FL Ag Bill Vetoed Over Illegal Alien Concerns

With your Southeast Regional Ag News, I am Haylie Shipp. This is the Ag Information Network.

Citing concerns that it could facilitate housing for undocumented foreign workers, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Friday vetoed a bill supported by the agriculture industry that aimed to simplify the construction of housing for farmworkers.

From the veto letter, Gov. DeSantis states that CS/SB 1082 prohibits local governments from inhibiting the construction and installation of housing on farms for agriculture workers. The bill’s terms apply to legal migrant farm workers, but he says the bill does not include the means to enforce this limitation and could pave the way for housing of illegal alien workers. He adds that local governments currently have the ability to establish uniform guidelines and standards through their zoning ordinances which best suit the agricultural community.

The House and Senate had unanimously passed the bill.

Prior to the veto, in a letter of support for the legislation addressed to Governor DeSantis, Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association Chair David Hill expressed that without available and affordable housing options, farmers cannot qualify for the legal H-2A workforce.