Summary
Recent tobacco and citrus marketing order referendums passed with overwhelming industry support. The proposed rules are being developed to update the assessment and collection procedures of commodity marketing orders. The proposed amendments to Rule 5H-2.003, F.A.C., would permit the Department to adjust or suspend the assessment rates upon recommendation of the commodity advisory council. The proposed amendments also clarify the rule by removing the assessment amounts language from the rule. The assessment amounts are set by the marketing order and not by Department rule. This rulemaking also proposes to repeal existing Rule 5H-2.004, F.A.C., which has become outdated. No additional assessments will be collected under these rules.