The bill amends section 327.75 of the Florida Statutes, known as the Watercraft Energy Source Freedom Act, to allow state agencies, governmental entities, and local governments to impose restrictions on the use of watercraft based on the energy source used to power them, specifically in certain bodies of water. The new legal language clarifies that while there is a general prohibition against restricting watercraft based on their energy source, exceptions can be made for specific bodies of water, such as lakes, reservoirs, drainage ponds, or detention and retention ponds, if such restrictions are necessary to protect these waters from contamination.

The effective date for this act is set for July 1, 2026. The bill aims to balance the freedom of watercraft operation with environmental protection measures, allowing for targeted restrictions where necessary to safeguard water quality.

Statutes affected:
H 545 Filed: 327.75