Florida Senate - 2026 COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
Bill No. CS for SB 290
Ì5635188Î563518
LEGISLATIVE ACTION
Senate . House
Comm: RCS .
01/14/2026 .
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The Committee on Fiscal Policy (Truenow) recommended the
following:
1 Senate Amendment (with title amendment)
2
3 Delete everything after the enacting clause
4 and insert:
5 Section 1. Section 125.489, Florida Statutes, is created to
6 read:
7 125.489 Preemption of restrictions on gasoline-powered farm
8 equipment or gasoline-powered landscape equipment.—
9 (1) As used in this section, the term:
10 (a) “Gasoline-powered farm equipment” means any machine
11 powered by an internal combustion engine or motor that uses
12 gasoline, diesel, or a blend of gasoline and oil which is used
13 on a farm or used to transport farm products.
14 (b) “Gasoline-powered landscape equipment” means any
15 machine powered by an internal combustion engine or motor that
16 uses gasoline, diesel, or a blend of gasoline and oil which is
17 used to provide landscape management or maintenance or to move
18 leaves, dirt, grass, or other debris off of sidewalks,
19 driveways, lawns, or other surfaces.
20 (2) A county may not enact or enforce a resolution, an
21 ordinance, a rule, a code, or a policy or take any action that
22 restricts or prohibits the use of gasoline-powered farm
23 equipment or gasoline-powered landscape equipment and may not
24 create differing standards for such equipment or distinguish
25 such equipment from any electric or similar equipment in a
26 retail, manufacturer, or distributor setting.
27 (3) This section does not prohibit or limit a county from
28 encouraging the use of alternative farm or landscape equipment,
29 such as battery-powered farm or landscape equipment.
30 Section 2. Present subsections (18) through (30) and (31)
31 through (54) of section 163.3164, Florida Statutes, are
32 redesignated as subsections (19) through (31) and (33) through
33 (56), respectively, and new subsections (18) and (32) are added
34 to that section, to read:
35 163.3164 Community Planning Act; definitions.—As used in
36 this act:
37 (18) “Ecologically significant parcel” means a parcel of
38 land located within the boundaries of a low-density municipality
39 which is currently undeveloped and has been designated as either
40 rural, conservation, agricultural, or greenspace as provided by
41 a local government comprehensive plan developed pursuant to s.
42 163.3177.
43 (32) “Low-density municipality” means a municipality
44 existing on or before January 1, 2025, which is less than 2,500
45 acres in total size and contains a population of 5,000 or fewer
46 legal residents.
47 Section 3. Present subsection (7) of section 163.3202,
48 Florida Statutes, is redesignated as subsection (8), and a new
49 subsection (7) is added to that section, to read:
50 163.3202 Land development regulations.—
51 (7)(a) Notwithstanding any ordinance to the contrary, an
52 application for a development on an ecologically significant
53 parcel in a low-density municipality may not be administratively
54 approved without an attestation provided by the developer, under
55 penalty of perjury, to the low-density municipality which states
56 that the development will not exceed a maximum density of 1
57 residential unit per 20 acres.
58 (b) This subsection does not apply to applications for the
59 construction of residential units on an ecologically significant
60 parcel for the express purpose of providing housing for family
61 members of the applicant. However, the applicant must provide an
62 attestation, under penalty of perjury, to the low-density
63 municipality which states that the residential units being
64 constructed will be used for such express purpose before the
65 administrative approval of an application for development.
66 (c) The density requirements provided in this subsection
67 may be waived upon a resolution approved by a unanimous vote of
68 the commission or council of the low-density municipality.
69 Section 4. Section 166.063, Florida Statutes, is created to
70 read:
71 166.063 Preemption of restrictions on gasoline-powered farm
72 equipment or gasoline-powered landscape equipment.—
73 (1) As used in this section, the term:
74 (a) “Gasoline-powered farm equipment” means a machine
75 powered by an internal combustion engine or motor that uses
76 gasoline, diesel, or a blend of gasoline and oil which is used
77 on a farm or used to transport farm products.
78 (b) “Gasoline-powered landscape equipment” means any
79 machine powered by an internal combustion engine or motor that
80 uses gasoline, diesel, or a blend of gasoline and oil which is
81 used to provide landscape management or maintenance or to move
82 leaves, dirt, grass, or other debris off of sidewalks,
83 driveways, lawns, or other surfaces.
84 (2) A municipality may not enact or enforce a resolution,
85 an ordinance, a rule, a code, or a policy or take any action
86 that restricts or prohibits the use of gasoline-powered farm
87 equipment or gasoline-powered landscape equipment and may not
88 create differing standards for such equipment or distinguish
89 such equipment from any electric or similar equipment in a
90 retail, manufacturer, or distributor setting.
91 (3) This section does not prohibit or limit a municipality
92 from encouraging the use of alternative farm or landscape
93 equipment, such as battery-powered farm or landscape equipment.
94 Section 5. Paragraph (d) of subsection (2) of section
95 212.055, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
96 212.055 Discretionary sales surtaxes; legislative intent;
97 authorization and use of proceeds.—It is the legislative intent
98 that any authorization for imposition of a discretionary sales
99 surtax shall be published in the Florida Statutes as a
100 subsection of this section, irrespective of the duration of the
101 levy. Each enactment shall specify the types of counties
102 authorized to levy; the rate or rates which may be imposed; the
103 maximum length of time the surtax may be imposed, if any; the
104 procedure which must be followed to secure voter approval, if
105 required; the purpose for which the proceeds may be expended;
106 and such other requirements as the Legislature may provide.
107 Taxable transactions and administrative procedures shall be as
108 provided in s. 212.054.
109 (2) LOCAL GOVERNMENT INFRASTRUCTURE SURTAX.—
110 (d) The proceeds of the surtax authorized by this
111 subsection and any accrued interest shall be expended by the
112 school district, within the county and municipalities within the
113 county, or, in the case of a negotiated joint county agreement,
114 within another county, to finance, plan, and construct
115 infrastructure; to acquire any interest in land for public
116 recreation, conservation, or protection of natural resources or
117 to prevent or satisfy private property rights claims resulting
118 from limitations imposed by the designation of an area of
119 critical state concern; to provide loans, grants, or rebates to
120 residential or commercial property owners who make energy
121 efficiency improvements to their residential or commercial
122 property, if a local government ordinance authorizing such use
123 is approved by referendum; or to finance the closure of county
124 owned or municipally owned solid waste landfills that have been
125 closed or are required to be closed by order of the Department
126 of Environmental Protection. Any use of the proceeds or interest
127 for purposes of landfill closure before July 1, 1993, is
128 ratified. The proceeds and any interest may not be used for the
129 operational expenses of infrastructure, except that a county
130 that has a population of fewer than 75,000 and that is required
131 to close a landfill may use the proceeds or interest for long
132 term maintenance costs associated with landfill closure.
133 Counties, as defined in s. 125.011, and charter counties may, in
134 addition, use the proceeds or interest to retire or service
135 indebtedness incurred for bonds issued before July 1, 1987, for
136 infrastructure purposes, and for bonds subsequently issued to
137 refund such bonds. Any use of the proceeds or interest for
138 purposes of retiring or servicing indebtedness incurred for
139 refunding bonds before July 1, 1999, is ratified.
140 1. For the purposes of this paragraph, the term
141 “infrastructure” means:
142 a. Any fixed capital expenditure or fixed capital outlay
143 associated with the construction, reconstruction, or improvement
144 of public facilities that have a life expectancy of 5 or more
145 years, any related land acquisition, land improvement, design,
146 and engineering costs, and all other professional and related
147 costs required to bring the public facilities into service. For
148 purposes of this sub-subparagraph, the term “public facilities”
149 has the same meaning means facilities as defined in s.
150 163.3164(43) s. 163.3164(41), s. 163.3221(13), or s. 189.012(5),
151 and includes facilities that are necessary to carry out
152 governmental purposes, including, but not limited to, fire
153 stations, general governmental office buildings, and animal
154 shelters, regardless of whether the facilities are owned by the
155 local taxing authority or another governmental entity.
156 b. A fire department vehicle, an emergency medical service
157 vehicle, a sheriff’s office vehicle, a police department
158 vehicle, or any other vehicle, and the equipment necessary to
159 outfit the vehicle for its official use or equipment that has a
160 life expectancy of at least 5 years.
161 c. Any expenditure for the construction, lease, or
162 maintenance of, or provision of utilities or security for,
163 facilities, as defined in s. 29.008.
164 d. Any fixed capital expenditure or fixed capital outlay
165 associated with the improvement of private facilities that have
166 a life expectancy of 5 or more years and that the owner agrees
167 to make available for use on a temporary basis as needed by a
168 local government as a public emergency shelter or a staging area
169 for emergency response equipment during an emergency officially
170 declared by the state or by the local government under s.
171 252.38. Such improvements are limited to those necessary to
172 comply with current standards for public emergency evacuation
173 shelters. The owner must enter into a written contract with the
174 local government providing the improvement funding to make the
175 private facility available to the public for purposes of
176 emergency shelter at no cost to the local government for a
177 minimum of 10 years after completion of the improvement, with
178 the provision that the obligation will transfer to any
179 subsequent owner until the end of the minimum period.
180 e. Any land acquisition expenditure for a residential
181 housing project in which at least 30 percent of the units are
182 affordable to individuals or families whose total annual
183 household income does not exceed 120 percent of the area median
184 income adjusted for household size, if the land is owned by a
185 local government or by a special district that enters into a
186 written agreement with the local government to provide such
187 housing. The local government or special district may enter into
188 a ground lease with a public or private person or entity for
189 nominal or other consideration for the construction of the
190 residential housing project on land acquired pursuant to this
191 sub-subparagraph.
192 f. Instructional technology used solely in a school
193 district’s classrooms. As used in this sub-subparagraph, the
194 term “instructional technology” means an interactive device that
195 assists a teacher in instructing a class or a group of students
196 and includes the necessary hardware and software to operate the
197 interactive device. The term also includes support systems in
198 which an interactive device may mount and is not required to be
199 affixed to the facilities.
200 2. For the purposes of this paragraph, the term “energy
201 efficiency improvement” means any energy conservation and
202 efficiency improvement that reduces consumption through
203 conservation or a more efficient use of electricity, natural
204 gas, propane, or other forms of energy on the property,
205 including, but not limited to, air sealing; installation of
206 insulation; installation of energy-efficient heating, cooling,
207 or ventilation systems; installation of solar panels; building
208 modifications to increase the use of daylight or shade;
209 replacement of windows; installation of energy controls or
210 energy recovery systems; installation of electric vehicle
211 charging equipment; installation of systems for natural gas fuel
212 as defined in s. 206.9951; and installation of efficient
213 lighting equipment.
214 3. Notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection,
215 a local government infrastructure surtax imposed or extended
216 after July 1, 1998, may allocate up to 15 percent of the surtax
217 proceeds for deposit into a trust fund within the county’s
218 accounts created for the purpose of funding economic development
219 projects having a general public purpose of improving local
220 economies, including the funding of operational costs and
221 incentives related to economic development. The ballot statement
222 must indicate the intention to make an allocation under the
223 authority of this subparagraph.
224 4. Surtax revenues that are shared with eligible charter
225 schools pursuant to paragraph (c) shall be allocated among such
226 schools based on each school’s proportionate share of total
227 school district capital outlay full-time equivalent enrollment
228 as adopted by the education estimating conference established in
229 s. 216.136. Surtax revenues must be expended by the charter
230 school in a manner consistent with the allowable uses provided
231 in s. 1013.62(4). All revenues and expenditures shall be
232 accounted for in a charter school’s monthly or quarterly
233 financial statement pursuant to s. 1002.33(9). If a school’s
234 charter is not renewed or is terminated and the school is
235 dissolved under the provisions of law under which the school was
236 organized, any unencumbered funds received under this paragraph
237 shall revert to the sponsor.
238 Section 6. Present subsection (19) of section 253.0341,
239 Florida Statutes, is redesignated as subsection (21), and new
240 subsections (19) and (20) are added to that section, to read:
241 253.0341 Surplus of state-owned lands.—
242 (19) The Acquisition and Restoration Council shall
243 determine whether any lands surplused by a local governmental
244 entity, as defined in s. 218.72, on or after January 1, 2024,
245 are suitable for bona fide agricultural purposes, as defined in
246 s. 193.461(3)(b). A local governmental entity may not transfer
247 future development rights for any surplused lands determined to
248 be suitable for bona fide agricultural purposes on or after
249 January 1, 2024.
250 (20) The Department of Environmental Protection, in
251 coordination with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer
252 Services, shall determine whether any state-owned conservation
253 lands acquired on or after January 1, 2024, are suitable for
254 bona fide agricultural purposes, as defined in s. 193.461(3)(b).
