The Florida Legislature has officially passed Senate Bill 290, known as the 2026 Florida Farm Bill, moving the comprehensive agricultural and public safety package to the Governor’s desk. Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced the passage of the bill today, noting that the legislation is designed to support the state’s growers while implementing new protections for rural lands and consumer privacy.
The bill, sponsored by Senator Keith Truenow and Representative Danny Alvarez, touches on a wide range of departmental responsibilities, from equipment rights to infrastructure security.
“The Florida Legislature passing the 2026 Florida Farm Bill is a major victory for Florida farmers and Florida families,” Commissioner Wilton Simpson said. “Together, we’re strengthening the backbone of Florida’s economy and ensuring our state remains a place where freedom, family, and farmers can thrive.”
A primary component of the bill protects the use of gasoline and diesel-powered farm and landscape equipment by prohibiting local governments from enacting bans on such machinery.
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It also aims to curb high-density development by requiring a unanimous vote from local government bodies before rural or conservation lands can be converted for intense residential use.
Senator Keith Truenow (R-Tavares) emphasized the economic weight of the industry following the vote.
“Florida’s agriculture industry is the foundation of our economy and our way of life,” Truenow said. “The 2026 Florida Farm Bill… ensures that Florida continues to protect and support that foundation while also strengthening public safety, defending property rights, and keeping government out of the way of hardworking Floridians.”
The legislation also addresses food security by making the “Farmers Feeding Florida” program permanent. This initiative routes fresh state-grown products to local food banks. Additionally, the bill allows the state to review lands purchased since 2024 to determine if they can be returned to agricultural production.
On the regulatory side, SB 290 introduces several new criminal penalties and safety standards:
- Road Safety: It becomes a crime to cheat, or assist in cheating, on the Commercial Driver License (CDL) proficiency exam.
- Signal Jammers: The possession or sale of signal-jamming devices, which can disrupt 911 calls and law enforcement frequencies, is prohibited.
- Privacy: The “No-Knock Homestead Act” bans door-to-door solicitation at homes with “No Solicitation” signs, backed by criminal penalties.
- Environmental Protection: The bill restricts the application of biosolids to only “Class AA” versions, which undergo the highest level of pathogen removal.
To address labor shortages in the industry, the bill establishes a loan repayment program for veterinarians. Under this plan, those who treat food animals or horses in Florida can receive up to $25,000 per year in reimbursement.
“When you focus on Florida, freedom, and our farmers, you’re on the right path,” said Representative Danny Alvarez (R-Riverview). “For the fourth year in a row, I was proud to partner with Commissioner Wilton Simpson on this year’s Farm Bill, because we both know that protecting those three pillars is what keeps Florida strong, secure, and truly special.”
The bill further seeks to hold state contractors accountable by creating a suspended vendor list for those who fail to pay their subcontractors or suppliers. If signed into law, these initiatives will be implemented across the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
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