Post by Logan on Feb 14, 2016 3:24:51 GMT -6
TALLAHASSEE — Law enforcement officers would need "reasonable suspicion" to stop and inspect boats sporting state safety stickers, under a measure that sailed through its final House committee this week.
The Economic Affairs Committee voted 12-3 to approve the proposal (HB 703), which would revise a state law about reckless and careless operations of vessels.
A key feature of the proposal would lessen the ability of Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission law-enforcement officers, county deputies and municipal police officers to use the pretext of conducting safety inspections to stop and search boats if the vessels display commission safety-inspection decals.
"I just want to give safe boaters the opportunity to be pulled over less," bill sponsor Ritch Workman, R-Melbourne, said. "Not that they can't be pulled over at all."
Read more: www.gainesville.com/article/20160213/ARTICLES/160219831/1182?Title=Lawmakers-float-new-boating-legislation
The Economic Affairs Committee voted 12-3 to approve the proposal (HB 703), which would revise a state law about reckless and careless operations of vessels.
A key feature of the proposal would lessen the ability of Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission law-enforcement officers, county deputies and municipal police officers to use the pretext of conducting safety inspections to stop and search boats if the vessels display commission safety-inspection decals.
"I just want to give safe boaters the opportunity to be pulled over less," bill sponsor Ritch Workman, R-Melbourne, said. "Not that they can't be pulled over at all."
Read more: www.gainesville.com/article/20160213/ARTICLES/160219831/1182?Title=Lawmakers-float-new-boating-legislation