Florida Senate - 2009 COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
Bill No. CS for CS for SB 2536
Barcode 884442
LEGISLATIVE ACTION
Senate . House
Comm: WD .
04/20/2009 .
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The Committee on General Government Appropriations (Oelrich)
recommended the following:
1 Senate Amendment (with title amendment)
2
3 Delete lines 328 - 949
4 and insert:
5 Section 3. Effective October 1, 2009, renumber subsections
6 (4) through (7) of section 253.04, Florida Statutes, as (5)
7 through (8) and create new subsection (4) of that section to
8 read:
9 253.04 Duty of board to protect, etc., state lands; state
10 may join in any action brought.—
11 (4)(a) The duty to conserve and improve state-owned lands
12 and the products thereof shall include the preservation and
13 regeneration of seagrass, which is deemed essential to the
14 oceans, gulfs, estuaries, and shorelines of the state. A person
15 operating a vessel outside a lawfully marked channel in a
16 careless manner that causes seagrass scarring within an aquatic
17 preserve established in ss. 258.39-258.399, with the exception
18 of the Lake Jackson, Oklawaha River, Wekiva River, and Rainbow
19 Springs aquatic preserves, commits a noncriminal infraction,
20 punishable as provided in s. 327.73. Each violation is a
21 separate offense. As used in this subsection, the term:
22 1. “Seagrass scarring” means destruction of seagrass roots,
23 shoots, or stems that results in tracks on the substrate, caused
24 by the operation of a motorized vessel in waters supporting
25 seagrasses, commonly referred to as prop scars or propeller
26 scars.
27 2. “Seagrass” means Cuban shoal grass (Halodule wrightii),
28 turtle grass (Thalassia testudinum), manatee grass (Syringodium
29 filiforme), star grass (Halophila engelmannii), paddle grass
30 (Halophila decipiens), Johnsons seagrass (Halophila johnsonii),
31 or widgeon grass (Ruppia maritima).
32 (b) Any violation under paragraph (a) is a violation of the
33 vessel laws of this state and shall be charged on a uniform
34 boating citation as provided in s. 327.74. Any person who
35 refuses to post a bond or accept and sign a uniform boating
36 citation commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, as provided
37 in s. 327.73(3), punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s.
38 775.083.
39 Section 4. Effective September 1, 2009, subsection (3) of
40 section 319.32, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
41 319.32 Fees; service charges; disposition.—
42 (3) The department shall charge a fee of $10 $4 in addition
43 to that charged in subsection (1) for each original certificate
44 of title issued for a vehicle previously registered outside this
45 state.
46 Section 5. Effective September 1, 2009, paragraphs (a) and
47 (x) of subsection (4) of section 320.08056, Florida Statutes,
48 are amended to read:
49 320.08056 Specialty license plates.—
50 (4) The following license plate annual use fees shall be
51 collected for the appropriate specialty license plates:
52 (a) Manatee license plate, $25 $20.
53 (x) Conserve Wildlife license plate, $25 $15.
54 Section 6. Subsection (17) of section 327.02, Florida
55 Statutes, is amended to read:
56 327.02 Definitions of terms used in this chapter and in
57 chapter 328.—As used in this chapter and in chapter 328, unless
58 the context clearly requires a different meaning, the term:
59 (17) “Live-aboard vessel” means:
60 (a) Any vessel used solely as a residence and not for
61 navigation; or
62 (b) Any vessel represented as a place of business, a
63 professional or other commercial enterprise;, or a legal
64 residence.
65 (c) Any vessel for which a declaration of domicile has been
66 filed pursuant to s. 222.17.
67
68 A commercial fishing boat is expressly excluded from the
69 term “live-aboard vessel.”
70 Section 7. Subsection (4) of section 327.35, Florida
71 Statutes, is amended to read:
72 327.35 Boating under the influence; penalties; “designated
73 drivers”.—
74 (1) A person is guilty of the offense of boating under the
75 influence and is subject to punishment as provided in subsection
76 (2) if the person is operating a vessel within this state and:
77 (a) The person is under the influence of alcoholic
78 beverages, any chemical substance set forth in s. 877.111, or
79 any substance controlled under chapter 893, when affected to the
80 extent that the person’s normal faculties are impaired;
81 (b) The person has a blood-alcohol level of 0.08 or more
82 grams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood; or
83 (c) The person has a breath-alcohol level of 0.08 or more
84 grams of alcohol per 210 liters of breath.
