Feb 7, 2025

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson is highlighting the Florida Farm Bill and its proposal to prohibit the addition of any non-water quality additives into the public water supply, such as fluoride. The proposal will not completely remove the option of fluoridated water, as private water manufacturers will still be permitted to sell water which includes fluoride, providing Florida consumers with the choice on whether they would like to buy it or not.

Commissioner Wilton Simpson said, “If COVID-19 taught us anything, it is that government has the ability to force health decisions without our consent based on emerging facts. Public water systems should be about fresh, clean, safe drinking water — not a means for delivering government prescribed medicine without the consent of the consumer.”

Senator Keith Truenow said, “Nobody is thirsty for unnecessary additives. Safe, clean drinking water is our chief goal. Prohibiting fluoride in public water systems ensures that individuals and families have the final say over their health.”

Representative Kaylee Tuck said, “Floridians deserve full transparency about the health impacts of what goes into their water and the freedom to make their own health decisions for their families. I am proud of the 2025 Florida Farm bill for what it does for agriculture, but also for the protections for all Florida consumers.”

Representative Danny Alvarez said, “Floridians have spoken loud and clear: government and bureaucrats do not get to make decisions that affect their long-term health without their say. Water is supposed to be safe, clean and free of political decisions that have long-term ratifications on the health of their children and families.”

In addition, the Florida Farm Bill, sponsored by Senator Keith Truenow and Representative Kaylee Tuck, will support Florida agriculture and Florida’s farmers, ranchers, and growers; prohibit ESG lending practices targeting agricultural producers; increase emergency preparedness; support FFA and 4-H programs; expand consumer protections and transparency across a number of regulated industries; and more.

The legislation will introduce a number of proposals across the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ variety of duties and responsibilities, including but not limited to:

Preserving Florida’s Working Agricultural Lands

• Returning the decision for solar farms on agricultural land to local government. Clarifies tax structure to incentivize dual use of solar farms with working agriculture.

Protecting the Future of Florida’s Agricultural Industry

• Prohibiting financial institutions from discriminating against agricultural producers based on environmental policies or set emission targets.

Reducing the Burden on Florida Farmers

• Providing the opportunity for Floridians to vote on a total exemption of tangible personal property taxes on property classified as agricultural.
• Exempting agricultural materials used in the process of enrolling in, implementing, and maintaining best management practices from taxes imposed in Florida Statutes.

Reloading Florida’s Commitment to the Second Amendment

• Updating Florida’s concealed weapon licenses process to eliminate red tape and delays for gun owners.

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.

Supporting Florida Consumers

• Creating an "Honest Services Registry," which will feature charitable organizations that do not solicit or include funds from foreign countries of concern.
• Prohibiting charities from registering with FDACS to solicit charitable contributions if they engage in political activities and have failed to register with the Florida Department of State.
• Prohibiting the mislabeling of plant-based products as “milk” or “meat.”
• Requiring businesses to clearly mark prices on all items and eliminating 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.

Educating Florida’s Future

• 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.

For more information about Commissioner Simpson and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FDACS.gov.