The Florida Senate
BILL ANALYSIS AND FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
(This document is based on the provisions contained in the legislation as of the latest date listed below.)
Prepared By: The Professional Staff of the Committee on Agriculture
BILL: SB 864
INTRODUCER: Senator Ausley
SUBJECT: Cost-share Program for Agriculture, Shellfish Aquaculture, and Timber Operations
DATE: December 1, 2021
ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR REFERENCE ACTION
1. Fink Becker AG Pre-meeting
2. AEG
3. AP
I. Summary:
SB 864 creates a cost-share program for agriculture, shellfish aquaculture, and timber operations
within the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (department). Furthermore, it
requires the department (in consultation with Florida Sea Grant, University of Florida Institute of
Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida Shellfish Aquaculture Research and
Extension Program, the Wakulla Environmental Institute, and the Florida Agricultural and
Mechanical University College of Agriculture and Food Sciences) to:
Conduct a study to determine the value of environmental services, such as water recharge,
stormwater filtration, wildlife habitat, carbon sequestration, nutrient remediation, coastal
resilience and flood protection, and air quality benefits, provided by the agriculture, shellfish
aquaculture, and timber industries;
Promote the cost-share program, with priority going to low-income communities, historically
under resourced communities of color, and rural communities impacted by Hurricane
Michael in 2018;
Update all relevant brochures, websites, and marketing materials to provide information on
participation in the cost share program; and
Adopt rules to implement this section.
The bill takes effect July 1, 2022.
II. Present Situation:
Collectively, the agriculture, natural resources, and food industries are significant contributors to
the economy of the state of Florida, so maintaining healthy and sustainable agricultural and
timber industries is vital. Florida has 17.16 million acres (26,807 square miles) of forestland,
representing 50 percent of the state’s total land area, with nearly two-thirds of forestlands
REVISED: BILL: SB 864 Page 2
privately owned. In 2016, the forest industry sectors directly employed 36,055 persons (fulltime
and part-time jobs) and collected $12.55 billion in industry revenues.
1
In 2017, Florida had 47,000 commercial farms, using a total of 9.45 million acres. Florida ranked
first in the United States in value of production of cucumbers, grapefruit, oranges, squash,
sugarcane, fresh market snap beans, and fresh market tomatoes. The state ranked second in value
of production of bell peppers, strawberries, watermelons, fresh market cabbage and fresh market
sweet corn. Florida also ranked fourth nationally in the value of production of peanuts. Florida
ranks 18th among all states in number of farms and 29th in land in farms. Farm cash receipts
from marketing agricultural products in 2017 amounted to $7.467 billion, a decrease of $290
million from 2016. Nationally, Florida ranks fourth in the value of vegetable and melon cash
receipts at $1.194 billion, 11th in crop cash receipts with a value of $6.08 billion, and 18th in
total cash receipts.
2
Shellfish can help restore ocean health. They are efficient water filterers and natural buffers for
coastal communities. An adult oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water daily, removing excess
nutrients and other pollutants in coastal waters, often caused by runoff. The University of Florida
Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) and Florida Sea Grant are already working to
quantify the environmental benefits of shellfish aquaculture, so that shellfish growers can be
compensated for the benefit they provide.
3
The federal Farm Bill currently provides some similar programs for farmers and landowners,
which encourage and incentivize environmental stewardship. Programs like the Environmental
Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) provide technical and financial assistance to agricultural
producers and ranchers who voluntarily install or implement structural and management
practices on eligible agricultural land to protect soil, water, air quality, and/or wildlife habitat.
4
III. Effect of Proposed Changes:
SB 864 creates s. 570.891. F.S., to create the act cited as the “Protecting Florida’s Natural
Resources Act.”