255 (a) Notwithstanding any other law or rule, the Department
256 of Environmental Protection may surplus state-owned conservation
257 lands acquired on or after January 1, 2024, determined to be
258 suitable for bona fide agricultural purposes.
259 (b) For all state-owned conservation lands determined to be
260 suitable for bona fide agricultural production and surplused by
261 the Department of Environmental Protection, the department shall
262 retain a rural-lands-protection easement pursuant to s.
263 570.71(3). All proceeds from the sale of such surplused lands
264 must be deposited into the Incidental Trust Fund within the
265 Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for less than
266 fee simple land acquisition pursuant to ss. 570.71 and 570.715.
267 (c) By January 1, 2027, and each January 1 thereafter, the
268 Department of Environmental Protection shall provide a report of
269 state-owned conversation lands surplused pursuant to this
270 subsection to the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement
271 Trust Fund.
272 (d) Designated state forest lands, state park lands, or
273 wildlife management areas may not be surplused pursuant to this
274 subsection.
275 Section 7. Section 259.1053, Florida Statutes, is amended
276 to read:
277 259.1053 Babcock Ranch Preserve; Babcock Ranch Advisory
278 Group.—
279 (1) SHORT TITLE.—This section may be cited as the “Babcock
280 Ranch Preserve Act.”
281 (2) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section, the term:
282 (a) “Babcock Ranch Preserve” and “preserve” mean the lands
283 and facilities acquired in the purchase of the Babcock Crescent
284 B Ranch, as provided in s. 259.1052.
285 (b) “Commission” means the Fish and Wildlife Conservation
286 Commission.
287 (c) “Commissioner” means the Commissioner of Agriculture.
288 (d) “Department” means the Department of Agriculture and
289 Consumer Services.
290 (e) “Executive director” means the Executive Director of
291 the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
292 (f) “Financially self-sustaining” means having management
293 and operation expenditures not more than the revenues collected
294 from fees and other receipts for resource use and development
295 and from interest and invested funds.
296 (g) “Florida Forest Service” means the Florida Forest
297 Service of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
298 (h) “Multiple use” means the management of all of the
299 renewable surface resources of the Babcock Ranch Preserve to
300 best meet the needs of the public, including the use of the land
301 for some or all of the renewable surface resources or related
302 services over areas large enough to allow for periodic
303 adjustments in use to conform to the changing needs and
304 conditions of the preserve while recognizing that a portion of
305 the land will be used for some of the renewable surface
306 resources available on that land. The goal of multiple use is
307 the harmonious and coordinated management of the renewable
308 surface resources without impairing the productivity of the land
309 and considering the relative value of the renewable surface
310 resources, and not necessarily a combination of uses to provide
311 the greatest monetary return or the greatest unit output.
312 (i) “Sustained yield of the renewable surface resources”
313 means the achievement and maintenance of a high level of annual
314 or regular periodic output of the various renewable surface
315 resources of the preserve without impairing the productivity of
316 the land.
317 (3) CREATION OF BABCOCK RANCH PRESERVE.—
318 (a) Upon the date of acquisition of the Babcock Crescent B
319 Ranch, there is created the Babcock Ranch Preserve, which shall
320 be managed in accordance with the purposes and requirements of
321 this section.
322 (b) The preserve is established to protect and preserve the
323 environmental, agricultural, scientific, scenic, geologic,
324 watershed, fish, wildlife, historic, cultural, and recreational
325 values of the preserve, and to provide for the multiple use and
326 sustained yield of the renewable surface resources within the
327 preserve consistent with this section.
328 (c) This section does not preclude the use of common
329 varieties of mineral materials such as sand, stone, and gravel
330 for construction and maintenance of roads and facilities within
331 the preserve.
332 (d) This section does not affect the constitutional
333 responsibilities of the commission in the exercise of its
334 regulatory and executive power with respect to wild animal life
335 and freshwater aquatic life, including the regulation of
336 hunting, fishing, and trapping within the preserve.
337 (e) This section does not interfere with or prevent the
338 implementation of agricultural practices authorized by the
339 agricultural land use designations established in the local
340 comprehensive plans of either Charlotte County or Lee County as
341 those plans apply to the Babcock Ranch Preserve.
342 (f) This section does not preclude the maintenance and use
343 of roads and trails or the relocation of roads in existence on
344 the effective date of this section, or the construction,
345 maintenance, and use of new trails, or any motorized access
346 necessary for the administration of the land contained within
347 the preserve, including motorized access necessary for
348 emergencies involving the health or safety of persons within the
349 preserve.
350 (4) BABCOCK RANCH ADVISORY GROUP.—
351 (a) The purpose of the Babcock Ranch Advisory Group is to
352 assist the department by providing guidance and advice
353 concerning the management and stewardship of the Babcock Ranch
354 Preserve.
355 (b) The Babcock Ranch Advisory Group shall be comprised of
356 nine members appointed to 5-year terms. Based on recommendations
357 from the Governor and Cabinet, the commission, and the governing
358 boards of Charlotte County and Lee County, the commissioner
359 shall appoint members as follows:
360 1. One member with experience in sustainable management of
361 forest lands for commodity purposes.
362 2. One member with experience in financial management,
363 budget and program analysis, and small business operations.
364 3. One member with experience in management of game and
365 nongame wildlife and fish populations, including hunting,
366 fishing, and other recreational activities.
367 4. One member with experience in domesticated livestock
368 management, production, and marketing, including range
369 management and livestock business management.
370 5. One member with experience in agriculture operations or
371 forestry management.
372 6. One member with experience in hunting, fishing, nongame
373 species management, or wildlife habitat management, restoration,
374 and conservation.
375 7. One member with experience in public outreach and
376 education.
377 8. One member who is a resident of Lee County, to be
378 designated by the Board of County Commissioners of Lee County.
379 9. One member who is a resident of Charlotte County, to be
380 designated by the Board of County Commissioners of Charlotte
381 County.
382
383 Vacancies will be filled in the same manner in which the
384 original appointment was made. A member appointed to fill a
385 vacancy shall serve for the remainder of that term.
386 (c) Members of the Babcock Ranch Advisory Group shall:
387 1. Elect a chair and vice chair from among the group
388 members.
389 2. Meet regularly as determined by the chair.
390 3. Serve without compensation but shall receive
391 reimbursement for travel and per diem expenses as provided in s.
392 112.061.
393 (4)(5) MANAGEMENT OF PRESERVE; FEES.—
394 (a) The department shall assume all authority provided by
395 this section to manage and operate the preserve as a working
396 ranch upon the termination or expiration of the management
397 agreement attached as Exhibit “E” to that certain agreement for
398 sale and purchase approved by the Board of Trustees of the
399 Internal Improvement Trust Fund on November 22, 2005, and by Lee
400 County on November 20, 2005.
401 (b) Upon assuming management and operation of the preserve,
402 the department shall:
403 1. Manage and operate the preserve and the uses thereof,
404 including, but not limited to, the activities necessary to
405 administer and operate the preserve as a working ranch; the
406 activities necessary for the preservation and development of the
407 land and renewable surface resources of the preserve; the
408 activities necessary for interpretation of the history of the
409 preserve on behalf of the public; the activities necessary for
410 the management, public use, and occupancy of facilities and
411 lands within the preserve; and the maintenance, rehabilitation,
412 repair, and improvement of property within the preserve.
413 2. Develop programs and activities relating to the
414 management of the preserve as a working ranch.
415 3. Establish procedures for entering into lease agreements
416 and other agreements for the use and occupancy of the facilities
417 of the preserve. The procedures shall ensure reasonable
418 competition and set guidelines for determining reasonable fees,
419 terms, and conditions for such agreements.
420 4. Assess reasonable fees for admission to, use of, and
421 occupancy of the preserve to offset costs of operating the
422 preserve as a working ranch. These fees are independent of fees
423 assessed by the commission for the privilege of hunting,
424 fishing, or pursuing outdoor recreational activities within the
425 preserve, and shall be deposited into the Incidental Trust Fund
426 of the Florida Forest Service, subject to appropriation by the
427 Legislature.
428 (c) The commission, in cooperation with the department,
429 shall:
430 1. Establish and implement public hunting and other fish
431 and wildlife management activities. Tier I and Tier II public
432 hunting opportunities shall be provided consistent with the
433 management plan and the recreation master plan. Tier I public
434 hunting shall provide hunting opportunities similar to those
435 offered on wildlife management areas with an emphasis on youth
436 and family-oriented hunts. Tier II public hunting shall be
437 provided specifically by fee-based permitting to ensure
438 compatibility with livestock grazing and other essential
439 agricultural operations on the preserve.
440 2. Establish and administer permit fees for Tier II public
441 hunting to capitalize on the value of hunting on portions of the
442 preserve and to help ensure the preserve is financially self
443 sufficient. The fees shall be deposited into the State Game
444 Trust Fund of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to
445 be used to offset the costs of providing public hunting and to
446 support fish and wildlife management and other land management
447 activities on the preserve.
448 (d) The Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust
449 Fund or its designated agent may:
450 1. Negotiate directly with and enter into such agreements,
451 leases, contracts, and other arrangements with any person, firm,
452 association, organization, corporation, or governmental entity,
453 including entities of federal, state, and local governments, as
454 are necessary and appropriate to carry out the purposes and
455 activities authorized by this section.
456 2. Grant privileges, leases, concessions, and permits for
457 the use of land for the accommodation of visitors to the
458 preserve, provided no natural curiosities or objects of interest
459 shall be granted, leased, or rented on such terms as shall deny
460 or interfere with free access to them by the public. Such
461 grants, leases, and permits may be made and given without
462 advertisement or securing competitive bids. Such grants, leases,
463 or permits may not be assigned or transferred by any grantee
464 without consent of the Board of Trustees of the Internal
465 Improvement Trust Fund or its designated agent.
466 (5)(6) DISSOLUTION OF BABCOCK RANCH, INC.—Upon dissolution
467 of the Babcock Ranch, Inc., all statutory powers, duties,
468 functions, records, personnel, property, and unexpended balances
469 of appropriations, allocations, and other funds of the
470 corporation shall be transferred to the Department of
471 Agriculture and Consumer Services unless otherwise provided by
472 law. Any cash balances of funds shall revert to the Incidental
473 Trust Fund of the Florida Forest Service.
474 Section 8. Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section
475 287.1351, Florida Statutes, is amended, and subsection (3) of
476 that section is republished, to read:
477 287.1351 Suspended vendors; state contracts.—
478 (2)(a) A vendor that is in default on any contract with an
479 agency, has failed to timely compensate its subcontractors or
480 suppliers, or has otherwise repeatedly demonstrated a recent
481 inability to fulfill the terms and conditions of previous state
482 contracts or to adequately perform its duties under those
483 contracts may not submit a bid, proposal, or reply to an agency
484 or enter into or renew a contract to provide any goods or
485 services to an agency after its placement, pursuant to this
486 section, on the suspended vendor list.
487 (3) An agency shall notify the department of any vendor
488 that has met the grounds for suspension described in paragraph
489 (2)(a). The agency must provide documentation to the department
490 evidencing the vendor’s default or other grounds for suspension.
491 The department shall review the documentation provided and
492 determine whether good cause exists to remove the vendor from
493 the vendor list and to place it on the suspended vendor list. If
494 good cause exists, the department must notify the vendor in
495 writing of its intent to remove the vendor from the vendor list
496 and of the vendor’s right to an administrative hearing and the
497 applicable procedures and time requirements for any such
498 hearing. If the vendor does not request an administrative
499 hearing, the department must enter a final order removing the
500 vendor from the vendor list. A vendor may not be removed from
501 the vendor list without receiving an individual notice of intent
502 from the department.