85 (4) Any person who is convicted of a violation of
86 subsection (1) and who has a blood-alcohol level or breath
87 alcohol level of 0.15 0.20 or higher, or any person who is
88 convicted of a violation of subsection (1) and who at the time
89 of the offense was accompanied in the vessel by a person under
90 the age of 18 years, shall be punished:
91 (a) By a fine of:
92 1. Not less than $1,000 or more than $2,000 for a first
93 conviction.
94 2. Not less than $2,000 or more than $4,000 for a second
95 conviction.
96 3. Not less than $4,000 for a third or subsequent
97 conviction.
98 (b) By imprisonment for:
99 1. Not more than 9 months for a first conviction.
100 2. Not more than 12 months for a second conviction.
101
102 For the purposes of this subsection, only the instant
103 offense is required to be a violation of subsection (1) by a
104 person who has a blood-alcohol level or breath-alcohol level of
105 0.15 0.20 or higher.
106 Section 8. Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section
107 327.36, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
108 327.36 Mandatory adjudication; prohibition against
109 accepting plea to lesser included offense.—
110 (2)(a) No trial judge may accept a plea of guilty to a
111 lesser offense from a person who is charged with a violation of
112 s. 327.35, manslaughter resulting from the operation of a
113 vessel, or vessel homicide and who has been given a breath or
114 blood test to determine blood or breath alcohol content, the
115 results of which show a blood-alcohol level or breath-alcohol
116 level of 0.15 0.16 or more.
117 Section 9. Effective January 1, 2010, section 327.395,
118 Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
119 327.395 Boating safety identification cards.—
120 (1) A person born on or after January 1, 1988, 21 years of
121 age or younger may not operate a vessel powered by a motor of 10
122 horsepower or greater unless such person has in his or her
123 possession aboard the vessel photographic identification and a
124 boater safety identification card issued by the commission which
125 shows that he or she has:
126 (a) Completed a commission-approved boater education course
127 that meets the minimum 8-hour instruction requirement
128 established by the National Association of State Boating Law
129 Administrators;
130 (b) Passed a course equivalency examination approved by the
131 commission; or
132 (c) Passed a temporary certificate examination developed or
133 approved by the commission.
134 (2) Any person may obtain a boater safety identification
135 card by complying with the requirements of this section.
136 (3) Any commission-approved boater education or boater
137 safety course, course-equivalency examination developed or
138 approved by the commission, or temporary certificate examination
139 developed or approved by the commission must include a component
140 regarding diving vessels, awareness of divers in the water,
141 divers-down flags, and the requirements of s. 327.331.
142 (4) The commission may appoint liveries, marinas, or other
143 persons as its agents to administer the course, course
144 equivalency examination, or temporary certificate examination
145 and issue identification cards under guidelines established by
146 the commission. An agent must charge the $2 examination fee,
147 which must be forwarded to the commission with proof of passage
148 of the examination and may charge and keep a $1 service fee.
149 (5) An identification card issued to a person who has
150 completed a boating education course or a course equivalency
151 examination is valid for life. A card issued to a person who has
152 passed a temporary certification examination is valid for 12
153 months from the date of issuance.
154 (6) A person is exempt from subsection (1) if he or she:
155 (a) Is licensed by the United States Coast Guard to serve
156 as master of a vessel.
157 (b) Operates a vessel only on a private lake or pond.
158 (c) Is accompanied in the vessel by a person who is exempt
159 from this section or who holds an identification card in
160 compliance with this section, is 18 years of age or older, and
161 is attendant to the operation of the vessel and responsible for
162 the safe operation of the vessel and for any violation that
163 occurs during the operation.
164 (d) Is a nonresident who has in his or her possession proof
165 that he or she has completed a boater education course or
166 equivalency examination in another state which meets or exceeds
167 the requirements of subsection (1).
168 (e) Is operating a vessel within 90 days after the purchase
169 of that vessel and has available for inspection aboard that
170 vessel a bill of sale meeting the requirements of s. 328.46(1).
