Sen. J.D. Alexander and Rep. Baxter Troutman (Co-Chairs), Sen. David Aronberg, Sen. Durrell Peaden, Rep. John Quinones and Rep. Will Kendrick.

The Commission issued a comprehensive report in February, following a series of public hearings where farmworker advocates, agriculture industry representatives, state agency representatives and farmworkers themselves shared facts, concerns and recommendations. Housing, employment, healthcare, safety and sanitation, education, transportation, and disaster relief surfaced as topics of major concern. The hearings furthered constructive communication between the various stakeholders in this critical component Florida agriculture.

A copy of the full report is linked below. The policy recommendations can be summarized as follows:

Priority recommendations:

Housing
Provide state funding for affordable farmworker hosing as recommended by the Hurricane Housing Work Group - $20 million.
Support agriculture industry partnership with non-profit organizations: industry provides land and infrastructure, non-profit provides housing.

Safety and Sanitation
Support DACS legislative budget request for 10 additional positions I the Bureau of Compliance Monitoring.
Support increased education efforts to meet the requirements of the Florida Agricultural Worker Safety Act.
Endorse a review of penalties and their adequacy.
Endorse continuation and expansion of the worker complaint hotline.

Transportation
Endorse legislative efforts to adopt a general policy for seatbelts in farm labor vehicles.

Healthcare
Endorse funding of KidCare benefits for all children of migrant and seasonal laborers.

Items of concern in need of more investigation and discussion:

Employment
Support creation of a Farm Labor Code of Practice proposed by the agriculture industry: independent auditors would audit farm labor practices at agricultural facilities.
Consider additional oversight of farm labor contractors by DBPR.
Support efforts for a federal guest worker program – Florida’s agriculture industry and farmworker associations both recognize the need for reform of the nation’s immigration system.

Education
Endorse modification of the non-resident tuition legislation for children of migrant and seasonal laborers.
Disaster Relief
Support disaster assistance (food, housing, employment) for farmworkers.

Regulation
Consider consolidating all regulatory and enforcement programs and responsibilities affecting migrant and seasonal workers under one agency.
Urge that, in addition to advocacy groups, farmworkers themselves be consulted and included in discussions of issues that impact them directly.

FFI appreciates the work of the Commission and joins in support of the Commission recommendations to the 2006 Legislature.
 

REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE
(Full Report)

(1.02 MB PDF) Download Free Adobe Acrobat Reader