Williamson farming operations bill signed into law Special to Gannett/USA TODAY NETWORK PACE — On April 30, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed SB88/HB1601: Farming Operations into law. The legislation, sponsored by Representative Jayer Williamson (R-Pace), picked up the Senate version of the bill and passed it off the House floor with bipartisan support last week. The intent of the legislation was to amend the Florida Right to Farm Act, enacted in 1979, which protects farm operations from nuisance lawsuits if the operations are in compliance with federal laws, state laws or best management practices. Specific changes to the act include that a plaintiff must prove by clear and convincing evidence that his or her claim arises from conduct out of compliance with the laws or practices in a civil nuisance action against a farm. It also prohibits a nuisance action from being filed against a farm operation unless the real property affected is within one-half mile of the source of the activity or structure.