Palm Beach County — the largest and most populous county east of the Mississippi River in the United States — just welcomed a familiar and trusted face into its top executive role.

Florida lawmakers have passed Senate Bill 700 (SB700), one of the most expansive agriculture and food policy bills in state history. The measure, now headed to Governor Ron DeSantis, includes wide-ranging reforms affecting farmers, food labeling, ESG regulations, and more.

Tallahassee Republican Senator Corey Simon is sponsoring the package as it makes its way through the legislature. His district includes 12 rural counties in the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend region. He said the package will help hundreds of small communities across Florida.