued by the department. Any suspension shall not exceed one

13  year.

14         (2)  If a registrant in violation of ss. 501.91-501.923

15  fails to pay a fine within 30 days, then all registrations

16  issued by the department to the registrant may be suspended

17  until such time as the fine is paid. The registration with the

18  department of any person who violates this act or fails to

19  comply with any of the provisions of this act may be subject

20  to suspension or revocation.  Any suspension shall not exceed

21  1 year. In addition to any suspension or revocation, for each

22  violation, the department may levy a fine which shall not

23  exceed $5,000 per violation.  If the person in violation of

24  ss. 501.91-501.923 fails to pay the fine within 30 days, then

25  his or her registration may be suspended until such time as

26  the fine is paid.

27         (3)  All fines collected by the department shall be

28  deposited in the General Inspection Trust Fund.

29         Section 5.  Section 531.54, Florida Statutes, is hereby

30  repealed.

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                                       CS/HB 1855, First Engrossed



  1         Section 6.  Section 570.191, Florida Statutes, 1998

  2  Supplement, is amended to read:

  3         570.191  Agricultural Emergency Eradication Trust

  4  Fund.--There is created in the office of the commissioner the

  5  Agricultural Emergency Eradication Trust Fund. Funds in the

  6  trust fund may be made available upon certification by the

  7  commissioner that an agricultural emergency exists and that

  8  funds specifically appropriated for the emergency's purpose

  9  are exhausted or insufficient to eliminate the agricultural

10  emergency. The term "agricultural emergency" means an animal

11  or plant disease, insect infestation, or plant or pest

12  endangering or threatening the horticultural, aquacultural, or

13  other and agricultural interests in this state.

14         Section 7.  Subsection (5) of section 570.46, Florida

15  Statutes, 1998 Supplement, is amended to read:

16         570.46  Division of Standards; powers and duties.--The

17  duties of the Division of Standards include, but are not

18  limited to:

19         (5)  Testing samples, including those submitted by the

20  Department of Management Services and the Department of

21  Education, to establish and verify conformity with state

22  specifications.

23         Section 8.  Subsection (7) is added to section 570.48,

24  Florida Statutes, to read:

25         570.48  Division of Fruit and Vegetables; powers and

26  duties; records.--The duties of the Division of Fruit and

27  Vegetables include, but are not limited to:

28         (7)  Appointing, certifying, licensing, and supervising

29  inspectors whose duties shall be to inspect fruit and

30  vegetables regulated by state law where no federal law

31  requires such inspectors to be licensed or certified by the


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                                       CS/HB 1855, First Engrossed



  1  federal government, other provisions of the law

  2  notwithstanding.

  3         Section 9.  Subsections (5) and (6) of section 570.952,

  4  Florida Statutes, 1998 Supplement, are amended to read:

  5         570.952  Florida Agriculture Center and Horse Park

  6  Authority.--

  7         (5)  A majority of the members shall constitute a

  8  quorum, and action by a majority of a quorum shall be

  9  official.

10         (5)(6)  Beginning January 1, 1995, The commissioner

11  shall submit information annually to the Speaker of the House

12  of Representatives and the President of the Senate reporting

13  the activities of the Florida Agriculture Center and Horse

14  Park Authority and the progress of the Florida Agriculture

15  Center and Horse Park, including, but not limited to,

16  pertinent planning, budgeting, and operational information

17  concerning the authority.

18         Section 10.  Section 570.235, Florida Statutes, is

19  created to read:

20         570.235  Pest Exclusion Advisory Committee.--

21         (1)  There is created within the department a Pest

22  Exclusion Advisory Committee. The advisory committee shall be

23  composed of 24 members.

24         (a)  The Commissioner of Agriculture shall appoint 17

25  members representing the following:

26         1.  Two members from the Florida Department of

27  Agriculture and Consumer Services.

28         2.  Two citizens at large.

29         3.  One member from each of the following agricultural

30  production groups:

31         a.  Row crops.


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                                       CS/HB 1855, First Engrossed



  1         b.  Citrus.

  2         c.  Horticulture.

  3         d.  Forestry.

  4         e.  Cattle.

  5         f.  Dairy.

  6         g.  Pork.

  7         h.  Poultry.

  8         i.  Horses.

  9         j.  Aquaculture.

10         k.  Apiary.

11         4.  One member representing research programs in the

12  state's land grant institutions.