171 (f)(e) Is exempted by rule of the commission.
172 (7) A person who operates a vessel in violation of
173 subsection (1) commits violates this section is guilty of a
174 noncriminal infraction, punishable as provided in s. 327.73.
175 (8) The commission shall design forms and adopt rules to
176 administer this section. Such rules shall include provision for
177 educational and other public and private entities to offer the
178 course and administer examinations.
179 (9) The commission shall institute and coordinate a
180 statewide program of boating safety instruction and
181 certification to ensure that boating courses and examinations
182 are available in each county of the state.
183 (10) The commission is authorized to establish and to
184 collect a $2 examination fee to cover administrative costs.
185 (11) The commission is authorized to adopt rules pursuant
186 to chapter 120 to implement the provisions of this section.
187 Section 10. Effective October 1, 2009, section 327.40,
188 Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
189 327.40 Uniform waterway markers for safety and navigation;
190 informational markers.—
191 (1) Waters of this state Waterways in Florida which need
192 marking for safety or navigation purposes shall be marked only
193 in conformity with under the United States Aids to Navigation
194 System, 33 C.F.R. part 62. Until December 31, 2003, channel
195 markers and obstruction markers conforming to the Uniform State
196 Waterway Marking System, 33 C.F.R. subpart 66.10, may continue
197 to be used on waters of this state that are not navigable waters
198 of the United States.
199 (2)(a) Application for marking inland lakes and state
200 waters and any navigable waters under concurrent jurisdiction of
201 the Coast Guard and the division shall be made to the division,
202 accompanied by a map locating the approximate placement of
203 markers, a list of the markers to be placed, a statement of the
204 specification of the markers, a statement of the purpose of
205 marking, and the names of persons responsible for the placement
206 and upkeep of such markers. The division will assist the
207 applicant to secure the proper permission from the Coast Guard
208 where required, make such investigations as needed, and issue a
209 permit. The division shall furnish the applicant with the
210 information concerning the system adopted and the rules existing
211 for placing and maintaining the markers. The division shall keep
212 records of all approvals given and counsel with individuals,
213 counties, municipalities, motorboat clubs, or other groups
214 desiring to mark waterways for safety and navigation purposes in
215 Florida.
216 (b)1. No person or municipality, county, or other
217 governmental entity shall place any uniform waterway marker
218 safety or navigation markers in, on, or over the waters or
219 shores of the state without a permit from the division.
220 2. The placement of informational markers, including, but
221 not limited to, markers indicating end of boat ramp, no
222 swimming, swimming area, lake name, trash receptacle, public
223 health notice, or underwater hazard and canal, regulatory,
224 emergency, and special event markers, by counties,
225 municipalities, or other governmental entities on inland lakes
226 and their associated canals are exempt from permitting under
227 this section. Such markers, excluding swimming area and special
228 event markers, may be no more than 50 feet from the normal
229 shoreline.
230 (c) The commission is authorized to adopt rules pursuant to
231 chapter 120 to implement this section.
232 (3) The placement under this section or s. 327.41 of any
233 uniform waterway marker safety or navigation marker or any
234 informational marker under subparagraph (2)(b)2. on state
235 submerged lands under this section does not subject such lands
236 to the lease requirements of chapter 253.
237 Section 11. Effective October 1, 2009, subsection (2) of
238 section 327.41, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
239 327.41 Uniform waterway regulatory markers.—
240 (2) Any county or municipality which has been granted a
241 boating-restricted restricted area designation, by rule of the
242 commission pursuant to s. 327.46(1)(a), for a portion of the
243 Florida Intracoastal Waterway within its jurisdiction or which
244 has adopted a boating-restricted restricted area by ordinance
245 pursuant to s. 327.46(1)(b) or (c) s. 327.22, s. 327.60, or s.
246 379.2431(2)(p), or any other governmental entity which has
247 legally established a boating-restricted restricted area, may
248 apply to the commission for permission to place regulatory
249 markers within the boating-restricted restricted area.
