Bad Boating Bill

Bad Boating Bill

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Florida Senate Bill 1388/ House Bill 1001 entitled “Vessels” if passed, could undermine vital safety and environmental protections for boaters and Florida’s waterways. 

Fecal bacteria is one of the leading causes of pollution in Florida waters. One way that the state combats this issue is by tasking Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWCC) officers with inspecting live-aboard vessels to make sure that they are not dumping raw sewage into our waterways. If passed, SB 1388/ HB 1001 would make it significantly more difficult for FWCC officers to enforce sanitation standards by prohibiting them from boarding vessels to conduct ...

Florida Senate Bill 1388/ House Bill 1001 entitled “Vessels” if passed, could undermine vital safety and environmental protections for boaters and Florida’s waterways. 

Fecal bacteria is one of the leading causes of pollution in Florida waters. One way that the state combats this issue is by tasking Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWCC) officers with inspecting live-aboard vessels to make sure that they are not dumping raw sewage into our waterways. If passed, SB 1388/ HB 1001 would make it significantly more difficult for FWCC officers to enforce sanitation standards by prohibiting them from boarding vessels to conduct these inspections without probable cause of an additional offense. These bills would also limit officers’ ability to conduct safety checks on vessels, to ensure that all required safety equipment is onboard.

Another way that FWCC works to protect our waterways is by enforcing boating restricted areas in environmentally sensitive waterways such as manatee congregation areas or places where seagrass restoration is taking place. This bill would eliminate the ability of FWCC and local governments to prohibit motorized vessel traffic in areas where they would damage or destroy sensitive ecological resources.  

We need your voice to protect public safety and the environment! Contact your legislators today and urge them to oppose SB 1388/ HB 1001. Florida’s waterways deserve better. Speak up now for safer, cleaner waters!

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Tell the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee to vote NO on SB 1388

Senate Bill 1388 entitled 'Vessels' will be voted on on Tuesday March 25th, so take action NOW!

It only takes a couple of minutes to email members of the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee to vote NO on SB 1388

Customized emails are more impactful. You can include things like:

  • The importance of FWCC officer's ability to enforce boating safety and environmental protections. 
  • The need to regulate vessel traffic in environmentally sensitive areas. 
  • Descriptions of instances where vessels have dumped raw sewage into waterways in your community.

Where do you live?

Compose your email

Email Tips +

  • Don't forget to include the name and numbers for the bill.
  • Clearly state how you are urging them to vote (Example: "Vote NO because...")
  • Keep it short. There is no need to write a whole essay. A few sentences will do. 
  • Make it personal. Elected officials tend to ignore emails that are copied and pasted from 100s of people. Add a personal touch like a story or how this bill would impact your community.