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 Rules
BILL: CS/SB 1006
INTRODUCER: Agriculture Committee and Senator Burgess
SUBJECT: State Symbols
DATE: January 19, 2022
ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR REFERENCE ACTION
1. Becker Becker AG Fav/CS
2. Becker Phelps RC Pre-meeting
Please see Section IX. for Additional Information:
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE - Substantial Changes
I. Summary:
CS/SB 1006 designates strawberry shortcake as the official state dessert.
This bill is not expected to have an impact on state and local revenues and expenditures.
The bill takes effect July 1, 2022.
II. Present Situation:
State Symbols
Chapter 15, F.S., designates state emblems. To date, there are designations for a state motto, tree,
fruit,
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beverage,
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citrus archive, anthem, song, shell, stone, gem, wildflower, play, animal, freshwater
fish, saltwater fish, marine mammal, saltwater mammal, butterfly, reptile, saltwater reptile, tortoise,
air fair, rodeo, festival, moving image center and archive, litter control symbol, pageant, opera
program, renaissance festival, railroad museums, history museum, transportation museum, flagship,
soil, fiddle contest, band, sports hall of fame, pie, honey, horse, and heritage cattle breed.
Currently, there is no state dessert. The state pie is key lime pie.
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1
Section 15.0315, F.S., designates the orange as the official fruit of Florida.
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Section 15.032, F.S., designates orange juice as the official beverage of Florida.
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Section 150025, F.S.
REVISED: BILL: CS/SB 1006 Page 2
Strawberries
The strawberry is a small plant of the Rosacea (Rose) family and all varieties of the strawberry
plant belong to the Fragaria genus.
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Strawberries are not berries or fruit, they are enlarged ends
of the plant’s stamen. The small black spots on the outside are actually the fruit.
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Florida produces 12% of the U.S. value of strawberries annually, valued at $307 million.
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Strawberries are the second highest valued of the berry, potato, vegetable, and watermelon crops
in Florida.
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“Camarosa,” “Sweet Sensation,” and “Festival” varieties are recommended for
Florida home gardens.
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III. Effect of Proposed Changes:
CS/SB 1006 provides the following information in whereas clauses:
More than 10,000 acres of strawberries are planted annually in the greater Plant City area,
accounting for 75 percent of the United States’ winter strawberry crop;
Beginning in the spring of 1930, and again in 1948 after a six year hiatus during and
following World War II, the Florida Strawberry Festival, held in Plant City and organized by
the Plant City Lions Club, was revived by American Legion Post #26, and other area civic
organizations;
Each year the Florida Strawberry Festival welcomes visitors from around the world to
celebrate this slice of Americana and the area’s bountiful harvests;
Approximately 200,000 strawberry shortcakes, the festival’s signature dessert, are served
each year at the Florida Strawberry Festival, making it a staple among festival attendees;
Strawberry shortcake is a dessert consisting of a base of shortcake, which resembles a biscuit
with a touch of cake, a layer of sweet, sliced strawberries, and a healthy dollop of whipped
cream; and
In 2000, Guinness World Records recognized Plant City as the home of the biggest shortcake
in the world.
The bill designates strawberry shortcake as the official state dessert.
The bill takes effect July 1, 2022.
IV. Constitutional Issues:
A. Municipality/County Mandates Restrictions:
None.
4
UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, Strawberry Facts, https://gcrec.ifas.ufl.edu/fruit-
crops/strawberries/strawberry-facts/ (last visited January 12, 2022).
5
Id.
6
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Florida Agriculture Overview and Statistics,
https://www.fdacs.gov/Agriculture-Industry/Florida-Agriculture-Overview-and-Statistics (last visited January 12, 2022).
7
Id.
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UF/IFAS Extension, Growing Strawberries, https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/lawn-and-garden/growing-strawberries/ (last visited
January 12, 2022). BILL: CS/SB 1006 Page 3
B. Public Records/Open Meetings Issues:
None.
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:
None.
C. Government Sector Impact:
None.
VI. Technical Deficiencies:
None.
VII. Related Issues:
None.
VIII. Statutes Affected:
This bill creates section 15.0522 of the Florida Statutes.
IX. Additional Information:
A. Committee Substitute – Statement of Substantial Changes:
(Summarizing differences between the Committee Substitute and the prior version of the bill.)
CS by Agriculture on January 13, 2022:
Clarifies that the Florida Strawberry Festival occurs each year versus each spring. BILL: CS/SB 1006 Page 4
B. Amendments:
None.
This Senate Bill Analysis does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill’s introducer or the Florida Senate.