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FL S0164
Bill
Status
Passed
6/23/2025
Primary Sponsor
Environment and Natural Resources
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AI Summary
- Creates a free long-term anchoring permit system (effective January 1, 2026) administered by the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for vessels anchored within 1 nautical mile of a documented anchorage point for 14 or more days within a 30-day period, with civil penalties of $100–$500 for anchoring without a permit
- Expands the definition of "vessel owner" to include title certificate holders, buyers identified in transfer notices, parties to written purchase agreements, and persons who signed written receipts acknowledging possession of a vessel
- Establishes that a vessel receiving three or more violations of at-risk-of-becoming-derelict or long-term anchoring provisions within 24 months (previously 18 months) resulting in non-acquittal dispositions must be declared a public nuisance, with law enforcement authorized to relocate or remove such vessels
- Increases penalties for derelict vessel violations: first offense remains a first-degree misdemeanor, second offense becomes a third-degree felony, and third or subsequent offenses become second-degree felonies; also prohibits residing on a vessel determined to be derelict
- Reduces the timeframe for vessel owners or operators to demonstrate effective means of propulsion from 72 hours to 48 hours and makes the vessel title prima facie evidence of ownership for derelict vessels left on state waters
Legislative Description
Vessel Accountability
Last Action
Chapter No. 2025-147
6/23/2025
Committee Referrals
Fiscal Policy3/19/2025
Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government3/5/2025
Full Bill Text
No bill text available