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Coastal:
Seagrass beds

Our Position: support
Bill Number: SB548/SB2178/HB1069
Sponsor: Senators Bennett, Dockery and Representative Kendrick
Legislative Session: 2007

5/4/07: All versions of the bill died.

This bills will require fines for those found damaging seagrass beds in Aquatic Preserves.

S2178    GENERAL BILL by Bennett
  Restoration of Seagrass Beds [RPCC]; creates pilot program for
  restoration of seagrass beds within specified counties & related natural
  resources; requires that damages recovered for injury to, & destruction
  of, seagrass beds in certain counties, & related natural resources be
  deposited into Ecosystem Management & Restoration Trust Fund; requires
  DEP expend funds for restoration, assessment, or rehabilitation of
  seagrass beds & natural resources, etc. Amends 403.1651.  EFFECTIVE
  DATE: 07/01/2007.

S548     GENERAL BILL by Bennett; (CO-INTRODUCERS) Dockery  (Similar H1069)
  Protection of Seagrasses/Boats [RPCC]; provides that careless operation
  of vessel outside marked channel which causes propeller scarring is
  civil infraction; provides that willful or wanton operation of vessel
outside marked channel which causes propeller scarring is first-degree
  misdemeanor; provides that refusal to post bond or sign boating citation
  is second-degree misdemeanor, etc. Amends 253.04. 327.73.  EFFECTIVE
  DATE: 10/01/2007.

HB 1069 GENERAL BILL   by Kendrick

Protection of Seagrasses: Provides that careless operation of vessel outside marked channel that causes propeller scarring within an aquatic preserve is civil infraction; provides that refusal to post bond or sign boating citation is second degree misdemeanor; requires that civil penalties collected for careless operation of vessel be deposited into Internal Improvement Trust Fund & used for specified purposes; specifies civil penalty amounts.

Effective Date: October 1, 2007.

Status

5/4/07: All bills died.

To learn more about HB1069 click here

To learn more about SB548 click here

To learn more about SB2178 click here

Action Needed

5/4/07: All bills died.

4/21/07: SB2178: On Committee agenda-- Community Affairs, 04/24/07, 1:45 pm,
              
3/31/07: SB548 passed out of Transportation Committee & House bill passes final committee and both will soon be on the floor