The proposed bill, titled the "Boater Freedom Act," introduces several amendments to existing Florida statutes concerning vessels and boating regulations. It clarifies that "probable cause" does not include actions related to safety or marine sanitation equipment inspections. The bill also expands the Clean Marine Program to include Clean Marine Manufacturers and authorizes grants for the construction and maintenance of publicly owned parking for boat-hauling vehicles and trailers. Additionally, it establishes that certain officers cannot stop or board a vessel without probable cause or specific knowledge of a violation, and it reclassifies violations of safety and marine sanitation equipment requirements as secondary offenses.

Furthermore, the bill mandates the creation of a "Florida Freedom Boater" safety inspection decal, which signifies compliance with safety equipment requirements at the time of vessel registration or renewal. It prohibits state agencies and local governments from restricting the use or sale of watercraft based on their energy source, ensuring that all types of energy, including gasoline, diesel, electricity, hydrogen, and solar power, are treated equally. The bill includes a severability clause and is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
H 1001 Filed: 253.0346, 327.47, 327.56, 327.70