13         5.  One member representing extension programs in the

14  state's land grant institutions.

15         (b)  In addition, the committee shall be composed of

16  the following 7 members:

17         1.  Two members representing and appointed by the

18  Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States

19  Department of Agriculture.

20         2.  One member representing and appointed by the

21  Florida Department of Health.

22         3.  One member representing and appointed by the

23  Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

24         4.  One member representing and appointed by the

25  Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission.

26         5.  One member appointed by the Speaker of the House of

27  Representatives.

28         6.  One member appointed by the President of the

29  Senate.

30         (2)  The advisory committee shall be governed by the

31  provisions of s. 570.0705 and shall have the responsibility of


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                                       CS/HB 1855, First Engrossed



  1  reviewing and evaluating the state's existing and future

  2  exclusion, detection, and eradication programs. The

  3  Commissioner of Agriculture shall appoint the chair of the

  4  committee. In evaluating the programs, the advisory committee

  5  shall:

  6         (a)  Require the scientific community to provide

  7  necessary scientific background on Florida's programs. Using

  8  such information, the committee shall evaluate the scientific

  9  basis for the programs.

10         (b)  Review current Florida laws and regulations and

11  recommend changes.

12         (c)  Identify exotic plants and pests in foreign

13  countries that pose a significant threat to consumer safety

14  and have a high likelihood of being introduced into the state.

15         (d)  Identify high-risk areas for pest introduction and

16  offer recommendations for specific programmatic activities to

17  address such risk.

18         (e)  Study the possibility of partnerships with other

19  public and private entities to develop programs, projects, and

20  activities which may be cost effective and which may assist in

21  implementing a pest exclusion program.

22         (f)  Address any area of concern that is raised

23  regarding the state's pest exclusion, detection, and

24  eradication program.

25         (g)  Make recommendations to the Commissioner of

26  Agriculture, the Governor, the Speaker of the House of

27  Representatives, and the President of the Senate for needs and

28  changes in these programs, including funding requirements and

29  needs.

30         (3)  The committee shall issue a report of its findings

31  to the Commissioner of Agriculture, the Governor, the Speaker


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                                       CS/HB 1855, First Engrossed



  1  of the House of Representatives, and the President of the

  2  Senate by January 1, 2001.

  3         Section 11.  Section 581.184, Florida Statutes, is

  4  amended to read:

  5         581.184  Promulgation of rules; citrus canker

  6  eradication; voluntary destruction agreements; buffer area.--

  7         (1)  In addition to the powers and duties set forth

  8  under this chapter the department is directed to adopt rules

  9  specifying facts and circumstances that, if present, would

10  require the destruction of plants for purposes of eradicating,

11  controlling, or preventing the dissemination of citrus canker

12  disease in the state.  In addition, the department is directed

13  to adopt rules regarding the conditions under which citrus

14  plants can be grown, moved, and planted in this state as may

15  be necessary for the eradication, control, or prevention of

16  the dissemination of citrus canker.  Such rules shall be in

17  effect for any period during which, in the judgment of the

18  Commissioner of Agriculture, there is the threat of the spread

19  of citrus canker disease in the state.  Such rules may provide

20  for the conduct of any activity regulated by such rules

21  subject to an agreement by persons wishing to engage in such

22  activity to voluntarily destroy, at their own expense, citrus

23  plants declared by the department to be imminently dangerous

24  by reason of being infected or infested with citrus canker or

25  exposed to infection and likely to communicate same.  The

26  terms of such agreement may also require the destruction of

27  healthy plants under specified conditions.  Any such

28  destruction shall be done after reasonable notice in a manner

29  pursuant to and under conditions set forth in the agreement.

30  Such agreements may include releases and waivers of liability

31  and may require the agreement of other persons.


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                                       CS/HB 1855, First Engrossed



  1         (2)  The department, pursuant to s. 581.031(15) and

  2  (17), may create a citrus canker host-free buffer area,

  3  delineated by department rule, to retard the spread of citrus

  4  canker from known infected areas.  In addition, the department

  5  shall develop a compensation plan for the trees removed from

  6  the buffer area. Compensation for the trees removed from the

  7  buffer area is subject to annual legislative appropriation.

