Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Florida Boater Freedom Initiative into law, banning FWC from stopping boats without probable cause.

Under the new law, which went into effect on July 1, law enforcement officers must have probably cause to stop a vessel.

“Florida is the boating and fishing capital of the world — and the Boater Freedom Act will ensure that this remains the case,” Gov. Ron DeSantis said in a May 19 news release.

Florida's new Boater Freedom Act has some anglers worried about what will be left in their nets. It could be a story of more ...

On the first of July, nearly 100 new Florida laws are now in effect. One of the laws is one that makes many boaters happy - it limits the FWC's ability to stop and search their vessel.

Starting July 1, 2025, law enforcement will no longer be able to pull a boat over without probable cause or a suspected violation. Before, officers were allowed to conduct inspections, like personal ...

“Florida is the boating and fishing capital of the world — and the Boater Freedom Act will ensure that this remains the case,” Gov. Ron DeSantis said in a May 19 news release.