503 Section 9. Paragraph (c) is added to subsection (4) of
504 section 322.12, Florida Statutes, to read:
505 322.12 Examination of applicants.—
506 (4) The examination for an applicant for a commercial
507 driver license shall include a test of the applicant’s eyesight
508 given by a driver license examiner designated by the department
509 or by a licensed ophthalmologist, optometrist, or physician and
510 a test of the applicant’s hearing given by a driver license
511 examiner or a licensed physician. The examination shall also
512 include a test of the applicant’s ability to read and understand
513 highway signs regulating, warning, and directing traffic; his or
514 her knowledge of the traffic laws of this state pertaining to
515 the class of motor vehicle which he or she is applying to be
516 licensed to operate, including laws regulating driving under the
517 influence of alcohol or controlled substances, driving with an
518 unlawful blood-alcohol level, and driving while intoxicated; his
519 or her knowledge of the effects of alcohol and controlled
520 substances and the dangers of driving a motor vehicle after
521 having consumed alcohol or controlled substances; and his or her
522 knowledge of any special skills, requirements, or precautions
523 necessary for the safe operation of the class of vehicle which
524 he or she is applying to be licensed to operate. In addition,
525 the examination shall include an actual demonstration of the
526 applicant’s ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control
527 in the safe operation of a motor vehicle or combination of
528 vehicles of the type covered by the license classification which
529 the applicant is seeking, including an examination of the
530 applicant’s ability to perform an inspection of his or her
531 vehicle.
532 (c) An applicant for a commercial driver license who
533 receives unauthorized assistance from another person in
534 completing the portion of the examination which tests the
535 applicant’s ability to read and understand highway signs
536 regulating, warning, and directing traffic or his or her
537 knowledge of the traffic laws of this state pertaining to the
538 class of motor vehicle for which he or she is applying to be
539 licensed to operate, including laws regulating driving under the
540 influence of alcohol or controlled substances, driving with an
541 unlawful blood-alcohol level, and driving while intoxicated,
542 commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as
543 provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
544 Section 10. Section 322.36, Florida Statutes, is amended to
545 read:
546 322.36 Permitting unauthorized operator to drive.—
547 (1) A person may not authorize or knowingly permit a motor
548 vehicle owned by him or her or under his or her dominion or
549 control to be operated upon any highway or public street except
550 by a person who is duly authorized to operate a motor vehicle
551 under this chapter.
552 (2) A person may not knowingly or willfully provide
553 unauthorized assistance to an applicant for the examination
554 required to hold a commercial driver license pursuant to s.
555 322.12(4).
556 (3) A Any person who violates this section commits a
557 misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s.
558 775.082 or s. 775.083. If a person violates this section by
559 knowingly loaning a vehicle to a person whose driver license is
560 suspended and if that vehicle is involved in an accident
561 resulting in bodily injury or death, the driver license of the
562 person violating this section must shall be suspended for 1
563 year.
564 Section 11. Section 377.71, Florida Statutes, is repealed.
565 Section 12. Section 377.711, Florida Statutes, is repealed.
566 Section 13. Section 377.712, Florida Statutes, is repealed.
567 Section 14. Present paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection
568 (3) of section 403.0855, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as
569 paragraphs (b) and (c), respectively, a new paragraph (a) is
570 added to that subsection, and subsections (2) and (4) of that
571 section are amended, to read:
572 403.0855 Biosolids management.—
573 (2) The department shall adopt rules for biosolids
574 management. Rules adopted by the department pursuant to this
575 section may not take effect until ratified by the Legislature.
576 (3) For a new land application site permit or a permit
577 renewal issued after July 1, 2020, the permittee of a biosolids
578 land application site shall:
579 (a) Ensure that only Class AA biosolids are applied to the
580 soil.
581 (4) All permits shall comply with the requirements of
582 paragraph (3)(a) subsection (3) by July 1, 2028 July 1, 2022.
583 Section 15. Present subsection (5) of section 482.071,
584 Florida Statutes, is redesignated as subsection (6), and a new
585 subsection (5) is added to that section, to read:
586 482.071 Licenses.—
587 (5) Each person applying for a pest control business
588 license or renewal thereof who will offer and perform
589 fumigations as a part of his or her regular business operations
590 must furnish to the department a certificate of insurance that
591 meets the requirement for minimum financial responsibility for
592 bodily injury and property damage, consisting of:
593 (a) Bodily injury coverage of $1 million per person and $2
594 million per occurrence; and property damage coverage of $1
595 million per occurrence and $2 million in the aggregate; or
596 (b) Combined single-limit coverage of $2 million in the
597 aggregate.
598 Section 16. Subsection (7) of section 482.161, Florida
599 Statutes, is amended to read:
600 482.161 Disciplinary grounds and actions; reinstatement.—
601 (7) The department, pursuant to chapter 120, in addition to
602 or in lieu of any other remedy provided by state or local law,
603 may impose an administrative fine in the Class III II category
604 pursuant to s. 570.971 for a violation of this chapter or of the
605 rules adopted pursuant to this chapter. In determining the
606 amount of fine to be levied for a violation, the following
607 factors shall be considered:
608 (a) The severity of the violation, including the
609 probability that the death, or serious harm to the health or
610 safety, of any person will result or has resulted; the severity
611 of the actual or potential harm; and the extent to which this
612 chapter or the rules adopted pursuant to this chapter were
613 violated;
614 (b) Any actions taken by the licensee or certified operator
615 in charge, or limited certificateholder, to correct the
616 violation or to remedy complaints;
617 (c) Any previous violations of this chapter or of the rules
618 adopted pursuant to this chapter; and
619 (d) The cost to the department of investigating the
620 violation.
621 Section 17. Subsections (3) and (5) of section 482.165,
622 Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
623 482.165 Unlicensed practice of pest control; cease and
624 desist order; injunction; civil suit and penalty.—
625 (3) In addition to or in lieu of any remedy provided under
626 subsection (2), the department may institute a civil suit in
627 circuit court to recover a civil penalty for any violation for
628 which the department may issue a notice to cease and desist
629 under subsection (2). The civil penalty shall be in the Class
630 III II category pursuant to s. 570.971 for each offense. The
631 court may also award to the prevailing party court costs and
632 reasonable attorney fees.
633 (5) In addition to or in lieu of any remedy provided under
634 subsections (2) and (3), the department may, even in the case of
635 a first offense, impose a fine not less than twice the cost of a
636 pest control business license, but not more than a fine in the
637 Class III II category pursuant to s. 570.971, upon a
638 determination by the department that a person is in violation of
639 subsection (1). For the purposes of this subsection, the lapse
640 of a previously issued license for a period of less than 1 year
641 is not considered a violation.
642 Section 18. Subsections (20) and (21) are added to section
643 489.105, Florida Statutes, to read:
644 489.105 Definitions.—As used in this part:
645 (20) “Subcontractor” has the same meaning as in s. 558.002.
646 (21) “Supplier” has the same meaning as in s. 558.002.
647 Section 19. Section 489.1295, Florida Statutes, is created
648 to read:
649 489.1295 Theft of subcontractor or supplier services.—
650 (1) A person licensed as a contractor or who otherwise
651 holds himself or herself out to be a contractor may not
652 knowingly or willfully fail to compensate his or her
653 subcontractors or suppliers without reasonable cause within 30
654 days after receiving payment for the services performed by the
655 subcontractor or supplier.
656 (2) A person licensed as a contractor or who otherwise
657 holds himself or herself out to be a contractor and who violates
658 this section commits a misdemeanor of the first degree,
659 punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
660 (3) If a person licensed as a contractor or who otherwise
661 holds himself or herself out to be a contractor violates this
662 section and the services performed by the subcontractor or
663 supplier are valued at $20,000 or more, such person commits a
664 felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s.
665 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
666 Section 20. Subsection (6) of section 500.04, Florida
667 Statutes, is amended to read:
668 500.04 Prohibited acts.—The following acts and the causing
669 thereof within the state are prohibited:
670 (6) The obstruction of or refusal to permit entry or
671 inspection, or to permit the taking of a sample, as authorized
672 by s. 500.147.
673 Section 21. Section 500.81, Florida Statutes, is repealed.
674 Section 22. Subsection (5) of section 500.93, Florida
675 Statutes, is amended to read:
676 500.93 Mislabeling of plant-based products as milk, meat,
677 or poultry.—
678 (5) The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
679 shall notify the Division of Law Revision upon the enactment
680 into law by any 11 of the group of 14 states composed of
681 Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana,
682 Maryland, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee,
683 Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia of the mandatory labeling
684 requirements pursuant to paragraphs (2)(a), (3)(a), and (4)(a)
685 subsections (2) and (3).
686 Section 23. Section 501.013, Florida Statutes, is amended
687 to read:
688 501.013 Health studios; exemptions.—
689 (1) The following businesses or activities may be declared
690 exempt from the provisions of ss. 501.012-501.019 upon the
691 filing of an affidavit with the department establishing that the
692 stated qualifications are met:
693 (a)(1) A bona fide nonprofit organization which has been
694 granted tax-exempt status by the Internal Revenue Service.
695 (b)(2) A gymnastics school which engages only in
696 instruction and training and in which exercise is only
697 incidental to such instruction and training.
698 (c)(3) A golf, tennis, or racquetball club in which sports
699 play is the only activity offered by the club. If the facility
700 offers the use of physical exercise equipment, this exemption
701 shall not apply.
702 (d)(4) A program or facility which is offered and used
703 solely for the purpose of dance, aerobic exercise, or martial
704 arts, and which utilizes no physical exercise equipment.
705 (e)(5) A country club that has as its primary function the
706 provision of a social life and recreational amenities to its
707 members, and for which a program of physical exercise is merely
708 incidental to membership. As used in this paragraph subsection,
709 the term “country club” means a facility that offers its members
710 a variety of services that may include, but need not be limited
711 to, social activities; dining, banquet, catering, and lounge
712 facilities; swimming; yachting; golf; tennis; card games such as
713 bridge and canasta; and special programs for members’ children.
714 Upon the filing of an affidavit with the department establishing
715 that the stated qualifications of this paragraph subsection were
716 met before July 1, 1997, this paragraph subsection will apply
717 retroactively to the date that the country club met these
718 qualifications.
719 (f)(6) A program or facility that is offered by an
720 organization for the exclusive use of its employees and their
721 family members.
722 (2) In addition to the businesses and activities listed in
723 subsection (1), the department may exempt any other business or
724 activity not in existence as of July 1, 2026, from ss. 501.012
725 501.019.
726 Section 24. Section 501.062, Florida Statutes, is created
727 to read:
728 501.062 Unauthorized commercial solicitation; legislative
729 intent; definitions; prohibited acts; penalties.—
730 (1) LEGISLATIVE INTENT.—It is the intent of the Legislature
731 to protect, preserve, and promote the safety, welfare, and peace
732 of the citizens of this state by adopting measures to reduce the
733 threat to private property rights, including the right to
734 exclude and to be free from trespass of unauthorized commercial
735 solicitation on private property when noticed by the property
736 owner. It is the intent of this section to protect such private
737 property rights by creating a uniform standard for notifying
738 individuals or groups of individuals that commercial
739 solicitation is prohibited on private property.
740 (2) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section, the term:
741 (a) “Commercial solicitation” means the act of attempting
742 to sell goods or services, or to raise funds for a commercial
743 purpose, through direct or indirect contact with individuals,
744 including, but not limited to, using words, body gestures, or
745 signs, on behalf of a business or commercial entity.
746 (b) “Dwelling” has the same meaning as in s. 810.011(2).
747 (3) PROHIBITED ACTS.—A person may not engage in commercial
748 solicitation on any dwelling that clearly and prominently
749 displays a sign that is no less than 8.5 by 11 inches, is
750 visible to any person approaching the dwelling, and clearly
751 displays a statement which identifies the dwelling as private
752 property on which commercial solicitation is prohibited, in
753 substantially the following manner with letters at least 1 inch
754 in height:
755
756 THIS DWELLING IS DESIGNATED PRIVATE PROPERTY. NO
757 COMMERCIAL SOLICITATION IS PERMITTED PURSUANT TO
758 SECTION 501.062, FLORIDA STATUTES.
759
760 (4) PENALTIES.—A person who violates subsection (3) commits
761 a noncriminal violation, punishable as provided in s. 775.083. A
762 person who commits a second or subsequent violation commits a
763 misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s.
764 775.082 or s. 775.083.
765 Section 25. Subsection (50) is added to section 570.07,
766 Florida Statutes, to read:
767 570.07 Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services;
768 functions, powers, and duties.—The department shall have and
769 exercise the following functions, powers, and duties:
770 (50) Notwithstanding s. 20.04(7), to reorganize
771 departmental units upon the approval of the commissioner.
772 Section 26. Paragraph (c) is added to subsection (3) of
773 section 570.822, Florida Statutes, to read:
774 570.822 Agriculture and Aquaculture Producers Emergency
775 Recovery Loan Program.—
776 (3) ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS.—To be eligible for the program, an
777 applicant must:
778 (c) Be a United States citizen and a legal resident of this
779 state before or on the date of the declared emergency. If the
780 applicant is an entity as defined in s. 605.0102, the entity
781 must be wholly owned and operated in the United States and
782 possess an active certificate of status issued by the Department
783 of State pursuant to chapter 605.