  8         Section 12.  Subsection (1) of section 588.011, Florida

  9  Statutes, is amended to read:

10         588.011  Legal fence; requirements.--

11         (1)  Any fence or enclosure at least 3 feet in height

12  made of barbed or other soft wire consisting of not less than

13  three strands of wire stretched securely on posts, trees, or

14  other supports, standing not more than 20 feet apart; or when

15  using battens, up to 60 feet apart for non-electric and 150

16  feet apart for electric if constructed with high tensile wire

17  in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications, shall be

18  considered as a legal fence.

19         Section 13.  Section 588.12, Florida Statutes, is

20  amended to read:

21         588.12  Livestock at large; legislative

22  findings.--There is hereby found and declared a necessity for

23  a statewide livestock law embracing all lands public roads of

24  the state and necessity that its application be uniform

25  throughout the state, except as hereinafter provided.

26         Section 14.  Subsection (3) of section 588.13, Florida

27  Statutes, is amended to read:

28         588.13  Definitions.--In construing ss. 588.12-588.25

29  the following words, phrases, or terms shall be held to mean:

30         (3)  Livestock "running at large" or "straying" shall

31  mean any livestock found or being on any public land, or land


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                                       CS/HB 1855, First Engrossed



  1  belonging to a person other than the owner of the livestock,

  2  without the landowner's permission, and posing a threat to

  3  public safety public road of this state and either apparently

  4  a neglected animal or not under manual control of a person.

  5         Section 15.  Section 588.14, Florida Statutes, is

  6  repealed.

  7         Section 16.  Section 588.16, Florida Statutes, is

  8  amended to read:

  9         588.16  Authority to impound livestock running at large

10  or strays.--It shall be the duty of the sheriff or her or his

11  deputies or designees, or any other law enforcement officer of

12  the county, the county animal control center, or state highway

13  patrol officers, where livestock is found to be running at

14  large or straying, to take up, confine, hold, and impound any

15  such livestock, to be disposed of as hereinafter provided.

16         Section 17.  Subsection (1) of section 588.17, Florida

17  Statutes, is amended to read:

18         588.17  Disposition of impounded livestock.--

19         (1)  Upon the impounding of any livestock by the

20  sheriff or his or her deputies or designees, or any other law

21  enforcement officers of the county, the county animal control

22  center, or state highway patrol officers, the sheriff shall

23  forthwith serve written notice upon the owner, advising such

24  owner of the location or place where the livestock is being

25  held and impounded, of the amount due by reason of such

26  impounding, and that unless such livestock be redeemed within

27  3 days from date thereof that the same shall be offered for

28  sale.

29         Section 18.  Section 588.18, Florida Statutes, is

30  amended to read:

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                                       CS/HB 1855, First Engrossed



  1         588.18  Livestock at large; fees.--The fees allowed for

  2  impounding, serving notice, care and feeding, advertising, and

  3  disposing of impounded animals shall be determined by the

  4  sheriff of each county. Damages done by the sheriff, sheriff's

  5  designees, or any other law enforcement officer in the

  6  pursuit, or in the capture, handling, or care of the livestock

  7  are the sole responsibility of the sheriff or other law

  8  enforcement agency. as follows:

  9         (1)  For impounding each animal, the sum of $20 and

10  mileage incurred, at the rate of 20 cents per mile.

11         (2)  For serving any notice and making return thereon,

12  the sum of $10 and mileage incurred, at the rate of 20 cents

13  per mile.

14         (3)  For feed and care of impounded animals, the sum of

15  $5 per day per animal.

16         (4)  For advertising or posting notices of sale of

17  impounded animals, the same as provided by law for advertising

18  property for sale under process.

19         (5)  For sale or other dispositions of impounded

20  animals, the sum of $5.

21         (6)  For report of sale of impounded animals, the sum

22  of $2.50.

23         Section 19.  Section 588.19, Florida Statutes, is

24  amended to read:

25         588.19  Failure to secure purchaser or insufficient

26  funds to defray certain costs.--If there be no bidder for such

27  livestock at the sale aforesaid, and the sheriff has been

28  unable to locate the owner through the notice procedures

29  described in this chapter, the sheriff shall sell the

30  livestock at the nearest livestock auction yard. The proceeds

31  from the sale shall be used to reimburse the expenses incurred


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                                       CS/HB 1855, First Engrossed



  1  in capturing, maintaining, and selling the livestock, and in

  2  attempting to locate the owner. Any money remaining after all

  3  expenses are paid shall be given to the owner of the

  4  livestock, if known. the sheriff shall either offer the

  5  livestock for adoption or kill, or cause to be killed, the

  6  same and shall dispose of the carcass thereof; if there be any

  7  money received by him or her on account of the said disposal,

  8  the same shall be disbursed in the manner hereinafter

  9  provided; and, if there be no ready sale for said carcass, In

10  the alternative, the sheriff may shall forthwith deliver the

11  carcass to a public institution of the county, state, or

12  municipality within said county or to any private charitable

13  institution, in the order herein set forth, according to their

14  needs.

