Boca Legislator Proposes Bill to Protect Vessel Mooring Fields, Enforce Water Quality Standards

Boats moored along the ICW in Lantana, FL. (Photo: Boca Daily News)

A bill proposed by State Rep. Peggy Gossett-Seidman (R-Boca Raton) would prevent cities, counties or special districts within the state from establishing otherwise-unregulated vessel mooring fields, and would likewise require enforcement of boating safety and water quality measures in areas where people go boating and swimming.

The bill, introduced last month for the 2026 session, would prohibit local governments and special districts from applying for permits to establish or maintain public mooring fields, “preserving public access and orderly use of Florida’s waterways.” Mooring fields would be required to be managed with enforcement of marine patrols by state and local officials, and require permits and insurance. The state established several mooring fields, including the newest one in Hollywood that opened in October. The bill is aimed at preventing scenarios where the boating public as a whole would be locked out of anchoring in a given area, and promoting the use of mooring buoys rather than traditional anchoring which could damage the seabed.

The bill was prompted by the record growth of Florida’s population by more than 1,100 persons per day since 2020, and the record number of boat registrations, which has now surpassed 1.2 million vessels. Portions of the bill were filed by Gossett-Seidman and colleagues in recent sessions and were brought back with refined and narrowed terms for session beginning Jan. 13, 2026.

A mooring field protects the waterway seabed from anchor damage by allowing vessels to tie up to established mooring buoys on the surface for up to 30 days by state statute. Anchoring, on the other hand, refers to a temporary down-time by dropping the anchor, which can damage coral, seagrass and sea life on the seabed, or floor of the waterway.

The bill also addresses health and water quality concerns by ensuring wastewater is not emptied into public waterways, boats are seaworthy, and operated and moored with uniform registrations. It would direct the Florida Department of Health (DOH), in coordination as needed with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWCC), to adopt and enforce uniform water quality advisory standards; establish minimum requirements for health advisories and public signage at waterways and designated bathing areas, “ensuring clear and consistent communication for residents and visitors;” and require timely notification protocols for counties, municipalities, special districts, and state agencies when water-quality concerns are identified, including alerts to the public and media.

Boats moored and anchored at the popular swimming area at Peanut Island, Palm Beach County, FL. (Photo: Boca Daily News)

As it currently stands, the DOH is authorized to adopt and enforce water quality standards, but it is not expressly required to do so. The phrase “beach waters” in the law would be expanded to include swimming areas not only along ocean and Gulf beaches, but areas along the intracoastal waterway where bathing is common.

“Water is our identity and economy in Florida, and we have an obligation to our residents and visitors to keep our waterways safe and clean,” said Gossett-Seidman. “This bill will set standards for mooring fields and water body cleanliness testing and safety. It will hold officials accountable for immediate reporting and repairing breaks in wastewater pipes and more.”

A senate companion bill is being filed by state Sen. Ana Maria-Rodriguez (R-Miami). The House bill, HB 669, has been filed and referred to the Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee, Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee, Budget Committee, and State Affairs Committee for consideration during the 2026 Legislative Session.