784 Section 27. Section 570.832, Florida Statutes, is created
785 to read:
786 570.832 Florida Native Seed Research and Marketing
787 Program.—The Florida Wildflower Foundation, in coordination with
788 the department, shall, subject to appropriation, establish the
789 Florida Native Seed Research and Marketing Program to conduct
790 research designed to expand the availability and uses of native
791 seeds and strengthen the market position of this state’s native
792 seed industry through marketing campaigns and promotions in this
793 state and across the nation.
794 Section 28. Section 570.846, Florida Statutes, is created
795 to read:
796 570.846 Food Animal Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment
797 Program.—
798 (1) PURPOSE.—To encourage specialized and qualified
799 veterinary professionals to practice in this state, to retain
800 the employment of such professionals in this state, and to
801 promote the care and treatment of food animals intended for
802 human consumption, there is established the Florida Food Animal
803 Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program. The purpose of the
804 program is to authorize the department to make payments that
805 offset loans incurred, for up to three new eligible candidates
806 annually, for studies leading to a veterinary degree with a
807 specialization in food animal veterinary medicine.
808 (2) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section, the term:
809 (a) “Food animal” means a species of animal raised for the
810 human food supply. Food animal species include cattle, swine,
811 sheep, goat, poultry, aquaculture, and apiary species.
812 (b) “Food animal veterinarian” means a veterinarian working
813 in food animal veterinary medicine who focuses on the management
814 and health of food animals and who spends a minimum of 20 hours
815 per week on food animal species care and treatment.
816 (c) “Food animal veterinary medicine” means a veterinary
817 medical practice which encompasses medical care, disease
818 prevention, and consultation on feeding, housing, and overall
819 herd or flock management of food animals to ensure a safe,
820 healthy, and sustainable food supply for the public.
821 (3) ELIGIBILITY.—To be eligible for the program, a
822 candidate must have graduated from an American Veterinary
823 Medical Association-accredited college of veterinary medicine,
824 have received a Florida veterinary medical license, have
825 obtained a Category II Accreditation from the United States
826 Department of Agriculture, and be a practicing food animal
827 veterinarian in this state.
828 (4) FUNDING.—Subject to legislative appropriation, the
829 department may make loan principal repayments of up to $25,000 a
830 year for up to 5 years on behalf of eligible candidates. All
831 repayments are contingent upon continued proof of employment in
832 this state as a practicing food animal veterinarian.
833 (5) DUPLICATION OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.—An eligible
834 candidate receiving financial assistance from the federal
835 veterinary medicine loan repayment program as established in 7
836 U.S.C. part 3151a is ineligible to receive financial assistance
837 from the program under this section.
838 (6) RULEMAKING.—The department may adopt any rule necessary
839 for the administration of the program.
840 Section 29. Subsection (1) of section 570.85, Florida
841 Statutes, is amended to read:
842 570.85 Agritourism.—
843 (1) It is the intent of the Legislature to promote
844 agritourism as a way to support bona fide agricultural
845 production by providing a stream of revenue and by educating the
846 general public about the agricultural industry. It is also the
847 intent of the Legislature to eliminate duplication of regulatory
848 authority over agritourism as expressed in this section. Except
849 as otherwise provided for in this section, and notwithstanding
850 any other law, a local government may not adopt or enforce a
851 local ordinance, regulation, rule, or policy that prohibits,
852 restricts, regulates, or otherwise limits an agritourism
853 activity on land classified as agricultural land under s.
854 193.461, and may not require a property owner to obtain a rural
855 event venue permit or license. This subsection does not limit
856 the powers and duties of a local government to address
857 substantial offsite impacts of agritourism activities or an
858 emergency as provided in chapter 252.
859 Section 30. Subsection (6) is added to section 570.86,
860 Florida Statutes, to read:
861 570.86 Definitions.—As used in ss. 570.85-570.89, the term:
862 (6) “Rural event venue” means a venue located on property
863 classified as agricultural pursuant to s. 193.461 and used for
864 special functions, such as weddings, receptions, corporate
865 meetings, or similar gatherings.
866 Section 31. Subsection (4) of section 583.01, Florida
867 Statutes, is amended to read:
868 583.01 Definitions.—For the purpose of this chapter, unless
869 elsewhere indicated, the term:
870 (4) “Dealer” means a person, firm, or corporation,
871 including a producer, processor, retailer, or wholesaler, that
872 sells, offers for sale, or holds for the purpose of sale in this
873 state 30 dozen or more eggs or its equivalent in any one week,
874 or more than 20,000 384 dressed birds annually in any one week.
875 Section 32. Section 590.02, Florida Statutes, is amended to
876 read:
877 590.02 Florida Forest Service; powers, authority, and
878 duties; liability; building structures; Withlacoochee and Welaka
879 Training Centers Center.—
880 (1) The Florida Forest Service has the following powers,
881 authority, and duties to:
882 (a) Enforce the provisions of this chapter;
883 (b) Prevent, detect, and suppress wildfires wherever they
884 may occur on public or private land in this state and do all
885 things necessary in the exercise of such powers, authority, and
886 duties;
887 (c) Provide firefighting crews, who shall be under the
888 control and direction of the Florida Forest Service and its
889 designated agents;
890 (d) Appoint center managers, forest area supervisors,
891 forestry program administrators, a forest protection bureau
892 chief, a forest protection assistant bureau chief, a field
893 operations bureau chief, deputy chiefs of field operations,
894 district managers, forest operations administrators, senior
895 forest rangers, investigators, forest rangers, firefighter
896 rotorcraft pilots, and other employees who may, at the Florida
897 Forest Service’s discretion, be certified as forestry
898 firefighters pursuant to s. 633.408(8). Other law
899 notwithstanding, center managers, district managers, forest
900 protection assistant bureau chief, and deputy chiefs of field
901 operations have Selected Exempt Service status in the state
902 personnel designation;
903 (e) Develop a training curriculum for wildland firefighters
904 which must contain a minimum of 40 hours of structural
905 firefighter training, a minimum of 40 hours of emergency medical
906 training, and a minimum of 376 hours of wildfire training;
907 (f) Pay the cost of the initial commercial driver license
908 examination fee, and renewal, for those employees whose position
909 requires them to operate equipment requiring a license. This
910 paragraph is intended to be an authorization to the department
911 to pay such costs, not an obligation;
912 (g) Provide fire management services and emergency response
913 assistance and set and charge reasonable fees for performance of
914 those services. Moneys collected from such fees shall be
915 deposited into the Incidental Trust Fund of the Florida Forest
916 Service;
917 (h) Require all state, regional, and local government
918 agencies operating aircraft in the vicinity of an ongoing
919 wildfire to operate in compliance with the applicable state
920 Wildfire Aviation Plan;
921 (i) Authorize broadcast burning, prescribed burning, pile
922 burning, and land clearing debris burning to carry out the
923 duties of this chapter and the rules adopted thereunder; and
924 (j) Make rules to accomplish the purposes of this chapter.
925 (2) The Florida Forest Service’s employees, and the
926 firefighting crews under their control and direction, may enter
927 upon any lands for the purpose of preventing, detecting, and
928 suppressing wildfires and investigating smoke complaints or open
929 burning not in compliance with authorization and to enforce the
930 provisions of this chapter.
931 (3) Employees of the Florida Forest Service and of federal,
932 state, and local agencies, and all other persons and entities
933 that are under contract or agreement with the Florida Forest
934 Service to assist in firefighting operations as well as those
935 entities, called upon by the Florida Forest Service to assist in
936 firefighting may, in the performance of their duties, set
937 counterfires, remove fences and other obstacles, dig trenches,
938 cut firelines, use water from public and private sources, and
939 carry on all other customary activities in the fighting of
940 wildfires without incurring liability to any person or entity.
941 The manner in which the Florida Forest Service monitors a
942 smoldering wildfire or smoldering prescribed fire or fights any
943 wildfire are planning level activities for which sovereign
944 immunity applies and is not waived.
945 (4)(a) The department may build structures, notwithstanding
946 chapters 216 and 255, not to exceed a cost of $50,000 per
947 structure from existing resources on forest lands, federal
948 excess property, and unneeded existing structures. These
949 structures must meet all applicable building codes.
950 (b) Notwithstanding s. 553.80(1), the department shall
951 exclusively enforce the Florida Building Code as it pertains to
952 wildfire, law enforcement, and other Florida Forest Service
953 facilities under the jurisdiction of the department.
954 (5) The Florida Forest Service shall organize its
955 operational units to most effectively prevent, detect, and
956 suppress wildfires, and to that end, may employ the necessary
957 personnel to manage its activities in each unit. The Florida
958 Forest Service may construct lookout towers, roads, bridges,
959 firelines, and other facilities and may purchase or fabricate
960 tools, supplies, and equipment for firefighting. The Florida
961 Forest Service may reimburse the public and private entities
962 that it engages to assist in the suppression of wildfires for
963 their personnel and equipment, including aircraft.
964 (6) The Florida Forest Service shall undertake
965 privatization alternatives for fire prevention activities
966 including constructing fire lines and conducting prescribed
967 burns and, where appropriate, entering into agreements or
968 contracts with the private sector to perform such activities.
969 (7) The Florida Forest Service may organize, staff, equip,
970 and operate the Withlacoochee and Welaka Training Centers
971 Center. The centers center shall serve as sites a site where
972 fire and forest resource managers can obtain current knowledge,
973 techniques, skills, and theory as they relate to their
974 respective disciplines, and the centers:.
975 (a) The center May establish cooperative efforts involving
976 federal, state, and local entities; hire appropriate personnel;
977 and engage others by contract or agreement with or without
978 compensation to assist in carrying out the training and
979 operations of the centers center.
980 (b) The center Shall provide wildfire suppression training
981 opportunities for rural fire departments, volunteer fire
982 departments, and other local fire response units.
983 (c) The center Shall focus on curriculum related to, but
984 not limited to, fuel reduction, an incident management system,
985 prescribed burning certification, multiple-use land management,
986 water quality, forest health, environmental education, and
987 wildfire suppression training for structural firefighters.
988 (d) The center May assess appropriate fees for food,
989 lodging, travel, course materials, and supplies in order to meet
990 its operational costs and may grant free meals, room, and
991 scholarships to persons and other entities as determined by the
992 Florida Forest Service, regardless of whether training occurs at
993 the Withlacoochee Training Center or Welaka Training Center or
994 at another location in exchange for instructional assistance.
995 (8)(a) The Cross City Work Center shall be named the L.
996 Earl Peterson Forestry Station. This is to honor Mr. L. Earl
997 Peterson, Florida’s sixth state forester, whose distinguished
998 career in state government has spanned 44 years, and who is a
999 native of Dixie County.
1000 (b) The Madison Forestry Station shall be named the Harvey
1001 Greene Sr. Forestry Station. This is to honor Mr. Harvey Greene
1002 Sr., a World War I veteran and pioneer in forestry in Madison
1003 County. In 1947, Mr. Harvey Greene Sr. offered to give the land
1004 on which the forestry station is located to the state; however,
1005 at that time, the state could not accept donations of land.
1006 Instead, Mr. Harvey Greene Sr. sold the land to the state and,
1007 with the proceeds of the sale, purchased forestry equipment to
1008 be used by the citizens of Madison County to plant trees and
1009 fight wildfires.
1010 (c) The Bonifay Forestry Station shall be named the John
1011 Michael Mathis Forestry Station. This is to honor the late Mr.
1012 John Michael Mathis, the Chipola Forestry Center manager whose
1013 distinguished career spanned 18 years, and who received many
1014 awards for his service, including commendation for leadership in
1015 wildfire mitigation for his service during Hurricane Michael.
1016 Mr. John Michael Mathis was a proud husband, father, forester,
1017 and friend.
1018 (9)(a) Notwithstanding ss. 273.055 and 287.16, the
1019 department may retain, transfer, warehouse, bid, destroy, scrap,
1020 or otherwise dispose of surplus equipment and vehicles that are
1021 used for wildland firefighting.
1022 (b) All money received from the disposition of state-owned
1023 equipment and vehicles that are used for wildland firefighting
1024 shall be retained by the department. Money received pursuant to
1025 this section is appropriated for and may be disbursed for the
1026 acquisition of exchange and surplus equipment used for wildland
1027 firefighting, and for all necessary operating expenditures
1028 related to such equipment, in the same fiscal year and the
1029 fiscal year following the disposition. The department shall
1030 maintain records of the accounts into which the money is
1031 deposited.
