House Bill 267 (2021): State Preemption of Seaport Regulations, a companion bill to Florida Senate Bill 426, aims to preempts state regulation of commerce in state seaports. HB 267 (2021) was originally filed in the Florida House on January 14 is working its way to a vote by the state’s Tourism, Infrastructure & Energy Subcommittee.

Since the November election, individuals began work to overturn the cruise ship restrictions voted into the Key West charter by a heavy margin. HB 267 is another attempt at overturning the restrictions put in place in Key West. During the November election, Key West voted heavily in favor to place restrictions on cruise ships, effectively banning larger cruise ships such as the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder.

Key West voters made a well-informed decision to adjust the business model of their port, passing sensible limits on large cruise ships.

A bill to be entitled An act relating to state preemption of seaport regulations; creating s. 311.25, F.S.; preempting to the state the regulation of commerce in state seaports; providing exceptions; providing construction; providing an effective date.

Florida HB 267 (2021) Summary

A companion bill in the Florida Senate Bill 426: State Preemption of Seaport Regulations, filed on January 5, 2021 by Senator Jim Boyd, if approved would give the State of Florida oversight of Florida’s seaport regulations such as the regulation of commerce in state seaports, and to provide exceptions. The bill was discussed in a committee workshop on February 16th, but may have stalled in Florida’s Senate Transportation Committee giving way to HB 267 (2021).

Safer Cleaner Ships, the group who spearheaded the effort to place the measures on the ballot issued the following statement is asking Key West residents to reach out to their representative, Jim Mooney to oppose HB 267, which if approved would end home rule over Florida’s seaports. In a statement, Safer Cleaner Ships states, “Key West voters made a well-informed decision to adjust the business model of their port, passing sensible limits on large cruise ships.” The group feels the Key West economy is story and is set on protecting the Florida Keys as well as preserving home rule when it comes to the port of Key West.

Local voters made a well-informed decision to adjust the business model of our tourist economy. We’ve gone almost a full year now without cruise ships, and the Keys economy is one of the strongest in Florida. We have the state’s 3rd-lowest unemployment rate; and for the past four months, local sales tax and bed tax revenues are both higher than they were before the pandemic. In short, the Florida Keys are the economic envy of the state. ​Now is not the time for a big government takeover of our ports. We must preserve home rule and protect the Florida Keys.

Safer Cleaner Ships Statement on HB 267

We will continue to monitor House Bill 267 and the ongoing situation in Key West as details become available.

UPDATE: Florida House Bill 267 is on the Tourism, Infrastructure & Energy Subcommittee meeting agenda scheduled for Wednesday March 3, 2021 at 1PM. The meeting will be live-streamed on https://thefloridachannel.org/