HB 887 North Carolina House · 2025-2026 Session

Address Abandoned and Derelict Vessels.

HB 887 defines "abandoned vessels" (left unattended >30 days without permission) and "derelict vessels" (in poor condition, like wrecked or sinking), directly affecting vessel owners and operators in North Carolina. It creates new rules requiring vessels to be secured properly to avoid damaging waters or property, limits docking in state waters to 10 days within any 30-day period, and gives the Commission authority to remove abandoned or derelict vessels from public or private land/waters without liability. The bill includes exceptions for historic shipwrecks under state custody and vessels abandoned during emergencies, where owners must notify authorities and remove the vessel within 10 days. This legislation aims to address safety and environmental risks posed by neglected vessels.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Apr 9, 2025 Last action Apr 14, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Filed Edition 1 · 3 edits
MINOR
The bill was reformatted from a House Bill draft to an official General Assembly edition, with minor formatting adjustments to the header and bill number. The substantive policy content regarding abandoned vessel authority, anchoring restrictions, and enforcement powers remains unchanged.
TECHNICAL

Header formatting was updated to reflect official General Assembly session layout with bill number H887-v-1 instead of the draft identifier DRH10397-MH-38B.

Sponsorship information was expanded to list both Representatives Miller and Cairns as primary sponsors, with a reference to the General Assembly website for a complete sponsor list.

Referred to committee section was updated with a specific date of April 14, 2025, and expanded to include Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House.

Floor votes

How they voted

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
3
Key actions
0
Committee
1
Apr 14, 2025
Committee
Ref to the Com on State and Local Government, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Introduced
Filed
lower
1 primary · 9 co-sponsors

Sponsors