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FloridaHB 2892025HouseWALLET

Boating Safety

Sponsored By: Vanessa Oliver (Republican)

Signed by Governor

AppropriationCriminal Justice SubcommitteeBudget CommitteeJudiciary CommitteeState Affairs CommitteeHouse CalendarFiscal Policy

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 5 costs, 0 mixed.

Boating violations bring courses and fines

Beginning July 1, 2025, people convicted of listed noncriminal boating infractions must complete an approved classroom or online safety course. They pay the course cost, which the law does not set. They must file proof with Florida's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission within 90 days and cannot operate a vessel until filing. A separate $500 fine applies alongside education requirements for criminal boating convictions, noncriminal infractions causing reportable accidents, or two or more specified noncriminal infractions within 12 months. Clerks send these fines through the Department of Revenue to the Marine Resources Conservation Trust Fund for law enforcement.

Clearer rules for boat rental operators

Beginning July 1, 2025, a vessel leased or rented to another person counts as a livery vessel. A rental operator counts as a livery when advertising and offering a vessel for payment without providing a Coast Guard-licensed master or requiring the renter to provide one. This definition sets which rental operators fall under Florida's livery rules. It does not create a household payment or benefit.

Online boating course providers need approval

Beginning July 1, 2025, Florida's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission must set minimum standards for online boating safety courses. The standards cover course content, tests, and provider qualifications. They must meet at least the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators' education standards. Providers must get Commission approval and show compliance with its rules before offering courses to the public.

Boaters face penalties for leaving crashes

Beginning July 1, 2025, vessel operators face penalties for leaving accidents without meeting aid, search, and reporting duties. Property damage alone brings a second-degree misdemeanor; injury other than serious bodily injury brings a third-degree felony, ranked sentencing level 5. Serious bodily injury brings a second-degree felony, ranked sentencing level 6. Death of a person or unborn child brings a first-degree felony. A willful violation involving a death carries at least 4 years in prison.

Boaters face reckless-operation and false-report penalties

Beginning July 1, 2025, reckless vessel operation without an accident is a second-degree misdemeanor. An accident damaging another person's property or causing injury is a first-degree misdemeanor; serious bodily injury makes it a third-degree felony. These rules also cover reckless use of water skis, aquaplanes, and similar devices. Giving information in a required boating report while knowing or having reason to believe it is false is a second-degree misdemeanor. The reporting rule covers spoken, electronic, and written reports.

Fatal boating crimes cover unborn children

Beginning July 1, 2025, boating-under-the-influence manslaughter covers operation causing or contributing to a person's or unborn child's death. Every conviction carries at least 4 years in prison. Vessel homicide also covers an unborn child's death caused by injury to the mother during reckless vessel operation. Both offenses are second-degree felonies, rising to first-degree when operators knew or should have known about the accident and failed required aid duties. For vessel homicide, the aggravated offense includes failure to provide required information.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Vanessa Oliver

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Criminal Justice Subcommittee

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Judiciary Committee

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Vicki L. Lopez

    Republican • House

  • State Affairs Committee

    Affiliation unavailable

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 378 • No: 6

Senate vote • 5/2/2025

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 31 • No: 0

House vote • 5/2/2025

House Floor Vote

Yes: 93 • No: 1

House vote • 5/1/2025

House Floor Vote

Yes: 105 • No: 5

Senate vote • 4/30/2025

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 37 • No: 0

House vote • 3/26/2025

House Floor Vote

Yes: 112 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter No. 2025-197

    6/30/2025

  2. Approved by Governor

    6/27/2025

  3. Signed by Officers and presented to Governor

    6/18/2025

  4. Ordered engrossed, then enrolled

    5/2/2025House

  5. CS passed as amended; YEAS 93, NAYS 1

    5/2/2025House

  6. Amendment 468576 Concur

    5/2/2025House

  7. Senate Message List

    5/2/2025House

  8. In Messages

    5/2/2025House

  9. CS passed as amended; YEAS 31 NAYS 0 -SJ 1186

    5/2/2025Senate

  10. Concurred in House amendment(s) as amended to Senate amendment(s) (746971) -SJ 1186

    5/2/2025Senate

  11. Amendment(s) to House amendment(s) adopted (468576) -SJ 1186

    5/2/2025Senate

  12. In returning messages

    5/1/2025Senate

  13. CS passed as amended; YEAS 105, NAYS 5

    5/1/2025House

  14. Concurred in Senate amendment 212806 as amended

    5/1/2025House

  15. Amendment 746971 adopted

    5/1/2025House

  16. Senate Message List

    5/1/2025House

  17. In Messages

    4/30/2025House

  18. CS passed as amended; YEAS 37 NAYS 0 -SJ 1008

    4/30/2025Senate

  19. Read 3rd time -SJ 1008

    4/30/2025Senate

  20. Amendment(s) adopted (212806) -SJ 1000

    4/30/2025Senate

  21. Read 2nd time -SJ 999

    4/30/2025Senate

  22. Substituted for CS/CS/SB 628 -SJ 999

    4/30/2025Senate

  23. Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading

    4/30/2025Senate

  24. Withdrawn from Fiscal Policy -SJ 999

    4/30/2025Senate

  25. Received

    4/2/2025Senate

Bill Text

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