15         Section 20.  Section 589.081, Florida Statutes, is

16  amended to read:

17         589.081  Withlacoochee State Forest and Goethe State

18  Forest; payment to counties of portion of gross receipts.--The

19  Division of Forestry shall pay 15 percent of the gross

20  receipts from Withlacoochee State Forest and the Goethe State

21  Forest to each county in which a portion of such forests is

22  located, Hernando, Citrus, Sumter, Levy, and Pasco Counties in

23  proportion to the forest acreage located in each county.  The

24  funds must be equally divided between the board of county

25  commissioners and the school board of each county.

26         Section 21.  Section 593.1141, Florida Statutes, is

27  amended to read:

28         593.1141  Authority to enter agreements with the Farm

29  Service Agency Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation

30  Service.--The department is authorized to enter into

31  agreements with the Farm Service Agency, "FSA," Agricultural


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                                       CS/HB 1855, First Engrossed



  1  Stabilization and Conservation Service, "ASCS," for the

  2  purpose of allowing a cotton grower to tender payment of

  3  assessments, including penalties, to the FSA ASCS.

  4         Section 22.  Section 616.05, Florida Statutes, is

  5  amended to read:

  6         616.05  Amendment of charter.--Any fair association

  7  desiring to propose an amendment of its charter may do so by

  8  resolution as provided in its bylaws.  The proposed amendment

  9  shall be submitted to the department for approval.  When

10  approved, the proposed amendment, upon publication of notice

11  in the same manner as provided in s. 616.03, placement on file

12  in the office of the clerk of the circuit court and in the

13  office of the department, the rendering of a decree of the

14  circuit judge approving and allowing the amendment, and being

15  recorded in the clerk's office, shall be incorporated into the

16  original charter.

17         Section 23.  Subsection (1) of section 616.07, Florida

18  Statutes, is amended to read:

19         616.07  Members not personally liable; property of

20  association held in trust; exempt from taxation.--

21         (1)  No member, officer, director, or trustee of a fair

22  association shall be personally liable for any of the debts of

23  the association; and no money or property of a fair

24  association shall be distributed as profits or dividends among

25  its members, officers, directors, or trustees, but all money

26  and property of the association shall, except for the payment

27  of its just debts and liabilities, be and remain perpetually

28  public property, administered by the association as trustee,

29  to be used exclusively for the legitimate purpose of the

30  association, and shall be, so long as so used, exempt from all

31  forms of taxation, including special assessments.


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                                       CS/HB 1855, First Engrossed



  1         Section 24.  Section 616.08, Florida Statutes, is

  2  amended to read:

  3         616.08  Additional powers of association.--Every fair

  4  association shall have the power to hold, conduct, and operate

  5  public fairs and expositions annually and for such purpose to

  6  buy, lease, acquire, and occupy lands, erect buildings and

  7  improvements of all kinds thereon, and develop those lands,

  8  buildings, and improvements; to sell, mortgage, lease, or

  9  convey any such property or any part thereof, in its

10  discretion, from time to time for public fair or exposition

11  purposes; to charge and receive compensation for admission to

12  those fairs and expositions, for the sale or renting of space

13  for exhibitions, and for other privileges; to conduct and hold

14  public meetings; to supervise and conduct lectures and all

15  kinds of demonstration work in connection with or for the

16  improvement of agriculture, horticulture, stockraising and

17  poultry raising, and all kinds of farming and matters

18  connected therewith; to hold exhibits of agricultural and

19  horticultural products and livestock, chickens, and other

20  domestic animals; to give certificates or diplomas of

21  excellence; to promote the progress of the geographical area

22  it represents and serves and stimulate public interest in the

23  advantages and development of that area by providing

24  facilities for agricultural and industrial exhibitions, public

25  gatherings, cultural activities, and other functions which the

26  association determines will enhance the educational, physical,

27  economic, and cultural interests of the public; and generally

28  to do, perform, and carry out all matters, acts, and business

29  usual or proper in connection with public fairs and

30  expositions; but this enumeration of particular powers shall

31  not be in derogation of or limit any special provisions of the


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                                       CS/HB 1855, First Engrossed