250 Section 12. Effective October 1, 2009, section 327.42,
251 Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
252 327.42 Mooring to or damaging of uniform waterway markers
253 or buoys prohibited.—
254 (1) No person shall moor or fasten a vessel to a lawfully
255 placed uniform waterway aid-to-navigation marker or buoy,
256 regulatory marker or buoy, or area boundary marker or buoy,
257 placed or erected by any governmental agency, except in case of
258 emergency or with the written consent of the marker’s owner.
259 (2) No person shall willfully damage, alter, or move a
260 lawfully placed uniform waterway aid-to-navigation marker or
261 buoy, regulatory marker or buoy, or area boundary marker or
262 buoy.
263 Section 13. Effective October 1, 2009, section 327.46,
264 Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
265 327.46 Boating-restricted Restricted areas.—
266 (1) Boating-restricted The commission has the authority to
267 establish by rule, pursuant to chapter 120, restricted areas,
268 including, but not limited to, restrictions of vessel speeds and
269 vessel traffic, may be established on the waters of this the
270 state for any purpose deemed necessary to protect for the safety
271 of the public, including, but not limited to, vessel speeds and
272 vessel traffic, where such restrictions are deemed necessary
273 based on boating accidents, visibility, hazardous currents or
274 water levels, vessel traffic congestion, or other navigational
275 hazards.
276 (a) The commission may establish boating-restricted areas
277 by rule, pursuant to chapter 120.
278 (b) Municipalities and counties have the authority to
279 establish the following boating-restricted areas by ordinance:
280 1. An ordinance establishing an Idle Speed-No Wake boating
281 restricted area, if the area is:
282 a. Within 500 feet of any boat ramp, hoist, marine railway,
283 or other launching or landing facility available for use by the
284 general boating public on waterways more than 300 feet in width
285 or within 300 feet of any boat ramp, hoist, marine railway, or
286 other launching or landing facility available for use by the
287 general boating public on waterways not exceeding 300 feet in
288 width.
289 b. Within 500 feet of fuel pumps or dispensers at any
290 marine fueling facility that sells motor fuel to the general
291 boating public on waterways more than 300 feet in width or
292 within 300 feet of the fuel pumps or dispensers at any licensed
293 terminal facility that sells motor fuel to the general boating
294 public on waterways not exceeding 300 feet in width.
295 c. Inside or within 300 feet of any lock structure.
296 2. An ordinance establishing a Slow Speed Minimum Wake
297 boating-restricted area if the area is:
298 a. Within 300 feet of any bridge fender system.
299 b. Within 300 feet of any bridge span presenting a vertical
300 clearance of less than 25 feet or a horizontal clearance of less
301 than 100 feet.
302 c. On a creek, stream, canal, or similar linear waterway
303 where the waterway is less than 75 feet in width from shoreline
304 to shoreline.
305 d. On a lake or pond of less than 10 acres in total surface
306 area.
307 3. An ordinance establishing a vessel exclusion zone if the
308 area is:
309 a. Designated as a public bathing beach or swim area.
310 b. Within 300 feet of a dam, spillway, or flood-control
311 structure.
312 (c) Municipalities and counties have the authority to
313 establish by ordinance the following other boating-restricted
314 areas:
315 1. An ordinance establishing an Idle Speed-No Wake boating
316 restricted area, if the area is within 300 feet of a confluence
317 of water bodies presenting a blind corner, a bend in a narrow
318 channel or fairway, or such other area where an intervening
319 obstruction to visibility may obscure other vessels or other
320 users of the waterway.
321 2. An ordinance establishing a Slow Speed Minimum Wake or a
322 numerical speed limit boating-restricted area if the area is:
323 a. Within 300 feet of a confluence of water bodies
324 presenting a blind corner, a bend in a narrow channel or
325 fairway, or such other area where an intervening obstruction to
326 visibility may obscure other vessels or other users of the
327 waterway.
328 b. Subject to unsafe levels of vessel traffic congestion.
329 c. Subject to hazardous water levels or currents, or
330 containing other navigational hazards.
331 d. An area that accident reports, uniform boating
332 citations, vessel traffic studies, or other creditable data
333 demonstrate to present a significant risk of collision or a
334 significant threat to boating safety.
335 3. An ordinance establishing a vessel-exclusion zone if the
336 area is reserved exclusively:
337 a. As a canoe trail or otherwise limited to vessels under
338 oars or under sail.
