AGRICULTURE
SB 1000 – Relating to Nutrient Application Rates
On Wednesday, January 19, SB 1000 by Senator Ben Albritton (R-Bartow) was heard by the Senate Agriculture Committee and was reported favorable with 6 yeas and 1 nay. AIF’s Vice President of Governmental Affairs, Adam Basford, stood in support of this legislation.
The bill allows certified crop advisors to recommend preferred fertilizer rates to tailor nutrient application rates. The bill provides that producers using rate tailoring are required to enroll in and implement applicable best management practices (BMPs) adopted by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
SB 1000 will now go to the Senate Rules Committee.
AIF supports legislation which protects an agricultural producers’ enrollment in the Best Management Practices program while providing the ability to specifically tailor nutrient rates based upon variables such as crop variety, site-specific conditions, meteorological events, or pest and disease pressures.
LEGAL & JUDICIAL
SB 7014 – Relating to COVID-19-related Claims Against Health Care Providers
On Wednesday, January 19, SB 7014, sponsored by the Senate Judiciary Committee, was read a second and third time on the Senate floor and passed with 22 yeas and 13 nays.
The bill extends the length of time that health care providers receive liability protections from COVID-19-related claims. According to legislation passed during the 2021 Legislative Session, liability protections from COVID-19-related claims apply to claims accruing within 1 year after the effective date of the act, which was March 29, 2022. The bill extends the application period of the liability protections, making them applicable to claims accruing before June 1, 2023. The net result of the bill is to extend the liability protections for about 14 months, from March 29, 2022, to June 1, 2023.
SB 7014 will now go to the House for consideration.
AIF supports legislation that protects the Florida health care community, who has been on the frontline during the pandemic, from frivolous and costly litigation by plaintiffs suing to settle.
