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CS/SB 830 — Disposition of Migrant Vessels
by Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government and Senator Rodriguez
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Environment and Natural Resources Committee (EN)
The bill prohibits a person, firm, or corporation from leaving any migrant vessel upon waters of the state. It defines a “migrant vessel” as an irregularly constructed and equipped maritime vessel designed, intended, or used for the purpose of undocumented immigrant transportation which was built or assembled using or combining makeshift or improvised materials or material components and either was not constructed by a boat manufacturer or was not assigned a hull identification number.
The bill requires a migrant vessel on public property to be removed within five days following a law enforcement officer posting a notice on the vessel. If it is not removed during that timeframe, the bill authorizes a law enforcement agency to remove and dispose of the vessel.
The bill authorizes state funds and the use of federal disaster funds for the removal of migrant vessels.
If approved by the Governor, or allowed to become law without the Governor’s signature, these provisions take effect July 1, 2025.
Vote: Senate 36-0; House 112-0