1032 (10)(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 252.38, the
1033 Florida Forest Service has exclusive authority to require and
1034 issue authorizations for broadcast burning and agricultural and
1035 silvicultural pile burning. An agency, commission, department,
1036 county, municipality, or other political subdivision of the
1037 state may not adopt or enforce laws, regulations, rules, or
1038 policies pertaining to broadcast burning or agricultural and
1039 silvicultural pile burning.
1040 (b) The Florida Forest Service may delegate to a county,
1041 municipality, or special district its authority:
1042 1. As delegated by the Department of Environmental
1043 Protection pursuant to ss. 403.061(29) and 403.081, to manage
1044 and enforce regulations pertaining to the burning of yard trash
1045 in accordance with s. 590.125(6).
1046 2. To manage the open burning of land clearing debris in
1047 accordance with s. 590.125.
1048 Section 33. Section 595.421, Florida Statutes, is created
1049 to read:
1050 595.421 Farmers Feeding Florida Program.—There is
1051 established the Farmers Feeding Florida Program to coordinate
1052 with Feeding Florida, or its successor entity, for the
1053 acquisition, transportation, and distribution of non-Emergency
1054 Food Assistance Program fresh food products for the benefit of
1055 residents who are food insecure due to a lack of local food
1056 resources, accessibility, and affordability.
1057 (1) In order to implement the program, Feeding Florida
1058 shall:
1059 (a) Enter into an agreement with the department to provide,
1060 at a minimum, all of the following services:
1061 1. Transportation of non-Emergency Food Assistance Program
1062 fresh food products using owned vehicles or contracted
1063 commercial vehicles.
1064 2. Coordination of the purchase and pickup of food from the
1065 purchase location and delivery to the distribution location.
1066 (b) Submit monthly reports to the department, beginning
1067 July 1, 2026, which include, at a minimum, all of the following:
1068 1. A detailed record of the amount of food purchased,
1069 measured per pound and itemized according to its commodity type.
1070 2. Food purchase locations.
1071 3. Food purchase dates.
1072 4. The date of delivery and locations to which the food was
1073 distributed.
1074 (c) Submit quarterly reports, beginning July 1, 2026, to
1075 the chairs of the legislative appropriations committees,
1076 including all of the following information:
1077 1. A detailed record of the amount of food distributed,
1078 measured per pound and itemized according to its commodity type.
1079 2. The distribution locations.
1080 3. An itemized list of the types of commodities
1081 distributed.
1082 (2) Foods purchased by Feeding Florida through the program
1083 are restricted to charitable purposes for hunger relief and may
1084 not reenter the wholesale, retail, or secondary market.
1085 (3) Feeding Florida may not, in implementing this section,
1086 allow a candidate for elective office to host a food
1087 distribution event during the period of time between the last
1088 day of the election qualifying period and the date of the
1089 election if the candidate is opposed for election or reelection
1090 at the time of the event. This subsection does not apply if the
1091 event is in response to a declared state of emergency.
1092 Section 34. Present paragraph (c) of subsection (7) of
1093 section 597.004, Florida Statutes, is redesignated as paragraph
1094 (d) and amended, a new paragraph (c) is added to that
1095 subsection, and paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of that section
1096 is amended, to read:
1097 597.004 Aquaculture certificate of registration.—
1098 (2) RULES.—
1099 (a) The department, in consultation with the Department of
1100 Environmental Protection, the water management districts,
1101 environmental groups, and representatives from the affected
1102 farming groups, shall adopt rules to:
1103 1. Specify the requirement of best management practices to
1104 be implemented by holders of aquaculture certificates of
1105 registration.
1106 2. Establish procedures for holders of aquaculture
1107 certificates of registration to submit the notice of intent to
1108 comply with best management practices.
1109 3. Establish schedules for implementation of best
1110 management practices, and of interim measures that can be taken
1111 prior to adoption of best management practices. Interim measures
1112 may include the continuation of regulatory requirements in
1113 effect on June 30, 1998.
1114 4. Establish a system to assure the implementation of best
1115 management practices, including recordkeeping requirements.
1116 5. Require any facility that cultures Micropterus salmoides
1117 floridanus to maintain stock acquisition documentation or
1118 records of genetic testing.
1119 (7) REGISTRATION AND RENEWALS.—
1120 (c) The department may not renew a certificate of
1121 registration for a facility that is not compliant with this
1122 section unless documentation of corrective action is provided
1123 with the renewal application.
1124 (d)(c) A Any person whose certificate of registration has
1125 been revoked or suspended must reapply to the department for
1126 certification. A person, a company, or an entity, or a principal
1127 of a company or an entity whose certificate of registration has
1128 been revoked, may not reapply for a period of 3 years.
1129 Section 35. Paragraph (a) of subsection (5) of section
1130 597.010, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
1131 597.010 Shellfish regulation; leases.—
1132 (5) LEASES IN PERPETUITY; RENT.—
1133 (a) All leases issued previously under the provisions of s.
1134 379.2525 shall be enforced under the authority of this chapter,
1135 notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, and shall
1136 continue in perpetuity under such restrictions as stated in the
1137 lease agreement. The annual rental fee charged for all leases
1138 shall consist of the minimum rate of $15 per acre, or any
1139 fraction of an acre, per year and may shall be adjusted on
1140 January 1, 1995, and every 5 years thereafter, based on the 5
1141 year average change in the Consumer Price Index. Rent must shall
1142 be paid in advance of January 1 of each year or, in the case of
1143 a new lease, at the time of signing, regardless of who holds the
1144 lease.
1145 Section 36. Paragraphs (b) and (c) of subsection (1) of
1146 section 599.012, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
1147 599.012 Florida Wine Trust Fund; creation.—
1148 (1) There is established the Florida Wine Trust Fund within
1149 the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The
1150 department shall use the moneys deposited in the trust fund
1151 pursuant to subsection (2) to do all the following:
1152 (b) Promote wine viticulture products manufactured from
1153 products grown in the state.
1154 (c) Provide grants for wine and viticultural research.
1155 Section 37. Section 616.001, Florida Statutes, is amended
1156 to read:
1157 616.001 Definitions.—As used in this chapter, the term:
1158 (1) “Annual public fair” means a community, county,
1159 district, regional, or state fair that is held and conducted by
1160 a fair association and permitted by the department pursuant to
1161 s. 616.15.
1162 (2) “Authority” means the Florida State Fair Authority.
1163 (3) “Community fair” means an annual public fair that
1164 serves an area of less than an entire county, has exhibits that
1165 are in accordance with s. 616.17, and gives premiums or awards
1166 to exhibitors. Agricultural products shall be produced in the
1167 community the exhibit represents. The majority of the board of
1168 directors of the fair shall reside, be employed, or operate a
1169 business in the community the fair represents.
1170 (4) “Concession” means use by a fair association, or a
1171 grant, lease, or license to a third party, of a portion of the
1172 land under the ownership, custody, or control of a fair
1173 association for specific uses, or the right to enter upon the
1174 land for specific purposes, such as providing rides, games,
1175 food, beverage, merchandise for sale, exhibits, projects,
1176 activities, events, programs, or other uses authorized in this
1177 chapter.
1178 (5) “County fair” means an annual public fair that serves
1179 an entire county and provides exhibitors with premiums or awards
1180 for exhibits that are in accordance with s. 616.17. Agricultural
1181 products must be typical of those produced in the county the
1182 exhibit represents. The majority of the board of directors of
1183 the fair shall reside, be employed, or operate a business in the
1184 county that the fair association represents.
1185 (4)(6) “Department” means the Department of Agriculture and
1186 Consumer Services.
1187 (7) “District fair” means an annual public fair that serves
1188 at least five counties and has exhibits that meet the
1189 requirements of s. 616.17. A district fair shall pay at least
1190 $25,000 in cash premiums or awards to exhibitors. Agricultural
1191 products must be typical of those produced in the counties the
1192 exhibit represents. Livestock may originate from outside the
1193 district, but must be registered in the exhibitor’s name at
1194 least 30 days before the opening day of the fair. Each county is
1195 encouraged to have proportionate exhibits, typical of its
1196 respective natural resources. Each county shall have exhibits
1197 representing basic resources in agriculture and industry.
1198 (5)(8) “Entry” means one item entered for competition or
1199 show. An entry may constitute an exhibit, depending upon the
1200 regulations stated in the premium book.
1201 (6)(9) “Exhibit” means one or more entries entered for
1202 exhibition and constituting a unit. An exhibit may consist of
1203 one or more entries, depending upon the regulations stated in
1204 the premium book. The term includes parades and displays of
1205 articles or a collection of articles, whether static,
1206 interactive, or dynamic, by a fair association or a third party
1207 contracting with a fair association, such as exhibits of
1208 animals, art, housewares, or motor vehicles.
1209 (7)(10) “Exhibitor” means an individual, a group of
1210 individuals, or a business, including a fair association or
1211 third party contracting with a fair association, which has an
1212 exhibit.
1213 (8)(11) “Fair association” or “association” means an
1214 association not for profit incorporated under this chapter for
1215 the purpose of conducting and operating public fairs or
1216 expositions.
1217 (9)(12) “Public fair or exposition” means a project,
1218 activity, event, or program, and use by a fair association,
1219 including, but not limited to, the annual public fair, which
1220 serves the purposes specified in s. 616.08 and benefits and
1221 develops the educational, agricultural, horticultural,
1222 livestock, charitable, historical, civic, cultural, scientific,
1223 and other resources of this state, or any county, municipality,
1224 or other community in this state.
1225 (13) “Regional fair” or “interstate fair” means an annual
1226 public fair of this state and other states in which fair
1227 exhibits meet the requirements of s. 616.17. Agricultural
1228 products must be typical of those produced in the area the
1229 exhibit represents.
1230 (10)(14) “Specialized show” means a show or an exhibition
1231 exhibiting and emphasizing livestock or poultry, or a fruit or
1232 vegetable festival, and must meet the minimum exhibit
1233 requirements specified in s. 616.17. A specialized show may
1234 qualify under one of the definitions in subsections (3), (5),
1235 (7), and (15).
1236 (11)(15) “State fair” means an annual public fair that
1237 serves the entire state. Exhibits must comply with s. 616.17,
1238 and cash premiums or awards may be given to exhibitors.
1239 Section 38. Section 616.01, Florida Statutes, is amended to
1240 read:
1241 616.01 Requirements for Number of persons required;
1242 requisites of proposed charter.—Twenty-five or more persons who
1243 are Residents and qualified electors of the county in which the
1244 annual public fair is to be located, who wish to form an
1245 association not for profit for the purpose of conducting and
1246 operating public fairs or expositions, may become incorporated
1247 in the following manner. The applicant must subscribers shall
1248 submit the proposed charter to the department for review and
1249 approval or denial. If the proposed charter is denied, the
1250 department must provide the applicant with a letter sent to the
1251 mailing address provided on the proposed charter and include a
1252 complete listing of all deficiencies, if any, which must be
1253 remedied before resubmittal of the proposed charter for
1254 approval. If the proposed charter is approved, the applicant
1255 must subscribers shall sign and present a notarized copy of the
1256 proposed charter to the judge of the circuit court for the
1257 county in which the principal office of the association will be
1258 located. The proposed charter must specify:
1259 (1) The name of the association and the place where the
1260 principal office is to be located. The name of the association
1261 must shall include the word, “Inc.”
1262 (2) The general nature of the objectives and powers of the
1263 association, including a provision that the association is
1264 incorporated for the sole purpose of conducting and operating
1265 public fairs or expositions.
1266 (3) The qualifications and terms of association members and
1267 criteria for their admission and expulsion. Provision must may
1268 be made in the charter for ex officio membership.
1269 (4) The time for which the association is to exist.
1270 (5) The name and residence of each subscriber.
1271 (6) Procedures for the election of and governance by
1272 officers, who may be elected or appointed.
1273 (7) The designation of officers who will manage the affairs
1274 of the association until the first election or appointment under
1275 the charter.
1276 (8) Procedures for the adoption, amendment, or rescission
1277 of bylaws of the association.
1278 (9) The highest amount of indebtedness or liability that
1279 may be accrued by the association.
1280 (10) The name of an elected member of the board of county
1281 commissioners of the county in which the principal office of the
1282 association will be located, who will serve as an ex officio
1283 member of the board of directors of the association.
1284 (11) The official e-mail address of the association which
1285 will be used for the purpose of official communication between
1286 the association and governmental entities.
