LEGISLATIVE PREVIEW

2006 BRINGS LEGISLATIVE CHALLENGES TO FLORIDA AGRICULTURE

An important election year has arrived for the Florida agriculture community. In the midst of it, a fairly large number of bills have been introduced that will affect the industry.

The session, which began March 7, is seeing action on what's known as the Greenbelt Law, an agricultural assessment that some interests have been using as a way to save money on taxes paid on land designated for eventual development. Proposals by Representative Juan Zapata (R-Miami) and Senator Steve Geller (D-Hallandale Beach) are aimed at the landowner who may raise livestock or other agricultural crops on property while they are developing it. “Once you start planning a development and receive your permits, you would lose your greenbelt assessment under this proposal,” said Butch Calhoun, FFVA’s director, Governmental Affairs Division.

Also on the subject of greenbelt assessments, Senator Charlie Clary (R-Destin) and Representative Aaron Bean (R-Fernandina Beach) proposed to amend the law to include docks and other property associated with commercial fishing as agricultural lands.

AMENDMENT WOULD CHANGE PROPERTY ASSESSMENT LAWS

Representative Pat Patterson (R-Deland) and Senator Bill Posey (R-Rockledge) have introduced a proposed resolution to amend the constitution to allow all real property to be assessed like ag lands. This means a piece of property would be assessed based on the amount of income produced on that land, whether it comes from crops or a lawyer’s office. The Legislature would need to pass that by 3/5 vote, and then it would go on the ballot. “This would totally rewrite Florida property tax law,” said Calhoun.

AG ENCLAVE BILL, EXEMPTIONS INTRODUCED

The Agricultural Economic Development Bill (SB 1880/HB 1015) has also been revived this session. Last year’s version was held up and subsequently died in the Senate last May when Senate President Tom Lee would not allow the bill to be voted on by the full chamber.

The bill, filed by Senator Nancy Argenziano (R-Crystal River) and Representative Joe Pickens (R-Palatka), defines the term “agricultural enclave” and would allow producers to sell land to developers if it is 75 percent surrounded by land already developed. Dedicated growers favor this legislation because it would allow them to then purchase and farm on land that costs less than acreage adjacent to newly-built homes and businesses.

Senator Jeff Atwater is sponsoring two tax-related bills could benefit Florida agricultural producers.

Another piece of legislation that Florida producers are watching is SB 2410/HB 507 - Exemptions from the Tax on Sales, Use, and Other Transactions. Sponsored by Senator Jeff Atwater (R-North Palm Beach) and Representative Paige Kreegel (R-Punta Gorda), it would exempt low-volume irrigation equipment from sales taxes.

A tax exemption on agricultural electricity (SB 1646/HB 743) was also introduced by Senator Atwater and Representative Marty Bowen (R-Winter Haven). It would exempt electricity a grower uses on a farm from sales and use tax.

LABOR, CANKER AND PERMITTING PROGRAMS ALSO ADDRESSED

Also up for consideration is legislation regarding farmworker protection, which would likely address the recommendations of the Legislative Commission on Migrant and Seasonal Labor. One of those recommendations was to require a seatbelts on vehicles used to transport workers.

Citrus canker laws, most importantly the 1,900-foot exposure law, would need to addressed, as well as the establishment of an Environmental Resource Permitting (ERP) program within the Northwest Florida Water Management District. The District would be the final one in the state to enact such a program, which is designed to ensure that certain activities do not degrade water quality, cause flooding, or degrade habitat for aquatic or wetland-dependent wildlife.

As always, throughout the legislative session, FFVA's Governmental Affairs Division will keep Producer Members informed through the Capitol Rap bulletin, published and mailed every Friday. Producer Members may contact the Governmental Affairs Division at (850) 521-0455 with their questions and concerns. For information on joining FFVA, contact the Marketing & Membership Division at (321) 214-5200.