Florida House Bill CS 703 - Probable Cause

[tdoster]

This is great news and thanks to States that are starting to change the Policed State feeling that many boaters feel when on the water.

"Florida House Bill CS 703 was approved by the Governor March 25, 2016, and will go into effect starting July 1, 2016. The legislation requires law enforcement to need "probable cause" before stopping or inspecting a vessel if it displays a recent safety inspection decal issued by law enforcement on a previous stop. The law applies only to local and state law enforcement and not to Coast Guard officials. The Senate adopted the House version and laid SB CS-1454 on the table..."

Read the article at 'Probable cause' Florida bill approved by Governor located in Gulf Coast - Florida | Waterway Guide News Update

Sounds like Gov. John R. Kasich signing into law House Bill 29 in 2013, and hopefully many more to come.

Four Seasons: Governor signs new law about boarding boats - News - The Repository - Canton, OH


Local and State have been playing off the Federal Laws for a long time, and hopefully with change at the State and Local Level, maybe one day it can be a setup for a Federal Change as well.

[capt-couillon]

Posted info on this back in March when it started... Glad to see it adopted without too many amendments. You do have to obtain the state "inspection sticker" and display it to avoid being stopped for routine "inspections". Local grouper-troopers are not real happy, but will comply. Will be a nice feeling not to get the dink pulled over for a routine safety inspection this winter when enforcement is at its peak.

Rules are there for a reason, and anyone who does not carry required basic equipment is a fool anyway. That being said, every year has some problems with over zealous rookies with a training problem. The stickers will help with that anyway.

Looking forward to see how it all plays out in the fall here in Marathon. Reminder... this only applies to "Safety Items". FWC and other local LIOs can still stop you at any time for fish and game inspections as well as discharge etc. Maybe a little less Mickey Mouse and a little more time spent on serious violators.

Just sayin"