Gabrielle Russon
The “Free State of Florida” is looking to extend that reputation to its seas, as Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the Boater Freedom Act during a press conference in Panama City.
“This Boater Freedom Act is going to make sure that Florida remains the boater capital of the world,” DeSantis said at the press conference. “This is really significant legislation today. I know there’s a lot of people throughout Florida that are going to be happy that this legislation finally got across the finish line.”
SB 1388 prohibits an officer from performing a vessel stop or boarding a boat without probable cause. Sen. Jay Trumbull, whose district includes a long stretch of Florida’s Gulf coast, sponsored the bill.
“We’ve worked to make Florida the freest state in the nation, and that freedom should extend to our waters,” the Panama City Republican said upon filing the bill earlier this year. Rep. Griff Griffitts sponsored the House companion.
“I think it actually will be a better allocation of resources — not just for FWC (the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission) but for the other local law enforcement agencies who are really important in keeping our people safe,” DeSantis said.
The new law also prohibits the government from banning any watercraft usage or sale based on what kind of fuel it uses, so governments cannot push for more environmentally friendly electric boats.
DeSantis called gas-powered restrictions “draconian.”
“If you want to buy an electric boat, I don’t think you should be prohibited from it, but you certainly shouldn’t be required to do that,” DeSantis. “If you want a boat, you should be able to buy traditional vessels.”
DeSantis also used the podium Monday to continue advocating for Florida to take over management of the Atlantic red snapper from the federal government.
The state put in a formal request with the U.S. Department of Commerce and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, DeSantis said, as he criticized the federal government for limiting the fishing season in the Atlantic. The state controls the Gulf side, and DeSantis recently announced a record-breaking Gulf red snapper fishing season, kicking off Memorial Day weekend and lasting 126 days in total this year.
“I could tell you everything is thriving, the populations are strong, the anglers are having a great time. It’s important for our culture, for tourism,” DeSantis said as he pushes for a longer fishing season and more state control in the Atlantic.
8 comments
Only state LEOs…
May 19, 2025 at 2:37 pm
It should be noted that this law has no impact whatever on federal LEOs or the U.S. Coast Guard.
John Smith
May 19, 2025 at 5:53 pm
Thankfully! I am concerned that Tallahassee is hamstringing FWC. If a fisherman catches an undersized fish and immediately places it in a cooler…how will FWC obtain PC to check? This is a terrible law. It’s not easy to spot a drunk boater until it’s too late.
SuzyQ
May 19, 2025 at 11:48 pm
The Coast Guard does not have the authority to patrol all waterways in Florida.
Greg
May 19, 2025 at 8:54 pm
This will not stop U.S. Customs and Border Protection or The Coast Guard. FWC can still check your coolers at the dock. A fishing rod is reasonable to believe you have been fishing, right?
SuzyQ
May 19, 2025 at 11:43 pm
The free state of Florida just got freer, thanks to America’s Governor.
LexT
May 20, 2025 at 8:46 am
Am I the only person concerned that this is a license to over fish? I realize that it is commercial fishermen that are the big problem with over fishing, but where is the protection? Who is going to catch someone for keeping fish that are too small? Who is going to stop someone for getting too many of something. When fish supplies shrink what will we do? I’m okay with this in general, but I want to feel good that someone is going to make sure there is fish for my kids to catch.
Charles P Aguero
May 21, 2025 at 5:50 pm
I can not believe the stupidity of this law how is law enforcement to find out if boats have proper safety equipment until after a tragedy.
Fritz Bertoch
May 23, 2025 at 7:58 am
So with this new law, LEO’s can’t check me out on the water. So now I can catch Red Snapper (any amount, any time/season) all the scallops that I want (any amount, any time/any season) and then dock at a privately owned ramp and be on my merry way. Who cares if I even have any safety equipment on board, don’t need it now. Thanks Ron
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