H 1173

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    CS/HB 1173  2026
1A bill to be entitled
2An act relating to boating-restricted areas; amending
3s. 327.46, F.S.; authorizing municipalities and
4counties to adopt ordinances to extend boating-
5restricted areas under certain conditions; requiring
6the boundaries of such areas to be clearly marked with
7specified markers; providing an effective date.
8
9    Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
10
11Section 1.  Paragraph (c) of subsection (1) of section
12327.46, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
13327.46       Boating-restricted areas.—
14(1)     Boating-restricted areas, including, but not limited
15to, restrictions of vessel speeds and vessel traffic, may be
16established on the waters of this state for any purpose
17necessary to protect the safety of the public if such
18restrictions are necessary based on boating accidents,
19visibility, hazardous currents or water levels, vessel traffic
20congestion, or other navigational hazards or to protect
21seagrasses on privately owned submerged lands.
22(c)     Municipalities and counties may adopt have the
23authority to establish by ordinance the following ordinances for
24other boating-restricted areas:
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251.      An ordinance regulating vessel speed and operation
26    within 300 feet of a confluence of water bodies presenting a
27    blind corner, up to a distance of 1,000 feet if such extended
28    area is necessary to ensure safe navigation and visibility for
29    approaching vessels. The boundaries of such areas must be
30    clearly marked by uniform waterway regulatory markers consistent
31    with commission rules.
322.1.        An ordinance establishing an idle speed, no wake
33    boating-restricted area, if the area is within 300 feet of a
34    confluence of water bodies presenting a blind corner, a bend in
35    a narrow channel or fairway, or such other area if an
36    intervening obstruction to visibility may obscure other vessels
37    or other users of the waterway.
383.2.        An ordinance establishing a slow speed, minimum wake,
39    or numerical speed limit boating-restricted area if the area is:
40a.      Within 300 feet of a confluence of water bodies
41    presenting a blind corner, a bend in a narrow channel or
42    fairway, or such other area if an intervening obstruction to
43    visibility may obscure other vessels or other users of the
44    waterway.
45b.      Subject to unsafe levels of vessel traffic congestion.
46c.      Subject to hazardous water levels or currents, or
47    containing other navigational hazards.
48d.      An area that accident reports, uniform boating
49    citations, vessel traffic studies, or other creditable data
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50    demonstrate to present a significant risk of collision or a
51    significant threat to boating safety.
524.3.        An ordinance establishing a vessel-exclusion zone if
53    the area is reserved exclusively:
54a.      As a canoe trail or otherwise limited to vessels under
55    oars or under sail.
56b.      For a particular activity and user group separation
57    must be imposed to protect the safety of those participating in
58    such activity.
59
60    Any of the ordinances adopted pursuant to this paragraph may
61    shall not take effect until the commission has reviewed the
62    ordinance and determined by substantial competent evidence that
63    the ordinance is necessary to protect public safety pursuant to
64    this paragraph. Any application for approval of an ordinance
65    shall be reviewed and acted upon within 90 days after receipt of
66    a completed application. Within 30 days after a municipality or
67    county submits an application for approval to the commission,
68    the commission shall advise the municipality or county as to
69    what information, if any, is needed to deem the application
70    complete. An application shall be considered complete upon
71    receipt of all requested information and correction of any error
72    or omission for which the applicant was timely notified or when
73    the time for such notification has expired. The commission's
74    action on the application shall be subject to review under
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75    chapter 120. The commission shall initiate rulemaking no later
76    than January 1, 2010, to provide criteria and procedures for
77    reviewing applications and procedures for providing for public
78    notice and participation pursuant to this paragraph.
79Section 2.  This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.
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