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FloridaSB 8302025Senate

Disposition of Migrant Vessels

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

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

Removal grants help Florida coastal communities

Beginning July 1, 2025, Florida's vessel-removal grants include migrant vessels alongside derelict and public-nuisance vessels. Local governments can get help with removal, storage, destruction, and disposal. Money comes from the Marine Resources Conservation Trust Fund or Florida Coastal Protection Trust Fund, only through legislative appropriations. The law sets no grant amount. The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission must set application rules and funding criteria. Criteria include vessel counts, threats to health, safety, the environment, navigation or appearance, and local commitments to clean waters and legal action against abandoners. After a fiscal year's third quarter, the commission can redirect funds not fully requested and granted to vessel-removal work. It can do that work itself or pay private contractors.

New Florida vessel bans and removal rules

Beginning July 1, 2025, people and businesses cannot leave derelict or migrant vessels in Florida waters for more than 24 hours. A migrant vessel is irregularly built or equipped with makeshift materials and designed, intended, or used to carry undocumented immigrants. It also must lack either a boat manufacturer or a hull identification number. For migrant vessels on public property that cannot be easily moved, officials must post a weatherproof notice at least 8 by 10 inches. Owners have 5 days to remove the vessel and owe removal, storage, and notice-publication costs. The owner-and-lienholder tracing and certified-mail process used for other vessels does not apply. After 5 days, officials can remove, destroy, or dispose of the vessel unless reasonable cause for not removing it is shown. These rules help clear hazards but expose owners to costs and loss of their vessels.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Ana Maria Rodriguez

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government

    Affiliation unavailable

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 184 • No: 0

House vote • 4/30/2025

House Floor Vote

Yes: 112 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/24/2025

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 36 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/17/2025

Fiscal Policy Vote

Yes: 17 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/10/2025

Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government Vote

Yes: 11 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/17/2025

Environment and Natural Resources Vote

Yes: 8 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter No. 2025-34

    5/20/2025

  2. Approved by Governor

    5/19/2025

  3. Signed by Officers and presented to Governor

    5/16/2025

  4. Ordered enrolled

    4/30/2025Senate

  5. CS passed; YEAS 112, 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 (Committee Substitute 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

    4/24/2025House

  14. CS passed; YEAS 36 NAYS 0 -SJ 527

    4/24/2025Senate

  15. Read 3rd time -SJ 527

    4/24/2025Senate

  16. Read 2nd time -SJ 527

    4/24/2025Senate

  17. Placed on Special Order Calendar, 04/24/25

    4/21/2025Senate

  18. Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading

    4/17/2025Senate

  19. Favorable by- Fiscal Policy; YEAS 17 NAYS 0

    4/17/2025Senate

  20. CS by Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government read 1st time

    4/14/2025Senate

  21. On Committee agenda-- Fiscal Policy, 04/17/25, 9:00 am, 412 Knott Building

    4/14/2025Senate

  22. Now in Fiscal Policy

    4/14/2025Senate

  23. Pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)

    4/14/2025Senate

  24. CS by Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government; YEAS 11 NAYS 0

    4/10/2025Senate

  25. On Committee agenda-- Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government, 04/10/25, 11:00 am, 412 Knott Building

    4/7/2025Senate

Bill Text

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