  1  charter of the association inserted for the regulation of its

  2  business, and the conduct of its affairs of creating,

  3  defining, limiting, and regulating the powers of the

  4  association or its officers or members; provided, the

  5  treasurer or similar officer of the association shall be

  6  required to give a good and sufficient bond with a surety

  7  company duly authorized under the laws of the state, payable

  8  to the association and in an amount equal to the value of the

  9  total amount of money and other property in that officer's

10  possession or custody, in addition to the value of any money

11  and property of the association that may reasonably be

12  expected to come into that officer's possession or custody.

13         Section 25.  Section 616.13, Florida Statutes, 1998

14  Supplement, is amended to read:

15         616.13  Restrictions on other amusement rides Licenses

16  upon shows within 5 miles of fair.--No Every person shall

17  engage engaged in the business of providing temporary

18  amusement rides as defined in s. 616.242, within a 5-mile

19  radius 5 miles of and within 30 days before or during any

20  public fair or exposition being operated by a fair

21  association, when not operating in connection with that fair

22  or exposition, except with the written consent of the affected

23  fair association shall pay a license tax of $1,000 per day.

24         Section 26.  Subsections (1) and (3) of section 616.15,

25  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

26         616.15  Permit from Department of Agriculture and

27  Consumer Services required.--

28         (1)  No public fair or exposition may be conducted by a

29  fair association without a permit issued by the department.

30  The permit shall be issued in the following manner: The

31  association shall present to the department an application for


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                                       CS/HB 1855, First Engrossed



  1  the permit, signed by an officer of the association, at least

  2  3 months before holding the fair or exposition; this

  3  application shall be accompanied by a fee in an amount to be

  4  determined by the department not to exceed $366 or be less

  5  than $183 for processing the application and making any

  6  required investigation.  The fees collected under this

  7  subsection shall be deposited in the General Inspection Trust

  8  Fund of the State Treasury in a special account to be known as

  9  the "Agricultural and Livestock Fair Account." At the same

10  time the application is sent to the department, a copy of the

11  application shall be sent to each fair association located

12  within 50 miles of the site of the proposed fair or

13  exposition. The department may issue the permit with the

14  advice and counsel of the Agricultural and Livestock Fair

15  Council, provided the application sets forth:

16         (a)  The opening and closing dates of the proposed fair

17  or exposition.

18         (b)  The name and address of the owner of the central

19  amusement attraction to operate during the fair or exposition.

20         (c)  An affidavit properly executed by the president or

21  other chief executive officer of the applicant association

22  certifying the existence of a binding contract entered into by

23  the association or exposition and the owner of the central

24  amusement attraction covering the period for which the permit

25  from the department is applied.  The contract or contracts

26  between the parties shall be available for inspection by duly

27  authorized agents of the department in administering this

28  chapter.

29         (d)  A statement that the main purpose of the

30  association is to conduct and operate the proposed fair or

31  exposition for the benefit and development of the educational,


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                                       CS/HB 1855, First Engrossed



  1  agricultural, horticultural, livestock, charitable,

  2  historical, civic, cultural, scientific, and other resources

  3  of the geographical area the fair or exposition represents and

  4  serves. The statement shall be in writing, shall be

  5  subscribed, and shall be acknowledged by an officer of the

  6  association before an officer authorized to take

  7  acknowledgments.

  8         (e)  A premium list of the current fair or exposition

  9  to be conducted or a copy of the previous year's premium list

10  showing all premiums and awards to be offered to exhibitors in

11  various departments of the fair, such as art exhibition, beef

12  cattle, county exhibits, dairy cattle, horticulture, swine,

13  women's department, 4-H Club activities, Future Farmers of

14  America activities, Future Homemakers of America activities,

15  poultry and egg exhibits, and community exhibits, the

16  foregoing being a list of the usual exhibitors of a fair and

17  not to be construed as limiting the premium list to these

18  departments. The list may be submitted separately at any time

19  not later than 60 days before the holding of the fair or

20  exposition, and the department shall issue the permit as

21  provided in this section within 10 days thereafter if the

22  applicant is properly qualified.

