News & Industry Updates


Welcome to our News page

Stay informed with the latest news impacting marine contractors across Florida. From legislative updates and regulatory changes to upcoming workshops, hurricane preparedness, and industry insights, this page keeps you connected to what matters most on the water and on the job.

HURRICANE IAN THOUGHTS

Dear FMCA Members, As you know, Hurricane Ian is not pulling any punches and this storm will affect the majority of our state in many ways. Having been through many major storms living here in Pensacola and across the Panhandle, I firsthanded know what the impacts of this storm will be for the areas in…
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POTENTIAL HURRICANE IAN

To All FMCA Membership, While we thought we made it through this season without any Hurricanes, it appears we have a potential storm breathing down our necks. The cone of uncertainty appears to be heading somewhere right above Sarasota to the Tampa Area all the way to the Panhandle. I expect tomorrow will start defining…
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HB735 – gaining traction

I am involved in 1-2 conference calls a week with various Government entities or Florida Representatives about the unintended consequences of HB735. Today was no different, other than I truly feel Paul Renner’s aide, Shannon Shephard, “got it” and will be aligning with us to help rectify the unintended consequences. Will send out more updates…
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Membership Fee Increase

Good Afternoon Fellow Florida Marine Contractor Member’s, I have been following many of you on Facebook or Instagram and seeing a lot of nice work taking place across the state. I just want to tell every one of you what a great job you’re doing to change the public’s thinking into realizing that the Marine…
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CLOAF Presentation HB735

Dear Membership, On May 13, 2022 I was a guest speaker at the Construction Licensing Officials Association of Florida’s (CLOAF) annual meeting. I was invited to speak about HB735 and the unintended consequences, of which there are many. Some additional issues were uncovered during the presentation, as well. In the end, the presentation was beneficial…
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HB 735 Update

While attending a Republican Women’s Club of Duval Federated event, I had the opportunity to speak with Representative Fischer regarding HB 735 and the unintended consequences. Rep Fischer was on the committee for the bill and was surprised when I advised him about the numerous counties that are sunsetting their licenses and closing their local…
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HB735 – Governor’s Letter

Dear Membership, Your board has drafted a letter to the Governor outlining the negative impact HB735 has had on our locally licensed Specialty Marine Contractors. We have spoken with a lobbyist that has confidence they can work with the Governor’s office to rectify the licensing situation that HB735 has caused. We know specifically that Lee…
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