Tampa Republic

Washington, D.C. – Rep. Laurel Lee has joined forces with Rep. Scott Franklin and Rep. Darren Soto to co-sponsor H.R. 6186, the Temperature Endorsement for Multi-Peril Policies (TEMP) Act. This bill aims to develop a crop insurance policy that covers losses caused by cold exposure and freezes, specifically targeting Florida's specialty crop producers.

Florida's specialty crop growers, including those in Plant City, known as the Winter Strawberry Capital of the U.S., have long faced the challenge of limited access to comprehensive whole-farm crop insurance. Insurance premiums for these growers can reach thousands of dollars per acre, making it difficult for them to protect their crops adequately. While insurance policies do exist to cover losses caused by specific impacts such as wind, there is currently no policy that addresses losses caused by cold exposure and freezes.

Recognizing the importance of Florida's agriculture industry and the vulnerability of specialty crop farmers, Rep. Laurel Lee expressed her support for the TEMP Act, stating, "This bipartisan bill would relieve tremendous uncertainty and deliver necessary stability for Florida's growers."

The Florida Strawberry Growers Association (FSGA) also voiced its support for H.R. 6186. Kenneth Parker, the Executive Director of FSGA, commended Congressman Franklin's leadership on the issue and expressed gratitude for the bipartisan efforts of co-sponsors Congresswoman Lee, Congressmen Soto, Mills, and Steube, as well as Senator Rubio's support on the companion bill. Parker believes that the TEMP Act could serve as a valuable risk management tool for specialty crop commodities like strawberries.

Rep. Franklin, one of the bill's main sponsors, highlighted the importance of creating an affordable index temperature policy to provide stability and coverage for Florida's more than 300 specialty crops. He expressed his gratitude to his colleagues for their support and thanked Senator Rubio for his leadership on the issue in the Senate.

Senator Rubio himself acknowledged the significance of Florida's growers to the state's economy and the national food supply. He described the TEMP Act as a commonsense solution that would help specialty crop growers access affordable crop insurance and recover from the devastating impacts of deep freezes and cold exposure.

The TEMP Act seeks to address the existing gap in crop insurance coverage for specialty crop growers in Florida. By developing an affordable index temperature policy, this bill aims to provide much-needed stability and coverage for these growers, particularly in the face of freezing temperatures. The bipartisan support for the TEMP Act demonstrates the recognition of the vital role played by Florida's growers in ensuring a strong and resilient food supply for the nation.

For further details, the full text of the bill can be found [here](link to the bill).

Click this link to access more information: https://laurellee.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-laurel-lee-joins-bill-protect-floridas-winter-strawberries-specialty-crop