23         (f)  Proof of liability insurance insuring the

24  association against liability for injury to persons, in an

25  amount of not less than $300,000 per occurrence.

26         (g)  A copy of the most recent review.

27         (h)  A list of all current members of the board of

28  directors of the association and their home addresses.

29         (3)  Notwithstanding any fair association meeting the

30  requirements set forth in subsection (1), the department may

31  order a full investigation to determine whether or not the


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                                       CS/HB 1855, First Engrossed



  1  fair association meets in full the requirements of s. 616.01

  2  and accordingly may withhold a permit from, deny a permit to,

  3  or withdraw a permit once issued to the association. The

  4  department shall also consider whether any proposed fair or

  5  exposition, as set forth in an application for permit, will

  6  compete with another public fair or exposition within 50

  7  miles, in name, dates of operation, or market. The department

  8  may deny, withhold, or withdraw a permit from a fair

  9  association upon determination that a proposed fair or

10  exposition competes with another fair or exposition.

11  Preference in permitting shall be given to existing fairs or

12  expositions with established dates, locations, and names. The

13  determination by the department shall be final.

14         Section 27.  Paragraph (b) of subsection (5), paragraph

15  (a) of subsection (8), and paragraph (a) of subsection (10) of

16  section 616.242, Florida Statutes, 1998 Supplement, are

17  amended, paragraph (i) is redesignated as paragraph (j), a new

18  paragraph (i) is added to subsection (11), and paragraph (e)

19  is added to subsection (17) of said section, to read:

20         616.242  Safety standards for amusement rides.--

21         (5)  ANNUAL PERMIT.--

22         (b)  To apply for an annual permit an owner must submit

23  to the department a written application on a form prescribed

24  by rule of the department, which must include the following:

25         1.  The legal name, address, and primary place of

26  business of the owner.

27         2.  A description, manufacturer's name, serial number,

28  model number and, if previously assigned, the United States

29  Amusement Identification Number of the amusement ride.

30         3.  A valid certificate of insurance or bond for each

31  amusement ride.


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                                       CS/HB 1855, First Engrossed



  1         4.  An affidavit of compliance that the amusement ride

  2  was inspected in person by the affiant and that the amusement

  3  ride is in general conformance with the requirements of this

  4  section and all applicable rules adopted by the department.

  5  The affidavit must be executed by a professional engineer or a

  6  qualified inspector no earlier than 60 days before, but not

  7  later than, the date of the filing of the application with the

  8  department. The owner shall request inspection and permitting

  9  of the amusement ride within 60 days of the date of filing the

10  application with the department. The department shall inspect

11  and permit the amusement ride within 60 days of the date the

12  affidavit was executed.

13         5.  If required by subsection (6), an affidavit of

14  nondestructive testing dated and executed no earlier than 60

15  days prior to, but not later than, the date of the filing of

16  the application with the department. The owner shall request

17  inspection and permitting of the amusement ride within 60 days

18  of the date of filing the application with the department. The

19  department shall inspect and permit the amusement ride within

20  60 days of the date the affidavit was executed.

21         6.  A request for inspection.

22         7.  Upon request, the owner shall, at no cost to the

23  department, provide the department a copy of the

24  manufacturer's current recommended operating instructions in

25  the possession of the owner, the owner's operating fact sheet,

26  and any written bulletins in the possession of the owner

27  concerning the safety, operation, or maintenance of the

28  amusement ride.

29         (8)  FEES.--

30         (a)  The department may shall by rule establish fees to

31  cover the 100 percent of all costs and expenditures associated


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                                       CS/HB 1855, First Engrossed



  1  with the Bureau of Fair Rides Inspection, including all direct

  2  costs, and all indirect costs, and all division, data center,

  3  and administrative overhead. The fees must be deposited in the

  4  General Inspection Trust Fund.

  5         (10)  EXEMPTIONS.--

  6         (a)  This section does not apply to:

  7         1.  Permanent facilities that employ at least 1,000

  8  full-time employees and that maintain full-time, in-house

  9  safety inspectors. Furthermore, the permanent facilities must

10  file an affidavit of the annual inspection with the

11  department, on a form prescribed by rule of the department

12  required by paragraph (5)(b). Additionally, the Department of

13  Agriculture and Consumer Services may consult annually with

14  the permanent facilities regarding industry safety programs.

