SESSION WATCH
Died SENATE · SESSION 2026

No. SB 602

Watercraft Restrictions Based on Energy Source
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SPONSOR
Bernard
FILED BY
Mack Bernard — District 24, Democrat [search donations]
EFFECTIVE
7/1/2026
DIED IN
Environment and Natural Resources

Filed under Transportation.

PROVIDED SUMMARY

Watercraft Restrictions Based on Energy Source; Providing an exception to the prohibition on state agencies, governmental authorities, and local governments restricting the use or sale of watercraft based on the energy source used to power the watercraft if such watercraft is used on certain bodies of water, etc.

Full bill text →

Plain English Summary

AI-GENERATED
Allows watercraft energy-source restrictions on certain lakes, ponds, and reservoirs.

State agencies, municipalities, counties, and other governmental entities are already barred from restricting a watercraft's use or sale based on the energy source that powers it, whether for propulsion or any other function.

The exception applies to watercraft used on any lake, reservoir, drainage pond, or detention or retention pond that is necessary for protecting those waters from contamination, letting the responsible government restrict them there by power source.

The carve-out is narrow and applies only where the water body's role is guarding against contamination, not to general boating lakes. It takes effect July 1, 2026.

KEY PROVISIONS
§ 1 Exception for watercraft on contamination-control water bodies moderates. 327.75(3)(b)

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

“does not apply to the use or sale of a watercraft on any lake, reservoir, or drainage pond” bill text, line 23 →
TIMELINE
3/13/2026
Died in Environment and Natural Resources
1/13/2026
Introduced
12/9/2025
Referred to Environment and Natural Resources; Community Affairs; Rules
11/19/2025
Filed
STATUTES IT CHANGES
s. 327.75
+41 / −0