339 b. For a particular activity and user group, separation
340 must be imposed to protect the safety of those participating in
341 such activity.
342
343 Any of the ordinances adopted pursuant to this paragraph
344 shall not take effect until the commission has reviewed the
345 ordinance and determined by substantial competent evidence that
346 the ordinance is necessary to protect public safety pursuant to
347 this paragraph. Any application for approval of an ordinance
348 shall be reviewed and acted upon within 90 days after receipt of
349 a completed application. Within 30 days after a municipality or
350 county submits an application for approval to the commission,
351 the commission shall advise the municipality or county as to
352 what information, if any, is needed to deem the application
353 properly completed. An application shall be considered complete
354 upon receipt of all requested information and correction of any
355 error or omission for which the applicant was timely notified or
356 when the time for such notification has expired. The
357 commission’s action on the application is subject to review
358 under chapter 120. The commission shall initiate rulemaking
359 within 180 days after the effective date of this act to provide
360 criteria and procedures for reviewing applications submitted
361 under this part and procedures for providing for public notice
362 and participation.
363 (2) Each such boating-restricted restricted area shall be
364 developed in consultation and coordination with the governing
365 body of the county or municipality in which the boating
366 restricted restricted area is located and, when the boating
367 restricted area is to be on the navigable waters of the United
368 States where required, with the United States Coast Guard and
369 the United States Army Corps of Engineers.
370 (3)(2) It is unlawful for any person to operate a vessel in
371 a prohibited manner or to carry on any prohibited activity, as
372 defined in this chapter, deemed a safety hazard or interference
373 with navigation as provided above within a boating-restricted
374 restricted water area that which has been clearly marked by
375 regulatory markers as authorized under this chapter.
376 (4)(3) Restrictions in a boating-restricted area
377 established pursuant to this section shall not apply in the case
378 of an emergency or to a law enforcement, firefighting, or rescue
379 vessel owned or operated by a governmental entity.
380 Section 14. Effective October 1, 2009, section 327.60,
381 Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
382 327.60 Local regulations; limitations.—
383 (1) The provisions of this chapter and chapter 328 ss.
384 327.01, 327.02, 327.30-327.40, 327.44-327.50, 327.54, 327.56,
385 327.65, 328.40-328.48, 328.52-328.58, 328.62, and 328.64 shall
386 govern the operation, equipment, and all other matters relating
387 thereto whenever any vessel shall be operated upon the waters of
388 this state waterways or when any activity regulated hereby shall
389 take place thereon.
390 (2) Nothing in this chapter or chapter 328 these sections
391 shall be construed to prevent the adoption of any ordinance or
392 local regulation law relating to operation and equipment of
393 vessels, except that no county or municipality shall enact,
394 continue in effect, or enforce any ordinance or local
395 regulation:
396 (a) Establishing a vessel or associated equipment
397 performance or other safety standard, imposing a requirement for
398 associated equipment, or regulating the carrying or use of
399 marine safety articles;
400 (b) With respect to the design, manufacture, installation,
401 or use of any marine sanitation device on any vessel;
402 (c) Regulating any vessel upon the Florida Intracoastal
403 Waterway;
404 (d) Discriminating against personal watercraft;
405 (e) Discriminating against airboats, for ordinances adopted
406 after July 1, 2006, unless adopted by a two-thirds vote of the
407 governing body enacting such ordinance;
408 (f) Regulating the anchoring of vessels other than live
409 aboard vessels outside the marked boundaries of mooring fields
410 permitted as provided in s. 327.40;
411 (g) Regulating engine or exhaust noise, except as provided
412 in s. 327.65; or
413 (h) That is in conflict with this chapter or any amendments
414 thereto or rules thereunder. no such ordinance or local law may
415 apply to the Florida Intracoastal Waterway and except that such
416 ordinances or local laws shall be operative only when they are
417 not in conflict with this chapter or any amendments thereto or
418 regulations thereunder. Any ordinance or local law which has
419 been adopted pursuant to this section or to any other state law
420 may not discriminate against personal watercraft as defined in
421 s. 327.02. Effective July 1, 2006, any ordinance or local law
422 adopted pursuant to this section or any other state law may not
423 discriminate against airboats except by a two-thirds vote of the
424 governing body enacting such ordinance.