15         2.  Any playground operated by a school, local

16  government, or business licensed under chapter 509, if the

17  playground is an incidental amenity and the operating entity

18  is not primarily engaged in providing amusement, pleasure,

19  thrills, or excitement.

20         3.  Museums or other institutions principally devoted

21  to the exhibition of products of agriculture, industry,

22  education, science, religion, or the arts.

23         4.  Conventions or trade shows for the sale or exhibit

24  of amusement rides if there are a minimum of 15 amusement

25  rides on display or exhibition, and if any operation of such

26  amusement rides is limited to the registered attendees of the

27  convention or trade show.

28         5.  Skating rinks, arcades, lazer or paint ball war

29  games, bowling alleys, miniature golf courses, mechanical

30  bulls, inflatable rides, trampolines, ball crawls, exercise

31  equipment, jet skis, paddle boats, air boats, helicopters,


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                                       CS/HB 1855, First Engrossed



  1  airplanes, parasails, hot air or helium balloons whether

  2  tethered or untethered, theatres, batting cages, stationary

  3  spring-mounted fixtures, rider-propelled merry-go-rounds,

  4  games, side shows, live animal rides, or live animal shows.

  5         6.  Go-karts operated in competitive sporting events if

  6  participation is not open to the public.

  7         7.  Nonmotorized playground equipment that is not

  8  required to have a manager.

  9         8.  Coin-actuated amusement rides designed to be

10  operated by depositing coins, tokens, credit cards, debit

11  cards, bills, or other cash money and which are not required

12  to have a manager, and which have a capacity of six persons or

13  less.

14         9.  Facilities described in s. 549.09(1)(a) when such

15  facilities are operating cars, trucks, or motorcycles only.

16         (11)  INSPECTION STANDARDS.--An amusement ride must

17  conform to and must be inspected by the department in

18  accordance with the following standards:

19         (i)  Signs that advise or warn patrons of age

20  restrictions, size restrictions, health restrictions, weight

21  limitations, or any other special consideration or use

22  restrictions required or recommended for the amusement ride by

23  the manufacturer shall be prominently displayed at the patron

24  entrance of each amusement ride.

25         (17)  PROHIBITIONS RELATED TO BUNGY OPERATIONS.--The

26  following bungy operations are prohibited:

27         (e)  The practice of bungy catapulting or reverse bungy

28  jumping.

29         Section 28.  Section 616.260, Florida Statutes, is

30  amended to read:

31


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                                       CS/HB 1855, First Engrossed



  1         616.260  Tax exemption of authority.--It is hereby

  2  found and determined that all of the projects authorized by

  3  this part constitute essential governmental purposes, and all

  4  of the properties, revenues, moneys, and other assets owned

  5  and used in the operation of those projects shall be exempt

  6  from all taxation, including special assessments, by the state

  7  or by any county, municipality, political subdivision, agency,

  8  or instrumentality thereof.  However, nothing in this section

  9  shall grant any person other than the authority an exemption

10  from the tax imposed in chapter 220, and if property of the

11  authority is leased, the property shall be exempt from ad

12  valorem taxation only if the use by the lessee qualifies the

13  property for exemption under s. 196.199.  The exemption

14  granted by this section shall not be applicable to any tax

15  imposed by chapter 220 on interest, income, or profits on debt

16  obligations owned by corporations.  The property of the

17  authority shall be subject to the provisions of s. 196.199.

18         Section 29.  Paragraph (c) of subsection (3) of section

19  823.14, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

20         823.14  Florida Right to Farm Act.--

21         (3)  DEFINITIONS.--As used in this section:

22         (c)  "Farm product" means any plant, as defined by s.

23  581.011, or animal useful to humans and includes, but is not

24  limited to, any product derived therefrom.

25         Section 30.  Subsection (4) is added to section 828.12,

26  Florida Statutes, to read:

27         828.12  Cruelty to animals.--

28         (4)  A person who intentionally trips, fells, ropes, or

29  lassoes the legs of a horse by any means for the purpose of

30  entertainment or sport shall be guilty of a third degree

31  felony, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or


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                                       CS/HB 1855, First Engrossed



  1  s. 775.084.  As used in this subsection, "trip" means any act

  2  that consists of the use of any wire, pole, stick, rope or

  3  other apparatus to cause a horse to fall or lose its balance,

  4  and "horse" means any animal of any registered breed of the

  5  genus equus, or any recognized hybrid thereof. The provisions

  6  of this subsection shall not apply when tripping is used:

  7         (a)  To control a horse that is posing an immediate

  8  threat to other livestock or human beings;

  9         (b)  For the purpose of identifying ownership of the

10  horse when its ownership is unknown; or

11         (c)  For the purpose of administering veterinary care

12  to the horse.

