CS/HB 1197 - Agriculture Summary

• Prohibits governmental entities from charging stormwater management fees on bona fide farm operations classified as agricultural land unless the operation has required environmental permits or implements best management practices, with exceptions for entities that adopted stormwater ordinances before March 1, 2009.

• Expands the definition of "agricultural and aquacultural purposes" for motor fuel tax refunds to include movement of citrus harvesting equipment and citrus fruit loaders between farms, and includes beekeeping operations.

• Authorizes citrus harvesting equipment and citrus fruit loaders to transport agricultural products under traffic control laws, and includes citrus among farm products that may be transported by authorized farm vehicles.

• Grants the Department of Agriculture authority over honeybee colony regulation and apiary placement, preempting local government ordinances; requires department consultation with local governments on certain honeybee rules.

• Reduces the minimum vineyard acreage requirement for certified Florida Farm Winery status from 10 acres to 5 acres, and exempts farm signs from Florida Building Code while limiting local government enforcement authority.

• Repeals the prohibition on artificial dying or coloring of certain animals and fowl, effective July 1, 2012.