Florida bill would reverse Key West limits on cruises

A Florida state senator submitted a bill this week that, if approved, would nullify the recent decision by Key West voters to limit cruise ship traffic. 

In November, Key West voters approved measures to cap the number of cruise passengers allowed ashore daily, ban ships that carry more than 1,300 people from docking and prioritize ships based on their health and environmental records.

The bill, proposed by Republican senator Jim Boyd of Bradenton, near Tampa, states that “a local government may not restrict or regulate commerce in the seaports of this state” and specifically says that local governments cannot regulate or restrict “a vessel’s type or size” or “number, origin or nationality of passengers.” 

Filed Jan. 5, the legislation would make such matters subject to state regulations and would make any ordinances previously decided, such as the one in Key West, void. The bill further says that allowing local governments to impose their own maritime commerce requirements could disrupt Florida’s economy. 

The bill needs approval by Florida’s Senate and House in order to pass. 

Between 60% and 80% of Key West voters said yes to the three measures. 

The group that organized the three referendums, the Key West Committee for Safer, Cleaner Ships, urged its supporters to fight the newly introduced bill.