425 (3)(2) Nothing contained in the provisions of this section
426 shall be construed to prohibit local governmental authorities
427 from the enactment or enforcement of regulations which prohibit
428 or restrict the mooring or anchoring of floating structures or
429 live-aboard vessels within their jurisdictions or of any vessels
430 within the marked boundaries of mooring fields permitted as
431 provided in s. 327.40. However, local governmental authorities
432 are prohibited from regulating the anchoring outside of such
433 mooring fields of vessels other than live-aboard vessels as
434 defined in s. 327.02 non-live-aboard vessels in navigation.
435 Section 15. Paragraph (1) of subsection (2) of section
436 327.65, Florida Statutes, is amended to read
437 327.65 Muffling devices.—
438 (2)(a) Any county wishing to impose additional noise
439 pollution and exhaust regulations on vessels may, pursuant to s.
440 327.60(2)(1), adopt by county ordinance the following
441 regulations:
442 1. No person shall operate or give permission for the
443 operation of any vessel on the waters of any county or on a
444 specified portion of the waters of any county, including the
445 Florida Intracoastal Waterway, which has adopted the provisions
446 of this section in such a manner as to exceed the following
447 sound levels at a distance of 50 feet from the vessel: for all
448 vessels, a maximum sound level of 90 dB A.
449 2. Any person who refuses to submit to a sound level test
450 when requested to do so by a law enforcement officer is guilty
451 of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in
452 s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
453 (b) The following words and phrases, when used in this
454 section, shall have the meanings respectively assigned to them
455 in this subsection.
456 1. “dB A” means the composite abbreviation for the A
457 weighted sound level and the unit of sound level, the decibel.
458 2. “Sound level” means the A-weighted sound pressure level
459 measured with fast response using an instrument complying with
460 the specification for sound level meters of the American
461 National Standards Institute, Inc., or its successor bodies,
462 except that only a weighting and fast dynamic response need be
463 provided.
464 Section 16. Section 327.66, Florida Statutes, is created to
465 read:
466 327.66 Carriage of gasoline on vessels.—
467 (1)(a) A person shall not:
468 1. Possess or operate any vessel that has been equipped
469 with tanks, bladders, drums, or other containers designed or
470 intended to hold gasoline, or install or maintain such
471 containers in a vessel, if such containers do not conform to
472 federal regulations or have not been approved by the United
473 States Coast Guard by inspection or special permit.
474 2. Transport any gasoline in an approved portable container
475 when the container is in a compartment that is not ventilated in
476 strict compliance with United States Coast Guard regulations
477 pertaining to ventilation of compartments containing gasoline
478 tanks.
479 (b) A person who violates paragraph (a) commits a
480 misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s.
481 775.082 or s. 775.083.
482 (2)(a) Gasoline possessed or transported in violation of
483 this section and all containers holding such gasoline are
484 declared to be a public nuisance. A law enforcement agency
485 discovering gasoline possessed or transported in violation of
486 paragraph (1)(a) shall abate the nuisance by removing the
487 gasoline and containers from the vessel and from the waters of
488 this state. A law enforcement agency that removes gasoline or
489 containers pursuant to this subsection may elect to:
490 1. Retain the property for the agency’s own use;
491 2. Transfer the property to another unit of state or local
492 government;
493 3. Donate the property to a charitable organization; or
494 4. Sell the property at public sale pursuant to s. 705.103.
495 (b) A law enforcement agency that seizes gasoline or
496 containers pursuant to this subsection shall remove and reclaim,
497 recycle, or otherwise dispose of the gasoline as soon as
498 practicable in a safe and proper manner.
499 (3) All conveyances, vessels, vehicles, and other equipment
500 described in paragraph (1)(a) or used in the commission of a
501 violation of paragraph (1)(a), other than gasoline or containers
502 removed as provided in subsection (2), are declared to be
503 contraband.
