FL S0606

Courts may impose fines up to $1,000 per violation for boating collisions and accidents, with proceeds deposited into the Marine Resources Conservation Trust Fund for law enforcement activities

Boating safety education courses must now include components on passenger seating dangers, overboard risks, engine cutoff switch use, and hazards of operating near persons in the water, effective October 1, 2022

Liveries (vessel rental businesses) must obtain a no-cost annual permit from the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, maintain insurance of at least $500,000 per person and $1 million per event, execute written rental agreements, and are prohibited from renting motorized vessels to anyone under 18, effective January 1, 2023

Fines for numerous boating noncriminal infractions are increased, including raising the default civil penalty from $50 to $100, and new penalties of up to $500 are established for improper vessel title transfers and failure to update registration information within 6 months

Persons convicted of criminal boating violations or qualifying noncriminal infractions must pay a mandatory $500 fine and complete a boating safety course, and the commission must maintain a tracking program to ensure compliance with mandatory education requirements