13         Section 31.  Subsection (5) of section 828.125, Florida

14  Statutes, is amended to read:

15         828.125  Killing or aggravated abuse of registered

16  breed horses or cattle; offenses; penalties.--Any other

17  provisions of this chapter to the contrary notwithstanding:

18         (5)  This section shall not be construed to abridge,

19  impede, prohibit, or otherwise interfere in any way with the

20  application, implementation, or conduct of recognized

21  livestock husbandry practices or techniques by or at the

22  direction of the owner of the livestock so husbanded; nor

23  shall any person be held culpable for any act prohibited by

24  this chapter which results from weather conditions or other

25  acts of God, provided that the person is in compliance with

26  recognized livestock husbandry practices.

27         Section 32.  Subsection (2) of section 823.14, Florida

28  Statutes, is amended, and paragraphs (c) and (d) are added to

29  subsection (4) of said section, to read:

30         823.14  Florida Right to Farm Act.--

31         (2)  LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.--


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                                       CS/HB 1855, First Engrossed



  1         (a)  The Legislature finds that agricultural production

  2  is a major contributor to the economy of the state; that

  3  agricultural lands constitute unique and irreplaceable

  4  resources of statewide importance; that the continuation of

  5  agricultural activities preserves the landscape and

  6  environmental resources of the state, contributes to the

  7  increase of tourism, and furthers the economic

  8  self-sufficiency of the people of the state; and that the

  9  encouragement, development, improvement, and preservation of

10  agriculture will result in a general benefit to the health and

11  welfare of the people of the state.  The Legislature further

12  finds that agricultural activities conducted on farm land in

13  urbanizing areas are potentially subject to lawsuits based on

14  the theory of nuisance and that these suits encourage and even

15  force the premature removal of the farm land from agricultural

16  use.  It is the purpose of this act to protect reasonable

17  agricultural activities conducted on farm land from nuisance

18  suits.

19         (b)  The Legislature finds that animal husbandry

20  contributes no less than twenty percent to the agriculture

21  industry.  The Legislature also finds that exposure of

22  livestock to continuous sound, particularly that of music, is

23  beneficial to agriculture.  It allows livestock to become

24  accustomed to people and a variety of sounds.  In turn, this

25  makes the animals less inclined to negative stress reactions

26  at the time of being moved or otherwise handled by people.

27  The Legislature further finds that providing music to

28  livestock is a common practice among farmers that results in

29  healthier animals, producing a finer product.

30         (4)  FARM OPERATION NOT TO BE OR BECOME A NUISANCE.--

31


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                                       CS/HB 1855, First Engrossed



  1         (c)  Except as expressly provided by general law, the

  2  Legislature hereby declares that it is occupying the whole

  3  field of regulation of nuisances resulting from the noise of

  4  commercial raising of livestock, to the exclusion of all

  5  existing and future county, city, town, or municipal

  6  ordinances or regulations relating thereto.  Any such existing

  7  ordinances are hereby declared null and void.  This paragraph

  8  shall not affect zoning ordinances which encompass commercial

  9  agriculture.  Zoning ordinances which are designed for the

10  purpose of restricting the noise from commercial raising of

11  livestock are in conflict with this paragraph and are

12  prohibited.

13         (d)  No commercial farm operation in this state

14  involving the raising of livestock shall be limited in any way

15  from using amplified sounds designed to enhance animal

16  husbandry, including music intended to make animals less

17  inclined to negative stress reactions; provided, however, that

18  no person shall be required to be subjected to amplified

19  sounds of 85 decibels or louder for a continuous 8-hour

20  period.

21         Section 33.  A special assessment imposed upon a fair

22  association or state fair by the state or by any county,

23  municipality, political subdivision, agency, or

24  instrumentality thereof before the effective date of this act,

25  which has not been paid as of the effective date of this act,

26  shall not be due from the fair association or state fair.

27         Section 34.  This act shall take effect July 1, 1999.

28

29

30

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