DeSantis signs ‘Boater Freedom Act’ to limit local restrictions on Florida waters

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the "Boater Freedom Act“ into instrumentality during a quality league successful Panama City Beach connected Monday.

He said the caller authorities volition support boaters from authorities overreach and sphere Florida’s estimation arsenic the ”boating and sportfishing superior of the world."

The measure, besides known arsenic Senate Bill 1388, blocks section governments from banning gas-powered boats and bars instrumentality enforcement from stopping vessels for random information checks without probable cause.

It besides tasks the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission with launching a five-year vas information decal programme tied to vessel registration.

Supporters of the measure accidental it safeguards the rights of boaters who similar gas-powered vessels and prevents restrictions pushed by section biology groups. Statewide protections for aftermath zones, manatees, and seagrass beds stay unchanged.

Under the caller law, FWC and region taxation collectors volition contented a “Florida Freedom Boater” decal erstwhile boaters registry their vessels and corroborate they conscionable information requirements.

The decal volition service arsenic a awesome to officers that nary halt is needed, allowing law-abiding boaters to bask the h2o without disruption.

DeSantis besides signed House Bill 735, which provides backing to grow nationalist entree to waterways by improving vessel ramps, marina facilities, and parking done FWC programs.

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