Florida Senate Advances Farm Bill After Stripping Food Disparagement Expansion

Overview

• SB 290 cleared the Senate Rules Committee for a floor vote after an amendment removed language broadening liability for disparaging agricultural products or production practices.
• Sen. Jonathan Martin offered the amendment that excised the provision, while bill sponsor Sen. Keith Truenow said he opposed the removal.
• The House companion, HB 433, still contains the expanded disparagement language, with further action possible as the bill moves toward floor consideration.
• Existing Florida law permits lawsuits only over willful or malicious false claims that perishable foods are unsafe for human consumption.
• The omnibus bill also proposes a veterinary loan repayment program, merges citrus research entities, pre-empts local bans on gas-powered landscaping equipment, tightens CDL exam rules, and sets limits on door-to-door solicitation.