Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson unveiled a sweeping proposal within the Florida Farm Bill aimed at safeguarding the state’s farmers, ranchers, and hunters from drone harassment.
The legislation, sponsored by Senator Keith Truenow and Representative Kaylee Tuck, seeks to prohibit the use of drones on agricultural lands, private properties, state-hunting lands, and shooting ranges without the owner’s consent or with the intent to harass.
“Florida’s farmers, ranchers, and hunters are facing increasing harassment from drones — whether it’s interfering with farm operations, harassing livestock, or disrupting lawful hunting and shooting activities,” Commissioner Simpson said in a statement. “The Florida Farm Bill takes a strong stand to protect the rights of those who feed our families and manage our natural resources from coordinated and intentional harassment.”
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The proposal comes amid growing concerns over the misuse of drones by activists and other groups to disrupt agricultural operations and hunting activities. The bill aims to address these issues by imposing strict penalties on individuals who use drones to harass or surveil farmers, ranchers, and hunters without permission.
The legislation has garnered strong bipartisan support from state lawmakers, who emphasized the importance of protecting Florida’s agricultural heritage and outdoor traditions.
Senator Keith Truenow, one of the bill’s sponsors, praised the initiative, stating, “Florida’s farmers, ranchers, and hunters should not have to worry about being harassed by drones while they are simply going about their work or enjoying our great outdoors. I am proud to stand with Florida’s agriculture and hunting communities and commend Commissioner Wilton Simpson for supporting clear protections to prevent bad actors from using drones to disrupt lawful activities.”
Representative Kaylee Tuck, another key sponsor, highlighted the broader implications of the bill. “The radical left and animal rights activists have long sought to harass and intimidate Florida’s farmers, ranchers, and hunters,” she said. “This bill ensures that property rights and hunting rights are protected from aerial surveillance and harassment. I’m proud to sponsor this legislation alongside Senator Truenow.”
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The Florida Farm Bill encompasses a wide range of measures designed to support the state’s agricultural industry, protect consumers, and enhance emergency preparedness. Key provisions include:
Protecting Agricultural Lands and Operations
- Drone Restrictions: Prohibiting the use of drones on or near agricultural lands, state-hunting lands, and private shooting ranges without the owner’s consent or with the intent to harass.
- Solar Farm Regulations: Returning decision-making authority for solar farm installations on agricultural land to local governments and incentivizing dual-use solar farms that support both energy production and agriculture.
Supporting Florida’s Agricultural Industry
- Anti-ESG Measures: Prohibiting financial institutions from discriminating against agricultural producers based on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) policies or emission targets.
- Tax Exemptions: Allowing Floridians to vote on a total exemption of tangible personal property taxes for agricultural properties and exempting agricultural materials used in best management practices from state taxes.
Enhancing Emergency Preparedness
- Fuel Supply Security: Establishing a retail fuel registration program to ensure a reliable fuel supply during emergencies and creating a grant program for fiscally constrained counties to purchase generator power switches for fuel stations along evacuation routes.
Strengthening Consumer Protections
- Honest Services Registry: Creating a registry for charitable organizations that do not solicit funds from foreign countries of concern and prohibiting charities engaged in political activities from soliciting contributions without proper registration.
- Product Labeling: Prohibiting the mislabeling of plant-based products as “milk” or “meat” and requiring businesses to clearly mark prices on all items.
- Public Safety Measures: Establishing a state felony for stealing checks from mailboxes and prohibiting the addition of non-water quality additives to public water systems.
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Investing in Florida’s Future
- Supporting Youth Programs: Protecting 4-H and FFA programs from local zoning laws, ensuring that schools can maintain agricultural facilities on their properties.
Senator Danny Burgess emphasized the broader significance of the bill, stating, “This bill is about defending freedom — freedom for our farmers to work their land without interference and freedom for our hunters to enjoy their sport without harassment. Under Commissioner Wilton Simpson’s leadership, we are making it clear that Florida stands with those who put food on our tables and uphold our outdoor traditions.”
Representative Danny Alvarez echoed this sentiment, adding, “Our farmers and hunters are the backbone of Florida’s heritage, and they deserve to be protected from those who would use drones to intimidate and disrupt them. I’m glad to see Commissioner Simpson lead forward and fight back against those who would try to cause them harm.”
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