summary
Introduced
02/24/2025
02/24/2025
In Committee
03/02/2025
03/02/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An act relating to vessels; providing a short title; amending s. 327.02, F.S.; providing that the term "probable cause" does not include specified actions relating to safety or marine sanitation equipment inspections; amending s. 253.0346, F.S.; including Clean Marine Manufacturers within the Clean Marine Program; amending s. 327.47, F.S.; authorizing certain grants to be awarded for the construction and maintenance of publicly owned parking for boat-hauling vehicles and trailers; amending s. 327.56, F.S.; prohibiting certain officers from performing a vessel stop or boarding a vessel without probable cause or specified knowledge; requiring such officers to make good faith attempts to not board vessels without the owner or operator on board; providing that violations of safety and marine sanitation equipment requirements are considered secondary offenses; removing provisions authorizing certain officers to board a vessel under certain circumstances; removing provisions relating to the inspection of floating structures; amending s. 327.70, F.S.; requiring the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, in coordination with the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, to create the "Florida Freedom Boater" safety inspection decal for specified purposes; providing for the award of such decal; providing requirements for such decal; creating s. 327.75, F.S.; providing a short title; providing definitions; prohibiting specified entities from restricting the use or sale of watercrafts based on the energy source used by such watercrafts; providing severability; providing an effective date.
AI Summary
This bill, titled the "Boater Freedom Act," introduces several key provisions related to vessel regulations and boater rights in Florida. It modifies the definition of "probable cause" to exclude safety or marine sanitation equipment inspections, effectively limiting when law enforcement can board or stop a vessel. The bill expands the Clean Marina Program to include Clean Marine Manufacturers and allows grants for publicly owned boat trailer parking. It introduces a new "Florida Freedom Boater" safety inspection decal to be issued during vessel registration, which signifies that a vessel meets safety equipment requirements. The bill also creates the "Watercraft Energy Source Freedom Act," which prohibits state agencies, municipalities, and counties from restricting the use or sale of watercraft based on their energy source (such as gasoline, diesel, electricity, hydrogen, or solar power). Additionally, the legislation changes how safety and marine sanitation equipment violations are handled, treating them as secondary offenses and requiring officers to make good faith attempts to avoid boarding vessels when the owner or operator is not present. The bill aims to provide more protection and flexibility for boaters while maintaining safety standards, and it is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration (on 05/03/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/1001 |
| Analysis - Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee (Post-Meeting) | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/1001/Analyses/h1001z1.NRD.PDF |
| Analysis - Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee (Post-Meeting) | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/1001/Analyses/h1001z.NRD.PDF |
| BillText | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/1001/BillText/Filed/PDF |
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