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FloridaSB 1642025SenateWALLET

Vessel Accountability

Sponsored By: Ana Maria Rodriguez (Republican)

Signed by Governor

AppropriationEnvironment and Natural ResourcesAppropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General GovernmentFiscal PolicyHouse Calendar

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.

New permits and fines for long-term anchoring

Starting January 1, 2026, vessels anchored within 1 nautical mile of a documented anchorage for 14 days in any 30-day period need a free, vessel-specific permit. Permits last one year and must be updated for each long-term anchoring location. Docks, permitted buoys, and specified government, construction, and fishing vessels are exempt. Penalties are up to $100 for a first offense, $250 for a second, and $500 for a third or later offense. Three qualifying violations within 24 months make a vessel a public nuisance, allowing relocation or removal; failure to appear or pay counts unless a court excuses it for good cause. Citations can be mailed for covered violations involving unattended vessels.

Stricter rules for derelict vessel owners

Florida law treats more buyers and holders as vessel owners, which can make them responsible for vessel rules and costs. Owners may not leave a derelict vessel in state waters for more than 24 hours, and informal transfers usually do not end responsibility. Owners can owe relocation, removal, storage, destruction, and disposal costs, less salvage value; unpaid costs can block vessel registration. Starting July 1, 2025, living on a derelict vessel after an unchallenged court or agency finding is a first-degree misdemeanor. Abandonment penalties rise from a first-degree misdemeanor for a first offense to a third-degree felony for a second and a second-degree felony for a third or later offense. In specified cases, a safe-navigation propulsion test is due within 48 hours after an officer gives notice.

More local grants for vessel cleanup

Florida's vessel grants can help local governments remove, store, destroy, or dispose of derelict and public-nuisance vessels. Grants can also support a program to prevent vessels from becoming derelict. Funding depends on legislative appropriation. Award criteria include local vessel numbers, threats to health, safety, the environment, navigation, and area appearance, plus local prevention and enforcement efforts.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Ana Maria Rodriguez

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Environment and Natural Resources

    Affiliation unavailable

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 189 • No: 0

House vote • 4/30/2025

House Floor Vote

Yes: 113 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/3/2025

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 37 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/27/2025

Fiscal Policy Vote

Yes: 18 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/18/2025

Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government Vote

Yes: 12 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/3/2025

Environment and Natural Resources Vote

Yes: 9 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter No. 2025-147

    6/23/2025

  2. Approved by Governor

    6/19/2025

  3. Signed by Officers and presented to Governor

    6/18/2025

  4. Ordered enrolled

    4/30/2025Senate

  5. CS passed; YEAS 113, NAYS 0

    4/30/2025House

  6. Read 3rd time

    4/30/2025House

  7. Added to Third Reading Calendar

    4/30/2025House

  8. Placed on 3rd reading

    4/30/2025House

  9. Read 2nd time

    4/30/2025House

  10. 1st Reading (Engrossed 1)

    4/29/2025House

  11. Bill added to Special Order Calendar (4/30/2025)

    4/29/2025House

  12. Bill referred to House Calendar

    4/29/2025House

  13. In Messages

    4/3/2025House

  14. Immediately certified -SJ 330

    4/3/2025Senate

  15. CS passed as amended; YEAS 37 NAYS 0 -SJ 321

    4/3/2025Senate

  16. Read 3rd time -SJ 321

    4/3/2025Senate

  17. Amendment(s) adopted (849776) -SJ 319

    4/3/2025Senate

  18. Read 2nd time -SJ 3198

    4/3/2025Senate

  19. Placed on Special Order Calendar, 04/03/25

    4/1/2025Senate

  20. Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading

    3/27/2025Senate

  21. Favorable by- Fiscal Policy; YEAS 18 NAYS 0

    3/27/2025Senate

  22. On Committee agenda-- Fiscal Policy, 03/27/25, 1:00 pm, 412 Knott Building

    3/24/2025Senate

  23. Now in Fiscal Policy

    3/19/2025Senate

  24. Favorable by Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government; YEAS 12 NAYS 0

    3/18/2025Senate

  25. On Committee agenda-- Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government, 03/18/25, 1:00 pm, 412 Knott Building

    3/13/2025Senate

Bill Text

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