Committees Set as Legislature Prepares for Start of 2019 Legislative Session
Committee assignments in the Florida House of Representatives were just announced last month, as lawmakers continue to make early preparations for the 2019 legislative session which is scheduled to begin Tuesday, March 5.
The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Subcommittee will be led by Chairman Chuck Clemons (R-Gainesville) with Rep. Holly Raschein (R-Key Largo) serving as Vice Chair. Rep. Holly Raschein was named Chair of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee with Rep. Rick Roth (R-Palm Beach Gardens) appointed as the Vice Chair. Florida Farm Bureau is looking forward to working with each of these lawmakers this year, all of which were awarded as Champions for Agriculture following the 2018 legislative session based on their support of Florida Farm Bureau and agriculture.
In the Senate, which released committee assignments a few weeks before the House, Sen. Ben Albritton (R-Bartow) will Chair the Agriculture Committee and Sen. George Gainer (R-Panama City) will serve as Vice Chair. The Senate Agriculture Committee is already scheduled to hear about the devastating impacts of Hurricane Michael on agricultural producers in the Panhandle and Big Bend regions of Florida when they meet next week.
Florida Farm Bureau and the agriculture industry are fortunate to have several former Champions for Agriculture and Legislators of the Year leading these extremely important committees in each Chamber that sees the bulk of Farm Bureau’s legislative agenda every year. We look forward to working with these committees throughout 2019.
The upcoming legislative session is sure to bring many new issues and challenges forward, as it does following every election year. In 2019, Florida will have a new Governor, Attorney General and Agriculture Commissioner. Jimmy Patronis, the state’s CFO, was appointed by Gov. Rick Scott last year following the retirement of Jeff Atwater. Florida also has a new Senate President, Sen. Bill Galvano (R-Bradenton), and a new House Speaker, Rep. Jose Oliva (R-Miami).
Be sure to continue to check your email for updates from AgWatch over the next few months as we move through committee weeks and legislative session.
