CS for CS for SB 1164 Summary

• Creates Florida farm TEAM (Tax Exempt Agricultural Materials) card allowing farmers with agricultural property classification or best management practices to claim sales tax exemptions on agricultural materials, with Department of Revenue accepting applications beginning January 1, 2024.

• Requires state agencies, universities, and Florida College System institutions to purchase food commodities grown or produced in Florida when available, practical, and feasible by 2025, with competitive solicitations allowed to give preference up to 10 percent to Florida-grown commodities.

• Consolidates food establishment definitions by eliminating separate regulatory categories for "food outlets," "retail food stores," and "convenience stores," streamlining Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services permitting authority while establishing new annual permit renewal schedules based on issuance dates.

• Revises milk and dairy regulations by updating definitions, eliminating shelf-life study requirements, authorizing permits for frozen dessert plants, and narrowing frozen dessert definitions to federal standards in 21 C.F.R. part 135.

• Repeals the Dairy Industry Technical Council, State Agricultural Advisory Council, Florida Young Farmer and Rancher Advisory Council, Industrial Hemp Advisory Council, and Animal Industry Technical Council; preempts aquaculture regulatory authority to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.