TALLAHASSEE, Florida — The state House on Tuesday signed off on a wide-ranging agriculture bill despite opposition from Democrats, who warned language that would ban fluoride in public drinking water and restrict labeling for plant-based products served political purposes more than the public good.
The bill, FL SB700 (25R), was approved 88-27, sending the measure to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ desk. The bill, sponsored by state Rep. Kaylee Tuck (R-Lake Placid), would prohibit drones from flying over agricultural land without consent from the owner, or harassing hunters on public or private land. There’s also language that would prohibit financial institutions from using environmental, social and governance scoring to restrict services and capital to farmers.
Tuck’s bill would also enact a statewide ban on adding fluoride to community water supplies, and restrict products labeled as alternatives to meat and dairy products. Water fluoridation is a top issue for the Make America Healthy Again movement led by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. One of Kennedy’s staunchest allies is Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo, who issued a recommendation in November warning against adding fluoride to public drinking water.
Tuck’s bill specifically bars the use of health additives in public drinking water so consumers have the right to decide whether they need it.
