Bill > H7091

This bill revises various provisions related to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DOACS) and the industries it regulates, including changes to agricultural land assessment, penalties for aquaculture violations, and the structure of Chapter 570, Florida Statutes, which governs DOACS. It reorganizes Chapter 570 into five parts: General Provisions, Program Services, Agricultural Development, Agricultural Water Policy, and Penalties. The bill also amends laws concerning agricultural land classification and assessment, allowing for agricultural classification even if an application is filed late under certain extenuating circumstances, and clarifies how irrigation systems, litter containment structures, and frost protection improvements are assessed. It also updates penalties for aquaculture violations, adds DOACS to a state agency law enforcement radio system task force, modifies criteria for agriculture education and promotion facilities, and adjusts provisions related to specialty license plates for agricultural programs and the Florida Horse Park. Furthermore, the bill makes changes to water storage agreements, water conservation considerations, regional water supply planning, oyster harvesting licenses, food service protection, mosquito control, and professional surveying and mapping regulations, including the establishment of penalty classes for various violations. It also amends laws related to pest control, pesticide registration and dealers, agricultural pesticide information availability, telephone solicitation, health studios, pawnbroking, frozen desserts, food establishments, transportation of food items, tomato food safety, fertilizer registration and inspection fees, seed dealer registration, commercial feed, plant nutrient allowances, antisiphon requirements for irrigation, nursery registration, endangered plants, soil and water conservation, forest service operations, and aquaculture. The bill also renumbers and transfers several sections of Florida Statutes and repeals others, while establishing a new section for administrative and civil penalties with defined penalty classes.