Loading chat...
FL H0267
Bill
Status
Introduced
1/14/2021
Primary Sponsor
Commerce Committee
Click for details
AI Summary
- Creates s. 311.25, F.S., prohibiting any local ballot initiative or referendum from restricting maritime commerce in Florida seaports, including restrictions based on vessel type/size/capacity, passenger or crew characteristics, cargo, or environmental/health records of vessels or vessel lines
- Prohibits local governments, political subdivisions, and special districts from restricting maritime commerce involving federally authorized passenger cruise vessels at seaports located in or adjoining areas of critical state concern, with any conflicting local laws declared void and expressly preempted to the state
- Applies retroactively, voiding any conflicting local ballot initiative, referendum, charter amendment, ordinance, resolution, regulation, or policy adopted before, on, or after the act's effective date
- Exempts special districts established for port management by special act of the Legislature and preserves local authority to operate and develop ports, implement seaport security measures, issue tariffs filed with the Federal Maritime Commission, and enter into leases and contracts with port users
- Justified by legislative findings that Florida seaports generate nearly 900,000 jobs, contribute $117.6 billion in economic value (approximately 13% of state GDP), and that 8.3 million passengers boarded cruises from Florida's five cruise ports in 2019, accounting for 60% of U.S. embarkations
Legislative Description
State Preemption of Seaport Regulations
Last Action
Died on Second Reading Calendar; companion bill(s) passed, see CS/CS/CS/SB 1194 (Ch. 2021-188)
4/30/2021
Committee Referrals
Commerce Committee4/5/2021
Local Administration and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee3/8/2021
Tourism, Infrastructure and Energy Subcommittee2/3/2021
Full Bill Text
No bill text available