Florida Ports Council Issues Statement Following Senate Community Affairs Committee Action on Preemption of Seaport Regulations (SB 426)

03/19/2021

“Ensuring that local seaports are not restricted in their ability to conduct business and create economic development opportunities remains our top priority.” – Michael Rubin, Vice President of Governmental Affairs

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (March 24, 2021) – Florida Ports Council Vice President of Governmental Affairs Michael Rubin, testified in support of Florida’s seaports today during the Senate Community Affairs Committee. Below is a statement from Rubin on today’s passage of the preemption of seaport regulations bill (SB 426).

“Local seaports are key economic engines, creating jobs while also contributing to Florida’s economy. Ensuring that local seaports are not restricted in their ability to conduct business and create economic development opportunities remains our top priority.

“The Florida Ports Council thanks Senator Jim Boyd for his willingness to seek a solution that protects Florida’s seaports, and we look forward to continuing to work with him to ensure our state’s seaports remain a major economic driver.”

FLORIDA SEAPORTS’ ECONOMIC IMPACT:

  • 15 deep water seaports.
  • Supporting 900,000 direct and indirect jobs, and
  • $117.6 billion to Florida’s economy through cargo and cruise activities.
  • Generating approximately 13 percent of Florida’s GDP, and
  • $4.2 billion in state and local taxes.

ABOUT THE FLORIDA PORTS COUNCIL:

The Florida Ports Council (FPC), is a Florida nonprofit corporation that serves as the professional association for Florida’s fifteen public seaports and their management. FPC is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of the fifteen port directors with staff support located in Tallahassee. We provide leadership through a collective voice in the areas of state and federal advocacy, data and research, and marketing and communication.