SB 1388: Vessels - Florida

S 1388 e2 → S 1388 er · 3 edits

MINOR

This bill was transitioned from a Second Engrossed version to an Enrolled version, indicating it has been approved by both legislative chambers and is ready for the Governor's signature. The substantive policy content remains largely the same, though some formatting and section numbering were adjusted to reflect the final enrolled status.

Scope change

No substantive change to the bill's scope or applicability; the document reflects final legislative approval status.

TECHNICAL

Header metadata changed from 'Second Engrossed' to 'Enrolled' with updated dates (May 1, 2025 to July 1, 2025), indicating the bill has passed both houses and is in its final form.

Document identifier changed from '20251388e2' to '20251388er' to reflect the enrolled version status.

Section numbering and formatting were adjusted throughout the document to align with enrolled bill standards, including changes to section headers and spacing.

S 1388 e1 → S 1388 e2 · 7 edits

MODERATE

This bill significantly updates Florida's boating laws by clarifying protection zones for springs, strengthening protections against improper vessel stops by law enforcement, creating a new decal program for safety-inspected vessels, and prohibiting restrictions on watercraft based on their energy source. The bill also maintains provisions regarding vessel registration for alien-owned vessels and establishes effective dates for these changes.

Scope change

The bill expands protection zone authority to include modification of anchoring, mooring, beaching, and grounding means for springs, and adds a new prohibition on energy source-based restrictions for watercraft.

REQUIREMENT

Protection zones for springs now explicitly include authority to modify allowable means of anchoring, mooring, beaching, or grounding vessels to prevent significant harm.

New 'Florida Freedom Boater' safety inspection decal program created, allowing vessels to display proof of safety compliance and reducing unnecessary stops for properly equipped vessels.

Prohibition added preventing state agencies, municipalities, and counties from restricting watercraft use or sales based on energy source type (gasoline, diesel, electricity, hydrogen, solar, etc.).

ENFORCEMENT

Law enforcement officers are prohibited from boarding vessels or performing stops without probable cause or when the owner/operator is aboard and consenting, strengthening privacy protections during inspections.

Safety and marine sanitation equipment violations reclassified as secondary offenses rather than primary offenses, meaning they cannot be the sole basis for a traffic stop.

DEFINITION

New definitions for 'energy source' and 'watercraft' established to support the Watercraft Energy Source Freedom Act.

TIMELINE

Act takes effect July 1, 2025, with existing safety inspection decals issued before December 31, 2018, becoming invalid after that date.

S 1388 c1 → S 1388 e1 · 8 edits

MODERATE

This bill significantly overhauls Florida's boating laws by creating new definitions for vessel ownership, establishing a permit system for long-term anchoring, clarifying penalties for vessel collisions and reckless operation, and expanding enforcement powers for derelict vessels. The changes aim to improve water safety, reduce derelict vessels, and clarify legal responsibilities for boat owners and operators.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of vessel regulations to include new definitions for 'vessel owner' and 'livery vessel,' creates a new long-term anchoring permit requirement, and adds specific penalties for boating under the influence and reckless operation.

DEFINITION

New definitions for 'vessel owner' and 'livery vessel' clarify who is legally responsible for vessel registration and liability.

REQUIREMENT

Creates a permit system requiring vessels to obtain a free permit for long-term anchoring (14+ days within 30 days) to prevent derelict vessels.

Requires electronic application and permitting systems for long-term anchoring permits.

Establishes a 'Florida Freedom Boater' safety inspection decal program to reduce routine safety inspections.

ENFORCEMENT

Revises penalties for vessel collisions and reckless operation, with stricter penalties for serious injury or death.

Expands authority for law enforcement to relocate or remove derelict vessels without liability for damages caused during removal.

Clarifies that violations of safety or marine sanitation equipment requirements are secondary offenses rather than primary offenses.

TIMELINE

Changes effective dates from July 1, 2025 to January 1, 2026 for the long-term anchoring permit requirement.

S 1388 Filed → S 1388 c1 · 7 edits

MODERATE

SB 1388 was amended from its original version to become the 'Boater Freedom Act' with additional provisions protecting boater rights, expanding Clean Marina Program benefits, and adding protections for watercraft energy source choices. The bill now includes stronger restrictions on law enforcement vessel stops, creates a new 'Florida Freedom Boater' decal program, and prohibits restrictions on watercraft based on their energy source.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include new provisions about watercraft energy source protections and modifications to spring protection zone rules, while the original version focused primarily on boater inspection rights and Clean Marina Program benefits.

ENFORCEMENT

Strengthened restrictions on law enforcement vessel stops by clarifying that probable cause must exist for stops and that officers must make good faith attempts not to board vessels when owners/operators are not present.

Clarified that violations of safety and marine sanitation equipment requirements are secondary offenses rather than primary offenses, except when equipment cannot be displayed for inspection.

REQUIREMENT

Added new 'Florida Freedom Boater' safety inspection decal program that allows vessels to display a decal signifying compliance with safety equipment requirements, reducing the need for repeated safety inspections.

Modified spring protection zone rules to explicitly include modifying allowable means of vessel positioning (anchoring, mooring, beaching, grounding) to prevent harm to springs.

DEFINITION

Created new section 327.75 establishing the 'Watercraft Energy Source Freedom Act' prohibiting restrictions on watercraft based on their energy source (gasoline, diesel, electricity, hydrogen, solar, etc.).

ELIGIBILITY

Expanded Clean Marina Program benefits to include Clean Marine Manufacturers and added provisions for extended-term lease surcharge waivers.

TIMELINE

Set effective date of July 1, 2025 for the new provisions.

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