1287 (12) The language for the oath that will be taken by the
1288 applicant, which must include, but is not limited to, all of the
1289 following:
1290 (a) That the primary objective of the association is for
1291 public service and to hold, conduct, and promote public fairs or
1292 expositions.
1293 (b) That money and other available assets in value
1294 exceeding $5,000 have been provided for purposes designated by
1295 the association.
1296 (c) That the association will operate in good faith to
1297 carry out the purposes and objectives set forth in the charter.
1298 Section 39. Section 616.02, Florida Statutes, is amended to
1299 read:
1300 616.02 Fair associations per county Acknowledgment of
1301 charter.—
1302 (1) Beginning July 1, 2026, there may be only one
1303 incorporated fair association per county in this state,
1304 excluding the state fair, which may be incorporated and
1305 conducted in any county. The department may not approve a
1306 proposed charter incorporating a fair association within the
1307 same county in which a fair association currently exists. The
1308 department may waive this requirement at the discretion of the
1309 Commissioner of Agriculture.
1310 (2) Any fair association incorporated before July 1, 2026,
1311 may conduct public fairs or expositions and exercise the
1312 authority provided to them pursuant to this chapter The proposed
1313 charter of a fair association shall be acknowledged by at least
1314 three of its subscribers before an officer authorized to make
1315 acknowledgment of deeds. Subscribers shall also make and take an
1316 oath, which must be attached to the proposed charter, stating
1317 that the primary objective of the association is public service
1318 and holding, conducting, and promoting public fairs or
1319 expositions; that money and other available assets in value
1320 exceeding $5,000 have been provided for the purposes of the
1321 association; and that the association will operate in good faith
1322 to carry out the purposes and objectives set forth in its
1323 charter.
1324 Section 40. Section 616.03, Florida Statutes, is amended to
1325 read:
1326 616.03 Notice of application; Approval and record of
1327 charter.—Upon approval by the department, A notice of intention
1328 to apply to the circuit court for the charter of a fair
1329 association must specify the date that application will be made,
1330 shall be sent to the department for approval, and shall be
1331 published in a newspaper in the county where the principal
1332 office of the association will be located once each week for 4
1333 consecutive weeks. The notice must briefly summarize the charter
1334 and objectives of the proposed association. the proposed charter
1335 must shall be submitted to and approved by the board of county
1336 commissioners of the county in which the principal office of the
1337 association will be located. After approval by the department
1338 and the board of county commissioners, the proposed charter and
1339 proof of approval must and publication shall be submitted to the
1340 circuit judge on the date specified in the notice. If no cause
1341 is shown to the contrary and the judge finds that the proposed
1342 charter is in proper form and will serve the primary objective
1343 of public service, the judge must shall approve the charter and
1344 issue an order incorporating the applicant subscribers under the
1345 charter for the objectives and purposes specified in the
1346 charter. The charter and order of incorporation must shall be
1347 recorded in the office of the clerk of the circuit court in the
1348 county where the principal office of the association will be
1349 located and provided to the department. After the order is
1350 recorded, the applicant subscribers and any their associates are
1351 incorporated with the objectives and powers established in the
1352 charter and under the name given in the charter. During the
1353 publication period, the proposed charter shall be on file in the
1354 office of the clerk of the circuit court. This section does not
1355 preclude a fair association from also filing its duly approved
1356 charter with the Department of State pursuant to chapter 617 for
1357 notice purposes.
1358 Section 41. Subsection (2) of section 616.05, Florida
1359 Statutes, is amended to read:
1360 616.05 Amendment of charter.—A fair association may propose
1361 an amendment to its charter by resolution as provided in its
1362 charter or bylaws.
1363 (2) After the department approves the proposed amendment,
1364 it will be incorporated into the original charter upon:
1365 (a) Publication of notice in the same manner as provided in
1366 s. 616.03;
1367 (b) Filing the order of the circuit judge approving the
1368 amendment with the office of the clerk of the circuit court and
1369 the department; and
1370 (b)(c) Being recorded in the clerk’s office.
1371
1372 If a fair association has filed its charter with the Department
1373 of State pursuant to chapter 617, a copy of any amendment to the
1374 charter must be filed with the Department of State for notice
1375 purposes.
1376 Section 42. Section 616.051, Florida Statutes, is amended
1377 to read:
1378 616.051 Dissolving a charter.—
1379 (1) A fair association may dissolve its charter by
1380 resolution as provided in its charter or bylaws. The proposal
1381 for dissolving the charter shall be submitted to the department
1382 for approval.
1383 (2) Upon approval by the department and upon presentation
1384 of sufficient evidence demonstrating and publication of notice
1385 and proof that all indebtedness has been paid and no claims are
1386 outstanding against the association, the circuit judge may, by
1387 decree, dissolve the association and order the distribution of
1388 its remaining assets. Such assets must be distributed, by
1389 resolution of the board of directors, to the county in which the
1390 principal office of the association is located unless otherwise
1391 specified by the deed of the property held by the association
1392 its remaining public funds to be distributed as recommended by
1393 the board of directors.
1394 Section 43. Subsection (3) of section 616.07, Florida
1395 Statutes, is amended, and subsections (1) and (2) of that
1396 section are republished, to read:
1397 616.07 Members not personally liable; property of
1398 association held in trust; exempt from taxation.—
1399 (1) A member, officer, director, or trustee of a fair
1400 association is not personally liable for any of the debts of the
1401 association, and money or property of a fair association may not
1402 be distributed as profits or dividends among its members,
1403 officers, directors, or trustees.
1404 (2) All money and property of the association, except that
1405 necessary for the payment of its just debts and liabilities, are
1406 public property, shall be administered by the association as
1407 trustee, and shall be used exclusively for the legitimate
1408 purpose of the association. So long as they are used for that
1409 purpose, all money and property of the association are exempt
1410 from all forms of taxation, including special assessments, and
1411 any projects, activities, events, programs, and uses authorized
1412 by this part serve an essential governmental purpose and,
1413 therefore, are not taxable and are not subject to assessments.
1414 This subsection does not apply to chapter 212.
1415 (3) Upon order of the circuit judge, any public funds or
1416 property remaining in a fair association when the association is
1417 dissolved shall be distributed by resolution of the board of
1418 directors to any county or any municipality within the county.
1419 The board may designate in the distribution resolution the
1420 public project that will benefit from the funds or the manner in
1421 which the property will be used. If property has been
1422 contributed by a municipality or county, the property shall be
1423 reconveyed to the municipality or county that gave the property
1424 to the association.
1425 Section 44. Section 616.101, Florida Statutes, is amended
1426 to read:
1427 616.101 Annual review of accounts and records; review of
1428 charter.—
1429 (1) The accounts and records of a every fair association
1430 whose annual public fair has an annual attendance of more than
1431 25,000, based upon recorded attendance from the previous year,
1432 must shall be reviewed annually by a qualified accountant
1433 licensed by the state. A fair association whose annual public
1434 fair has an annual attendance of 25,000 or fewer, based upon
1435 recorded attendance from the previous year, or a fair
1436 association that is holding an annual public fair for the first
1437 time, must submit an annual financial statement that has been
1438 signed by an officer of the county. The results of the reviews
1439 must shall be kept in the official records of each association,
1440 available to all directors of the association. A certified copy
1441 of the review must shall be filed with the department:
1442 (a)(1) On request by the department to certify expenditures
1443 of the premiums awarded to exhibitors of a fair or of building
1444 funds if when there is evidence of a violation of state laws; or
1445 (b)(2) When the association is applying for a fair permit.
1446 (2) A fair association shall, every 5 years beginning July
1447 1, 2026, review its charter and submit to the department a
1448 certified copy of the charter which incorporates any amendment
1449 made during the last 5 years. A designated member of the
1450 association shall attest that the charter is accurate and
1451 factual when submitting the certified copy to the department.
1452 Section 45. Section 616.15, Florida Statutes, is amended to
1453 read:
1454 616.15 Permit from Department of Agriculture and Consumer
1455 Services required.—
1456 (1) An annual public fair may not be conducted by a fair
1457 association without a permit issued by the department. The
1458 association shall present to the department an application for a
1459 permit, signed by an officer of the association, at least 90
1460 calendar days 3 months before holding the annual public fair.
1461 The application must shall be accompanied by a fee in an amount
1462 to be determined by the department for processing the
1463 application and making any required investigation. The
1464 application fee must be at least $183 and may not exceed $366.
1465 Fees collected under this subsection shall be deposited in the
1466 General Inspection Trust Fund of the State Treasury in a special
1467 account to be known as the “Agricultural and Livestock Fair
1468 Account.” A copy of the application must be sent to each fair
1469 association located within 50 miles of the site of the proposed
1470 annual public fair at the same time the application is sent to
1471 the department. The department may issue a permit if the
1472 applicant provides:
1473 (a) The opening and closing dates of the proposed annual
1474 public fair.
1475 (b) The name and address of the owner of the central
1476 amusement attraction that will operate during the annual public
1477 fair.
1478 (c) An affidavit properly executed by the president or
1479 chief executive officer of the applicant association certifying
1480 the existence of a binding contract entered into by the
1481 association and the owner of the central amusement attraction
1482 covering the period for which the permit from the department is
1483 applied. The contract between the parties must shall be
1484 available for inspection by duly authorized agents of the
1485 department in administering this chapter.
1486 (d) A copy of the association’s charter which incorporates
1487 all amendments made A written statement that the main purpose of
1488 the association is to conduct and operate a public fair and
1489 exposition, including the annual fair, for the benefit and
1490 development of the educational, agricultural, horticultural,
1491 livestock, charitable, historical, civic, cultural, scientific,
1492 and other resources of the geographical area the fair
1493 association represents and serves. The statement must be
1494 subscribed and acknowledged by an officer of the association
1495 before an officer authorized to take acknowledgments.
1496 (e) A premium list of the current annual public fair to be
1497 conducted and or a copy of the previous year’s premium list
1498 showing all premiums and awards to be offered to exhibitors in
1499 various departments of the annual public fair, which may
1500 include, but are not limited to, art exhibition, beef cattle,
1501 county exhibits, dairy cattle, horticulture, swine, women’s
1502 department, 4-H Club activities, Future Farmers of America
1503 activities, Future Homemakers of America activities, poultry and
1504 egg exhibits, and community exhibits. The premium list, which
1505 may be submitted separately from the application, must be
1506 submitted at least 60 calendar days before the annual public
1507 fair begins operation.
1508 (f) A complete listing of all exhibits required pursuant to
1509 s. 616.17 Proof of liability insurance insuring the association
1510 against liability for injury to persons, in an amount of not
1511 less than $300,000 per occurrence.
1512 (g) A copy of the most recent review.
1513 (h) A list of all current members of the board of directors
1514 of the association and their contact information, including home
1515 address.
1516
1517 The department shall issue the permit within 10 calendar days
1518 after it receives all the information required by this
1519 subsection and the applicant qualifies pursuant to this section.
1520 (2) At least 21 calendar days before holding the annual
1521 public fair, the association shall present the department with
1522 all of the following information:
1523 (a) Proof of liability insurance insuring the association
1524 against liability for injury to persons, in an amount not less
1525 than $300,000 per occurrence.
1526 (b) A copy of the association’s most recent annual
1527 financial statement pursuant to s. 616.101.
1528 (c) A list of all current members of the board of directors
1529 of the association and their contact information, including
1530 mailing addresses.
1531 (3)(2) The department shall administer and enforce the
1532 provisions of this chapter except as to the regulation of games,
1533 which shall be regulated by local law enforcement agencies. The
1534 department shall adopt rules to administer this chapter,
1535 including rules governing the form and contents of the
1536 application for the permit and any reports that it deems may
1537 deem necessary in enforcing the provisions of this chapter.
1538 (4)(3) Notwithstanding any fair association meeting the
1539 requirements set forth in subsection (1), the department may
1540 order a full investigation to determine if the fair association
1541 meets the requirements of this part s. 616.01, and may withhold
1542 a permit from, deny a permit to, or withdraw a permit once
1543 issued to the association. The department shall also consider
1544 whether any proposed annual public fair, as set forth in an
1545 application for a permit, will compete with another annual
1546 public fair within 50 miles of the proposed annual public fair
1547 with respect to name, dates of operation, or market. The
1548 department may deny, withhold, or withdraw a permit from a fair
1549 association if the department determines that such fair
1550 association will compete with another association. The
1551 department shall give preference to existing fair associations
1552 with established dates, locations, and names. The determination
1553 by the department is final.
