summary
Introduced
01/09/2026
01/09/2026
In Committee
01/16/2026
01/16/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An act relating to local administration of vessel restrictions; amending ss. 327.4107, 327.4111, and 823.11, F.S.; authorizing counties and municipalities to adopt ordinances to administer, in coordination with the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, certain provisions relating to vessels at risk of becoming derelict, the enforcement of long-term anchoring permit requirements, and derelict and migrant vessels, respectively; authorizing counties and municipalities to designate code enforcement officers for specified purposes; providing that certain determinations made by the code enforcement officers are for administrative purposes only and are not criminal findings; requiring counties and municipalities to comply with specified provisions; authorizing the commission to provide technical assistance and guidance; providing construction; requiring certain designations and actions by code enforcement officers to be treated as equivalent to specified law enforcement actions under certain circumstances; authorizing the commission to adopt rules; amending s. 327.4108, F.S.; revising the exemption from requirements for vessel relocation for certain vessels under certain circumstances; providing an effective date.
AI Summary
This bill allows counties and municipalities to adopt local ordinances to help manage certain vessel-related issues in coordination with the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the state agency responsible for boating regulations. Specifically, local governments can now designate code enforcement officers to identify vessels at risk of becoming derelict (meaning they are abandoned or in disrepair and could become a hazard), enforce rules about long-term anchoring permits, and handle the identification and removal of derelict and migrant vessels. These local officers' findings are for administrative purposes to start actions like issuing notices or removing vessels, and are not criminal findings. The bill also clarifies that these local enforcement actions can be considered equivalent to actions taken by law enforcement officers under certain FWC programs if proper documentation is provided, and the FWC can offer technical help and guidance to local governments. Additionally, the bill revises an exemption for vessels in Monroe County from certain anchoring requirements, reducing the number of new public moorings needed for the exemption to end from 100 to 60.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance
Sponsors (1)
Other Sponsors (1)
Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government (Senate)
Last Action
Retained on Calendar (on 02/19/2026)
Official Document
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