21-05-2025
‘Boater Freedom Act' will change laws on the water, starting in July
TAMPA, Fla., (WFLA) — Starting in July, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will no longer be allowed to randomly board your boat while out on the water.
A law limiting vessel boardings was signed by the governor Monday.
DeSantis: Florida 'due for a break' this hurricane season
The 'Boater Freedom Act' will change up laws on the water and hopefully smooth tensions between boaters and law enforcement.
It's no secret boating is huge for Floridians and people who visit the state.
Governor Ron DeSantis said he wants to make sure Florida remains the boating capital.
'We are the top boating state; we consistently rank number one in marine expenditures and boat registrations. We have over 900,000 boat registrations as of 2023 and probably higher now,' he said.
As we see more boaters and tourists getting on the water, DeSantis signed a new law that will ease what he calls tension between boaters and law enforcement officers.
The 'Boat Freedom Act' states law enforcement will no longer be able to pull a boat over without probable cause or a suspected violation.
Currently, during these stops, officers are allowed to conduct inspections like personal property searches, which the governor said can lead to further law enforcement action beyond safety compliance.
In a presser, DeSantis used the example that if you are walking down the street, you cannot be stopped and searched without probable cause. So, he said, it should be the same on the water.
'If there's a basis to intervene, that's one thing and you may have probable cause to suspect something and it may turn out that things are fine, that's the way it goes,' Governor DeSantis said. 'But to just go in without any basis is not the way we want to do it in the state of Florida, and I think it has unnecessarily caused friction between the boating community and some folks in law enforcement.'
The bill also prevents local governments from banning the use or sale of gas-powered boats.
The act will take effect starting this July.
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