SESSION WATCH
Died HOUSE · SESSION 2026

No. HB 545

Watercraft Restrictions Based on Energy Source
Send via email
SPONSOR
Gerwig
FILED BY
Anne Gerwig — District 93, Republican [search donations]
EFFECTIVE
7/1/2026
DIED IN
Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee

Filed under Transportation.

PROVIDED SUMMARY

Watercraft Restrictions Based on Energy Source; Authorizes state agencies, governmental entities, & local governments to restrict use of watercraft based on energy source used to power watercraft if such watercraft is used on certain bodies of water.

Full bill text →

Plain English Summary

AI-GENERATED
Lets governments restrict watercraft power sources on certain protective water bodies.

Florida law already bars state agencies, counties, and municipalities from restricting watercraft use or sale based on the energy source that powers them, whether for propulsion or any other onboard function.

Local and state agencies may now restrict watercraft by energy source on lakes, reservoirs, drainage ponds, and detention or retention ponds needed to protect those waters from contamination.

The change is narrow: it does not touch the general ban on energy-source restrictions elsewhere, only these specific water bodies used for water-quality protection. It takes effect July 1, 2026.

KEY PROVISIONS
§ 1 Contamination-control exception to the energy-source ban moderates. 327.75(3)(b)

AIThe blanket prohibition on restricting watercraft by energy source no longer applies to a lake, reservoir, drainage pond, or detention or retention pond that is necessary to protect those waters from contamination, letting the responsible agency or government restrict watercraft there by power source.

“does not apply to any lake, reservoir, drainage pond, or a detention or retention pond” bill text, line 22 →
TIMELINE
3/13/2026
Died in Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee
1/13/2026
1st Reading (Original Filed Version)
12/12/2025
Now in Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee
12/12/2025
Referred to State Affairs Committee
12/12/2025
Referred to Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee
11/25/2025
Filed
STATUTES IT CHANGES
s. 327.75
+30 / −0