A bill introduced to the Florida State Senate on Tuesday by State Senator Jim Norman would make it a felony to take a picture of a farm without the owner’s permission.
It appears that State Senator Norman is concerned that animal rights activists have been photographing and filming activities occurring on private farms, and wishes to stop the act and protect the farmers from potential legal or ethical liability regarding mistreatment of livestock.
From Bill S.B. 1246:
A person who photographs, video records or otherwise produces images or pictorial records, digital or otherwise, at or of a farm or other property where legitimate agriculture operations are being conducted without the written consent of the owner, or an authorized representative of the owner, commits a felony of the first degree.
This bill introduces not only a potential hurdle for the animal rights activists, but also for other farmers, and possibly companies like Google. Would Google be charged with a felony for driving one of their Street View vehicles down a country road in Florida while photographing the route? Maybe satellite mapping companies will be charged after filming aerial shots of the state?
A larger concern would be for the farmers themselves. Imagine you own a farm in Florida and decide to photograph your own land, what happens when your neighbors land is visible in the background, have you just committed a felony?