504 (a) Upon conviction of a person arrested for a violation of
505 paragraph (1)(a), the judge shall issue an order adjudging and
506 ordering that all conveyances, vessels, vehicles, and other
507 equipment used in the violation shall be forfeited to the
508 arresting agency. The requirement for a conviction before
509 forfeiture of property establishes to the exclusion of any
510 reasonable doubt that the property was used in connection with
511 the violation resulting in the conviction, and the procedures of
512 chapter 932 do not apply to any forfeiture of property under
513 this subsection following a conviction.
514 (b) In the absence of an arrest or conviction, any such
515 conveyance, vessel, vehicle, or other equipment used in
516 violation of paragraph (1)(a) shall be subject to seizure and
517 forfeiture as provided by the Florida Contraband Forfeiture Act.
518 (c) As used in this subsection, the term “conviction” means
519 a finding of guilt or the acceptance of a plea of guilty or nolo
520 contendere, regardless of whether adjudication is withheld or
521 whether imposition of sentence is withheld, deferred, or
522 suspended.
523 (4) All costs incurred by the law enforcement agency in the
524 removal of any gasoline, gasoline container, other equipment, or
525 vessel as provided in this section shall be recoverable against
526 the owner thereof. Any person who neglects or refuses to pay
527 such amount shall not be issued a certificate of registration
528 for such vessel or for any other vessel or motor vehicle until
529 the costs have been paid.
530 (5) Foreign flagged vessels entering United States waters
531 and Florida state waters in compliance with 19 USC 1433 are
532 exempt from this section.
533 Section 17. Effective October 1, 2009, section 327.70,
534 Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
535 327.70 Enforcement of this chapter and chapter 328.—
536 (1) This chapter and chapter 328 shall be enforced by the
537 Division of Law Enforcement of the Fish and Wildlife
538 Conservation Commission and its officers, the sheriffs of the
539 various counties and their deputies, municipal police officers,
540 and any other authorized law enforcement officer as defined in
541 s. 943.10, all of whom may order the removal of vessels deemed
542 to be an interference or a hazard to public safety, enforce the
543 provisions of this chapter and chapter 328, or cause any
544 inspections to be made of all vessels in accordance with this
545 chapter and chapter 328.
546 (2)(a) Noncriminal violations of the following statutes may
547 be enforced by a uniform boating citation mailed to the
548 registered owner of an unattended vessel anchored, aground, or
549 moored on the waters of this state:
550 1. Section 327.33(3)(b), relating to navigation rules.
551 2. Section 327.44, relating to interference with
552 navigation.
553 3. Section 327.50(2), relating to required lights and
554 shapes.
555 4. Section 327.53, relating to marine sanitation.
556 5. Section 328.48(5), relating to display of decal.
557 6. Section 328.52(2), relating to display of number.
558 (b) Citations issued to livery vessels under this
559 subsection shall be the responsibility of the lessee of the
560 vessel if the livery has included a warning of this
561 responsibility as a part of the rental agreement and has
562 provided to the agency issuing the citation the name, address,
563 and date of birth of the lessee when requested by that agency.
564 The livery is not responsible for the payment of citations if
565 the livery provides the required warning and lessee information
566 (3) Such officers shall have the power and duty to issue
567 such orders and to make such investigations, reports, and
568 arrests in connection with any violation of the provisions of
569 this chapter and chapter 328 as are necessary to effectuate the
570 intent and purpose of this chapter and chapter 328.
571 (4)(3) The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission or any
572 other law enforcement agency may make any investigation
573 necessary to secure information required to carry out and
574 enforce the provisions of this chapter and chapter 328.
575 Section 18. Effective October 1, 2009, subsection (1) of
576 section 327.73, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
577 327.73 Noncriminal infractions.—
578 (1) Violations of the following provisions of the vessel
579 laws of this state are noncriminal infractions:
580 (a) Section 328.46, relating to operation of unregistered
581 and unnumbered vessels.
582 (b) Section 328.48(4), relating to display of number and
583 possession of registration certificate.
584 (c) Section 328.48(5), relating to display of decal.
585 (d) Section 328.52(2), relating to display of number.
586 (e) Section 328.54, relating to spacing of digits and
587 letters of identification number.
588 (f) Section 328.60, relating to military personnel and
589 registration of vessels.
590 (g) Section 328.72(13), relating to operation with an
591 expired registration.