1554 Section 46. Section 616.251, Florida Statutes, is amended
1555 to read:
1556 616.251 Florida State Fair Authority; creation;
1557 responsibility for staging annual state fair; exemptions.—
1558 (1) There is created and constituted the “Florida State
1559 Fair Authority,” a public body corporate and politic, for the
1560 purposes and with the powers set forth in this part. Such
1561 instrumentality, hereinafter referred to as “the authority,”
1562 shall have perpetual succession. For the purposes of
1563 implementing the intent of this part, the authority shall be
1564 considered an instrumentality of the state, subject to the
1565 jurisdiction of the state. Any conflict with respect to that
1566 jurisdiction will be resolved by the authority and respective
1567 state agencies.
1568 (2) The authority shall operate under the supervision of
1569 the Commissioner of Agriculture, which supervision may include,
1570 but is not limited to, assisting, advising, and making
1571 recommendations regarding the financing and operation of the
1572 authority. In assisting and advising the authority, the
1573 Commissioner of Agriculture may make appropriate staff of the
1574 department available to the authority.
1575 (3) The authority is charged with the responsibility of
1576 staging an annual fair to serve the entire state. Cash premiums
1577 or awards may be given to exhibitors.
1578 (4) The authority shall be exempt from the requirements of
1579 part I of this chapter.
1580 (5)(4) The principal offices of the authority shall be in
1581 such place or places in or near the City of Tampa as the
1582 authority may from time to time designate.
1583 Section 47. Subsection (1) of section 843.085, Florida
1584 Statutes, is amended, and subsection (5) of that section is
1585 republished, to read:
1586 843.085 Unlawful use of badges or other indicia of
1587 authority.—
1588 (1) It is unlawful for any person, unless appointed by the
1589 Governor pursuant to chapter 354, authorized by the appropriate
1590 agency, or displayed in a closed or mounted case as a collection
1591 or exhibit, to wear or display any authorized indicia of
1592 authority, including any badge, insignia, emblem, identification
1593 card, or uniform, or any colorable imitation thereof, of any
1594 federal, state, county, or municipal law enforcement agency, or
1595 other criminal justice agency as defined in s. 943.045, with the
1596 intent to mislead or cause another person to believe that he or
1597 she is a member of that agency or is authorized to display or
1598 wear such item, or to wear or display any item that displays in
1599 any manner or combination the word or words “police,”
1600 “patrolman,” “patrolwoman,” “agent,” “sheriff,” “deputy,”
1601 “trooper,” “highway patrol,” “commission officer,” “Wildlife
1602 Officer,” “Department of Environmental Protection officer,”
1603 “Marine Patrol Officer,” “state attorney,” “public defender,”
1604 “marshal,” “constable,” “bailiff,” or “fire department,”
1605 “concealed weapon permit,” or “concealed weapon permitholder”
1606 with the intent to mislead or cause another person to believe
1607 that he or she is a member of that agency, if applicable, or is
1608 authorized to wear or display such item.
1609 (5) A violation of this section is a misdemeanor of the
1610 first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s.
1611 775.083. This section is cumulative to any law now in force in
1612 the state.
1613 Section 48. Section 865.065, Florida Statutes, is reordered
1614 and amended to read:
1615 865.065 Disparagement of perishable agricultural food
1616 products; cause of action; limitation.—
1617 (1) The Legislature finds, determines, and declares that
1618 the production of agricultural food products constitutes an
1619 important and significant portion of the state economy and that
1620 it is imperative to protect the vitality of the agricultural
1621 economy for the citizens of this state by providing a cause of
1622 action for agricultural producers to recover damages for the
1623 disparagement of any perishable agricultural product.
1624 (2) For purposes of this section, the term:
1625 (b)(a) “Disparagement” means the willful or malicious
1626 dissemination to the public in any manner of any false
1627 information that an a perishable agricultural food product is
1628 not safe for human consumption. False information is that
1629 information which is not based on reliable, scientific facts and
1630 reliable, scientific data which the disseminator knows or should
1631 have known to be false.
1632 (a)(b) “Perishable Agricultural food product” means any
1633 agricultural or aquacultural food product or commodity grown or
1634 produced within this the state for a commercial purpose. The
1635 term also includes any agricultural practices used in the
1636 production of such products of Florida which is sold or
1637 distributed in a form that will perish or decay within a
1638 reasonable period of time.
1639 (c) “Producer” means the person who actually grows or
1640 produces perishable agricultural food products.
1641 (3) Any producer or any association representing producers
1642 of perishable agricultural food products which suffers damages
1643 as a result of another person’s disparagement of any such
1644 perishable agricultural food product may bring an action for
1645 damages and for any other relief a court of competent
1646 jurisdiction deems appropriate, including, but not limited to,
1647 compensatory and punitive damages, reasonable attorney fees, and
1648 costs of the action.
1649 (4) The statute of limitations for disparagement of
1650 perishable agricultural food products is 2 years from the date
1651 the disparagement occurs.
1652 Section 49. Subsection (27) is added to section 934.02,
1653 Florida Statutes, to read:
1654 934.02 Definitions.—As used in this chapter:
1655 (27) “Signal jamming device” means a device or process,
1656 such as a phone jammer, global positioning systems blocker, or
1657 other similar device designed to intentionally block, jam, or
1658 interfere with radio communications, such as cellular and
1659 personal communication services, police radar, or global
1660 positioning systems.
1661 Section 50. Section 934.51, Florida Statutes, is created to
1662 read:
1663 934.51 Possession, use, and sale of signal jamming device;
1664 prohibition; exceptions; penalties.—
1665 (1) PROHIBITION.—It is unlawful to possess, manufacture,
1666 hold or offer for sale, sell, import, distribute, or use a
1667 signal jamming device in this state.
1668 (2) EXCEPTIONS.—This section does not apply to a federal or
1669 military law enforcement agency that lawfully installs, places,
1670 or uses a signal jamming device as part of a criminal
1671 investigation, or to any person duly authorized by the Federal
1672 Communications Commission.
1673 (3) PENALTIES.—A person who violates this section commits a
1674 misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s.
1675 775.082 or s. 775.083.
1676 Section 51. Paragraph (a) of subsection (4) and subsection
1677 (6) of section 288.1175, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
1678 288.1175 Agriculture education and promotion facility.—
1679 (4) The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
1680 shall certify a facility as an agriculture education and
1681 promotion facility if the Department of Agriculture and Consumer
1682 Services determines that:
1683 (a) The applicant is a unit of local government as defined
1684 in s. 218.369, or a fair association as defined in s. 616.001(8)
1685 s. 616.001(11), which is responsible for the planning, design,
1686 permitting, construction, renovation, management, and operation
1687 of the agriculture education and promotion facility or holds
1688 title to the property on which such facility is to be developed
1689 and located.
1690 (6) Funds may not be expended to develop or subsidize
1691 privately owned facilities, except for facilities owned by fair
1692 associations as defined in s. 616.001(8) s. 616.001(11).
1693 Section 52. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
1694 made by this act to section 287.1351, Florida Statutes, in a
1695 reference thereto, subsection (4) of section 287.056, Florida
1696 Statutes, is reenacted to read:
1697 287.056 Purchases from purchasing agreements and state term
1698 contracts; vendor disqualification.—
1699 (4) A firm or individual placed on the suspended vendor
1700 list pursuant to s. 287.1351 or placed on a disqualified vendor
1701 list pursuant to s. 287.133 or s. 287.134 is immediately
1702 disqualified from state term contract eligibility.
1703 Section 53. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
1704 made by this act to section 287.1351, Florida Statutes, in a
1705 reference thereto, subsection (5) of section 287.138, Florida
1706 Statutes, is reenacted to read:
1707 287.138 Contracting with entities of foreign countries of
1708 concern prohibited.—
1709 (5) The Attorney General may bring a civil action in any
1710 court of competent jurisdiction against an entity that violates
1711 this section. Violations of this section may result in:
1712 (a) A civil penalty equal to twice the amount of the
1713 contract for which the entity submitted a bid or proposal for,
1714 replied to, or entered into;
1715 (b) Ineligibility to enter into, renew, or extend any
1716 contract, including any grant agreements, with any governmental
1717 entity for up to 5 years;
1718 (c) Ineligibility to receive or renew any license,
1719 certification, or credential issued by a governmental entity for
1720 up to 5 years; and
1721 (d) Placement on the suspended vendor list pursuant to s.
1722 287.1351.
1723 Section 54. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
1724 made by this act to section 500.04, Florida Statutes, in a
1725 reference thereto, subsection (1) of section 500.177, Florida
1726 Statutes, is reenacted to read:
1727 500.177 Penalty for violation of s. 500.04; dissemination
1728 of false advertisement.—
1729 (1) Any person who violates any provision of s. 500.04 is
1730 guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as
1731 provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083; but, if the violation is
1732 committed after a conviction of such person under this section
1733 has become final, such person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the
1734 first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s.
1735 775.083.
1736 Section 55. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
1737 made by this act to section 616.07, Florida Statutes, in a
1738 reference thereto, subsection (13) of section 212.08, Florida
1739 Statutes, is reenacted to read:
1740 212.08 Sales, rental, use, consumption, distribution, and
1741 storage tax; specified exemptions.—The sale at retail, the
1742 rental, the use, the consumption, the distribution, and the
1743 storage to be used or consumed in this state of the following
1744 are hereby specifically exempt from the tax imposed by this
1745 chapter.
1746 (13) LIMITATIONS ON EXEMPTIONS.—No transactions shall be
1747 exempt from the tax imposed by this chapter except those
1748 expressly exempted herein. All laws granting tax exemptions, to
1749 the extent they may be inconsistent or in conflict with this
1750 chapter, including, but not limited to, the following designated
1751 laws, shall yield to and be superseded by the provisions of this
1752 subsection: ss. 125.019, 153.76, 154.2331, 159.15, 159.31,
1753 159.50, 159.708, 163.385, 163.395, 215.76, 243.33, 315.11,
1754 348.65, 348.762, 349.13, 403.1834, 616.07, and 623.09, and the
1755 following Laws of Florida, acts of the year indicated: s. 31,
1756 chapter 30843, 1955; s. 19, chapter 30845, 1955; s. 12, chapter
1757 30927, 1955; s. 8, chapter 31179, 1955; s. 15, chapter 31263,
1758 1955; s. 13, chapter 31343, 1955; s. 16, chapter 59-1653; s. 13,
1759 chapter 59-1356; s. 12, chapter 61-2261; s. 19, chapter 61-2754;
1760 s. 10, chapter 61-2686; s. 11, chapter 63-1643; s. 11, chapter
1761 65-1274; s. 16, chapter 67-1446; and s. 10, chapter 67-1681.
1762 This subsection does not supersede the authority of a local
1763 government to adopt financial and local government incentives
1764 pursuant to s. 163.2517.
1765 Section 56. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
1766 made by this act to section 616.15, Florida Statutes, in a
1767 reference thereto, section 616.185, Florida Statutes, is
1768 reenacted to read:
1769 616.185 Trespass upon grounds or facilities of public fair;
1770 penalty; arrests.—
1771 (1) For the purposes of this chapter, trespass upon the
1772 grounds of the Florida State Fair Authority or any other fair
1773 association permitted under s. 616.15 means:
1774 (a) Entering and remaining upon any grounds or facilities
1775 owned, operated, or controlled by the Florida State Fair
1776 Authority or any other association permitted under s. 616.15 and
1777 committing any act that disrupts the orderly conduct of any
1778 authorized activity of the fair association in charge, or its
1779 lessees, licensees, or the general public on those grounds or
1780 facilities; or
1781 (b) Entering and remaining on those grounds or facilities
1782 after being directed not to enter or to leave them by the
1783 executive director of the authority, chief administrative
1784 officer of the fair association, or any employee or agent of the
1785 association designated by the executive director or
1786 administrator to maintain order on those grounds and facilities,
1787 after a determination by the executive director, administrator,
1788 employee, or agent that the entering or remaining on those
1789 grounds or facilities is in violation of the rules and
1790 regulations of the Florida State Fair Authority or permitted
1791 fair association or is disrupting the orderly conduct of any
1792 authorized activity of the fair association in charge, or its
1793 lessees, licensees, or the general public on those grounds or
1794 facilities.
1795 (2) Any person committing the offense of trespass upon the
1796 grounds of the Florida State Fair Authority or any other fair
1797 association permitted under s. 616.15 commits a misdemeanor of
1798 the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s.
1799 775.083.
