Governor Ron DeSantis officially signed the Boater Freedom Act into law on Monday in Panama City.

A key priority for DeSantis during this year’s legislative session, the law aims to protect boaters’ rights by preventing random vessel searches by law enforcement without probable cause.

“People feel violated when someone comes aboard their boat and starts rummaging through it. It’s the same as if someone tried to search your house without reason,” DeSantis remarked during the signing ceremony. “Even if no wrongdoing is found, it just doesn’t feel right.”

The new legislation also blocks local governments from banning the sale of gas-powered boats.

“If you want to buy an electric boat, that’s fine, but you shouldn’t be forced into it,” DeSantis said. “If you want a traditional boat, you should be able to buy one.”

Furthermore, the law mandates the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to establish a five-year safety inspection decal program tied to vessel registration.

In addition to the Boater Freedom Act, DeSantis signed HB 735, which allocates extra funding for public boat ramps, parking areas, and local marina programs.

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(Image credit: Petty Officer 3rd Class Ryan Dickinson, U.S. Coast Guard photo/DVIDS)

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