Section 48 from Florida SB 290 removed!

February 11, 2026February 11, 2026

This is a huge win for Florida’s waters, but it’s not over yet. Legislative session continues through March 13th, and Captains for Clean Water will be watching with a close eye. ⁠

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In Tallahassee this session, Captains For Clean Water secured a meaningful win for Florida’s waterways—and for the public’s right to speak plainly about threats to them—when Section 48 was removed from Senate Bill 290 (SB 290).

What Section 48 Would Have Done…

Section 48 was widely viewed as a “disparagement” provision that could have exposed individuals and organizations to legal action for publicly criticizing certain agricultural practices. Water advocates across the state warned that the language risked creating a chilling effect: even if someone ultimately prevailed in court, the financial burden and legal exposure could discourage guides, small businesses, scientists, and everyday citizens from speaking out about water-quality impacts.

For those who work on the water every day, transparency is not political—it is practical. When harmful discharges, nutrient loading, or algal blooms threaten estuaries and coastal fisheries, early public scrutiny is often the first step toward corrective action.

How the Win Happened!

Captains For Clean Water mobilized quickly and strategically. The organization activated its grassroots network, encouraged direct outreach to legislators, and participated in the committee process with focused, fact-based messaging. Rather than accepting assurances that the language might be “fixed later,” advocates pressed for its full removal.

That persistence paid off. Section 48 was ultimately stripped from SB 290, preserving Floridians’ ability to openly discuss environmental impacts without the looming threat of costly litigation. It was a clear example of civic engagement working as intended—citizens identifying a concern, lawmakers listening, and policy being adjusted before becoming law.

Why This Matters for Florida’s Economy

Florida’s economy is inseparable from clean water. Coastal tourism, sport fishing, boating, and marine manufacturing all depend on healthy estuaries and resilient fisheries. When water quality declines, the consequences ripple outward—impacting guides, hotels, restaurants, boat dealers, and manufacturers alike.

Open dialogue is essential to protecting that economic engine. If those closest to the resource cannot speak freely about what they see on the water, meaningful reform becomes far more difficult.

Why Hell’s Bay Boatworks Supports This Effort

This is precisely why Hell’s Bay Boatworks proudly supports the efforts of Captains For Clean Water.

As a Florida-based manufacturer of technical poling skiffs, Hell’s Bay Boatworks is built on shallow-water ecosystems—places like the Indian River Lagoon, Florida Bay, and the Everglades. Our customers travel from around the world to experience these fisheries. Our craftsmen, guides, and families live here. Clean water is not an abstract issue for us; it is foundational to our livelihood and our legacy.

Supporting Captains For Clean Water aligns with our core values: stewardship, transparency, and long-term sustainability. Protecting the right to advocate for water quality protects not just free speech—but Florida’s natural resources and the businesses that depend on them.

A Reminder of What Engagement Can Accomplish

The removal of Section 48 from SB 290 demonstrates that organized, informed, and respectful civic engagement can influence policy in meaningful ways. It underscores that protecting Florida’s waters requires both environmental restoration and the freedom to speak openly about challenges when they arise.

For those who make their living on Florida’s waters, that freedom is essential. And for companies like Hell’s Bay Boatworks, standing behind organizations that defend it is not optional—it is part of being responsible stewards of the resource that sustains us all.

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We start by sitting down and talking through the essentials—where you fish, who you fish with, and how you like to do it. Side or center console? Tiller? Fly or bait? Every angler and guide have their preferences, and that’s exactly how we build them. Together, we design a boat that fits your style, your needs, and your waters. Then we craft a vessel that’s purpose-built for the way you fish.

Give us a call or stop by—we’ll help you get started on your next Hell’s Bay, the World’s Finest Shallow Water Skiffs!