1800 (3) A law enforcement officer may arrest any person on or
1801 off the premises, without a warrant, if the officer has probable
1802 cause for believing such person has committed the offense of
1803 trespass upon the grounds of the Florida State Fair Authority or
1804 any fair association permitted under s. 616.15. Such an arrest
1805 does not render the law enforcement officer criminally or
1806 civilly liable for false arrest, false imprisonment, or unlawful
1807 detention.
1808 Section 57. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.
1809
1810 ================= T I T L E A M E N D M E N T ================
1811 And the title is amended as follows:
1812 Delete everything before the enacting clause
1813 and insert:
1814 A bill to be entitled
1815 An act relating to the Department of Agriculture and
1816 Consumer Services; creating s. 125.489, F.S.; defining
1817 the terms “gasoline-powered farm equipment” and
1818 “gasoline-powered landscape equipment”; prohibiting
1819 counties from enacting or enforcing any law that
1820 restricts or prohibits the use of gasoline-powered
1821 farm equipment or gasoline-powered landscape equipment
1822 or that distinguishes such equipment from any other
1823 equipment under certain circumstances; providing
1824 construction; amending s. 163.3164, F.S.; defining the
1825 terms “ecologically significant parcel” and “low
1826 density municipality”; amending s. 163.3202, F.S.;
1827 prohibiting an application for a development on an
1828 ecologically significant parcel in a low-density
1829 municipality from being administratively approved
1830 without an attestation provided by the developer;
1831 specifying requirements for such attestation;
1832 providing applicability; specifying requirements for
1833 the attestation included in certain applications;
1834 providing for a waiver; creating s. 166.063, F.S.;
1835 defining the terms “gasoline-powered farm equipment”
1836 and “gasoline-powered landscape equipment”;
1837 prohibiting municipalities from enacting or enforcing
1838 any law that restricts or prohibits the use of
1839 gasoline-powered farm equipment or gasoline-powered
1840 landscape equipment or that distinguishes such
1841 equipment from any other equipment under certain
1842 circumstances; providing construction; amending s.
1843 212.055, F.S.; conforming a cross-reference; making a
1844 technical change; amending s. 253.0341, F.S.;
1845 requiring the Acquisition and Restoration Council to
1846 determine whether certain surplused lands are suitable
1847 for bona fide agricultural purposes; prohibiting a
1848 local governmental entity from transferring future
1849 development rights for surplused lands determined to
1850 be suitable for bona fide agricultural purposes;
1851 requiring the Department of Environmental Protection,
1852 in coordination with the Department of Agriculture and
1853 Consumer Services, to determine whether certain state
1854 owned conservation lands are suitable for bona fide
1855 agricultural purposes; authorizing the Department of
1856 Environmental Protection to surplus certain state
1857 owned lands determined to be suitable for bona fide
1858 agricultural purposes; requiring the Department of
1859 Environmental Protection to retain a rural-lands
1860 protection easement for such surplused lands;
1861 requiring that all proceeds from the sale of such
1862 surplused lands be deposited in the Department of
1863 Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Incidental Trust
1864 Fund for less than fee simple; requiring the
1865 Department of Environmental Protection to annually
1866 provide a report of such surplused lands to the Board
1867 of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund;
1868 prohibiting certain lands from being surplused;
1869 amending s. 259.1053, F.S.; deleting provisions
1870 relating to the Babcock Ranch Advisory Group; amending
1871 s. 287.1351, F.S.; revising circumstances under which
1872 a vendor is prohibited from submitting a bid,
1873 proposal, or reply to an agency or from entering into
1874 or renewing any contract to provide goods or services
1875 to an agency; amending s. 322.12, F.S.; providing
1876 penalties for an applicant for a commercial driver
1877 licensee who receives unauthorized assistance on
1878 certain portions of the examination; amending s.
1879 322.36, F.S.; prohibiting a person from knowingly or
1880 willfully providing unauthorized assistance to an
1881 applicant for the examination required to hold a
1882 commercial driver license; repealing ss. 377.71,
1883 377.711, and 377.712, F.S., relating to definitions
1884 and the Southern States Energy Compact, Florida as
1885 party to the Southern States Energy Compact, and
1886 Florida’s participation in the Southern States Energy
1887 Board, respectively; amending s. 403.0855, F.S.;
1888 deleting a provision relating to legislative approval
1889 of certain rules adopted by the Department of
1890 Environmental Protection; revising requirements for
1891 permittees of biosolids land application sites;
1892 revising the date by which permits must comply with
1893 specified provisions; amending s. 482.071, F.S.;
1894 requiring certain persons applying for a pest control
1895 business license or renewal to provide the department
1896 with a certificate of insurance; specifying
1897 requirements for such certificate of insurance;
1898 amending ss. 482.161, F.S.; revising the severity of
1899 an administrative fine for violations of certain
1900 provisions; amending s. 482.165, F.S.; revising civil
1901 penalties; amending s. 489.105, F.S.; defining the
1902 terms “subcontractor” and “supplier”; creating s.
1903 489.1295, F.S.; prohibiting licensed contractors or
1904 persons holding themselves out as such from failing to
1905 pay their subcontractor or supplier within a specified
1906 timeframe without reasonable cause after receiving
1907 payment for the services the subcontractor or supplier
1908 performed; providing penalties; amending s. 500.04,
1909 F.S.; revising the list of prohibited acts related to
1910 the prevention of fraud, harm, adulteration,
1911 misbranding, or false advertising in the preparation,
1912 production, manufacture, storage, or sale of food;
1913 repealing s. 500.81, F.S., relating to the Healthy
1914 Food Financing Initiative; amending s. 500.93, F.S.;
1915 making a technical change; amending s. 501.013, F.S.;
1916 authorizing the Department of Agriculture and Consumer
1917 Services to provide an exemption from certain health
1918 studio regulations; creating s. 501.062, F.S.;
1919 providing legislative intent; defining the terms
1920 “commercial solicitation” and “dwelling”; prohibiting
1921 a person from engaging in commercial solicitation
1922 under certain circumstances; providing construction;
1923 providing penalties; amending s. 570.07, F.S.;
1924 authorizing the Department of Agriculture and Consumer
1925 Services to reorganize departmental units upon the
1926 approval of the Commissioner of Agriculture; amending
1927 s. 570.822, F.S.; providing additional eligibility
1928 requirements for the Agriculture and Aquaculture
1929 Producers Emergency Recovery Loan Program; creating s.
1930 570.832, F.S.; requiring the Florida Wildflower
1931 Foundation, in coordination with the Department of
1932 Agriculture and Consumer Services, to establish the
1933 Florida Native Seed Research and Marketing Program,
1934 subject to legislative appropriation; providing the
1935 purpose of the program; creating s. 570.846, F.S.;
1936 establishing the Food Animal Veterinary Medicine Loan
1937 Repayment Program; providing the purpose of the
1938 program; defining terms; providing eligibility
1939 requirements for the program; authorizing the
1940 Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to
1941 make loan principal repayments on behalf of eligible
1942 candidates up to a certain amount for a specified
1943 timeframe, subject to legislative appropriation;
1944 providing construction; authorizing the Department of
1945 Agriculture and Consumer Services to adopt rules;
1946 amending s. 570.85, F.S.; prohibiting a local
1947 government from requiring a property owner to obtain a
1948 rural event venue permit or license; amending s.
1949 570.86, F.S.; defining “rural event venue”; amending
1950 s. 583.01, F.S.; revising the definition of the term
1951 “dealer”; amending s. 590.02, F.S.; revising the
1952 Florida Forest Service’s powers, authority, and
1953 duties; authorizing the Florida Forest Service to
1954 manage the Welaka Training Center; conforming
1955 provisions to changes made by the act; authorizing the
1956 Withlacoochee and Welaka Training Centers to assess
1957 certain fees as determined by the Florida Forest
1958 Service, regardless of where certain training occurs;
1959 renaming the Bonifay Forestry Station as the John
1960 Michael Mathis Forestry Station to honor the late John
1961 Michael Mathis; creating s. 595.421, F.S.;
1962 establishing the Farmers Feeding Florida Program for
1963 specified purposes; requiring Feeding Florida to take
1964 certain actions to implement the program; prohibiting
1965 the food purchased by Feeding Florida through such
1966 program from reentering the wholesale, retail, or
1967 secondary market; prohibiting a candidate for elective
1968 office from hosting a food distribution event under
1969 certain circumstances; providing applicability;
1970 amending s. 597.004, F.S.; making a technical change;
1971 prohibiting the Department of Agriculture and Consumer
1972 Services from renewing a certificate of registration
1973 for a noncompliant facility unless certain
1974 documentation is provided with the renewal
1975 application; prohibiting entities whose certificate of
1976 registration have been revoked from reapplying for a
1977 specified period of time; amending s. 597.010, F.S.;
1978 authorizing rather than requiring the periodic
1979 adjustment of the annual rental fee charged for
1980 certain leases; amending s. 599.012, F.S.; making
1981 technical changes; amending s. 616.001, F.S.; revising
1982 and deleting definitions relating to public fairs and
1983 expositions; amending s. 616.01, F.S.; revising
1984 application requirements for a proposed charter for an
1985 association to conduct a public fair or exposition;
1986 requiring the Department of Agriculture and Consumer
1987 Services to provide an applicant for a proposed
1988 charter with specified information upon the denial of
1989 a proposed charter; revising requirements for
1990 information that must be included in the proposed
1991 charter; amending s. 616.02, F.S.; limiting the number
1992 of incorporated state fair associations per county;
1993 providing construction; authorizing the Department of
1994 Agriculture and Consumer Services to waive certain
1995 requirements at the discretion of the commissioner;
1996 authorizing fair associations incorporated before a
1997 certain date to conduct their affairs; deleting
1998 provisions relating to requirements for a proposed
1999 charter; amending s. 616.03, F.S.; revising
2000 requirements for the approval and recordation of the
2001 charter; amending s. 616.05, F.S.; revising the
2002 process by which a proposed charter amendment is
2003 incorporated into the original charter; amending s.
2004 616.051, F.S.; revising the circumstances under which
2005 a circuit judge is authorized to dissolve an
2006 association and order the distribution of its
2007 remaining assets; requiring that such assets be
2008 distributed to certain counties; amending s. 616.07,
2009 F.S.; deleting provisions relating to distribution of
2010 public funds after the dissolution of an association;
2011 amending s. 616.101, F.S.; specifying the basis for
2012 annual public fair attendance records; requiring a
2013 fair association to review its charter every 5 years
2014 and submit an updated copy of the charter to the
2015 Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services;
2016 requiring a designated member of the association to
2017 make an attestation; amending s. 616.15, F.S.; making
2018 a technical change; revising the information that an
2019 applicant must submit to the Department of Agriculture
2020 and Consumer Services for the department to issue a
2021 permit for an association to conduct a fair; revising
2022 the timeframe within which the Department of
2023 Agriculture and Consumer Services is required to issue
2024 the permit upon the receipt of specified information;
2025 making technical changes; amending s. 616.251, F.S.;
2026 exempting the Florida State Fair Authority from
2027 specified provisions; amending s. 843.085, F.S.;
2028 prohibiting a person from wearing or displaying an
2029 item that displays the words “concealed weapon permit”
2030 or “concealed weapon permit holder” with the intent to
2031 mislead another to believe that the person is
2032 authorized to wear or display such item; reordering
2033 and amending s. 865.065, F.S.; revising definitions;
2034 conforming provisions to changes made by the act;
2035 amending s. 934.02, F.S.; defining the term, “signal
2036 jamming device”; creating s. 934.51, F.S.; prohibiting
2037 the possession, manufacture, sale, importation,
2038 distribution, or use of a signal jamming device;
2039 providing exceptions; providing criminal penalties;
2040 amending s. 288.1175, F.S.; conforming cross
2041 references; reenacting ss. 287.056(4) and 287.138(5),
2042 F.S., relating to disqualification for state term
2043 contract eligibility, and contracting with entities of
2044 foreign countries of concern prohibited, respectively,
2045 to incorporate the amendment made to s. 287.1351,
2046 F.S., in references thereto; reenacting s. 500.177(1),
2047 F.S., relating to penalties for dissemination of a
2048 false advertisement, to incorporate the amendment made
2049 to s. 500.04, F.S., in a reference thereto; reenacting
2050 s. 212.08(13), F.S., relating to taxation and
2051 specified exemptions, to incorporate the amendment
2052 made to s. 616.07, F.S., in a reference thereto;
2053 reenacting s. 616.185, F.S., relating to trespass upon
2054 grounds or facilities of a public fair, to incorporate
2055 the amendment made to s. 616.15, F.S., in a reference
2056 thereto; providing an effective date.