Report on Vessel Registration Fees

Pursuant to section 328.72(15), Florida Statutes, the portion of vessel registration fees designated for the use of the counties, shall be used for providing recreational channel marking and other uniform waterway markers, public boat ramps, lifts, and hoists, marine railways, and other public launching facilities, derelict vessel removal, and removal of vessels and floating structures deemed a hazard to public safety and health.

In addition, this statute requires counties to demonstrate through an Annual Detailed Accounting Report of vessel registration revenues that the registration fees were spent as provided above. This report shall be provided to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) no later than November 1 of each year.  Complete the form, or provide a report in the same format, and mail to the FWC, Boating and Waterways Section at the following address:

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Division of Law Enforcement
Boating and Waterways Section
620 South Meridian Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600

If, prior to January 1 of each calendar year, the annual detailed accounting report meeting the prescribed criteria has still not been provided to the FWC, the tax collector of that county shall not distribute the moneys designated for the use of counties to the board of county commissioners but shall, instead, for the next calendar year, remit such moneys to the state. The FWC shall return those moneys to the county if the county fully complies with this reporting requirement within that calendar year. If the county does not fully comply within that calendar year, the moneys shall remain with the state and may be appropriated for the purposes specified above.

If there are questions concerning this reporting requirement, please contact the FWC, Boating and Waterways Section at (850) 488-5600.