592 (h) Section 327.33(2), relating to careless operation.
593 (i) Section 327.37, relating to water skiing, aquaplaning,
594 parasailing, and similar activities.
595 (j) Section 327.44, relating to interference with
596 navigation.
597 (k) Violations relating to boating-restricted restricted
598 areas and speed limits:
599 1. Established by the commission or by local governmental
600 authorities pursuant to s. 327.46.
601 2. Established by local governmental authorities pursuant
602 to s. 327.22 or s. 327.60.
603 2.3. Speed limits established pursuant to s. 379.2431(2).
604 (l) Section 327.48, relating to regattas and races.
605 (m) Section 327.50(1) and (2), relating to required safety
606 equipment, lights, and shapes.
607 (n) Section 327.65, relating to muffling devices.
608 (o) Section 327.33(3)(b), relating to navigation rules.
609 (p) Section 327.39(1), (2), (3), and (5), relating to
610 personal watercraft.
611 (q) Section 327.53(1), (2), and (3), relating to marine
612 sanitation.
613 (r) Section 327.53(4), (5), and (7), relating to marine
614 sanitation, for which the civil penalty is $250.
615 (s) Section 327.395, relating to boater safety education.
616 (t) Section 327.52(3), relating to operation of overloaded
617 or overpowered vessels.
618 (u) Section 327.331, relating to divers-down flags, except
619 for violations meeting the requirements of s. 327.33.
620 (v) Section 327.391(1), relating to the requirement for an
621 adequate muffler on an airboat.
622 (w) Section 327.391(3), relating to the display of a flag
623 on an airboat.
624 (x) Section 253.04(4)(a), relating to carelessly causing
625 seagrass scarring, for which the civil penalty upon conviction
626 is:
627 1. For a first offense, $50.
628 2. For a second offense occurring within 12 months after a
629 prior conviction, $250.
630 3. For a third offense occurring within 36 months after a
631 prior conviction, $500.
632 4. For a fourth or subsequent offense occurring within 72
633 months after a prior conviction, $1,000.
634
635 Any person cited for a violation of any such provision
636 shall be deemed to be charged with a noncriminal infraction,
637 shall be cited for such an infraction, and shall be cited to
638 appear before the county court. The civil penalty for any such
639 infraction is $50, except as otherwise provided in this section.
640 Any person who fails to appear or otherwise properly respond to
641 a uniform boating citation shall, in addition to the charge
642 relating to the violation of the boating laws of this state, be
643 charged with the offense of failing to respond to such citation
644 and, upon conviction, be guilty of a misdemeanor of the second
645 degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. A
646 written warning to this effect shall be provided at the time
647 such uniform boating citation is issued.
648 Section 19. Effective october 1, 2009, subsection (1) of
649 section 327.731, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
650 327.731 Mandatory education for violators.—
651 (1) Every person convicted of a criminal violation of this
652 chapter, every person convicted of a noncriminal infraction
653 under this chapter if the infraction resulted in a reportable
654 boating accident, and every person convicted of two noncriminal
655 infractions as defined in s. 327.73(1)(h)-(k), (m), (o), (p),
656 and (s)-(x)(s)-(w), said infractions occurring within a 12-month
657 period, must:
658 (a) Enroll in, attend, and successfully complete, at his or
659 her own expense, a boating safety course that meets minimum
660 standards established by the commission by rule; however, the
661 commission may provide by rule pursuant to chapter 120 for
662 waivers of the attendance requirement for violators residing in
663 areas where classroom presentation of the course is not
664 available;
665 (b) File with the commission within 90 days proof of
666 successful completion of the course;
667 (c) Refrain from operating a vessel until he or she has
668 filed the proof of successful completion of the course with the
669 commission.
670
671 Any person who has successfully completed an approved boating
672 course shall be exempt from these provisions upon showing proof
673 to the commission as specified in paragraph (b).
674
675 Renumber subsequent sections.
676
677
678 ================= T I T L E A M E N D M E N T ================
679 And the title is amended as follows:
680 Delete line 54
681 and insert:
682 regulations; amending s. 327.65, F.S.; correcting a cross
683 reference; creating s. 327.66, F.S.; prohibiting