Wilton Simpson

The agricultural classification of land in Florida affords our farmers lower property taxes. Wilton worked to strengthen our Greenbelt Laws to further the financially viable operation of agricultural businesses by shielding agricultural property from potential property tax increases due to encroaching development.

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Florida Citrus is an essential part of Florida’s agriculture industry with a significant economic impact. In 2020, Wilton secured key investments for citrus protection and research to combat citrus greening. Additionally, Wilton secured millions of dollars for citrus advertising.

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243% Increase in Farmland Preserved Through the Rural & Family Lands Protection Program $100M to Prevent Florida Wildfires Invested in firefighting equipment and conducting prescribed fire $300M+ to Support the Florida Wildlife Corridor Through Conservation Easements 1st to Outlaw Lab-Grown Meat in the Nation & Protect Floridians from These Untested Products

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Florida farms are legacy businesses that contribute to our nation’s food supply and billions of dollars to our state’s economy. Laws are frequently updated to recognize changes in other industries, and Wilton has made it clear our hardworking Florida farmers will not be left behind. As more and more people leave densely populated areas of the country and relocate to rural areas of our state, residential development encroaches on our rural areas. Friction between these competing land uses can lead to frivolous lawsuits that threaten the survival of legacy farming communities. Wilton wants to make certain we continue to preserve existing farms which create critical jobs our agricultural communities have relied on for generations. Like Wilton, Florida farmers couldn’t take a day off during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Florida had no diminishment of our food supply and farmers worked very hard to help us stay healthy. Wilton will continue to support our farmers and make sure this critical industry is protected.

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Prohibited financial institutions from discriminating against agricultural producers based on ESG (environmental, social or governance) policies. Passed a law to pay for FDA inspections to encourage our next generation of farmers. Florida has experienced the highest growth in FFA in the nation. Required Florida schools districts to approve 4-H and FFA-related activities as excused absences.

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Delivering Results for Florida’s Farmers Launched the first-ever, statewide online licensing system for pesticide applicators. Improved turnaround time for license renewals from 45 days to 5 days. Reduced regulatory burdens for Florida farmers and ranchers. Conducted a review and reduction of 20% of agency rules. Helped ensure Florida remains the nation’s #1 producer of fresh tomatoes.

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Three Years of Florida Farm Bill Highlights Banned China & other hostile foreign nations from purchasing or acquiring Florida land. Prohibited charitable organizations from soliciting funds from China or other hostile foreign nations. Passed first-in-the-nation legislation to outlaw unsafe synthetic “cultivated meat” products in Florida. Created the Farmers Feeding Florida initiative to get more fresh Florida products into food banks to support those in need.

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Growing Agritourism Agritourism is a growing sector of Florida’s economy and a significant source of income for many. In 2021, Wilton worked to add agritourism to the definition of farm operation in Florida law. This designation affords these operations meaningful protections and financial benefits to help their operations grow and thrive in this emerging sector of our economy. In 2022, Wilton worked to remove a requirement that agritourism be a secondary stream of revenue for a bona fide agricultural operation. That will allow more agritourism operations to qualify for those tax benefits. It also prohibits a property appraiser from denying agricultural status due to construction or maintenance of a non-dwelling structure for agritourism activity. Instead, that structure would be assessed at the “just” value separately and added to the lower “assessed” value of the agricultural land to create a hybrid tax platform.

wiltonsimpson.com · Sources

Force Multiplier to Protect Florida’s Border First agency in Florida to have 100% of its sworn law enforcement officers 287(g) certified. Identified 250 illegal immigrants through our interdiction stations and other missions. Successfully secured new interdiction stations to protect Florida’s northern border.

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Keeping government out of the way of hardworking business owners who create jobs for our people and provide the goods and services we need

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Ensuring every child has access to world class education opportunities with the largest expansion of school choice in our nation’s history

wiltonsimpson.com · Sources

Prohibited financial institutions from discriminating against agricultural producers based on ESG (environmental, social or governance) policies. Passed a law to pay for FDA inspections to encourage our next generation of farmers. Florida has experienced the highest growth in FFA in the nation. Required Florida schools districts to approve 4-H and FFA-related activities as excused absences.

wiltonsimpson.com · Sources

Preserving the precious natural resources that inspire more than 1,000 people a day to move to the Sunshine State

wiltonsimpson.com · Sources

243% Increase in Farmland Preserved Through the Rural & Family Lands Protection Program $100M to Prevent Florida Wildfires Invested in firefighting equipment and conducting prescribed fire $300M+ to Support the Florida Wildlife Corridor Through Conservation Easements 1st to Outlaw Lab-Grown Meat in the Nation & Protect Floridians from These Untested Products

wiltonsimpson.com · Sources

Protecting Florida Against Wildfires Invested over $100 million into wildfire mitigation efforts to reduce wildfire risk and protect communities. Set a new annual record by treating over 2,000 acres of state forests with prescribed fire.

wiltonsimpson.com · Sources

Protecting our rights to worship, to bear arms and to put in an honest day’s work

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Protecting 2nd Amendment Rights Total elimination of the massive backlog of concealed weapon licenses — first time in Florida history. Prohibited the collection of Florida’s firearm owner and ammunition purchase — first state in the nation.

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Prohibited government from putting any medication — including fluoride — into public water systems.

wiltonsimpson.com · Sources

Force Multiplier to Protect Florida’s Border First agency in Florida to have 100% of its sworn law enforcement officers 287(g) certified. Identified 250 illegal immigrants through our interdiction stations and other missions. Successfully secured new interdiction stations to protect Florida’s northern border.

wiltonsimpson.com · Sources

Three Years of Florida Farm Bill Highlights Banned China & other hostile foreign nations from purchasing or acquiring Florida land. Prohibited charitable organizations from soliciting funds from China or other hostile foreign nations. Passed first-in-the-nation legislation to outlaw unsafe synthetic “cultivated meat” products in Florida. Created the Farmers Feeding Florida initiative to get more fresh Florida products into food banks to support those in need.

wiltonsimpson.com · Sources

The agricultural classification of land in Florida affords our farmers lower property taxes. Wilton worked to strengthen our Greenbelt Laws to further the financially viable operation of agricultural businesses by shielding agricultural property from potential property tax increases due to encroaching development.

wiltonsimpson.com · Sources

Growing Agritourism Agritourism is a growing sector of Florida’s economy and a significant source of income for many. In 2021, Wilton worked to add agritourism to the definition of farm operation in Florida law. This designation affords these operations meaningful protections and financial benefits to help their operations grow and thrive in this emerging sector of our economy. In 2022, Wilton worked to remove a requirement that agritourism be a secondary stream of revenue for a bona fide agricultural operation. That will allow more agritourism operations to qualify for those tax benefits. It also prohibits a property appraiser from denying agricultural status due to construction or maintenance of a non-dwelling structure for agritourism activity. Instead, that structure would be assessed at the “just” value separately and added to the lower “assessed” value of the agricultural land to create a hybrid tax platform.

wiltonsimpson.com · Sources