SIMPSON LAKES, DADE CITY, Fla. — Today, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson was proud to join Governor Ron DeSantis, Florida legislative leaders, and agriculture industry partners to celebrate the signing of the 2025 Florida Farm Bill (SB 700) — a landmark piece of legislation delivering sweeping pro-freedom, pro-farmer, and pro-family reforms for Floridians.
Commissioner Wilton Simpson said, “The 2025 Florida Farm Bill is the most comprehensive agriculture and consumer protection bill in Florida’s history, passed by the most conservative legislative leaders in the country. While other states are attacking farmers and ranchers, Florida is defending the rights of our farmers, protecting families from forced medication, and putting America First by keeping foreign influence out of our land and charities. This is what real conservative leadership looks like — unapologetic, fearless, and focused on family, freedom, and food security. I want to thank Senate President Ben Albritton, House Speaker Daniel Perez, Senator Keith Truenow, and Representatives Kaylee Tuck and Danny Alvarez for their steadfast leadership in getting this historic legislation across the finish line — and I want to thank Governor Ron DeSantis for standing with Florida’s farmers and signing this bill into law.”
Sponsored by Senator Keith Truenow and Representatives Kaylee Tuck and Danny Alvarez, the legislation passed with strong bipartisan support and delivers sweeping reforms that empower Florida farmers, defend consumers, and reinforce core constitutional freedoms. Championed by Commissioner Simpson, the bill represents the most far-reaching legislative package ever enacted for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), addressing nearly every aspect of the department’s responsibilities.
Specifically, the legislation enhances agricultural resilience, bans medical additives – including fluoride – from public water systems, strengthens food safety and labeling transparency, defends state sovereignty from foreign influence, prohibits anti-farmer ESG lending discrimination, upholds Second Amendment rights, and more. Senate President Ben Albritton and House Speaker Daniel Perez played key roles in steering the bill through both chambers, delivering a transformative legislative victory for Florida’s agriculture community and consumers.
Senate President Ben Albritton (R-Wauchula) said, “I commend Commissioner Simpson for spearheading this comprehensive and historic legislation, and am grateful to Governor DeSantis for his support today. Commissioner Simpson and Senator Truenow, who led the bill through the Senate, are both farmers themselves and understand the needs of Florida’s farm families. They ran to the fight to protect the Florida farmer, safeguard our heritage farmlands, and shore up the vital agricultural supply chain that feeds families across our state. If you eat, you’re involved in agriculture. Today all Floridians can be proud that our state leaders stand with the Florida farmer.”
House Speaker Daniel Perez said, “The Florida Farm Bill is a bold example of what happens when conservative leaders come together to protect our values, defend our way of life and put Floridians first. From securing our food supply to safeguarding property rights and personal freedoms, this legislation reflects Florida’s commitment to a safer, stronger future for generations to come.”
Senator Keith Truenow said, “As someone who works the land and lives the agricultural life every day, I was proud to sponsor this bill and fight for the policies our farmers need to thrive. The 2025 Florida Farm Bill is a direct response to the threats facing our industry — and it delivers real, conservative solutions that put Florida farmers first. I’m grateful to have worked alongside Commissioner Simpson, whose bold leadership and deep commitment to protecting our way of life helped drive this legislation forward from day one.”
Representative Kaylee Tuck said, “This bill is a win for every Florida family. From honest food labeling to stopping forced medication in our water, we are restoring accountability, defending common sense, and protecting the core values that make our state strong. It was an honor to help lead this fight in the House. I thank Commissioner Simpson for his tireless work to get this done — his leadership made all the difference.”
Representative Danny Alvarez said, “Florida is setting the national standard for conservative leadership in agriculture and consumer protection. This legislation defends our farmers, cracks down on fraud, and makes clear that Florida will not bow to radical agendas. I’m proud to have helped carry this bill across the finish line and grateful to Commissioner Simpson for his bold leadership in making it happen.”
The legislation establishes many initiatives across the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ variety of duties and responsibilities, including but not limited to:
Prioritizing Hydration Over Medication
- Prohibiting the addition of medicine — including fluoride — to public water systems.
Protecting Farmers from ESG Lending Discrimination
- Prohibiting financial institutions from discriminating against agricultural producers based on environmental policies or set emission targets.
Reloading Florida’s Commitment to the Second Amendment
- Updating Florida’s concealed weapon licenses process to eliminate red tape and delays for gun owners.
- Prohibiting the use of drones on state hunting lands or private shooting ranges with the intent to harass.
Defending Against Foreign Influence
- Prohibits charitable organizations from soliciting or receiving funds from hostile foreign countries of concern.
Requiring Honesty in Food Labeling
- Prohibiting the mislabeling of plant-based products as “milk,” “meat,” “poultry,” or “eggs.”
Supporting Farmers Impacted by Natural Disasters
- Enhances disaster recovery programs for agricultural producers impacted by hurricanes and natural disasters.
Protecting Florida’s Working Agricultural Lands
- Providing the state with the ability to return solar fields back into agricultural production.
- Prohibiting the use of drones on or near agricultural lands.
Supporting Agricultural Workforce Housing
- Prohibits local governments from banning housing for legally verified agricultural workers on bona fide farms.
- To combat illegal immigration, creates strict legal worker eligibility requirements for farmworker housing and establishes penalties for violations.
Increasing Florida’s Emergency Preparedness
- Supporting a reliable and available fuel supply during emergencies through a retail fuel registration program.
- Establishing a grant program for fiscally constrained counties and areas along evacuation routes to purchase generator power switches for fuel stations.
Putting Science and Accountability Behind Water Quality
- Expands using proven Best Management Practices (BMPs) for small farms to protect our water resources.
Educating Florida’s Future Farmers
- Protecting 4-H and FFA programs in local schools from local governments’ zoning laws by ensuring local programs can have agriculture facilities on school property.
- Supporting FFA participation through scholarships for annual dues and educational opportunities.
Supporting Florida Consumers
- Requiring businesses to clearly mark prices on all items and eliminating an outdated law that allowed for pricing to be optional.
- Eliminating the loophole for the sale of psychedelic mushrooms.
- Creating a state felony for stealing checks out of mailboxes from Florida homes and businesses.
- Enhances protections against fuel theft and payment card misuse at retail fuel stations.
For more information about Commissioner Simpson and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FDACS.gov.
###