The bill establishes the following Legislative findings:
Maintaining healthy and sustainable agriculture, shellfish aquaculture, and timber industries
is vital to this state’s economy, environment, and natural resources, including making
significant environmental contributions to water quality and quantity, air purification, carbon
sequestration, coastal resilience, and habitat for threatened and endangered wildlife species;
1
University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, “Economic Contributions of the Forest Industry and
Forest-based Recreation in Florida in 2016,” See https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FE1051#FOOTNOTE_1 / (Last visited
November 23, 2021).
2
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, “Florida Agriculture Overview and Statistics,” See
https://www.fdacs.gov/Agriculture-Industry/Florida-Agriculture-Overview-and-Statistics (Last visited November 23, 2021).
3
Lourdes Mederos, “UF/IFAS Boosting Florida's shellfish aquaculture industry, water quality initiatives”, South Dade
Newsleader (Nov. 3, 2021), http://www.southdadenewsleader.com/news/uf-ifas-boosting-floridas-shellfish-aquaculture-
industry-water-quality-initiatives/article_a35ee2d2-4ba5-11ec-80a6-676e251c69ab.html.
4
University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, “Cost Share Programs for Florida’s Agricultural
Producers and Landowners,” See https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/SS485. BILL: SB 864 Page 3
The continued expansion of urban and coastal areas has increased pressure on the agriculture
and timber industries, and in recent years there has been a significant decrease in agricultural
and timber acreage;
Water quality and quantity problems in this state’s coastal waters have harmed the
aquaculture industry, specifically shellfish farming. Filter feeder shellfish, such as oysters,
hard clams, and sunray venus clams, are beneficial to this state’s imperiled seagrass; and
To ensure healthy and sustainable agriculture, shellfish aquaculture, and timber industries, a
cost-share program is necessary to provide incentives to the owners within these industries to
continue activities that are beneficial to water quality and quantity, air purification, carbon
sequestration, nutrient remediation, coastal resilience, and habitat for threatened and
endangered wildlife species.
The bill also establishes a cost share program within the Department of Agriculture and
Consumer Services (department) which shall reimburse the owners of agriculture, shellfish
aquaculture, and timber operations for up to 75 percent of the value of the environmental
resources and services provided by such industries.
Additionally, the bill requires the department to:
Conduct a study, in consultation with the Florida Sea Grant and the University of Florida
Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences to determine the value of environmental services,
such as water recharge, stormwater filtration, wildlife habitat, carbon sequestration, nutrient
remediation, coastal resilience and flood protection, and air quality benefits, provided by the
agriculture, shellfish aquaculture, and timber industries;
Promote the cost-share program, in cooperation with University of Florida Shellfish
Aquaculture Research and Extension Program, the Wakulla Environmental Institute, and the
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University College of Agriculture and Food Sciences,
and prioritize distribution of assistance to low-income communities, historically under
resourced communities of color, and rural communities impacted by Hurricane Michael in
2018;
Update all relevant brochures, websites, and marketing materials to provide information on
participation in the cost share program; and
Adopt rules to implement this section.
The bill takes effect July 1, 2022.
IV. Constitutional Issues:
A. Municipality/County Mandates Restrictions:
None.
B. Public Records/Open Meetings Issues:
None. BILL: SB 864 Page 4
C. Trust Funds Restrictions:
None.
D. State Tax or Fee Increases:
None.
E. Other Constitutional Issues:
None.
V. Fiscal Impact Statement:
A. Tax/Fee Issues:
None.
B. Private Sector Impact:
Indeterminate.
C. Government Sector Impact:
The cost-share program is subject to legislative appropriation, as there is no appropriation
for the program in the bill. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer services
could incur costs to complete the required study and promotion of the program.
VI. Technical Deficiencies:
None.
VII. Related Issues:
None.
VIII. Statutes Affected:
This bill creates section 570.891 of the Florida Statutes.
IX. Additional Information:
A. Committee Substitute – Statement of Changes:
(Summarizing differences between the Committee Substitute and the prior version of the bill.)
None.
B. Amendments:
None. BILL: SB 864 Page 5
This Senate Bill Analysis does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill’s introducer or the Florida Senate.